New Guy Questions...again

[Huff747]

I've asked a few questions in other threads and appreciate the responses but I have more so hang with me.

Is this the normal "new tank uglies" type of algae? It blows off if I hit it with a turkey baster. My clean up crew is still largely in QT so right now there are 2 trochus and 2 nassarius in the display, 1 trochus and 1 emerald in the refugium.

I'm currently running a 40 breeder because I had one from when my tortoises were babies so all I did was drill what I had. I'm already looking for something bigger because the more time I spend here the more I want some fish that I can't house, tangs for example and I don't want the tang police coming down on me.

There's a 150 gallon on craigslist (4ft length) that I've been looking at. I previously purchased one but when I got to really cleaning it I wasn't happy with the silicone so I sold it and put the idea of a larger tank the back burner.

Is a 150 too much for a newer guy? Should I hold out for something with more length? Should I just stick with my 40 gallon and deal with it's limitations? The 40 is staying up either way as it fits in my office, whereas a bigger tank will not.

Thanks for any input.

 

[jda]

That is normal hair algae. It is normal. If that is dry/dead rock, get used to it... it could be around for a while. The snails will help some, but you might need a lot more as time goes on.

150G is up to you. I think that larger tanks are more stable and easier to take care of, but they do cost more. Those 30" high tanks require a lot of light to penetrate if you end up deciding to get high-light corals someday - otherwise, they are cool. This is purely up to you.

 

[PatW]

The 150 gallon is 30” high. I have a tank that is 27” high. For me, 27” is a bit high for access and I am 6’. I would suggest a tank that is 6’ either the 180 or the 125, that is if you want tangs. You could go for the 4’ 120 that is 24” high. Even a four foot tank will work for a couple of the smaller tangs.

 

[Huff747]

Thank you for the replies. I think I'll hold out and keep looking for one of the longer tanks that aren't as high.

 

[Reef-junky]

4' seems short for a tank that size. If you like Tangs I would go 200 to 250gals. At that size you can get almost any Tang. I like Tangs as well. You would probably want a 6' tank. I suggest getting the hang of what your doing with what you have then upgrading.

 

[Huff747]

4' seems short for a tank that size. If you like Tangs I would go 200 to 250gals. At that size you can get almost any Tang. I like Tangs as well. You would probably want a 6' tank. I suggest getting the hang of what your doing with what you have then upgrading.

Thanks. That's a handy guide I hadn't run across before. Realistically where I think I'd put the bigger tank I'm probably still limited to at the max a 180. I'd have to be able to get it down some stairs that make a turn and have mostly been looking in the 125 - 150 range, but I think that works for most of the ones that I'd like. Purple tang is kind of at the top of my wish list and I could happily find a couple more that work within the size I end up with. Would be great to go truly huge but I can't fathom trying to get some of those tanks into the basement.

 

[Zagreus]

I've asked a few questions in other threads and appreciate the responses but I have more so hang with me.

Is this the normal "new tank uglies" type of algae? It blows off if I hit it with a turkey baster. My clean up crew is still largely in QT so right now there are 2 trochus and 2 nassarius in the display, 1 trochus and 1 emerald in the refugium.

I'm currently running a 40 breeder because I had one from when my tortoises were babies so all I did was drill what I had. I'm already looking for something bigger because the more time I spend here the more I want some fish that I can't house, tangs for example and I don't want the tang police coming down on me.

There's a 150 gallon on craigslist (4ft length) that I've been looking at. I previously purchased one but when I got to really cleaning it I wasn't happy with the silicone so I sold it and put the idea of a larger tank the back burner.

Is a 150 too much for a newer guy? Should I hold out for something with more length? Should I just stick with my 40 gallon and deal with it's limitations? The 40 is staying up either way as it fits in my office, whereas a bigger tank will not.

Thanks for any input.

For me in this scenario I would be asking myself how big is my total budget and work backwords. As I learned quickly in this hobby that the tank is not the most expensive piece of the puzzle and the proper equipment and setup cost goes up exponentially the larger the tank. I wanted a mixed reef with heavy sps. More gallons equal more setup dollars for lighting, skimming, pumps flow and return, salt mix and station not to mention fish and coral etc etc. My tank, lighting, pump and sump system for my 45 costs at least 3k before any fish and coral was added to run properly.