If you have the budget, what's the best tank for a newbie, pros and cons?

[Sk8r]

My vote would be the 75 reef-drillled with stand, sump and skimmer.

You're big enough to keep some smaller varieties of colorful species, either fish or coral (ocean species of fish run LARGE, like measured in feet if you don't watch your adult size ratings); you're small enough not to go broke on rock and sand (use a lotta base rock and be patient), you have an 'affordable' range of equipment that works and can be bought second-hand, knowing it will fit. Your tank is long enough for your smaller fish to get away from each other and still have a territory. Your stand/sump is big enough to insert a refugium with minimal pain. And you don't have to outlay for huge numbers of lights/bulbs.

just my opinion. (I run a 54g with sump/skimmer, and miss my 100g, but there ain't no way. )

[Sk8r]

This is not, understand, a be-all end-all answer. I'm actually quite fond of my 54 bow, except it is a pita trying to get an algae-eater to take out the cussed caulerpa. It's just a shade too small for anything that will attack it.

[Barney_Googles]

I like a 40 breeder with a remora skimmer and 4 T5 Bulb set up.

It's a nice size for a reef because of it's depth and shallow height. T5 fixtures are cheap and bright enough to do a decent reef. You can keep a small amount of fish and hang a Remora on the back to take care of the water. Add a Koralia 3 for circulation and you're there.

[r0bin]

I agree whole heartedly with the 75. Perfect starting size.

[patsfan1130]

In my opinion...Newbie or not. especially if one is on a budget...a 75g is the ideal reef tank. for all of the reasons you listed above. it's nice and wide allowing for creative aquascaping. equiptment will not break the bank such as skimmers, lighting etc. I still have my old 75g. I absolutely love it

[techigirl78]

A used tank (preferably close to full setup).

It is crazy the amount you will save if you are just patient and wait for the right deal.

[abulgin]

Actually, I think a 90 gallon is a perfectly sized tank.

[Elan L.]

yea, doesnt a 90 fit a 75 stand? How much what you expect to spend on live rock and sand for any of these?

[palawan]

I agree with techigirl78- a used setup. There are plenty of good stuff on CL at a fraction of new retail prices. And if you decide you want out of the hobby you can always resell it.

[stricknine]

If a 90 does fit on a 75 stand, I'd go with the 75. You dont want your tank too deep, it will be a pain if you cant reach the bottom. You want to have access to all parts for cleaning, placing corals, etc.

Rock runs 5-8 bucks a pound, you want to average a pound per gallon give or take a few percent. Adds up in a hurry.

[Ken_wied]

I agree with the smaller tanks. I started wtih a 75g, and a friend was moving and wanted to sell his 210. Bought the entire setup for $700.00. Great investment, but the cost of sand, salt and rock quickly adds up. Got lucky, the price included 3 medal halide systems, the sump, main pump and a euro-reef skimmer.

[Elan L.]

How much should i expect to spend on lighting? would only start with soft corals and some zoas.

[r0bin]

Just to keep softies pc lighting is fine and is not very expensive. If you plan to keep more though, don't waste you money on something you will have to update soon.

[abulgin]

Originally posted by stricknine
If a 90 does fit on a 75 stand, I'd go with the 75. You dont want your tank too deep, it will be a pain if you cant reach the bottom. You want to have access to all parts for cleaning, placing corals, etc.

Rock runs 5-8 bucks a pound, you want to average a pound per gallon give or take a few percent. Adds up in a hurry.

A 75 is the exact same footprint of the 90. The 75, at 20" deep, is 4" shallower.

I just think the 90 gives you a very nice-sized tank that is versatile. It's not too deep (I can easily reach the bottom of my tank).

The tank is the cheapest piece of equipment you'll buy.

I wouldn't spend too much on substrate. In my 90, I opted for the less is more approach. One 40 lb bag of CaribSea pretty much gave me an inch of substrate, which is more than enough for my tastes. The price of rock is going to vary from LFS to LFS, or from e-tailer to e-tailer. If you buy fully cured rock at your LFS (which I recommend if you don't feel like curing rock and the hassle that it brings), look at spending between $6-$8 per pound. You'll need at least 75 lbs with 90lbs being preferable. Then you need lights and a skimmer. If you get a reef ready tank, you're going to need a sump and a return pump.

[A sea K]

Budget aside I wish as a newbie I had started with a much smaller tank. I don't feel a lot of begginers get a true grasp of how to set-up a tank and eliminate a lot of problems from the start.
I have always heard get the biggest tank you can fit and or afford so I got fairly large tank, read/researched until my eyes bled and thought I had designed the perfect system to suit my needs. Two years later I have realized a lot of mistakes I have made and If I started over now I would build my system much differently than what I have. There is nothing terribly wrong with it, just a lot of room for improvement but I can't bring myself to start breaking down a 2yr old 210gal and starting over.
Looking back I feel a 75/90 gal would have afforded me the space to keep most of what I like and given me time to learn and prepare for a larger more permenant system.

[firebirdude]

As much used equipment in the biggest group buy you can make. Swing a bulk discount on a whole lot of stuff.

[frank2926]

Originally posted by abulgin
A 75 is the exact same footprint of the 90. The 75, at 20" deep, is 4" shallower.

I just think the 90 gives you a very nice-sized tank that is versatile. It's not too deep (I can easily reach the bottom of my tank).

The tank is the cheapest piece of equipment you'll buy.

I wouldn't spend too much on substrate. In my 90, I opted for the less is more approach. One 40 lb bag of CaribSea pretty much gave me an inch of substrate, which is more than enough for my tastes. The price of rock is going to vary from LFS to LFS, or from e-tailer to e-tailer. If you buy fully cured rock at your LFS (which I recommend if you don't feel like curing rock and the hassle that it brings), look at spending between $6-$8 per pound. You'll need at least 75 lbs with 90lbs being preferable. Then you need lights and a skimmer. If you get a reef ready tank, you're going to need a sump and a return pump.

Tall tanks are never a good idea. fish and coral dont like to live condo style. you also are limiting the surface area for oxygen intake, and staking rock high can be a pita. You also are cutting the amount of par available to corals because of the extra distance light is traveling thru water .