Is a 180 too big for a beginner?

[jerod89]

I have owned freshwater and/or fowlr tanks for most of my life, but this will be my first attempt at a reef tank. I initially planned on starting a 90 gallon, but as I've immersed myself deeper into the community I'm realizing that many of my favorite fish require a 180 gallon. I've been told that larger tanks are easier to maintain stable conditions, but would the upkeep be overwhelming for a beginner?

[oldmustard]

No. I've started my first SW 120g. I recommend reading EVERYTHING posted here. Use search functions for your questions. If budget is a concern be aware of additional costs on EVERYTHING from set up, supplies, to maintenance. Cost can grow but if you plan well and are patient I think you can reduce workload with some cost benefit.

[billbunton]

No. My first SW tank is a 260. It was originally going to be a cichlid tank, with plans for smaller marine tank later, but I got the bug and decided to marine right away.

oldmustard is right about costs, especially startup. Once that's done, it's not bad. You're definitely using more supplies (salt, RO/DI, carbon, etc.) than with a smaller tank, but it's not too bad.

The upkeep started out taking quite a bit of time. As the tank has matured, and I've learned what it needs, I've gotten it down so it really doesn't take very much time.

[billdogg]

I agree with the above. In fact, I think the biggest (pun intended) mistake made in this hobby is starting too small. Although the costs may be less with a smaller tank, the headaches are much worse. You'll just end up wanting to get a bigger tank anyway!

[degibson84]

I agree with all the above. I started small 45 tall then 75 and now I'm at 220. Yes the cost of the equipment was substantially more but buy it piece by piece and the wife won't be so mad

[Dmorty217]

If money is of no concern and if loosing livestock is ok with you for awhile then the bigger the better. If you are new to saltwater I would suggest reading as many books on the subject as you can in the next couple of months and then come back and post remaining questions you may have

[johnike]

Get a 300.

[Gunsnroses]

I had freshwater tanks for over 15 years before I decided on a saltwater tank.
I went with a 180 for my first. A little costly to get going, but there is nothing difficult about it.
My only regret is not getting a 300 gallon instead.

[LefkoNJ]

No worries with that. I have a 180 constantly planning a bigger tank.

[johnike]

Originally Posted by johnike

Get a 300.

Originally Posted by Gunsnroses

I had freshwater tanks for over 15 years before I decided on a saltwater tank.
I went with a 180 for my first. A little costly to get going, but there is nothing difficult about it.
My only regret is not getting a 300 gallon instead.

See, I told 'ya so.

[LefkoNJ]

Sorry one piece of additional advice. With a reef tank you are 'in' the tank frequently. Placing corals and stuff. Think about the dimensions and how you would do that. My tank is 2' tall and if it was a few inches taller I wouldn't be able to touch the bottom with getting my whole shoulder wet.

[wm jim]

I started off with a gold fish from a festival as a kid. Been getting bigger ever since. One thing I have learned is everything I bought for the 200 is a bit undersized for the 300. Takes more of everything from salt to water for water changes. But have found that the more water the more forgiving every thing gets. Temp changes are slower so ich is less of a problem for tangs. Water quality changes are a little slower giving more time to fix it. So yes its more expensive to start up a 180 than nano but with the right research ahead of time think you will have less losses in your tank over all.

[hogfanreefer]

I agree. My first tank is a 72x24x21 and is a little over a year old now. Salinity swings in particular are almost zip with a large tank with an ATO (most important piece of equipment for automation IMO). Yeah, I'm using 2 liters of each 2 part dosing solution every 12 days but it's not that costly. If you have a concrete slab, get the biggest you can afford/fits in your space!

[jerod89]

Thanks for the reassurance everyone!

[shesacharmer]

Because we have a small house a 48" tank is all we have room for but that said I can barely reach the bottom of it! I have a stepstool to use for even the most minor things. I wish I could have a tank that holds double the volume so definitely get the biggest one you can. I found my whole setup on Craigslist for a steal from the neighboring state.

[ReefingWerewolf]

Theirs suchhh a pretty 180 gallon tank for sale on craigslist right now... Soo hard to restrain myself! But I aint strong enough to do those water changes, and my parents arnt gonna help me. So smaller it must be

Go ahead and get the 180 though, then give us pics!!

[shesacharmer]

[QUOTE= I aint strong enough to do those water changes, and my parents arnt gonna help me. So smaller it must be

[/QUOTE]

I can't carry buckets! I got a cheap pump for dirty water and a long length of hose and had my hubby hook me up a drain outside the window (we can't put saltwater down our sinks). I marked my tank for the exact amount that my salt water mixing barrel will hold. I prepare the water a day ahead and bring it to temp then put the cheap (dirty water) pump into my DT and with the hose out the window drain and out it goes to the mark I made on the tank. Then I use another cheap (clean water) pump and long hose to go from my sw barrel to the DT. No more buckets!

With a little ingenuity you can move as much water as you need!

[ca1ore]

I guess I'm of two minds on this. On the one hand, folks are right, a bigger tank is more stable and frankly if you are going to upgrade anyhow, might as well save some money (in the long run) and just go right to the big tank. On the other hand, for somebody new to reefs, the whole thing can seem very intimidating (not to mention to 'breadth' of advice you'll get) and while more stable, if a big tank does spiral out of control it can be a lot tougher to remedy. My advice, generally, to folks is to start slow and work your way up ..... but, heck, what do I know!

[RocketEngineer]

If I were to do it all over again, I wish I had gone with a 120 as my first tank. It has the same 24"X24" cross section as the 180, but by being only 48" long you can buy single fixtures that light the whole length of the tank. Plus, the space under such a tank is plenty large enough for a good size sump and equipment. It is large enough for most of the smaller tangs while at the same time it is small enough to be able to do massive water changes if things go wrong. Live and learn.

Oh, and DON"T buy a "reef ready" tank. They are poorly designed for reefs of today. Get a regular tank and either order it drilled or drill it yourself.

[slief]

Originally Posted by billdogg

I agree with the above. In fact, I think the biggest (pun intended) mistake made in this hobby is starting too small. Although the costs may be less with a smaller tank, the headaches are much worse. You'll just end up wanting to get a bigger tank anyway!

I agree! The bigger the tank the more stable it will be. The more stable it is, the less the work. Best advice is to read up as much as possible and try to do it right the first time. Use the best equipment you can and try not to cut corners. Also, don't get carried away with dosing and buffering until you really know what you are doing. Instead, manage parameters with your water changes. I've got a large system with a very healthy fish and coral population and don't dose anything. My parameters are always stellar which I attribute to my frequent but relatively small (5 gallon per day) water changes coupled with a very well designed sump/filtration system, great skimmer and a lot of biological filtration consisting of live rock, macro algae etc. On occasion, I will do a larger 40-50 gallon water change but that is rare.

My maintenance consists of daily feeding, making water once a week, cleaning the viewing panes every week or two, swapping filter socks every couple weeks and draining the skimmer cup every day, and monthly GFO and Carbon changes. The rest of my system including top off and water changes is automated. Maintenance for my 600+ gallon system takes me less than 3 hours a month. In fact, I don't think I spend more than an hour on average a month working on my tank and it's thriving in every way as it has been for the last several years or more.