why begin a reef tank?

[paulo64]

some experts sometimes misunderstand that a beginner in saltwater can setup up a large reef tank! I know that experts disagree with this statement but This might be a good idea that i went for when i started a saltwater tank.I belive based on experience that if you are planning to get saltwater fish with a tank of 75 gallons or more, I believe you should aim for a reef tank. once you can master a reef tank, you can master any other tank setup :rollface:.

I believe bigger tanks can be easier to maintain constant water paremeters, and reef tanks look prettier, therefore a reef tank can be a better choice for people that plan on setting up a larger tank. For my experience, I started with a 75 gallon reef tank as a begginer into saltwater aquaria and have had only 3 fish die in the proccess. :lol: Reef tanks can be more expensive but, not much more because the maintnece supplies are basically the same so, it adds up to a comparable cost to a reef tank. i could have spent less on a fish only tank but not much less since the equipment Is the major cost of a tank.

In conclusion I believe that reef tanks can be a option for a novice aquarist as well as the expert reefkeeper. if ones is willing to spend the money on a larger tank! :fish1:

 

[Slakker]

I often see it recommended that new aquarists start tanks in the 55-90 range. I don't think anyone will argue that it's easier to keep parameters stable with a larger water volume.

 

[Untamed12]

I would argue the "larger is easier" approach. I've kept both large and small tanks and this is what I think.

Things do happen more slowly in large tanks..yes...but when they happen, they are more difficult to fix. I can't just replace 500 gallons.

It used to be that when things started going badly, a 4 gallon water change would cure anything. Water parameters could be reset easily and I could start over.

Smaller tanks are an excellent place to learn the ropes. I expect that beginners will still have problems, but they can be overcome quickly. When you have a problem in a 500 gallon system, it's a big problem!

 

[quikenuff]

Agree with Untamed, I was talked into the Larger was easier mentality when I upgraded from a 46 gal to a 155 gal. Larger is easier after you know what you are doing, and I still don't by the way. In a large tank everthing you do takes longer and costs more. And if your not in the habbit of maintaning a reef tank seemingly simple mistakes can cost quite a bit to rectify. For example I started with a FOLR and converted it over to a reef tank after I bought my 1st soft coarl, wanted to "try out" growing corals LMAO. I didn't know I needed to monitor Mg along with Calc and Alk. I was going though gallons and gallons of ESV 2 part trying to get my calcium to raise thinking that it just takes that much with a larger tank. That would have been a much cheaper lesson to learn in a small tank.

Quik

 

[lth03]

I think large tank is meaning more than 50 and less than 150 is good for beginner reef tank.If it is smalller than 50,everything change too quickly to respond and fix the problem,most or all beginner don't have enough skill to deal with it right away and end up crashing the system.When the tank is over 50 gallon,if thing go wrong,it will take longer time to effect and thug we have enough time to fix it.
500 gallons reef for a beginner?I really doubt any one will do it,it sound too crazy.

 

[Animal Mother]

I don't understand the point of this post other than ranting.

Maintain a nano SPS reef with several fish. Then we'll talk about being able to maintain anything.

 

[yellowslayer13]

animal mother is right

 

[Saltwaterstart]

I think that a tank between 35-120 is a great beginner tank.

Everyone is right about the large tanks having slower reaction times, and slower fix times.

I guess that's the opposite end of the spear there.

If a beginner buys a nano though, and is able to maintain a soft coral or LPS reef with a few fish, I bet they could probably tackle a larger SPS system that is more demanding.

I think that the smaller the tank, the better the experience, because it gives beginners the ability to make quick decisions, and you have to be able to recognize the danger before it happens. This helps those who upgrade to larger tanks, because then the danger is slower approaching, and the experience with smaller tanks will help with the anticipation of danger in larger tanks.