Setting myself up for Failure?

[CoralBlue]

Feeling a bit intimidated entering this hobby.
I was gifted a 16 gallon biocube for the holidays and I’ve done a lot of reading around here and my understanding is starting with a tank smaller than 20 gallons is not a good idea for a newbie. Is it unrealistic to think I can handle a 16 gallon tank the first time around?
Im worried that I’ll end up killing off all my livestock by mistake when a bigger tank would have given me some more leeway.

 

[Redfoxtang]

Here is a good read if you haven’t seen this yet!!

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[CoralBlue]

Here is a good read if you haven’t seen this yet!!

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

Been through it probably 10 times! Still trying to wrap my head around some of the concepts. I was a straight B student in the sciences, Feel like a lot of the people in here were more in the A range lol!

 

[Redfoxtang]

Been through it probably 10 times! Still trying to wrap my head around some of the concepts. I was a straight B student in the sciences, Feel like a lot of the people in here were more in the A range lol!

I think you may just be over thinking this. 16g is fine to start with to get the basics down. Then when your basics are mastered start adding coral and testing your water for different parameters. Just take it slow and you’ll wish you had a 180g soon!!

 

[ndrwater]

It isn't that hard. Really.. abide by the basics, aka GO SLOW!! and you'll be fine.
The reasoning behind the 20 gallon plus thing is, it takes longer for things to go sideways.. more volume, more stable, more time..
But... Keeping a saltwater tank, or reef for that matter is all about the basics.. follow the rules, and you'll be fine..
I can sum up aforementioned article in a few sentences.
Go slow. Take time to properly cycle the tank. Glow slower... Get compatable fish, feed em what they eat..
Oversimplified, yes, but seriously, that about sums it up..

 

[ndrwater]

Another thing... Ask questions.. LOTS of questions.. there are a ton of people here ready and willing to help.
Lastly, Welcome to R2R!! You'll like it here!!

 

[CoralBlue]

I think you may just be over thinking this. 16g is fine to start with to get the basics down. Then when your basics are mastered start adding coral and testing your water for different parameters. Just take it slow and you’ll wish you had a 180g soon!!

I’ve been known to do just that lol. Alright so I’ll slow it down a bit and focus on those things. That’s what I hear! I wouldn’t be surprised if I want to upgrade.

 

[DavidBearWeber]

Go for it. The information is overwhelming but after a while it will all click. The good news is if you can do small, bigger will be easier. Eventually you can use your small tank for a QT tank.

 

[Tamberav]

Feeling a bit intimidated entering this hobby.
I was gifted a 16 gallon biocube for the holidays and I’ve done a lot of reading around here and my understanding is starting with a tank smaller than 20 gallons is not a good idea for a newbie. Is it unrealistic to think I can handle a 16 gallon tank the first time around?
Im worried that I’ll end up killing off all my livestock by mistake when a bigger tank would have given me some more leeway.

My first tank was a 12g Aquapod (similar to biocube). It was fairly easy because I researched and added livestock slowly and only added appropriate critters for my size tank/experience/lighting.

I don't think a 16g would be difficult unless you make it difficult.

 

[CoralBlue]

It isn't that hard. Really.. abide by the basics, aka GO SLOW!! and you'll be fine.
The reasoning behind the 20 gallon plus thing is, it takes longer for things to go sideways.. more volume, more stable, more time..
But... Keeping a saltwater tank, or reef for that matter is all about the basics.. follow the rules, and you'll be fine..
I can sum up aforementioned article in a few sentences.
Go slow. Take time to properly cycle the tank. Glow slower... Get compatable fish, feed em what they eat..
Oversimplified, yes, but seriously, that about sums it up..

I’ve been known to do just that lol. Alright so I’ll slow it down a bit and focus on those things. That’s what I hear! I wouldn’t be surprised if I want to upgrade.

Sounds good, just need to take it one step at a time pretty slow. I’m already worried about dosing my corals and I haven’t even put water in the tank haha!! Thanks for the introduction! Been a lurker for a bit on here and I can see you guys have a really good community on here. I’ll definitely listen to the advice you guys have.

 

[New&no clue]

I would say the most important thing is that you understand each part before you move onto the next. I think with small tanks the biggest issues are that people aren’t patient and try to do to much to fast with fully grasping each part. Like everyone said, just go slow, step by step, you’ll be fine

 

[CoralBlue]

My first tank was a 12g Aquapod (similar to biocube). It was fairly easy because I researched and added livestock slowly and only added appropriate critters for my size tank/experience/lighting.
Thanks for the input!

 

[CoralBlue]

I would say the most important thing is that you understand each part before you move onto the next. I think with small tanks the biggest issues are that people aren’t patient and try to do to much to fast with fully grasping each part. Like everyone said, just go slow, step by step, you’ll be fine

Thanks for the input!! I’ll keep on reading!

 

[steelwrap]

As said already GO SLOW nothing good happens fast in this hobby.
Keep reading this forum and learn all You can.
Ask questions
When something bad happens and it will, dont get discouraged, learn how to correct it and not repeat it

 

[Dave Bayliss]

There really is nothing hard about the hobby, there is one simple rule, nothing happens fast in salt water, and I mean nothing. My experience started with a small all in one, that I started wit a few LBS of 'real live rock' (was around 17 years ago when real LR was $7 per Lb) and a few bags of live sand.
I was told by a well known experienced reefer to leave it like this for at least 8 weeks, feed the tank (yes the tank was empty with only live rock, Pods and sand), and test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. I then add a small fish and some CUC, for me the first fish I added was a Melanurus wrasse, He was just over 2" that the wife named "Jack' and left the tank for another 4 weeks before adding anything else.

from here I learned that trying to speed anything up with "potions or lotions" was not the way that worked for me. (I had Cyano, Diatoms, flatworm bubble algae and a host of hair algae due to over feeding), learned on the way and read lots to understand the natural fix to the issues and more importantly what caused the issue.

3 things you need

1) patients lots and lots and lots of it
2) a reliable source of information - I used books for this, not a bunch of people on the internet that think they know what they are talking about - including me in this group - we are not always right!!
2) a desire to learn! I know so much more that I used to about my small slice of the ocean!!


Good luck

 

[CoralBlue]

There really is nothing hard about the hobby, there is one simple rule, nothing happens fast in salt water, and I mean nothing. My experience started with a small all in one, that I started wit a few LBS of 'real live rock' (was around 17 years ago when real LR was $7 per Lb) and a few bags of live sand.
I was told by a well known experienced reefer to leave it like this for at least 8 weeks, feed the tank (yes the tank was empty with only live rock, Pods and sand), and test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. I then add a small fish and some CUC, for me the first fish I added was a Melanurus wrasse, He was just over 2" that the wife named "Jack' and left the tank for another 4 weeks before adding anything else.

from here I learned that trying to speed anything up with "potions or lotions" was not the way that worked for me. (I had Cyano, Diatoms, flatworm bubble algae and a host of hair algae due to over feeding), learned on the way and read lots to understand the natural fix to the issues and more importantly what caused the issue.

3 things you need

1) patients lots and lots and lots of it
2) a reliable source of information - I used books for this, not a bunch of people on the internet that think they know what they are talking about - including me in this group - we are not always right!!
2) a desire to learn! I know so much more that I used to about my small slice of the ocean!!


Good luck

All good things to know. I’m going to really take my time during the cycling process. When you say “potions and lotions” do you mean using biospira, water primer etc?
Also can you recommend any of the books you used? Thanks!

 

[lkriley]

Sounds good, just need to take it one step at a time pretty slow. I’m already worried about dosing my corals and I haven’t even put water in the tank haha!! Thanks for the introduction! Been a lurker for a bit on here and I can see you guys have a really good community on here. I’ll definitely listen to the advice you guys have.

You will be fine. I'm excited for you. It is a passion that will consume you...lol. I agree with all that has been said. Go slow, well really, go even slower...research, ask questions and then go slower. Haha...you will do great, and don't worry about the size, if you go slow it will be fine. Larger tanks just offer more time to react for going too fast.

 

[jsvand5]

It’s really not hard to have a nice simple tank. Don’t get caught up in a bunch of gadgets for you first tank. I’d get an Auto top off, a heater with a controller (controller is very important on a small tank), and pretty much nothing else aside for your lighting and flow of course. Do a 5gal water change every week and you’ll be fine with just that for maintenance until you get really comfortable with the basics and want to get into some more advanced inhabitants.