Need help to choose tank
- Thread starter Falk123
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aileen
Community Member
I would say if you’re looking to start out, do not get a nano. I would find a local forum in your commmnity and look for a used system possibly. For a newbie, I wouldn’t go anything less than a 29g. The best size tank IMO to start with is a 90g. Either way, I wouldn’t try a SW tank without a sump and overflow setup.
JoshH
Tank Status: Wet...ish, growing things....
You can be successful with that kit as a beginner but it will be much more challenging than a larger system. Sumps will benefit you in the long term but aren't mandatory. The real question is, what is your budget your comfortable spending?
MaddReefer
Active Member
Get a drilled 40 breeder. Good starter tank.
glb
7500 Club Member
I meant less work in the long run as far as maintenance, keeping things stable and having success with fish and coral. At first, a build is a lot more work than an AIO. But I’ve had both, and I find that having a sump under the that I can really get to is so much easier to maintain. I guess I should’ve clarified.
Dennis McGrath
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What everyone else said is true about the smaller the tank, the harder it is to keep everything in check.
Think of tanks like a tightrope walker. For balance, they could use a 2 foot long balance pole, but then every movement is amplified. With a really long balance pole each movement is easier to stay steady. (Please note: I have never walked on a tightrope, this is just a theory I have as to how those guys don't fall down.)
Think of tanks like a tightrope walker. For balance, they could use a 2 foot long balance pole, but then every movement is amplified. With a really long balance pole each movement is easier to stay steady. (Please note: I have never walked on a tightrope, this is just a theory I have as to how those guys don't fall down.)
There are a few positives to starting with a nano.
I started with a 15 gallon. Spent ~$150 to get started fowlr. Slowly upgraded it to a 20g reef. Now its a 40g.
If something is a miss the effects are almost instantaneous. From algae growth to, coral growth, to fish health. They are also easier to cure a problem. Algae outbreak not to hard to scrub 5 pieces of rock and change out the sand and do a large wc.
As you are doing this tweaking you gain the knowledge of what does what, how to do that, dont do that. BUT!! Without the large investment of a larger tank. So when you do move to larger or higher tech tank the results are built on the hands on approach of that smaller tank.
I started with a 15 gallon. Spent ~$150 to get started fowlr. Slowly upgraded it to a 20g reef. Now its a 40g.
If something is a miss the effects are almost instantaneous. From algae growth to, coral growth, to fish health. They are also easier to cure a problem. Algae outbreak not to hard to scrub 5 pieces of rock and change out the sand and do a large wc.
As you are doing this tweaking you gain the knowledge of what does what, how to do that, dont do that. BUT!! Without the large investment of a larger tank. So when you do move to larger or higher tech tank the results are built on the hands on approach of that smaller tank.
