Rookie reef: What size was your first aquarium?

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Rookie reef: What size was your first aquarium?

You may be just getting started or you may have an amazing mature reef like the picture shown below. For many of us, the tank, or tanks, that we have now is not where we started. That first tank may make you cringe, or you may wistfully look back on it, however there was probably a lot of learning that happened with that first tank. Please tell us about your first tank and your experience with it in the thread below!

Pro Tip: There are many perspectives on the best size for a first tank and lately the small tanks have been getting a lot of focus. I still find that 40-75 gallons is a good range to consider. The cost of equipment to support bigger tanks can become a limitation, however aquariums in this range still have enough water volume to be a little forgiving,

Photo by @maroun.c


This QOTD is sponsored by: www.topshelfaquatics.com

“Whether you are looking for that one of a kind piece or for the perfect beginner coral to start your reef, our dedicated staff is always eager to help!" -TopShelfAquatics

My first marine tank was a 15 gallon with an air driven UG filter. The first animal I bought was a brown starfish for $3. This was 1969

Jay

 

[ForTheLoveOfCoral21]

I made the rookie mistake of thinking i could do a 29 gallon. With a HOB filter and all. In my defense, i was only 12 and wanted to have a part of the ocean so badly. Boy, did i fail! HA

 

[Freenow54]

Talked into a 45 salt by my son. Much against my wishes because of my 40 plus years in fresh. I thought it would be way too small he got it from a so called friend who dumped three very aggressive fish on him and the tank was taken over by hair algae as well. We had these three bad fish the one killed two and I killed it. It took 6 months to beat off the algae and is now my favorite tank full of mushrooms and our original insane clown

 

[M Stein]

5 gallon betta tank

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Mine was a 29g tank. I quickly upgraded to a 75g just a few months into the hobby

 

[flyfisher2]

I'm going to assume we are talking strictly saltwater. As such my first was a fish only 55 gallon Perfecto back in the early 1980's with dolomite gravel, under gravel filter with power heads on the under gravel rise tubes, and Eheim canister filter.
Later I got a 125 Perfecto 1989
then a 120 Marineland? 2001
then 180 Marineland 2012-2020
and presently two 150's 2020,2021-present day and a 60 cube-2017- through present day.

 

[Joe.D]

10 gallon freshwater back in the 80s with an under gravel filter.

First saltwater is my Red Sea Reefer 350 - 75gallon display that was started in May 2022.