Help Me Decide On My First Tank

TEX · Apr 7, 2020

I'm kind of in between two different setups:

1. Something like the Fluval EVO 13.5 where I can spend less upfront and get my feet wet in the hobby with the intention to upgrade pretty quickly when I get a better understanding of what exactly I want. Gives me a chance to experiment and learn with less financial consequence. I can also spend more on things that will stay relevant when I upgrade to a larger tank (Hana test kits, RODI, ATO and Reservoir, etc.)

2. Go all in with something like the Red Sea Reefer 170 or 250 which is what I picture myself with longer term.

I know that the general idea is to get biggest tank you can afford, and I completely get that train of thought when it comes to stability and the system being more forgiving. But I also know that I will likely be moving in the next year, and that worries me a bit. I also feel like I'm underestimating how much the Red Sea Reefer setup would ultimately cost me.

If it helps to know, my overall budget right now is ~$2500. That's obviously way more than I would spend on the EVO tank, but I don't know how far it will take me with a RSR setup.

Appreciate whatever help you have for me with regard to my specific situation/concerns

Thanks, ya'll!

Hemmdog · Apr 7, 2020

I would do the Red Sea or build a 40 breeder. I started with an AIO style tank and I wish I would have just started with a normal tank with a sump. I started planning my upgrade within the first three months and that’s not a great way to go about reefing imo. I built my 40b a year ago for less than $1000.

lpsouth1978 · Apr 7, 2020

$2500 will likely not get you too far with a new Red Sea system. Just the aquarium combo with stand, sump, and lights will max you budget for the 250. If it were me, I would start by collecting the essentials while I looked for a used system. Start with a quality RODI unit. Once you have that think about any controllers you may want - temp, Apex, etc. Get quality testing supplies including a quality refractometer.

Another great option is to forego the Red Sea and build your own system. I love the challenge of starting with nothing and making it a great aquarium. Get a 40b or a 75g from the Petco dollar per gallon sale. Drill it for an overflow and returns. Purchase a sump, or build your own using another tank from the dollar per gallon sale. Build your own stand. This is a VERY rewarding way to do it, and you have something that you are truly proud of when you are done.

Just as an example -

75g tank - $100
40b for sump - $50
Fiji Cube sump kit - $125
Eclipse L Overflow - $125
DIY wood Stand - $200
40 pounds Reef saver dry Rock - $120
40 pounds dry sand - $50
Heaters & temp controller - $130
Return pump - $300 (Varios 4)
Misc plumbing supplies - $150
Protein Skimmer - $250 (Curve 5 Elite)
ATO - $200 (Tunze)
Lights - $340 (Noopsyche K7 Pro x 2)
Test Kits - $200
RODI system - $300

Total = $2640

As you can see, you can have a beautiful larger tank for right about your budget, including everything you need to get going. You can absolutely do it cheaper depending on the equipment you choose to use and if you get anything used instead of new. I recently built a similar 75g system to what I just listed. Here is a pic for reference. FYI, I also have a Waterbox System, but like my DIY build WAYYYYYY better.

2020-03-21_10-30-56 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

Fishbird · Apr 7, 2020

I’d go with the fluval and use it to help you figure out what you want in a bigger system.

I’m two months in and I got a 20 gallon tank knowing I’d be upgrading within the year but this way I’m able to make a list of what I know works and doesn’t work for me. One thing I hadn’t even thought of when thinking about tanks was what I would want my stand to hold. Now I know exactly what equipment I’d like to fit under my stand so I can build it to accommodate that equipment from the start. I’m planning on moving to a 40 breeder tank and then I’ll have my 20 as a nice sized quarantine tank. I’ll have my light so I can quarantine anything wet including corals (76 days days in a fishless system to make sure that ich isn’t present on anything I add to my display tank).

Having my small tank has also meant that I’ve started to stock it (live rock, CUC, 1 fish in quarantine now) and that’s letting me have fun in the present while still planning for my larger tank community.