75G or 24G

Rob_Reef_Keeper · 01/09/2009, 12:20 PM

What is really needed for a great reef. Softies/LPS/Clam maybe?

If I were to get a new reef ready tank/stand canopy. I could get some sort of tank for a sump.

Thinking of 4 T5 lights.

I have form my old setup:
Litremeter III
icecap 660
Precision marine Kalk reactor
mag12
Tunze Stream 6000 w/controller
maxijets
won titanium heater 300
Ranco dual stage controller.
refractometer
RO/DI/DI (needs new membrane and prefilters)

I need a good skimmer as well.

Talk to me - What else do I need?

I am also still debating on a small 24G Nano cube with 150W Hqi for simplicity and less maintenance but not sure. If I did this I would need a chiller as well. The large tank should be OK I would think.

Which would be better - Pros-Cons of either tank

Bernie21 · 01/09/2009, 12:34 PM

75, bigger is better!!

Rob_Reef_Keeper · 01/09/2009, 12:52 PM

Honestly why is it that much better? Its also more work with more water to lug around for top off and water changes.

mx36 · 01/09/2009, 01:00 PM

If you have the money I would go with the 75. If you go with the 24g you will probably wish you had gone bigger after a few months.

JDigital · 01/09/2009, 01:02 PM

More stability with higher volume tanks..

Brandon M · 01/09/2009, 01:09 PM

Go w/ the 75g, you'll regret it if you don't.

Rob_Reef_Keeper · 01/09/2009, 01:13 PM

What else do I need for my tank then from the list? The 75G is significantly more money.

Tank/stand/canopy - $1000
Lights $300
sump $50-70
Skimmer - $300-500
LR - $800

Shekki · 01/09/2009, 01:23 PM

I've had a few nanos and a few larger tanks. My current 75 gallon has a 75 gallon sump. It's great for infrequent water changes and better stability, but there is a lot more work that goes into a bigger system. If you decide on a nano, do one with a sump. It will add more water volume and give you a place to put your filtration. I'm in the process of taking down my 56 and 75 gallon tanks and am downsizing to an Elos Mini.

BTW, I kept a 24g Aquapod with a 150 Sunpod and never needed a chiller. Hope this helps.

Phillybean · 01/09/2009, 01:35 PM

I think your prices are a little high for quotes. For that kind of money you could buy this awesome set up:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1529765

There are lots of large clubs in your general area, so finding something for sale won't be a problem.

Rob_Reef_Keeper · 01/09/2009, 01:58 PM

Well - I dont trust a used tank. That tank is sweet though.

Looking up those prices online they are about right. The only thing local is the tank/stand/canopy and the LR.

jedheuer · 01/09/2009, 02:02 PM

Compromise and go with a 40 g. Its a good size and good proportions for a reef.

Phillybean · 01/09/2009, 02:18 PM

Are you a DIYer at all?

Rob_Reef_Keeper · 01/09/2009, 02:30 PM

A little.

Phillybean · 01/09/2009, 02:57 PM

Same here.

A new 75 Gallon RR will run you $300 or so.
Make a stand/canopy. I made mine for about $200. Lots of plans online.
Pick up a MSX 200 Skimmer for $280
Buy some lights used thru the forum here $300 or so
Get 100 lbs of Eco Rock or similar for around $2.50/lb
Misc. Stuff, test kits, sump etc. - $300

For $1500 bucks you got a nice set up.

Rob_Reef_Keeper · 01/09/2009, 03:16 PM

I do not have any tools to make a stand/canopy. It is going in my living room so it has to look nice. I was looking at the AGA mission series.

Bernie21 · 01/09/2009, 03:23 PM

The bigger tank may be more work at fisrt, but it'll give you more stability and flexibility w the type of livestock you would like to keep. I just finished upgrading from a 28 to a 92, and Im loving it, its alil easier in my opinion. As far as the price goes, you can find a nice tank & stand used. I know you said you dont trust used, thats fine, I bought my tank & stand of some one, bought the rest of my equipment new (good stuff too) w the saving of a used tank and stand... Do as you wish & as your budget allows, but from experience Im saying bigger is better.

01/09/2009, 12:20 PM	#1
Rob_Reef_Keeper Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Garnerville, NY Posts: 551	75G or 24G What is really needed for a great reef. Softies/LPS/Clam maybe? If I were to get a new reef ready tank/stand canopy. I could get some sort of tank for a sump. Thinking of 4 T5 lights. I have form my old setup: Litremeter III icecap 660 Precision marine Kalk reactor mag12 Tunze Stream 6000 w/controller maxijets won titanium heater 300 Ranco dual stage controller. refractometer RO/DI/DI (needs new membrane and prefilters) I need a good skimmer as well. Talk to me - What else do I need? I am also still debating on a small 24G Nano cube with 150W Hqi for simplicity and less maintenance but not sure. If I did this I would need a chiller as well. The large tank should be OK I would think. Which would be better - Pros-Cons of either tank __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: 60G Cube, AI SOL Blue, Octopus XP-1000SSS skimmer, Old tank: 29Oceanic Biocube

01/09/2009, 12:34 PM	#2
Bernie21 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Miami, Fl... Posts: 2,161	75, bigger is better!! __________________ Reefing is an addiction rehab doesn't work for... Current Tank Info: Downgraded to a 0 Gal non Mixed Reef - Direct sun watts & 1x moon Actinics. RIO 00 return, no skimmer Skimmer.

01/09/2009, 12:52 PM	#3
Rob_Reef_Keeper Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Garnerville, NY Posts: 551	Honestly why is it that much better? Its also more work with more water to lug around for top off and water changes. __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: 60G Cube, AI SOL Blue, Octopus XP-1000SSS skimmer, Old tank: 29Oceanic Biocube

01/09/2009, 01:09 PM	#6
Brandon M Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,116	Go w/ the 75g, you'll regret it if you don't. __________________ Brandon Current Tank Info: 315g 84"x24"x36" FOWLR

01/09/2009, 01:13 PM	#7
Rob_Reef_Keeper Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Garnerville, NY Posts: 551	What else do I need for my tank then from the list? The 75G is significantly more money. Tank/stand/canopy - $1000 Lights $300 sump $50-70 Skimmer - $300-500 LR - $800 __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: 60G Cube, AI SOL Blue, Octopus XP-1000SSS skimmer, Old tank: 29Oceanic Biocube

01/09/2009, 01:00 PM	#4
mx36 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 242	If you have the money I would go with the 75. If you go with the 24g you will probably wish you had gone bigger after a few months.

01/09/2009, 01:02 PM	#5
JDigital Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Calgary, AB Canada Posts: 255	More stability with higher volume tanks..

01/09/2009, 01:23 PM	#8
Shekki Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ocean City, MD Posts: 651	I've had a few nanos and a few larger tanks. My current 75 gallon has a 75 gallon sump. It's great for infrequent water changes and better stability, but there is a lot more work that goes into a bigger system. If you decide on a nano, do one with a sump. It will add more water volume and give you a place to put your filtration. I'm in the process of taking down my 56 and 75 gallon tanks and am downsizing to an Elos Mini. BTW, I kept a 24g Aquapod with a 150 Sunpod and never needed a chiller. Hope this helps. __________________ Elos mini reef Current Tank Info: Elos mini, reefkeeper 2, Vortech MP20, ice cap moonlight, Reef Fanatic ATO

01/09/2009, 01:35 PM	#9
Phillybean Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kelowna B.C. Posts: 610	I think your prices are a little high for quotes. For that kind of money you could buy this awesome set up: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1529765 There are lots of large clubs in your general area, so finding something for sale won't be a problem. __________________ It's not how much is costs that matters, it's how much you told your wife it costs!

01/09/2009, 01:58 PM	#10
Rob_Reef_Keeper Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Garnerville, NY Posts: 551	Well - I dont trust a used tank. That tank is sweet though. Looking up those prices online they are about right. The only thing local is the tank/stand/canopy and the LR. __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: 60G Cube, AI SOL Blue, Octopus XP-1000SSS skimmer, Old tank: 29Oceanic Biocube

01/09/2009, 02:02 PM	#11
jedheuer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sonoma, Ca Posts: 558	Compromise and go with a 40 g. Its a good size and good proportions for a reef. __________________ 120 Starphire, 2x 250 MH plus VHO, Octopus skimmer, 2x MP40, vodka, refugium, DIY 2 part. Current Tank Info: currently tankless

01/09/2009, 02:18 PM	#12
Phillybean Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kelowna B.C. Posts: 610	Are you a DIYer at all? __________________ It's not how much is costs that matters, it's how much you told your wife it costs!

01/09/2009, 02:30 PM	#13
Rob_Reef_Keeper Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Garnerville, NY Posts: 551	A little. __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: 60G Cube, AI SOL Blue, Octopus XP-1000SSS skimmer, Old tank: 29Oceanic Biocube

01/09/2009, 02:57 PM	#14
Phillybean Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kelowna B.C. Posts: 610	Same here. A new 75 Gallon RR will run you $300 or so. Make a stand/canopy. I made mine for about $200. Lots of plans online. Pick up a MSX 200 Skimmer for $280 Buy some lights used thru the forum here $300 or so Get 100 lbs of Eco Rock or similar for around $2.50/lb Misc. Stuff, test kits, sump etc. - $300 For $1500 bucks you got a nice set up. __________________ It's not how much is costs that matters, it's how much you told your wife it costs!

01/09/2009, 03:16 PM	#15
Rob_Reef_Keeper Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Garnerville, NY Posts: 551	I do not have any tools to make a stand/canopy. It is going in my living room so it has to look nice. I was looking at the AGA mission series. __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: 60G Cube, AI SOL Blue, Octopus XP-1000SSS skimmer, Old tank: 29Oceanic Biocube

01/09/2009, 03:23 PM	#16
Bernie21 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Miami, Fl... Posts: 2,161	The bigger tank may be more work at fisrt, but it'll give you more stability and flexibility w the type of livestock you would like to keep. I just finished upgrading from a 28 to a 92, and Im loving it, its alil easier in my opinion. As far as the price goes, you can find a nice tank & stand used. I know you said you dont trust used, thats fine, I bought my tank & stand of some one, bought the rest of my equipment new (good stuff too) w the saving of a used tank and stand... Do as you wish & as your budget allows, but from experience Im saying bigger is better. __________________ Reefing is an addiction rehab doesn't work for... Current Tank Info: Downgraded to a 0 Gal non Mixed Reef - Direct sun watts & 1x moon Actinics. RIO 00 return, no skimmer Skimmer.