Help me choose a tank

[Jonny_H]

Hi all,

Newbie to this forum, based in the UK and seeking some advice on a reef tank.

Apologies in advance if this is posted in the wrong place.

I'm not new to the hobby. Around 10 years ago I had a custom built 450 litre tank housed in a oak cupboard. Sadly I moved house and had to break it down and didn't have anywhere to put it in my new place.

Cut to today, I seem to have the bug for it again and want to get back into it, but on a slightly smaller footprint.

I am limited to a maximum footprint of up to: 600mmL x 600mmW x 1400mmH.

I have been looking at the Red Sea Reefer 170 G2 and the TMC Reef Habitat 60 as examples of size. However I have recently been reading mixed reviews on both tanks, from the integrity/build quality to the sump design and so on.

Just wanted to seek a bit of advice here on these two tanks, and of course any others which are highly rated and regarded in the reef community.

Any thoughts welcome

Warm regards,
Jonny

 

[Sophie"s mom]

My theory has always been go straight to the biggest one that will fit into the space you have. You will always WANT to go bigger, so why not just start there? That's just my 2 cents.

 

[Dom]

Hi all,

Newbie to this forum, based in the UK and seeking some advice on a reef tank.

Apologies in advance if this is posted in the wrong place.

I'm not new to the hobby. Around 10 years ago I had a custom built 450 litre tank housed in a oak cupboard. Sadly I moved house and had to break it down and didn't have anywhere to put it in my new place.

Cut to today, I seem to have the bug for it again and want to get back into it, but on a slightly smaller footprint.

I am limited to a maximum footprint of up to: 600mmL x 600mmW x 1400mmH.

I have been looking at the Red Sea Reefer 170 G2 and the TMC Reef Habitat 60 as examples of size. However I have recently been reading mixed reviews on both tanks, from the integrity/build quality to the sump design and so on.

Just wanted to seek a bit of advice here on these two tanks, and of course any others which are highly rated and regarded in the reef community.

Any thoughts welcome

Warm regards,
Jonny

Jonny -

The first question you should be asking is "What fish do I want to keep?" Then select a tank based on the answer to that question.

You should always build your system around the fish you want to keep. It is disappointing to buy a "setup", spot a fish you like and then discover your system is too small for that fish.

Bigger is definitely better. Bigger tanks = smaller swings in chemistry. And keeping chemistry stable is the most difficult thing for a newbie.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

It all comes down to what do you want in your tank, what is your goal for your tank, and the max size you want for a tank.

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, glad you are here!

 

[Vinaka_vakalevu]

Nyos opus g2 200 proline would fit the foot print.

 

[exnisstech]

Unless you go full custom I think there will always be something to compromise, sump design, stand height etc.
I've had a reefer 170 for several years. The only compliant I have is the finicky valve on the return side takes some patience to get dialed in and tends to need tweaking every so often.

 

[Jonny_H]

Thank you for your responses so far.

What we will be keeping is the million dollar question at the moment. My wife really wants us to keep a pair of Seahorses, so if she wins the battle [which is highly likely ] then it will be a Seshorse only tank, perhaps with a few 'Seahorse-safe' corals.

However, I would like to keep the option open for way into the future to turn the tank into a small reef with fish and a wider range of corals [if we decide not to continue with Seahorses once the first pair leave us].

With that in mind, I think I have narrowed the list down to 3 tanks [although i will now look at the Opus G2 200 ].

- Cade classic reef S2 500
- Red Sea Reefer 170 G2
- TMC Reef Habitat 50 or 60

My main concern is the build quality. As said before I've read a load of posts from people regarding seams failing in some of the RS ranges, front of cabinets bowing etc... but in fairness this seems to be more the G1's but it has left people with a sour taste. Appreciating that it's all relative, e.g. units sold versus fail rates etc... but just don't want to splash out a large sum of money if there is increased risk there.

Happy to hear thoughts.

Thanks,
Jonny