two choices what do you think??

[Butchdawg14]

Well it has cam down to these two choices what is an overall better tank to purchase a 3 gallon picotope or a JBJ 6 gallon?? now your going to say the 6 gallon for sure i assume, but i want the cheapest but get the most out of it. i know the 6 gallon wil hold more but the 3 gallon could get a shrimp and a fish and less sand and less water and less rock. i know this might seem like a stupid question but im a beginner (never had a saltwater tank ever, but have had a 10 gal fresh a lil while ago) so cut me some slack.....thanks
Kevin

 

[Illuminati]

Welcome to the addiction.

First with these smaller tanks the hardest thing is keeping the salinity (salt level) at a constant level. When saltwater evaporates the salt is still there so it's easy for the salinity to jump up on you.

The 3 gallon is without a top and you will be doing daily topoffs with RO/DI water to keep everything under control. The 6 at least has a hood so that helps keep the evaporation under control.

Pass on the idea of any fish in either tank. Not to be Debbie Downer but there is just not enough space and to much room for error on pico's to keep fish.

Honestly if you want to break into this hobby and keep a couple cool small fish get a JBJ 12 gallon nanocube (or aquapod). Much easier to keep salinity levels in check and you could get a firefish and maybe a little clown in there.

If the choice is only between a 3 and a 6 get the 6.

 

[SugarFox03]

I agree with Colin. The 3 gal Picos should be left to professionals, they are not a good starter tank, as they are very difficult to keep stable. If you want a fish and you can afford the 12 gal system go with that, if not, try and set up a 10 gal. I believe you can put a 10 gal together for much less than it would cost you to buy the 12 gal cube. How much are you looking to spend?

If you're stuck on a 3 or 6 gal, definately get the 6, as mentioned before, evaporation won't be as bad. I wouldn't recommend a fish in this tank though, its too small.

Good luck with your choice!

 

[Butchdawg14]

ok thanks for the information i appericate the help.

 

[Rosseau]

You'll quickly find you want one of everything in your tank, at least I do that ( I think most people here do ). Having a little more space in the 6 won't limit you as much. You'll fill a 3 up pretty fast. Either way, you'll enjoy it. But I second the idea that a 3 is a little harder to control the chemistry of the water, especially if you have a fish or other waste producers.

Enjoy, ask away.

 

[travisurfer]

I would say the 6g out of those two and you could get one small fish.

A 10g AGA would actually cost less btw.
10g Tank: $10-20
Double Incandescent Hood: $20
2 x Coralife 10w 50/50's: $20
150gph or so powerhead: $15
and viola, you have all the hardware to setup a basic soft coral tank in an affordable package. if you went with 6500k bulbs from walmart as well as a walmart tank you could get everything for about $50 before rock, sand, and livestock. hth.

 

[Kellie in CA]

Here is a good deal on a small tank. It hold 8.9 gallons so you will have a little more room for error.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...MEWN:IT&viewitem=&item=270086498444&rd=1&rd=1

 

[Absinthe]

NC6 with some upgrades from www.nanocustoms.com

 

[Butchdawg14]

well i just got a 6 gal with t5 lighting so the fun begins in a couple of days.....