Is 280 gallon to big?

[psilentchild]

This is going to be my first salt water tank.I have had a fresh water tank in the past.Is a 280 gallon tank to big to be starting out?I am going to try and get top of the line everything whatever I need I am going to get.I am also going to wait bout a year before I get the fish that I really want.I am going to gets some clown and damsel first.Its going to be a reef and fish tank.Will the reef out grow my tank?If so how do I stop it.Also in about 2 1/2 years I will be moving into my custom built house and will have a 600 gallon in the wall tank put in.

[SimilanRocks]

starting from 280g you are going to need a lot of $$$ and effort to make the coral out grow the tank in 2 years.

i don't think it's too big to start. it will be good experience before getting the 600g

[gmax111]

no its not too big... just make sure you do the extra reading.. Learn as much as possible before you begin adding living creatures.. you've got to understand the expenses and extra work of keeping a tank that large...

It will probably save you a lot of money to start with the biggest tank possible instead of starting smaller and upgrading...

I dont see the reef being able to outgrow your tank in 2 1/2 years unless you stock it full of already large corals...

The only reason i would see it being too big is if your not prepared for it...

[350nine]

My first saltwater tank is a 400 gallon. Just take it slow and learn proper QT procedures. Disease in a large tank is no fun.

[K' Family Reef]

not big enough!


go bigger.

[shaginwagon13]

Originally posted by WarrenAmy&Maddy
not big enough!


go bigger.

haha ever been to Sea World?

[dwd5813]

you will soon find yourself wondering about the feasability of flooding your entire basement and making the first floor of your house glass or installing a swimming pool sized pond in your backyard. look at the ocean, then look at your tank. the answer will be obvious!

[Sk8r]

The larger the tank, the easier to maintain, within reason. You will need to do a 28 gallon saltwater pump-out, pump-new-in once weekly. A Rubbermaid Brute trashcan on the roller-base also made by Rubbermaid can easily fill this bill. Mark your 28 g on the inside with indelible pen, pump out to that level, and have a second barrel ready with your replacement water, and you may not even have to stop the pump to do it.

I would advise, if you can, at least a 50 gallon sump, with a calcium reactor [pricey, but will automate SOOOO much] and a very potent skimmer rated for 500 gallons.

If you have not now fainted, consider drilling two holes in your living room floor and siting the sump and all support gear in your basement: it can be made to look relatively attractive.

Lighting: if you go for mh lighting, THAT will be pricey. You need several mh bulbs, and they need changing about every 6-8 months, the accompanying actinics [2] for each bulb, needing changing about every 6 months. Don't neglect to price the ballasts.

I run a 54. I do my water changes out of a couple of old salt buckets. I have a basement sump and love it beyond all expression. Setup, not using any used equipment, all new top of line, cost me about 3000.00 counting tank and all.

[Sk8r]

As to the reef 'outgrowing' your tank---if you run a topnotch reef and get good growth, you can 'frag off' bits of your corals, just snip them off with a rose clipper, collect the bits, superglue them to 'frag plugs' or bits of broken rubble, set them in the bottom of your tank and let them get good and encrusted [grown onto the plug] and then trade or sell them. I know a guy with a tank that size that manages a fair side income per year doing just that...shall we say, a large enough income it might be declared a 'business' and actually turn a profit. Doing that is a lot of work, but it might make the rig deductible as an IRS-registered for-profit business. I wouldn't, however, plan to quit the day job.

[mg426]

I say its just about the right size. I wish I had one.

[flameangel88]

I started out with a 24g nano tank in March 2006 and ran out of room then added a 75g two months later. I received a 180g as a present back in May this year but didn't have space to upgrade till 2 months ago and I'm already looking ahead. LOL

I don't think it will ever be starting out too big but like other folks said you need to start slow and you'll be fine. The cost of the tank is cheap (especially if you've to upgrade new equips for new bigger tank) compare to your other long term cost so go BIG NOW!

[dclaghorn]

And don't forget your electric bills gonna go up by about $300+ with that tank! :-)

[cpl40475]

I want a greenhouse with an inground olympic sized saltwater tank so a 400 gallon isnt to big to start lol

[Acillaton]

Yes. Thats a good size tank to begin with...if you can afford it. Good luck!!!

[poppin_fresh]

Keep in mind the average SW tank owner only lasts a little over a year. You are jumping into a big investment and unless you are prepared to deal with some sucess and failure your are going to waste money.

Be prepared for the tank to go through some stages where it aint so pretty to look at. If you are willing to commit and not give up you will be rewarded mentally (mabey spiritually depending on what you believe), but defintely not monitarilly!