need help on what tank

Reef man 89 · Oct 10, 2016

Hello everyone first off let me say I am new to r2r my name is Kyle and I am from NH. So I am a complete noob to the hobby I have had freshwater tanks when I was a lot younger. I am looking to get a nano tank to start. I have been looking at the IM Nuvo 20 with the Skye lights. Or get the Nuvo 30 or 40 and getting a kessill 160 for the tank I would like to be able to keep soft LPS and some low light Sps corals. So my question is what Nuvo tank would you guys suggest as a starter tank for a complete noob and why? Also if the tank does not come with lights what ones would you suggest? Thank you for all your help kyle

Nissota · Oct 10, 2016

I personally wouldn't suggest any nano tank for a new person. You have to pay particular attention to the tank. any swings in the tank are much more drastic in a tank that small and can cause a ton of devastation quickly. I prefer to see people start off with a minimum of 55g, but preferably 90-120g. if you are dead set on a nano and will be able to pay close enough attention to it, I'd go with a 40

Duke4Life · Oct 10, 2016

I'd go minimum 40g to start if not bigger because as you will find out the more space the more fish options you have.

Reef man 89 · Oct 10, 2016

Thank you so much for the advice I just live in a apartment so space is limited. I see what you mean about water volume on a smaller tank with the parameters swings. Now if I went with a 55g what would be a good light to start with? With out breaking the bank? If I go with a 55g would you suggest adding a sump or HOB equipment? I have done a lot of reading up on it like articles and what not but never had the chance to ask people that are in the hobby with years of experience I really appreciate your help

Nissota · Oct 10, 2016

I recommend a sup on everything personally. I have one on my 210g and one my 20g. Lighting is a whole nother HUGE debate. I run AI brand lights, they work for me. This is something you really have to choose for yourself. LED, T5, MH, and a ton of brands for each. Use the magical search button for different kinds. You'll find graphs, debates, and personal experience for each type and every brand.

skybears · Oct 10, 2016

Hi Kyle welcome to Reef2reef as you notice where a wonderful community that joins together to help everybody have an amazing saltwater experience. We enjoy the challenges of questions or photos of something that you aren't sure about. I hope you enjoy your wonderful time on reef2reef there are many threads that help you in all aspects of owning a saltwater tank again welcome to Reef2reef

Duke4Life · Oct 10, 2016

I prefer sumps if possible because they keep equipment out of your main tank area and give you more room for equipment upgrades. Also if you use an ATO (automatic top off) it's easier since you have the space.

Jimbo662 · Oct 10, 2016

You could try a cube. Lighting options would be easier. I had one of the SCA 50g cubes and used both a kessil 360 and a radion XR15 on it. Both were plenty of light to cover it and perfect for what you're wanting to keep. You can get the SCA tanks on Amazon as a complete package...you just have to add the light.

cjd · Oct 10, 2016

Personally I would stay away from the standard 55 gal size. About the same foot print you can get a 75, 90, 120 . You will have more room under the stand than a narrow 55 gal so you wont be limiting yourself to equipment choices . Technically the same lighting choice for the 55 will also work for the above sizes . The standard 55 gal is only 12 inches wide leaving little room for a creative aquascape.

Chrisfish · Oct 10, 2016

Hi Kyle, welcome. You've come to a great community full of information.

I have a JBJ AIO 30 gal. Nano reef. It's been set up since end of Jan. 2016. Before that I had a 8 gal. I agree the bigger the tank starting out the better for all reasons stated above, but for me my thoughts were if I really messed up it wouldnt be as bad. But now I'm addicted to SW and do plan to go bigger. 65+ . I run a Aquamaxx hob skimmer and 2 kessils for lighting, a 16o tuna blue and the 360 w. Mostly soft corals and shhhh too many fish but I keep up with my tank weekly.

Good luck and if I can help please let me know.

Chrisfish · Oct 10, 2016

Chrisfish said:
Hi Kyle, welcome. You've come to a great community full of information. I have a JBJ AIO 30 gal. Nano reef. It's been set up since end of Jan. 2016. Before that I had a 8 gal. I agree the bigger the tank starting out the better for all reasons stated above, but for me my thoughts were if I really messed up it wouldnt be as bad. But now I'm addicted to SW and do plan to go bigger. 65+ . I run a Aquamaxx hob skimmer and 2 kessils for lighting, a 16o tuna blue and the 360 w. Mostly soft corals and shhhh too many fish but I keep up with my tank weekly. Good luck and if I can help please let me know.

Oh and keep in mind with holidays coming i.e. Thanksgiving lots of sales on tanks happen.

LetItReef · Oct 10, 2016

For a limited space, a NUVO 40 is good start. The chambers can handle a skimmer and a reactor.

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 10, 2016

LetItReef said:
For a limited space, a NUVO 40 is good start. The chambers can handle a skimmer and a reactor.

yup. An auto top off is a MUST!!!!! in a smaller tank. that said. your on the right track.

Reef man 89 · Oct 10, 2016

Thank you everyone for ur help as what Chrisfish said there a lot of good deals at thanksgiving. My whole thought process on it is I don't want to go to big cause pray to the lord when I do start up I don't want to have a epic fail which I am sure that almost everyone in this hobby has made a mistake at some point and lost alot of life's (fish n coral) in the process. Just trying to get as much feed back as possible before I pull the trigger. I just want to make sure I have a plan and not rush in to it. But once again thank you for everyone's input it's nice to know that when u have a question I can turn to R2R for help . I will keep everyone up to date on my plan of attack

saltyfilmfolks · Oct 10, 2016

Reef man 89 said:
Thank you everyone for ur help as what Chrisfish said there a lot of good deals at thanksgiving. My whole thought process on it is I don't want to go to big cause pray to the lord when I do start up I don't want to have a epic fail which I am sure that almost everyone in this hobby has made a mistake at some point and lost alot of life's (fish n coral) in the process. Just trying to get as much feed back as possible before I pull the trigger. I just want to make sure I have a plan and not rush in to it. But once again thank you for everyone's input it's nice to know that when u have a question I can turn to R2R for help . I will keep everyone up to date on my plan of attack

Stick around Man. Always happy to help.