Newbie need opinions on tank requirement

[timdo]

Hi, I just got a used tank from a friend of mine and I would like to start a marine fish tank. This tank is a 35 gal hexagon tank. The height is about 39" and the diameter is 17". I went to the pet store today and I was advised not to use such a tank for marine fish. Not sure if this is true. As a newbie, I do not want to spend money on a new tank. Much appreciated if someone can give me a second opinion.

thank you

[Phyxius]

Almost any tank could be used for a marine/reef tank but sometimes size/shape can limit what you want to do. It can also limit what you put in it also.

A tank that is 17" across wont lend much swimming room to a fish although its taller
39" deep severely limits the lighting options you have. To get lighting to the bottom you would be pretty much restricted to a higher power MH.
Tank that deep also makes it hard to reach bottom for maintenance.
Filtration/overflow would be more difficult on a hex tank with all the sides but can be done with sdded overflow box or drilling it..

Stand if hex also would make it harder to put a square tank as a sump in the bottom

These are just a few of the things the store may have been thinking of. It just creates a few issues in doing it but it can be done.....

[timdo]

Thank you for your opinions Mike. I see what you mean. I guess I have to save up and get a new tank. I really don't want the hassles of drilling and get a high power light. What would you recommend for a new tank?

Thank you

[kau_cinta_ku]

do you have a stocking list in mind?what kind of fish do you want to keep?

[Minibus]

If your looking for inexpensive tank, Petco is having its dollar a gallon sale on the 28th from what i've heard. Not sure how long the sale runs though.

[wsmith79]

if youre planning to keep any live coral at all its going to be a pain in a hextank. unless you have one where the whole top is removable i dont see it happenin. Or unless youre just going to house a couple fish to watch them swim i guess that would work too. Hexagons are too hard because you dont have any workspace at the top.

[Sk8r]

You can do a nice "Little" tank with mushrooms and a couple of neon gobies or clown gobies. It takes skill, however, and a lot of water-testing. Big tanks are generally easier than little ones, until you reach mega-tank.
The best tank for an absolute beginner is probably an all-in-one, like the aquapod, around 300.00, which doesn't need extra equipment, and which, if you don't overload it with fish that aren't appropriate for that size tank, is capable of teaching you what you have to do to keep it running. Then you sell it on to another new reefer and set up a tank with a sump and skimmer. Buy yours used from somebody going on to larger equipment, and you can save a bundle.

First of all, read the * threads at the top of this forum, and that will bring you up to speed on a lot of issues about choosing a tank, how to keep it, what you run into, etc.

[crvz]

Originally posted by timdo
Thank you for your opinions Mike. I see what you mean. I guess I have to save up and get a new tank. I really don't want the hassles of drilling and get a high power light. What would you recommend for a new tank?

Thank you

A good common starting size is around a 75, or if that's a bit large for you look at the 55 gallon tanks. Get something standard in dimension, as it's a lot easier to find hardware (both new and used).

[Phyxius]

Originally posted by Sk8r
You can do a nice "Little" tank with mushrooms and a couple of neon gobies or clown gobies. It takes skill, however, and a lot of water-testing. Big tanks are generally easier than little ones, until you reach mega-tank.
The best tank for an absolute beginner is probably an all-in-one, like the aquapod, around 300.00, which doesn't need extra equipment, and which, if you don't overload it with fish that aren't appropriate for that size tank, is capable of teaching you what you have to do to keep it running. Then you sell it on to another new reefer and set up a tank with a sump and skimmer. Buy yours used from somebody going on to larger equipment, and you can save a bundle.

First of all, read the * threads at the top of this forum, and that will bring you up to speed on a lot of issues about choosing a tank, how to keep it, what you run into, etc.

I agree with Sk8r on this. There are some really good deals on the Aquapods and Nano cubes on lists like craigslist or local for sale boards. I bought another 12g JBJ with all the equipment , rock, corals, fish, stand,salt and the like for 150.00 so I could keep some odd and ends LPS in it.
It would be a good starting point with the smaller and then go bigger down the road. Bigger tanks are really nice but if you want to keep costs down for now try a small one and look for a deal from someone upgrading down the road. My neighbors already have dibbs on my smaller tanks if I upgrade again