hello! It’s amazing that your joining this amazing hobby!
Welcome to the site. I would suggest that you do a lot of reading - in books, and find a trustworthy Local fish store if possible that can advise you. One of the benefits of forums such as this is that you get a lot of opinions - which is also the disadvantage - especially with a general question like this. You will get 1000000 opinions. Some people suggest asking for a mentor or 2 - that will help walking you through the steps. By reading some threads - you can see who has more 'experience', etc and perhaps someone you mesh with. A person that is in your locality is also a good option as compared to someone accross the country.
I agree. Start with a kit it will make it easier. Between 20 and 40 gallons is a good starting point. Clownfish are great form beginners and well experienced because they are so much fun to watch. I wouldnt do lion fish right away… tangs you can add later once you understand how to care for easier fish like clowns. Sailfin tangs are amazing and are good first tangs. Tangs need more established tanks As well as corals do.
For example - there are tanks - that instead of having a sump (a second tank below your main tank) - keep all the filtration, a skimmer, heater chamber, etc in a section connected to the back of the tank. These tend to be smaller tanks - but at least they give you experience looking at the various components that are needed to keep a 'system' alive. You will then need Live rock, salt, a good source of water (many people buy an RODI unit, OR - they buy RODI water from their fish store (or pre-made salt water). There are plusses and minuses to both methods. Additionally you'll need a test kit - to test nitrate, phosphate, alkalinity and Calcium. Many people would recommend kits for pH, Salinity, Ammonia.
They can be pricy. But - depending on the model - you can get all the aquarium/equipment/stand you need to keep the tank. You could also go to a local fish store - and get lets say a 40 gallon tank, used stand, an overflow box to create a small sump under the tank (lets say a used 15 gallon tank) - a small skimmer a return pump a heater (the store may also have a small used sump to better compartmentalize things). In any case - the point being - that local stores often have used equipment that you can get for far cheaper.
You can start wherever you want. It depends on how much you want to spend, etc. There are complete systems - with 100 gallon tanks (or so) - with a sump for $2500-$3000
In your opinion, whats the best tank size for a beginner?
