Is a 20 gallon a good start for a Beginner?

SteelRain · Aug 9, 2019

I have been debating for a few months between the 20g IM fusion and the 40g IM fusion. I would ideally like to go with the 20 gallon as it is cheaper up front and will allow me to learn more about water chemistry. Is this a viable option? I plan to have mostly soft corals with a clownfish pair, gobi and shrimp pair, and maybe a firefish.

Ron Reefman · Aug 9, 2019

First let me say, Welcome to Reef2Reef!

You can start with a 20g tank. The difference between a small tank and a bigger tank is that with more water, small mistakes are more diluted and less of an issue. But smaller tanks, if watched over carefully, can be very successful. I have a 16g home made tank with a HOB filter and an in tank small skimmer and it works just fine. I have 5 small rock flower anemones, some soft corals, a clam that came home with me from the Florida Keys, some slow growing red algae and more. It's kind of a holding tank for me. I put stuff in it util I have the time to get it into my bigger 40g display tank.

If you have any questions about specifics, ask away. That's what this community is here for.

Sailingeric · Aug 9, 2019

Go as big as you can afford or have space for. Like said above, more water volume gives you more fudge room such as replacing fresh water does not swing the salinity as much on a 40 gallon versus a 20 gallon if you add a little too much.

Corey Shelk · Aug 9, 2019

I started with a simple 20 gallon, because it was as big as I could go. I wish I had started with a 40 though, it’s more forgiving and the footprint is a lot nicer. But most importantly, welcome to R2R! Let me know when you start a build thread, I’d love to follow along

Jake_the_reefer · Aug 9, 2019

Bigger = better for beginners. I had a few years of freshwater under my belt when I started so i decided to go with a 20g and a 10g and let me tell you. The difference is astronomical the 20g is way easier to manage than the 10g tank. In my eyes a perfect beginner is 45-55g the startup cost is much higher of course but maintaining the tank is way easier
Edit: welcome to the club!

Auquanut · Aug 9, 2019

Welcome to R2R! I started out with a 29 gallon biocube. When I upgraded, I learned that a larger tank is much easier and more expensive to maintain. It really comes down to what you want and what you can afford. I personally would go with the 40 if possible because as you progress in the hobby, the larger tank will allow you more options and creativity in your reef. Of course, I kept my biocube when I upgraded, so maybe I'm not the best one to give advice.

flchamp89 · Aug 9, 2019

Not to be a pain but there's the 25 lagoon and there's a 30 too. There are plenty of people with nice IM 20s. One thing about size no one mentioned was ease of maintenance. An IM 20 is very maintenance friendly. In less than an hour I can get everything done.

Peace River · Aug 9, 2019

Welcome to R2R!!! A IM20 is a reasonable place to start and, in my opinion, a 40g is an even better place to start because it is easier to achieve stability of your water parameters and it offers more flexibility. Both soft corals and anemones will appreciate the focus on water stability.

JoshH · Aug 9, 2019

I started with a 34 Gallon + 10 Gallon sump and it was a great start. If you can find them the Lagoon 25s are really nice but they are being discontinued by IM so if you really like one try and snap one up. My personal favorite from IM is there 30L EXT. Not the cheapest option because you have to purchase a sump along with it but the extra length and external overflow provide excellent versatility with equipment options and aquascaping opportunities. Another great option would be a lagoon 50 EXT or the 40 EXT as mentioned above.

SteelRain · Aug 10, 2019

Thanks everyone! The help that you all give really encourages a newbie like myself to jump on into the hobby! Just purchased the Nuvo 40g with a bunch of water checkers, two heaters, and a Kessil 360. Gonna cycle the tank for a few weeks and start off with some clowns! I will post a build log and definitely ask many more questions.

jaxredsoxfan · Aug 10, 2019

Congratulations on the new tank! Sounds like youre off to a good start, I don't think you will regret going with the 40. Make sure you start a build thread so we can follow.

Ron Reefman · Aug 10, 2019

Glad you found a way to get started. Now don't ever feel like you shouldn't ask a question. Half the reason I'm here helping to answer questions is because so many others helped me when I was just starting (and struggling) almost 20 years ago. This is kind of my Pay It Forward moment (if you haven't seen the movie, rent it).

Jay Z · Aug 10, 2019

Like Ron had said, Welcome!

You can also look at it like, any tank will be a good learning experience as you get into the hobby. If you can successfully maintain a small tank, you can take care of any size tank (Financially willing). Small tank is like small child, needs a lot of attention. Big tank is like a teenager, cost a lot of money, does what ever it wants, no matter how much you argue with it.

Ron Reefman · Aug 10, 2019

Jay Z said:
Like Ron had said, Welcome!

You can also look at it like, any tank will be a good learning experience as you get into the hobby. If you can successfully maintain a small tank, you can take care of any size tank (Financially willing). Small tank is like small child, needs a lot of attention. Big tank is like a teenager, cost a lot of money, does what ever it wants, no matter how much you argue with it.

@Jay Z , well said, I love the analogy!

And to the OP, if you ever do move up to a bigger tank, you keep the old stuff and the smaller tank as a back up in case anything ever fails, or you find a reefer getting out of the hobby and they have lots of cheap corals, fish and other livestock to sell, then you'll have a smaller tank to hold them in or quarantine them in until you can put them in your bigger tank.

Nomer Penaranda · Aug 10, 2019

I have a 20 gallon long tank its been running for a month now and so far its good, but now i want to get a bigger tank haha! But I wanna wait I still wanna learn more about the system cuz I havent encountered problems other than diatoms fingers crossed I have few corals on it and they seem to be growing fast specially my zoas

Jay Z · Aug 10, 2019

Nomer Penaranda said:

Nice looking tank!

Nomer Penaranda · Aug 10, 2019

Jay Z said:
Nice looking tank!

Thanks! One regret was getting a light that wasnt good enough good thing was i was able to return it and now i have Ai Prime hd on it

Nomer Penaranda · Aug 10, 2019

Good luck hobby is addicting haha

vetteguy53081 · Aug 10, 2019

We welcome both You and your questions. A 2 gallon is ok to start with- Bottom line is we start somewhere. That size is a perfect beginner- one that offers volume, lower cost and basis to gain knowledge.
Just remember what gallon you are working with and it means you will go slower but learn quicker. Do not stock with fish quickly ( one every 3-4 weeks safe) and a max of 6 sm/med fish and coral if you have proper lighting for UV support.

This should in every manner be exciting and we will help you achieve that excitement.

Cherie cook · Aug 10, 2019

SteelRain said:
Thanks everyone! The help that you all give really encourages a newbie like myself to jump on into the hobby! Just purchased the Nuvo 40g with a bunch of water checkers, two heaters, and a Kessil 360. Gonna cycle the tank for a few weeks and start off with some clowns! I will post a build log and definitely ask many more questions.

Nice choice...and welcome!