Thoughts/Feedback on tank size?

A

adudle00

New member
Hello!

I'm not completely new to the hobby, but I haven't had a tank in about 5 years. I now have my own home and have been wanting to get another tank for a long time. I love tangs so I wanted to go as big as possible in my space. I also plan to keep some coral.
I've been loving the Red Sea REEFER XXL 750 tank, since it looks more modern. (this one: http://www.redseafish.com/aquarium-systems/reefer/#DELUXE)
What do you guys think? Does anybody have any experience with these red sea reefer tanks? I have a good amount of money to drop on one right now, so the cost isn't so much of an issue. Anything else I'm not thinking about right now? I've often heard people say they wish they went larger; does anybody wish they went smaller with a tank? Thank you!
 
Big cabinet, big space for equipment, less cramped; and I've only heard people regret going big when they've pushed themselves and are facing burnout. You've been there, you know your circumstances, and you know something about the fish and corals. Lighting is real spendy in big tanks, but you can zone it for multiple types, given skills (and carbon). I'd say go for as much as you can reasonably take care of.
 
1.21 Gigawatts...

Thats 100% personal/space/time/money,etc... decision

Ok.. I'll give you one thought..ok two.. a standard 55G would make a crappy reef tank because its so shallow front to back.. and a 40b is fantastic size for a small reef..
 
Seriously? You expect recommendations on a tank size with absolutely no parameters? You've been around here long enough to do better than that!

Budget for the entire project
Space for the tank and extras
Time you have to devote to the tank and it's inhabitants

I like shallow tanks. I have 2 that are 20" tall, a 14" tall and a 10" tall. I'd never consider a 24" tank again. I build my own if I couldn't find the length and width I wanted in a 20" tank. But that's just me.
 
wow, this crowd is not as friendly as I remember...

Budget: 10k

Space: enough; the area I plan to put it is about 9'x3'

Time: right now, I have a lot of time to dedicate for set it up, etc. However, I have a baby on the way so will lose a lot of my free time come 6 months. I'm hoping to have something up and running by then.

My biggest concerns I guess are water changes on a tank that large, which I've never had to do. I have an RO system, but will have to figure out the best way for me to do water changes. I'm pretty small (100 lbs normally, 5'4") so hauling 5 gallon buckets of water around like I did before is not something I want to do.

I also do not want to build my own tank. I'm looking for more of an AIO that I can build on. I don't know who else (other than Red Sea) makes a nice looking rimless system. I guess I was looking more for feedback on that specific tank/brand.

In the past I kept mostly soft corals and LPS, but would like to work my way up to SPS in this new tank. I guess I'm more into keeping corals than fish (but would like a powder blue tang...maybe?). I just don't want to go too small and then regret it.
 
adudle00... excuse us.. You are a new member and must have posted an external link or something.. The moderators of this site have chosen to "jail" those posts until they can go over it and approve it..
So we can't even see your original post (even still right now) and thought crazy Junbugs post was the only thing in this thread..

Now that you have posted (and I noticed the thread starter was you this time) we will be able to offer more help..
 
Having said that..
How big do you really want to go?
And really how much time are you willing to invest.. IMO big tanks require lots of maintenance time.. Just because of volume alone.. Not to mention cost.. 10k should be good though for a 100+ or so tank with all the bells and whistles.. reef controllers/nice lights,etc...

In addition to red sea this company supposedly has some really nice "plug and play" systems..
http://www.scaquariums.com/category-s/100.htm
 
As to water changes.. Where will the tank be in regards to a water source and a drain?
Many pump water right into their tanks from storage bins,etc.. in the garage or a dedicated fish equipment room right behind the tank walls,etc...
It could be that you just drag out a hose and pump away..

And a pump could be used to pump water out of the sump or gravity drain depending on locations,etc.. to get the old water out..
 
Sorry, I didn't know you couldn't see my original post. Thanks for letting me know.

I'm having such a difficult time deciding what would be a good size for me. I don't want to restrict myself by going too small, but I also don't want to go so large that I will dread maintaining it. My favorite fish ever was a pearly jawfish, so I would be happy just having one of those and maybe a few other fish in there; and then some coral and inverts.

Thanks for the link to the tanks! I will check those out as well.
 
Yeah I wish this site would let people know when thats happening.. As we look like jerks or are ignoring you or whatever.. But this ain't my site.. so..

IMO if you are already scared... Don't go too big..
A jawfish does not need a big tank at all (30gallon)...

Its really a decision you need to make.. Nothing worse though than sinking all that money into it and getting sick of maintenance,etc... I downgraded from a 120G (6ft long) to a 40b and I was very glad I did.. I will be moving very shortly (next week... happy dance) and plan to go a bit larger but not too crazy at all.. I'll probably keep it under 90 gallons.. maybe 75 or so.. Thats PLENTY for me..

But you also mentioned a powder blue tang.. that needs a big tank.. 125+G (6ft really) so you really do need to decide what you want..
 
If you want a couple of big fish, you'll need the tank length. A 125-150 would be big enough for many of the fish common to home aquariums. You could have a very sparsely populated larger tank or a more densely populated smaller tank. Tank size should be determined by fish choice. You can have a ton of small fish in a big tank but not big fish in a small tank. Does that make any sense?

Your budget allows a very nice tank. What does your house allow? Do you have a nearby area for a fish room or basement space below the tank for a sump and mixing station?

Good luck and please post pics as you go along with your build.
 
Your original post says you "love tangs". With that knowledge on hand no way can you a tank under 100G. If you want multiple tanks without getting attacked by the tang police :lol2: , you should look at tanks north of 200G
 
I guess I could live without tangs, or get something that can be in a smaller tank. I'm still leaning towards the reefer 750; it's a 160 gallon. Would it look stupid if I have mostly smaller fish and coral in a larger tank?
Thanks for all the input!
 
adudle00 said:
I guess I could live without tangs, or get something that can be in a smaller tank. I'm still leaning towards the reefer 750; it's a 160 gallon. Would it look stupid if I have mostly smaller fish and coral in a larger tank?
Thanks for all the input!
Click to expand...

No, if anything it would likely look more natural. Throw in a small tang (or two [kole,tomini,mimic]) and it will be awesome.
 
I did look into the peninsula tanks; I have very high ceilings where the tank would go and since the lights on that tank are mounted from the ceiling I thought it might look odd.
 
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