Should I get back in? Start small or Start Big?

[slowwrx137]

I was in a similar situation, had a 90 gallon tank, moved across the country so I ended up selling everything off. I was out of the hobby for 8-10 years but decided to jump back in when my daughter showed in interest in fish/corals.

I bought the Innovative Marine Fusion Pro 2 40L AIO Aquarium w/ APS Stand around Christmas last year (8 months), thinking 40 gallons was a good midway-point between having some space but still fairly small/easy maintenance. As a price gauge I've got about $3,200 into it minus livestock so far but splurged on my lighting, Apex, AWC, and a few other things. I've got some pictures in my tank thread if you want to check it out.

I would think about what you would want to keep first and base the tank size around that. If your just looking for smaller fish plus corals an AIO would probably be a good option. If you want large fish I'd plan on starting with a larger tank.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

and get a bigger 200-300 tank and spend $6,000- $8,000?

You also mentioned 200-300 gallons at roughly $6 - $8K. What you spend is all up to you. I'm right at $30k for my 220g

I thought $30k is the more realistic number as well.

 

[SaltlifeHokie]

So I think I’m going to start smaller and make sure I can still commit to this and not go all in at first. I’m sure once I start I’ll be wanting a larger tank in no time but hey there’s nothing the matter with 2 tanks is there lol. What do you guys recommend for a smaller cube? Corallife Bio Cube? Red Sea Nano Cube? IM Fusion? Looking at something around 40 gallons give or take.

 

[QuickrdenU]

I've only ever had AIO nano tanks, so I can't speak to the experience of having both, but I love the ease of maintenance of my AIO's and the lower costs of having a nano tank. I don't mind that I'm more limited in what fish I can keep because I mostly enjoy the corals. For me, just everything is easier with less water volume once you get used to keeping things stable in a small tank.

But the fish definitely help keep a tank clean looking! Tangs, foxface and blennies munching on algae and diatoms all day. Copperband and wrasses keeping all the pests away!

 

[7of9]

But the fish definitely help keep a tank clean looking! Tangs, foxface and blennies munching on algae and diatoms all day. Copperband and wrasses keeping all the pests away!

Most of these I can’t keep in a nano tank. I rely on my CUC for those duties. My few fish mainly earn their keep helping to add nutrients to keep things in balance.

 

[saltyponies]

"Now that I am considering dipping back into it I am torn with going with a small AIO nano tank to see if I will still enjoy it and not sink as much money in as before or should I go fully in and get a bigger 200-300 tank and spend $6,000- $8,000?"

I don't know, the way you phrase this question to me makes it seem like you don't want too much expensive stress in your life again. Meaning, it seems to me like you are already leaning toward a smaller build. If I were you, I would peruse local craigslist and facebook marketplace listing to see what you can get secondhand. That way you don't have to spend so much money upfront after having done that in the past. Like, if you get a good deal on a certain size local tank, maybe the universe will help decide for you what tank to actually get

 

[7of9]

So I think I’m going to start smaller and make sure I can still commit to this and not go all in at first. I’m sure once I start I’ll be wanting a larger tank in no time but hey there’s nothing the matter with 2 tanks is there lol. What do you guys recommend for a smaller cube? Corallife Bio Cube? Red Sea Nano Cube? IM Fusion? Looking at something around 40 gallons give or take.

Biocubes only go up to 32g. That’s what I have and a main consideration for me was cost. I was able to pick up a used biocube with stand, heater, pump, and some odds and ends for $250. That includes LED’s that will be good enough for the soft corals I plan on having.

I also considered the IM cubes. They look great and I haven’t heard anything negative. A 15g was $200, but I would have needed to also purchase a light, cover, and stand. They are really nice looking and if I was going to get a rimless nano, they’d be my first choice.

Red Sea’s seem nice at first in that you get a lot of equipment in one package, but the more I read about them, the more complaints heard about much of the equipment. The tanks do look nice and I haven’t heard of them having the same seam issues as red sea’s bigger tanks, but overall, I think they’re overpriced.

Another option you might consider are the reef casa tanks. They seem to be well liked, although a little less known.

 

[QuickrdenU]

Most of these I can’t keep in a nano tank. I rely on my CUC for those duties. My few fish mainly earn their keep helping to add nutrients to keep things in balance.

which is why big tanks can be easier.

 

[7of9]

which is why big tanks can be easier.

If you want more fish and more choice of fish…sure.

I don’t mind being limited in my space and fish choices.

 

[Fish con carne]

So I am in a predicament and need some advice. I have done saltwater aquariums on two separate occasions with my most recent one being about 2 years ago and we moved houses so when I was moving I broke the tank down and sold off everything. Now I am getting the itch to start back again. Previously I had a 75G tank with sump and the whole 9 yards. What I remember from 2 years ago was a loved it but it was also a lot of time/money/stress. Now that I am considering dipping back into it I am torn with going with a small AIO nano tank to see if I will still enjoy it and not sink as much money in as before or should I go fully in and get a bigger 200-300 tank and spend $6,000- $8,000?

Max out what you can afford or in the ball park. Larger is more rewarding and besides, you need to have something to do

 

[SaltlifeHokie]

Ended up going with a new IM EXT 100

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Ended up going with a new IM EXT 100

Those are nice tanks!