Is bigger better?

[02ruben]

Ok thanks. Well as I said I am new to all this so will have to research more before I order anything. I was just asking as I didn't know if there was a specific weight to gallon ratio as I'm at step one. But I would like to have maybe a couple of islands in The tank depending on what sort of fish I want to buy which I also need to research. Many thanks for the info. And without starting a massive argument/debate is there a specific live rock which is better then the others as I have only heard the term live rock?

 

[shred5]

Shred5 what would you class as a mid size tank? I was looking at nano style tanks but thought I would get a bigger one so if I want to add more stuff later then I wouldn't have to start again

I would say 58 gallon tank to anything under 120 gallons.
I know everyone looks at sizes different. They just add that extra volume for stability without taking up to much of your life. Good balance.
75 gallon is a great starting point for a reef tank. Big enough with out being overwhelming and nice dimensions.

 

[luke33]

Yea, i'd say a 55-125g is about as large as you want to go for your first tank. Thats what i would suggest. This way you don't have a fortune in your tank if you don't like the hobby......just a small fortune this way : ) Things i would suggest would be a reef ready tank as you will love yourself if you go this route the first time. And also a sump ofcourse and the other thing you'll need is an rodi filter. Then you can research slowly all the other great stuff you'll need. What you put in your sump is up to you. Skimmer, yes. Many others run refugium's, media reactors, heaters, return pump's...etc.

 

[02ruben]

Ok thanks everyone as I said I have lots of research to do before jumping in but have looked at some of the tanks on here and have some ideas but on a smaller scale. Is the red sea Max a good way to go as I saw a complete system in my local store. And it looked good but not sure to get that or go with a different set up and pick my own parts?

 

[Loki]

There isn't a rock that is better than another in terms of filtration. So get the one that looks best to you. I personally went with 85 pounds of pukani rock (from Bulkreefsupply.com) in my 120 and I have a decent size rock that Did not make it in the tank because it would have looked too crowded.

The skimmer (and almost all other equipment) I say go plus one. Meaning to get a skimmer that will handle a tank bigger than yours. My skimmer is rated for a tank 250 gallons.

And the best piece of equipment I have is a tank controller. I have plugged everything into it. With one touch of a button I can turn all of my pumps off when it is time to feed the fish. It controlls everything.

 

[Chameleon]

I'm new to the hobby as well and purchased approximately a 36''x21''x21'' tank and its a good size for me. Could use a little more front to back space, but I love the height and width. If I was doing t5 lighting I probably would have wanted a 48'' but the 36'' worked well with my diy led's. The downside to 36'' is limited space for a sump. If I were to do over Id keep the height but get 48'' and 24'' front to back.

 

[mfdrookie516]

I am a 40 breeder lover. While my experience up until recently has been with planted tanks, 40 breeders just have an awesome footprint. They are large enough to provide a little more stability with parameters, but aren't going to break the bank. A 20 long or 29 will fit nicely underneath as well, adding another 15-20 gallons of water volume in the sump area. I have always favored my 40 breeders over my 125, 150, 55's, and on and on.

 

[02ruben]

Brilliant thanks guys I am so fired up now and can't wait to get my tank. Just have to figure out lighting pumps and everything else. What's best as a substrate is live sand best or a combination of that and the normal sand I have read that live sand is better for filtration in some circumstances. What do you guys use?

 

[Loki]

What ever you put in your tank will eventually be live. This just depends on preference. I have 60lbs of sand 40lbs of crushed coral and 15lbs of shells and other small things. In my 16g I am going to put black sand in there to give it a pop.

 

[Loki]

The "live" refers to the bacteria/organisms living in the sand.

 

[02ruben]

Ok cool even more stuff to think about. Thanks for all your help I'm off to tie myself up in knots looking and learning thanks again for all being so kind and helpful and I'll post pictures up as and when I get all my stuff

 

[dallas reefer]

Yeah don't ask for a sand to gallon ratio. It may be 'BS' as previously stated.

LoL

With lighting, it has been advisable to go LED. Slightly higher startup price, but JUST starting out, you won't have to worry about changing lights later.

Skimmers: it depends on your bioload. Number of fish.....how much you'll feed... But in a nutshell, yes get one rated for slightly more than your tank.

Pumps: it depends really. Some use just enough to flow the water through the sump and back. And use powerheads to increase tank flow/ agitation. Some are the other way. Pump selection can also be dependent on space for it.

 

[Loki]

It's a lot of information to consume. It is best to figure out what you want to do and then tailor your equipment to the fish/coral needs.

Check out MrSaltWaterTankTV.com he has lots of good information. He has a description as to what kind of tank and kind of tells you how/what to do. Really easy to listen to and understand. He has a new video every Friday.

 

[dallas reefer]

Hey Loki. I bet that looks pretty 'natural' having different sized substrate. I've got sugar sand mixed with shells and crap.(think of going to the beach) and aragonite. Medium size. I think it looks rather natural which is what I like.

Sorry to 'veer' off topic.

 

[Loki]

I completely agree. It really looks nice with the colors and contrasts.

 

[02ruben]

I will check out them videos and thanks for directing me to them. I have seen some type of led lights in my local stores but wasn't sure if they where the best type as they seemed really expensive. Are they the way forward?

 

[Loki]

I have no experience with LEDs. But I do know a few people that are giving them a try. I figure I'll let them (the lights) get cheaper while the people will tell me if they work out and have a pro and cons list. So far the list of pro is quite long. Good growth, almost no heat, low electricity usage and almost never have to replace bulbs. They even have the "shimmer" of metal halides. The cons the price to get in. There may be more but I haven't been told yet.

 

[dallas reefer]

Yeah led lights are the new wave. I plan on purchasing some, this year sometime.

 

[shred5]

I am a 40 breeder lover. While my experience up until recently has been with planted tanks, 40 breeders just have an awesome footprint. They are large enough to provide a little more stability with parameters, but aren't going to break the bank. A 20 long or 29 will fit nicely underneath as well, adding another 15-20 gallons of water volume in the sump area. I have always favored my 40 breeders over my 125, 150, 55's, and on and on.

I like that size too... I owned one and they have great dimensions and are shallow so are easy to light for sps.

 

[Raggamuffin]

I am also a 40 breeder kinda guy, but I don't suggest following my route I am nuts! I have around 150g water vol for my 40B, 2 250w de mh, a skimmer made for a 200+g tank and so on lol!