Is 45 gallons a good size?

[619Reefer]

Is a 45 gallon tank a good size for a beginner? There is a used SCA 45 gallon cube tank on my Craigslist and it seems like it’s in good condition. I’m wondering if the size is something that’s good for beginners or if it’s too small to be successful. There’s also a 57 gallon deep blue tank which I like but it is a bit larger for my space. Although it’s larger, it doesn’t seem like the 57 gallon tank is a huge upgrade from the 45 gallon cube tank. It’s only about 10 inches longer.

The cube tank fits better in my room and I think one light will be good enough. I believe the bigger tank will need to lights though.

 

[jsker]

Welcome to R2R and the community

45 is a good size to start with, it is alway best to go bigger if you can though.

 

[Aquavaj]

I don't see why someone can't be successful with a 45g when many have with something a lot smaller. People with 100g+ tanks still fail due to life getting in the way or just got lazy. It really comes down to the person than the equipment.

But if there's even the slightest thought of wanting to go bigger then I would suggest just going with the bigger tank or save up for one because you'll have that nagging thought of why didn't you go bigger. Just when the rocks in my 40g were starting to get some coraline I knew I wouldn't be happy unless I went bigger. I now have a 120g. LOL.

 

[619Reefer]

I don't see why someone can't be successful with a 45g when many have with something a lot smaller. People with 100g+ tanks still fail due to life getting in the way or just got lazy. It really comes down to the person than the equipment.

But if there's even the slightest thought of wanting to go bigger then I would suggest just going with the bigger tank or save up for one because you'll have that nagging thought of why didn't you go bigger. Just when the rocks in my 40g were starting to get some coraline I knew I wouldn't be happy unless I went bigger. I now have a 120g. LOL.

I just see many people say 120 minimum. I'd like that but I think it's too much. What are the benefits of the 57 gallon tank over the 45 gallon tank than the bigger size?

 

[Dom]

Keeping a tank is about stability. And the way I look at the stability of my tanks is ratios.

The ratio of salt to water in a tank might give you a salinity of 35ppt. But after a gallon evaporates off, you might go up to 38ppt.

If it were a 90 gallon tank, your rise in salinity would only be half that amount (36.5ppt) because the tank is twice the size.

The bigger the tank the smaller the fluctuation and the longer it takes for swings in chemistry to become a serious problem.

 

[Dom]

I just see many people say 120 minimum. I'd like that but I think it's too much. What are the benefits of the 57 gallon tank over the 45 gallon tank than the bigger size?

Here is the beautiful thing about this hobby...

Yes, it can get expensive. But I've found that you only need to be patient for it to be affordable.

You can do your build in stages. Start by getting the tank you REALLY want. Then save you're money until you have enough for the next step.

 

[40breederzach]

It also depends on what your goals of the tank are. If you are wanting tangs or bigger fish a 4 foot tank is the way to go. If you are set on smaller fish the tank size doesn't really matter. Also a draw back with a bigger tank is more equipment but like everyone else is saying it better to get what you want now to start off with and you will actually save money because in a year when you want a bigger tank you will have to up grade more equipment and be out as much as you have initially spent.

 

[619Reefer]

It also depends on what your goals of the tank are. If you are wanting tangs or bigger fish a 4 foot tank is the way to go. If you are set on smaller fish the tank size doesn't really matter. Also a draw back with a bigger tank is more equipment but like everyone else is saying it better to get what you want now to start off with and you will actually save money because in a year when you want a bigger tank you will have to up grade more equipment and be out as much as you have initially spent.

I like the blue tang but I saw a massive one and know I won't be able to keep it and I'm fine with that. Seems like way too much work for a tank that big lol.

I only want a pair of clownfish and anemones, the firefish, a blenny of some sort like a tailspot, a wrasse or two, a bicolor or flame angel, and a pistol shrimp and goby pair.

 

[Princess Hockey]

My first tank was a 29g and it crashed within a year because I couldn't stay on top of it. My second attempt into this hobby and I'm doing a 100g (with an extra 15g sump). I can't report on how successful I am, since I just started it. But I personally won't go small again.

But I did also commit a bunch of mistakes. I didn't test my water often, and I don't think I was testing everything I should have. Didn't change water very often and not regularly, frequently used tap water or RO water instead of RODI water, things like that.

I think it just depends on how "on top of things" you're going to be.

 

[Waynerock]

If you want a 45 get a 45. I have a 32 up from a 16 and now I really want something bigger, I can’t afford that so I am going to make my 32 as perfect as I can. Look at it like this if you can keep a 45 for a while and not have any problems then the bigger tank will be a breeze. Bigger means more expensive pump, and ato and power heads and stock. If money is no object then knock your self out. I went from a 55 to a 5 to a 16 now a 32 and yes the smaller ones are more unstable but life is expensive so I do what I can do. If you are new to salt and hate it and you only get a 45 gal then you won’t be out much if you quit reefing. I have seen 3 gal tanks or even the jar tanks look unbelievable so you get back what you put in. So after all that yes, 45 is a good size tank

 

[Flexin]

I look at things a bit differently. To me, success can be around water changes. A 120 is nice, as long as you can keep up with water changes or prepared to go Triton and all the parameter chasing that goes with that. But to keep it simple, think of water changes. Are you able to perform a water change bi-weekly and how much water per change. Reason being, water changes are your friend and allow you to reset parameters or get them back within acceptable limits. If you can't keep up with the schedule for water changes, you will have a hard time. So for some a 120 will work for others a 45 is perfect, and still others smaller is better.

 

[doughboy]

45g cube is a very good size. but watch out for those SCA 45 cubes, make sure they are the ones with 3 holes on the bottom. Lots of SCA 45 tanks sold used only have 2 holes. It will still work, but your return line will need to be over the top. If the 57g has 3 holes but the SCA 45 has two, go with the 57g.

I'd say best to start with a size no smaller than 29g. Red Sea reefer 170 is a popular size for small tanks. I prefer tanks no higher than 18", so a 45g instead of 60g for the same 24"x24" footprint.

 

[BedrockIOMC]

Bigger is better, go as big as you can get. Makes it easier to keep water healthy and easier to treat water for anything that goes wrong. It will make it to where you wont have to buy a bigger tank in a year when you get hooked and want a larger tank as well. LOL really get the biggest one that you can afford and fit in your home. You will not regret it trust me.

 

[joec]

Size is proportional to cost. Double the size double the cost, maybe even worse than that, if that matters....

 

[joec]

double post

 

[619Reefer]

I think I'll just do the 45 gallon tank rather than the 57 gallon. I don't know if it's just me but the 57 gallon looks awkward. Seems oddly tall even when it's not if that makes sense. The 45 gallon should be easier to do water changes. One 5 gallon bucket should do the trick. Is doing about a 10% change every 2 weeks the norm?

I don't know if the SCA tank has 3 holes. Seller hasn't responded yet but I found a Red Sea tank for sale for $600. I'm pretty sure its the one with the sump judging by the picture. SHould I just get the Red Sea tank? It is $200 more expensive but then it is still within my budgeet and it looks cooler lol. One thing that confuses me is that the SCA tank is 45 gallons and 24 x 20 x 20 inches. The Red Sea is also 24 x 20 x 20 but 34 gallons?

 

[Hitman]

I started with a 55 gallon and within a year I wanted live stock that I just humanly couldn’t have. I then moved to a 300 and realized nothing I had for my 55 could be reused on my new tank. That tank after 16 years cracked during a move which is how I ended up with my 240.
The point I guess I’m trying to make is if you see yourself ever wanting larger livestock go with as large of a tank as you can start with and buy equipment that you can grow with. Lights, pumps, and a Skimmer are in my opinion items that one should never be cheap on. It’s better to wait and save up on good equipment new or used then it is to keep replacing cheap junk. Do what makes you happy and enjoy the hobby even tho in the end none of it regardless of size is really cheap lol.

 

[doughboy]

sca should be 24 x 24 x 18
red sea reefer 170 is slightly smaller.
depending on condition and age, you should negotiate the price.

 

[Jesterrace]

Is a 45 gallon tank a good size for a beginner? There is a used SCA 45 gallon cube tank on my Craigslist and it seems like it’s in good condition. I’m wondering if the size is something that’s good for beginners or if it’s too small to be successful. There’s also a 57 gallon deep blue tank which I like but it is a bit larger for my space. Although it’s larger, it doesn’t seem like the 57 gallon tank is a huge upgrade from the 45 gallon cube tank. It’s only about 10 inches longer.

The cube tank fits better in my room and I think one light will be good enough. I believe the bigger tank will need to lights though.

The problem with cubes IMHO is less useable space for the fish since they generally sacrifice length, which is the space that marine fish use the most. 10 inches of length may not seem like much, but that can be the difference between a fish feeling cramped or having enough space to be content. Obviously opinions vary but IMHO the priorities for dimensions are as follows (in terms of what the fish actually use):

1) Length
2) Width
3) Height

That isn't to say that Width or Height aren't important, it just means that they are less of a factor than the length unless they are very small in dimension (ie 12 inches or less). With the 57 gallon IMHO you do open up your options more for fish (ie smaller wrasses).