Buying my first tank

[Brisdude]

Hi, all I am buying my first tank and looking at either a Cade ProReef 1200 or 1500 I hear mixed thoughts on first tanks some say get the biggest you can afford and others say start small. I have had freshwater setups for a while and have always wanted to have a saltwater tank, fish and some SPS corals at some stage, I am no expert just been reading lots and watching youtube and visit aquarium stores and learning and listening. So my main question is which tank? will I be sorry in 12 months if I get the 1200? or is that a good size? any input appreciated.
I also was originally looking at Red Sea but so many people and retailers said the tanks are great but the cabinets don't last? has anyone had issues with there Red Sea cabinet? I like the look and setup of both brands.
Thank you, Mat

 

[PDR]

Welcome to R2R Mat! I have never heard of the cade brand but I have a red sea reefer and love it! I have not had any issues with the stand in the almost 3 years I've had it. You will never regret getting a bigger setup imo.

 

[Reefer Deez]

Hello and welcome to R2R
It's a pleasure to have you here with us
I also have a red sea reefer but haven't had mine that long only about a year in a few months. I have not had any problems with the cabinet nor have I heard of any. I'm sure somewhere out there in the world though there are people that have had problems but that just goes with any product on the market. I don't know about the brand you're looking at but in my opinion and I've heard a few other people say this that problems tend to escalate quickly and a smaller volume of water, so the bigger the water volume the more room for error you have. I'm one of the people who bought a smaller tank 25 gallon display with a small sump and I love that tank but it only inspired me to buy a bigger one. As for me it seems no matter how big the tank I get once it's full I want to start another one lol but that's just me
So I'm going to say with go with as big as you feel comfortable and you won't regret it.
I wish you the best and happy reefing!

 

[KrisReef]

That is a good size for a first tank. Will you be mixing water, or do you have access to natural seawater? I've never seen the Cade, so I don't think I can compare it fairly to RedSea's systems.

 

[cracker]

Welcome Brisdude , So the tanks you are considered is around 100 gallons? this is a great size for starting tank . This will give You a lot of room for growth. I assume there "all in one" setups? This is a good size for a starter tank . These all in ones come with all the equipment as well?

 

[Billldg]

Welcome to R2R!!! I can't tell u anything about those tanks as I have neither, but the size I can. Buying roughly a 100 gal tank is a good size, it will be a little bit more forgiving. I have only been in this hobby for roughly 4 months now and I started with a 120 gal tank and I'm thankful that I did. It gives u more options to get the look that we are all after, the look we envisioned in our minds when we dreamed of a salt water tank. Good luck with your build. Start a build thread and take alot of pictures. You won't regret it.

 

[Chicago-quicksilver]

Always start large, it's actually harder to maintain smaller tanks since anything that goes out of level is typically a large increase whereas a larger tank you will have time to react. I started out when I went saltwater with small 12 gallon and it was the toughest tank I had to maintain. I had freshwater for over 20 years and since have moved up to a 66 gallons but that 12 gallon still gives me nightmares.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Welcome to R2R Mat!!! I have never heard of that brand but I am excited to see it come together once you get it and start your build thread!

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks.52/

 

[JoshH]

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[Chicago-quicksilver]

I got into saltwater with a Red Sea Max 250 after a nightmare with a nano 12 and I can tell you that it was the best thing I did, it's all in one and built like a tank and very simple to maintain. One thing to keep in mind is if you go the all in one route is you NEED a chiller. The stand is rock solid and is one of the better built and looking stands I have seen. I needed some parts recently and called the company and they had everything I needed in stock and at a reasonable price.

 

[JoshH]

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