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02/19/2014, 10:01 PM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 15
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what size tank should I get??
So first off this is my first reef/saltwater tank ever and I am very excited. I live on 2nd floor so I cant have anything to big. I have a 30 gallon tank thats empty with a pine stand as one of my options and the other is a 14 gallon biocube with stand and a bunch of extras that I can get tomorrow for 100 bucks. What should I do?
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02/19/2014, 10:05 PM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: South Central New Jersey
Posts: 1,088
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Small tanks can be difficult for newbies, or so I'm told. The bigger the better for a starter. Most recommend 75-120 gallons as good "starters" but I think a 30 gallon cube could be decent. I personally wouldn't do a 14 for my first tank as the problem with small tanks is that, due to the small water volume, when something goes wrong it goes wrong *quick*, where-as in larger set-ups you have more time to "act" on issues.
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02/19/2014, 10:07 PM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,280
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If those are your only two options I would go with the larger of the two.
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02/19/2014, 10:14 PM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Athens, Georgia
Posts: 7
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You should get the biggest tank you can afford. Even on the second floor, you could do a 55-75 gallon. That being said, a biocube is a great way to start in the hobby as it is all inclusive. Lights alone for a 55 or 75 gallon reef would run well over the price of even a new 29 biocube. My standard 29 has a $300 light on it!
The other thing to consider is if you like to tinker with things. The biocube is not very customizable. You can swap lights and return pumps but you are pretty limited in equipment choices. However, if you go with a standard tank, you can make equipment choices. TL; DR if money isn't an issue, 55-75. If you like to tinker, a standard tank (also requires $$$). If you are on a budget, biocube. HTH. Pops |
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02/19/2014, 10:16 PM
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#5 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 436
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I started with a 40 breeder and honestly think its a perfect starter tank. The dimensions are great and its not so small you only get one fish but not too big where your pouring thousands in on it and end up failing. I think getting too big of a tank can just be too overwhelming and almost as bad as too small of a tank. I'd go with either your 30 or wait and get either a 40 breeder or 55.
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02/19/2014, 10:52 PM
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#6 |
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Moved On
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 515
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Bigger is better...i have a 36bow w/10 sump, couldnt go any bigger bc of my apartment o wishh i could have, but theres alot of reasons to go bigger on your first tank, and only 2 reasons to go smaller #1$ #2 dont have the space
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02/20/2014, 12:55 AM
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#7 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 15
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Thanks alot everyone very helpful!
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02/20/2014, 03:09 AM
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#8 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ohio
Posts: 256
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If you already have the 30 gallon, go ahead and use that. the $100 you would have spent on the biocube can get you some of the essentials to start your cycle (heater, powerhead, sand and rock)
I started out with a 20H and pine stand that I had laying around and it has worked out pretty well for me. If i were starting from scratch with no tank and stand, I probably would have gone with a 40B or 75 gallon as they both have an 18" width. a 12" width is a bit difficult to aquascape in
__________________
Current Tanks: New build in progress :) |
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