What size tank for beginner?

[brians4671]

consider a happy medium. i have a 65 butt haha i wish i had a bigger tank and i haqvent had it that long. butt hey in time. i will say the smaller size has help me learn. where as if i would have went through the same trial and error with a larger tank may have been a bit more frustrating. good luck.

[Resugio]

Originally posted by marduc
Have you used copper medication in either of those 2 tanks while they were freshwater?

Nope, the only thing ever used to treat sick fish was aquarium salt. Is copper medication bad?

The 180 was actually a salt water tank when I bought it last year. It was being used as a display tank in some office.

[Resugio]

I am also starting to think that maybe I should trade my 180 gallon tank for a 90 or 120. Maybe that would be a little easier to start with, but that would still require some work, and trying to find someone willing to trade.

[rigbya]

One person mentioned not needing an RODI with a nano tank - is this true?

[brians4671]

i would still make my own water spite the amount

[Chorethorious]

Originally posted by rigbya
One person mentioned not needing an RODI with a nano tank - is this true?

Yes and no, the primary reason people go with an RODI unit in house is to save money. If you only require several gallons a week for top-off or to mix your salt.. you're not getting the return on investment. If you have a larger tank, buying your water for that is rather expensive.

So, you have a small tank where you only require a few gallons a week. Say 50 cents a gallon is the price, thats only 3 dollars. Then say you have a large tank requiring 30-50 gallons for a water change. You kinda get the idea

[marduc]

Originally posted by Resugio
Nope, the only thing ever used to treat sick fish was aquarium salt. Is copper medication bad?

The 180 was actually a salt water tank when I bought it last year. It was being used as a display tank in some office.

Yes, copper can be toxic to invertebrates at trace levels, and often converting a former fresh water tank to salt will be problematic due to copper traces from medications.

[Kryptikhan]

I'm workn near 6 months in, and I tell ya. I am glad I started off small because there is so much I have learned in my own hands-on experience that I would change for a larger project. Powerheads vs closed loop, the size of fuge and the flow going through there. the brands that I like and don't like. The rock..the fish, the chemistry between fish....coral placement etc. I just feel starting off small was the righ thing to do before starting a monstrous project......the balance between inverts needed and size of tank etc. I just have a better feel now how to start my -real- project and what to look for.

[Resugio]

Originally posted by marduc
Yes, copper can be toxic to invertebrates at trace levels, and often converting a former fresh water tank to salt will be problematic due to copper traces from medications.

That's good to know....thanks.

[Resugio]

Originally posted by Kryptikhan
I'm workn near 6 months in, and I tell ya. I am glad I started off small because there is so much I have learned in my own hands-on experience that I would change for a larger project. Powerheads vs closed loop, the size of fuge and the flow going through there. the brands that I like and don't like. The rock..the fish, the chemistry between fish....coral placement etc. I just feel starting off small was the righ thing to do before starting a monstrous project......the balance between inverts needed and size of tank etc. I just have a better feel now how to start my -real- project and what to look for.

This has become a tougher decision than I had imagined. I am working right now on trading for an "in between" tank. Hopefully, I can find someone with a 90ish gallon tank willing to trade for my 180 gallon acrylic.

[lloydkeller]

do what you can afford i went with a 120 I was going to do a 55 but realized When i moved up it would cost even more like 2 different setups take your time getting everything you need do it rite the first time and save lots of money

[Larah]

Wellll... what do YOU want to do?

Heck if you can, get 'em both

[robojet]

I started with a 5 gallon tank, and really had to keep on top of things! It really made me learn how to maintain good water quality if nothing else. I then moved to a 34 gallon - and WOW how much easier life became. But I still wish I had an even bigger tank! I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything, but my advice would be: GO BIG!

[Resugio]

Originally posted by Larah
Wellll... what do YOU want to do?

Heck if you can, get 'em both

I like the way you think.