Too big for rookie?

[Turningdoc]

I have kept a 60 gal reef tank for only 6 months w/o issues and have the chance to get a 300 gal commercial acrylic tank in perfect condition for a great deal. Not sure if I'll get in over my head (unintentional pun). Thought I'd ask how everyone how they got in to big tanks and if you'd suggest going for it.

 

[C Dog]

Bigger tanks will cost more to set up, run and to stock. Smaller tanks will crash faster. I would for the right price......

 

[planedoc]

I ran across a deal on a 240. I still have and I love it. The only thing that I know now that might of stopped me from buying it is the cost of operation. It cost about $70 in electricity and another 50 or so in salt per month. My ro system cost another 25 to maintain and my water bill is probably another 20. That's not counting food coral and other equipment. In the summer I have to run a 5000 btu air conditioner in the fish room to control temp and humidity but I'm not running the 500 watts of heaters . I built an led so at least I don't have the cost of replacing bulbs. I love my tank and I love being able to house tangs. It is expensive to operate a large tank.

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[Meanmike]

I ran across a deal on a 240. I still have and I love it. The only thing that I know now that might of stopped me from buying it is the cost of operation. It cost about $70 in electricity and another 50 or so in salt per month. My ro system cost another 25 to maintain and my water bill is probably another 20. That's not counting food coral and other equipment. In the summer I have to run a 5000 btu air conditioner in the fish room to control temp and humidity but I'm not running the 500 watts of heaters . I built an led so at least I don't have the cost of replacing bulbs. I love my tank and I love being able to house tangs. It is expensive to operate a large tank.

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Why so much for salt? That seems like a lot for a 240.

 

[DerekFF]

Why so much for salt? That seems like a lot for a 240.

10% change a week is 96g of salt water to remake. That's 2 bags at $16-20 a bag. Anything over 10% or maybe with a large sump 10% is 30g+ now your at 3 bags. It's pretty right on. I can't imagine the initial cost of lighting on that thing LEDs would be insane expensive up front. Halides would kill you the rest of the year. All else he listed makes for an expensive hobby lol. Ill never go over 120g DT. Just will never have the time, money, desire for anything as gargantuan as 300g


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[Meanmike]

10% change a week is 96g of salt water to remake. That's 2 bags at $16-20 a bag. Anything over 10% or maybe with a large sump 10% is 30g+ now your at 3 bags. It's pretty right on. I can't imagine the initial cost of lighting on that thing LEDs would be insane expensive up front. Halides would kill you the rest of the year. All else he listed makes for an expensive hobby lol. Ill never go over 120g DT. Just will never have the time, money, desire for anything as gargantuan as 300g


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I guess that depends on the % of water being changed. It would also depend on the salt purchased. You can buy 200g worth of reef chrystal salt for around $55. That's enough for a 20% water on a 1000g system every month.

 

[Epicreefer]

Like planedoc stated it cost a significant amount to build a large tank and keep it running. Depending on where you live, cost of electricity and such, expect it to cost you up to a dollar a gallon a month to keep the tank running. Add in the cost of trying to fill that tank with rock, corals and fish and your looking at 2-3k up front livestock just to make it not look like a tank full of rocks, and around 2k for decent equipment. So you need around 8-10k in disposable income this year in addition to the tank just to set it up properly and half stock it.

Not trying to discourage you from living your dream but unless your a diehard fish addict for years and just happen to have started keeping reefs your probably getting in a little over your head. I did this once when I went from 60 to 180 and all I really got out of it was a learning experience and a bunch of money down the drain when I moved and sold most of it. Would have been much better off getting a 75 or 90. The simple possibility of moving anytime in the next 3 years alone in my experience would make it not worth while. Expect that to take 3 days easy. One side of you see the opportunity, but in this hobby it's not uncommon to run into large tanks at a deal, I probably see several a year over 200g for a dirt cheap price. Also something to note is the first 6 months can be the easiest in the hobby. The water sand and rock can absorb a lot of mistakes in a new tank that don't become obvious till 9-12 months. It's wiser to stick with your smaller tanks for a few years and make sure the expense is worth it to you.

 

[dave.m]

You can always buy the large tank and store it until such time as you feel experienced enough to handle it or your life situation makes you feel you can afford to run it. Not everyone does weekly water changes. Many only do monthly changes, and some reefers do no water changes at all (no, I am not one of them).

But what it really comes down to is your own personal situation and choice (responsibility).

Dave.M

 

[planedoc]

I built my own led. 130 3 watt bulbs for about $1000. I recently added 10 24 watt T5 lights so now in running 390 watts of led and 240 watts of the. I do a 30 gallon water change every week. Total system is 270 gallons with the 75 gallon sump. I use coral pro salt you do the math. I also run a 75. My electric bill used to be 70 to 80 in the winter now it's right at 200. Here in Indiana I pay just under 10 cents a kilowatt hour. The 240 #s of sand cost over 300. I don't think about live rock

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