best tank for my situation

[The Deaf Reefer]

Hi

i'm new to saltwater

I'm trying to decide the best tank for my situation. I live in a 600sqft so I have limited space to what size tank I can do. I'm thinking my options are:

1. fluval evo 13.5g
2. 10g standard with hob
3. 20g long with AIO drop in kit
4. 20g long with hob
5. 29g standard with hob
6. 29g standard with AIO drop in kit

I want somewhat cost effective for the tank... Like is it really worth getting 29g for example?..which mean bigger cost for sand, rock, water change, bigger/stronger filter/skimmer/wave etc ... Also better to get wider than taller tank like 20 gallon long... I am not planning to get a bigger tank, this is it lol

Is the AIO kit route more expensive overall which is $150 Canadian for the kit plus filter basket, pump, heater, wavemaker, possible skimmer and it got 2 chambers unlike the typical AIO tanks that come with 3 chambers.The HOB route got the hob filter, wavemaker, heater, possible skimmer

the HOB most likely not appealing aesthetic wise with those items hanging behind and sticking out comparing to AIO which I can put a clean rectangle shape mesh lid on top. I do like the AIO with the seamless rimless looking tanks and clearer look with the low iron glass but more $$$ lol

what are your opinions about it?

 

[tyrym1234]

Hey!
What kind of residents are you thinking of?
softy/lps/sps/mix

 

[The Deaf Reefer]

Hey!
What kind of residents are you thinking of?
softy/lps/sps/mix

i'm flexible on the residents... i know many people do clowns but i'm ok with not having clowns, I dont think im a fan of the watchman goby/shrimp pair because people barely get see them often

definitely mixed corals but start with softies and work my way up.. dont want to spend an expensive difficulty coral in the beginning and have it die on me lol

 

[tyrym1234]

i'm flexible on the residents... i know many people do clowns but i'm ok with not having clowns, I dont think im a fan of the watchman goby/shrimp pair because people barely get see them often

definitely mixed corals but start with softies and work my way up.. dont want to spend an expensive difficulty coral in the beginning and have it die on me lol

I think a clown would be ok. Or a tailspot blenny. Im one of those people who killed coral with ignorance.
I had a evo 13.5 softy/lps tank that i had to take down due to a move. The tank itself looks good but i would switch out the stock light fixture because the closed lid built a lot of heat and the salt leeching was pretty heavy.

 

[52728299]

i'm flexible on the residents... i know many people do clowns but i'm ok with not having clowns, I dont think im a fan of the watchman goby/shrimp pair because people barely get see them often

definitely mixed corals but start with softies and work my way up.. dont want to spend an expensive difficulty coral in the beginning and have it die on me lol

Did you have any fish in mind? More water volume generally opens you up for more options.

Imo filtration and lighting are the most important aspects of a reef so making sure you get what's optimal for your tank is ideal. If it were me I'd be looking at the 29g with an aio kit.

 

[SouthWestSalt]

After buying a Biocube 16 I already wish I would have shopped around for a 20 long or 40 breeder. From what I have seen in most cases heating and filtration aren’t going to be much different if any in 10-20 gallon increments, and the gallon range recommendations vary enough that you should have lots of options at a decent price regardless of what you decide. Aqua scaping and getting a proper sense of scale was also difficult in this tank but that is just my experience. I am still happy overall but I already know I’ll be upgrading lighting, return, and power heads. So if you have the ability to get anything with solid equipment off the bat for a good deal I would go choose that. Cheers and happy reefing!

 

[52728299]

If no clowns you could maybe consider:

Green chromis x2
Firefish
Canary blenny
Either a orchid dottyback, bicolor dottyback or royal gramma

For a 29g...

 

[reef_1]

Hi

i'm new to saltwater

I'm trying to decide the best tank for my situation. I live in a 600sqft so I have limited space to what size tank I can do. I'm thinking my options are:

1. fluval evo 13.5g
2. 10g standard with hob
3. 20g long with AIO drop in kit
4. 20g long with hob
5. 29g standard with hob
6. 29g standard with AIO drop in kit

I want somewhat cost effective for the tank... Like is it really worth getting 29g for example?..which mean bigger cost for sand, rock, water change, bigger/stronger filter/skimmer/wave etc ... Also better to get wider than taller tank like 20 gallon long... I am not planning to get a bigger tank, this is it lol

Is the AIO kit route more expensive overall which is $150 Canadian for the kit plus filter basket, pump, heater, wavemaker, possible skimmer and it got 2 chambers unlike the typical AIO tanks that come with 3 chambers.The HOB route got the hob filter, wavemaker, heater, possible skimmer

the HOB most likely not appealing aesthetic wise with those items hanging behind and sticking out comparing to AIO which I can put a clean rectangle shape mesh lid on top. I do like the AIO with the seamless rimless looking tanks and clearer look with the low iron glass but more $$$ lol

what are your opinions about it?

I love your post, Ive been thinking about this a lot recently and I have a very similar approach, I call it the minimalist approach.

I think noone can answer the question whether it is worth for YOU. At the moment not even yourself can answer this. Once you have a tank and will start to deal with corals, fish etc you will only then realise what you are really interested in. If you are lucky the main interest you develop will match your existing tank and you dont have to upgrade.

The biggest SW tank I ever had was 60 gallons and since then I keep downgrading my tanks and my kit as well. I actually enjoy getting rid of stuff, streamlining my kit, using only budget equipment.

Whatever my interests are I can chase them in a nano. Nice landscapes with sps? Do it in a nano with budget equipment and everyone will be amazed. Research/Fish breeding? Pick up a some nanos and choose smaller species. Do you want to make some money on the side? You can keep 100's of frags in a 20 gal shallow nano.

Tank size is not limiting learning either. Is it really a must have to have 100's of different species of corals in your tank, when science doesnt know much about any of them? Having only 20 species in a nano is not limiting me.

If I made reefing a big investment in terms of $$$, efforts and time, I know that wouldnt fit my life for long (unless I am super rich and I pay someone feeding my fish etc). I know I would miss those thousands, tens of thousands when I want to buy something. I will also not always have time to do huge water changes or have the willingness to buy that very expensive return pump to replace the one which just failed.

For me a water change is a 20 minute chore, which I do once in one-three months when I feel it, extra electricity bill is a single figure pcm and I can move my small tanks around carefully anytime when doing a big water change.

Back to your actual question:

Fluval evo is a reasonable first buy to figure out what your are really interested in. The only upgrade I would do on that is the return pump to a DC return pump - the factory one was too loud to me. Skimmer is very loud as well, so dont even think about using that. If you want media baskets, custom lid, prime HD, then just forget this tank, its not worth starting that route. The other good thing with EVO is that once you know you want to upgrade you can sell it as a single kit with all the factory equipment.

I would personally go with a 12-20g shallow tank depending on how much space you have. Shallow tanks look good, corals are closer to light, fish has more swimming space to the volume and in general more space for frags etc.

I am actually in the process of downgrading again to 2x Blau Aquaristic 44 shallow tanks and my whole reef kit with the 2 tanks, together with bottles, equipments, rodi filter, small QT tank, will fit on a single 180*40cm shelf in my garage and will cost less than two expensive return pumps from a big build.

Go small and cheap and dont let a reef tank take over your life.

 

[The Deaf Reefer]

I think a clown would be ok. Or a tailspot blenny. Im one of those people who killed coral with ignorance.
I had a evo 13.5 softy/lps tank that i had to take down due to a move. The tank itself looks good but i would switch out the stock light fixture because the closed lid built a lot of heat and the salt leeching was pretty heavy.

yeah i have seen many 13.5g tank owners take off the lid and replace the stock light with AI prime 16hd

Did you have any fish in mind? More water volume generally opens you up for more options.

Imo filtration and lighting are the most important aspects of a reef so making sure you get what's optimal for your tank is ideal. If it were me I'd be looking at the 29g with an aio kit.

no clue on the fish at the moment... pretty much reef safe, look beautiful to look at, got interesting movement/see actions

this is the link to the 29g https://aquariumdepot.ca/products/f...9-gallon-standard?_pos=3&_sid=ed91753fb&_ss=r

i assumed you recommend the lighting to be AI prime and what filteration you reccomend? .. the site mentioned to get a return pump power of 210GPH

After buying a Biocube 16 I already wish I would have shopped around for a 20 long or 40 breeder. From what I have seen in most cases heating and filtration aren’t going to be much different if any in 10-20 gallon increments, and the gallon range recommendations vary enough that you should have lots of options at a decent price regardless of what you decide. Aqua scaping and getting a proper sense of scale was also difficult in this tank but that is just my experience. I am still happy overall but I already know I’ll be upgrading lighting, return, and power heads. So if you have the ability to get anything with solid equipment off the bat for a good deal I would go choose that. Cheers and happy reefing!

good to know.. thanks

If no clowns you could maybe consider:

Green chromis x2
Firefish
Canary blenny
Either a orchid dottyback, bicolor dottyback or royal gramma

For a 29g...

nice selection... i will keep them in mind

 

[tyrym1234]

I love your post, Ive been thinking about this a lot recently and I have a very similar approach, I call it the minimalist approach.

I think noone can answer the question whether it is worth for YOU. At the moment not even yourself can answer this. Once you have a tank and will start to deal with corals, fish etc you will only then realise what you are really interested in. If you are lucky the main interest you develop will match your existing tank and you dont have to upgrade.

The biggest SW tank I ever had was 60 gallons and since then I keep downgrading my tanks and my kit as well. I actually enjoy getting rid of stuff, streamlining my kit, using only budget equipment.

Whatever my interests are I can chase them in a nano. Nice landscapes with sps? Do it in a nano with budget equipment and everyone will be amazed. Research/Fish breeding? Pick up a some nanos and choose smaller species. Do you want to make some money on the side? You can keep 100's of frags in a 20 gal shallow nano.

Tank size is not limiting learning either. Is it really a must have to have 100's of different species of corals in your tank, when science doesnt know much about any of them? Having only 20 species in a nano is not limiting me.

If I made reefing a big investment in terms of $$$, efforts and time, I know that wouldnt fit my life for long (unless I am super rich and I pay someone feeding my fish etc). I know I would miss those thousands, tens of thousands when I want to buy something. I will also not always have time to do huge water changes or have the willingness to buy that very expensive return pump to replace the one which just failed.

For me a water change is a 20 minute chore, which I do once in one-three months when I feel it, extra electricity bill is a single figure pcm and I can move my small tanks around carefully anytime when doing a big water change.

Back to your actual question:

Fluval evo is a reasonable first buy to figure out what your are really interested in. The only upgrade I would do on that is the return pump to a DC return pump - the factory one was too loud to me. Skimmer is very loud as well, so dont even think about using that. If you want media baskets, custom lid, prime HD, then just forget this tank, its not worth starting that route. The other good thing with EVO is that once you know you want to upgrade you can sell it as a single kit with all the factory equipment.

I would personally go with a 12-20g shallow tank depending on how much space you have. Shallow tanks look good, corals are closer to light, fish has more swimming space to the volume and in general more space for frags etc.

I am actually in the process of downgrading again to 2x Blau Aquaristic 44 shallow tanks and my whole reef kit with the 2 tanks, together with bottles, equipments, rodi filter, small QT tank, will fit on a single 180*40cm shelf in my garage and will cost less than two expensive return pumps from a big build.

Go small and cheap and dont let a reef tank take over your life.

This is amazing. You summarized my reefing experience in a few paragraphs.

 

[tyrym1234]

Just like reef1 says, you would have to find out for yourself what its like to start and stay on course in this hobby. i got as much information as i could through reef builders and BRStv, but the hard part was disciplining myself in good husbandry.
I personally prefer smaller tank sizes for quick water changes, hence my 2gallon fluval AIO. AIOs have their downsides such as the compartments not being easy to access for cleaning but i believe they are great tanks.
Upgrades are more of a fun project than a necessity. Im sure you’ll be satisfied as long as your residents look happy and healthy.
An EVO will do the job, just spend the bit on an ai prime and a cobalt neotherm heater. Skip the skimmer and let it run with a few zoas, ricordias and a toadstool. That way you wouldnt have to worry about upgrading the pump or adding a wavemaker.
I would put at least one fish in there tho, since the corals need some nutrients aka fish poop.
Oh, and don’t forget to pod the reef!
Its long but probably the most helpful of all videos ive watched.

 

[The Deaf Reefer]

I love your post, Ive been thinking about this a lot recently and I have a very similar approach, I call it the minimalist approach.

I think noone can answer the question whether it is worth for YOU. At the moment not even yourself can answer this. Once you have a tank and will start to deal with corals, fish etc you will only then realise what you are really interested in. If you are lucky the main interest you develop will match your existing tank and you dont have to upgrade.

The biggest SW tank I ever had was 60 gallons and since then I keep downgrading my tanks and my kit as well. I actually enjoy getting rid of stuff, streamlining my kit, using only budget equipment.

Whatever my interests are I can chase them in a nano. Nice landscapes with sps? Do it in a nano with budget equipment and everyone will be amazed. Research/Fish breeding? Pick up a some nanos and choose smaller species. Do you want to make some money on the side? You can keep 100's of frags in a 20 gal shallow nano.

Tank size is not limiting learning either. Is it really a must have to have 100's of different species of corals in your tank, when science doesnt know much about any of them? Having only 20 species in a nano is not limiting me.

If I made reefing a big investment in terms of $$$, efforts and time, I know that wouldnt fit my life for long (unless I am super rich and I pay someone feeding my fish etc). I know I would miss those thousands, tens of thousands when I want to buy something. I will also not always have time to do huge water changes or have the willingness to buy that very expensive return pump to replace the one which just failed.

For me a water change is a 20 minute chore, which I do once in one-three months when I feel it, extra electricity bill is a single figure pcm and I can move my small tanks around carefully anytime when doing a big water change.

Back to your actual question:

Fluval evo is a reasonable first buy to figure out what your are really interested in. The only upgrade I would do on that is the return pump to a DC return pump - the factory one was too loud to me. Skimmer is very loud as well, so dont even think about using that. If you want media baskets, custom lid, prime HD, then just forget this tank, its not worth starting that route. The other good thing with EVO is that once you know you want to upgrade you can sell it as a single kit with all the factory equipment.

I would personally go with a 12-20g shallow tank depending on how much space you have. Shallow tanks look good, corals are closer to light, fish has more swimming space to the volume and in general more space for frags etc.

I am actually in the process of downgrading again to 2x Blau Aquaristic 44 shallow tanks and my whole reef kit with the 2 tanks, together with bottles, equipments, rodi filter, small QT tank, will fit on a single 180*40cm shelf in my garage and will cost less than two expensive return pumps from a big build.

Go small and cheap and dont let a reef tank take over your life.

haha thanks for the props

you definitely made me some foods for thought... didn't think of shallow tank

I always like to make money back in some way or form in whatever I do. I'm a former pastry chef, every once in a while I make something at home and friends & family know about it, then i will sell majority of it and get a little something something profit.

I feel like I might get bored with fish eventually because they don't really change, beside growing in size (i could be wrong in that statement)... but with corals.. get a frag from something uncommon and grow it out... sell it or chop them up to frags and sell the frags ... seem cooler to see different corals if you get what i mean

I have seen alot of fluval 13.5g owners doing the classic mesh lid, AI prime, upgrade basket, pump, add wavemaker

it very late or in this very early morning... which i should be sleeping right now lol... but I will definitely come back, read and think about it again.. hopefully see more posts from other people when i wake up

 

[52728299]

haha thanks for the props

you definitely made me some foods for thought... didn't think of shallow tank

I always like to make money back in some way or form in whatever I do. I'm a former pastry chef, every once in a while I make something at home and friends & family know about it, then i will sell majority of it and get a little something something profit.

I feel like I might get bored with fish eventually because they don't really change, beside growing in size (i could be wrong in that statement)... but with corals.. get a frag from something uncommon and grow it out... sell it or chop them up to frags and sell the frags ... seem cooler to see different corals if you get what i mean

I have seen alot of fluval 13.5g owners doing the classic mesh lid, AI prime, upgrade basket, pump, add wavemaker

it very late or in this very early morning... which i should be sleeping right now lol... but I will definitely come back, read and think about it again.. hopefully see more posts from other people when i wake up

Sounds like your close to deciding on the fluval 13.5? Indeed if fish aren't your main focus by all means a smaller nano reef would be perfect

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally I say go for a 20 gallon up to 30 gallon, these give you a good choice of fish to stock. 10 gallon and 13 gallon is too small for most fish, you would be stuck to 2 fishes and not much choices to pick from. 20-30 gallons opens up the choices a bit more.

 

[The Deaf Reefer]

Sounds like your close to deciding on the fluval 13.5? Indeed if fish aren't your main focus by all means a smaller nano reef would be perfect

not sure yet on fluval 13.5g because of the chambers size. I remember reading in some post that it limited to certain equipment that can fit in the chambers. where the AIO drop in kits have bigger chamber size accommodate better performance equipment

I don't want to shut down on not having fish... if it really gorgeous looking fish, affordable, reef safe and chill personality then I would consider it

Personally I say go for a 20 gallon up to 30 gallon, these give you a good choice of fish to stock. 10 gallon and 13 gallon is too small for most fish, you would be stuck to 2 fishes and not much choices to pick from. 20-30 gallons opens up the choices a bit more.

oh geez ... only 2 fishes lol

 

[52728299]

not sure yet on fluval 13.5g because of the chambers size. I remember reading in some post that it limited to certain equipment that can fit in the chambers. where the AIO drop in kits have bigger chamber size accommodate better performance equipment

I don't want to shut down on not having fish... if it really gorgeous looking fish, affordable, reef safe and chill personality then I would consider it


oh geez ... only 2 fishes lol

Yea you will quickly figure out these aren't brainless animals they all have their unique personality and behaviors, very entertaining and fun to observe

 

[The Deaf Reefer]

is there a good brand of rimmed tank or all of them have the usual bad smear silicone job?

 

[Sordfish]

If you are interested in rimless (AIO or otherwise) check out M&J aquariums in Scarborough. It is on Kennedy and Ellesmere (there is also a Big Al’s couple of blocks away you can look at). They carry numerous Chinese rimless sapphire-glass nano Tanks that are in the same price range as rimmed tanks. I have used their 10G tanks over the years and have been very happy with them. Hard to distinguish from brand names.

Then you can take a quick jaunt over to Big Al’s and look at the brand name rimmed tanks (they carry similar brands to Aquarium Depot). In my experience, all rimmed-tank manufacturers produce roughly the same quality tanks.

Good luck and post your progress on here.

 

[The Deaf Reefer]

If you are interested in rimless (AIO or otherwise) check out M&J aquariums in Scarborough. It is on Kennedy and Ellesmere (there is also a Big Al’s couple of blocks away you can look at). They carry numerous Chinese rimless sapphire-glass nano Tanks that are in the same price range as rimmed tanks. I have used their 10G tanks over the years and have been very happy with them. Hard to distinguish from brand names.

Then you can take a quick jaunt over to Big Al’s and look at the brand name rimmed tanks (they carry similar brands to Aquarium Depot). In my experience, all rimmed-tank manufacturers produce roughly the same quality tanks.

Good luck and post your progress on here.

i do like AIO rimless clean look... just a little worry about tank busted out or leak because I live in a condo... I don't want to pay for damages below lol

Thought the rimmed give the added brace support

 

[Sordfish]

Leakage is not an issue for rimless - especially at this size. In fact given how cheaply the rimmed ones are built, I do not believe they give you any edge.

I live in an apartment. Here is my 25g with stand and eshops HOB overflow I set up in 2019. The tank and the stand cost 500. The tank was $250 on its own. The 10g range was more like 80-90 - they are much cheaper because of the thinner glass. This was obviously pre-Covid.