What size?

[Flash0416]

I have a 300 gallon and it is quite a bit of tank.

Some things I have learned:

The tank is 72” long 36” width and 27” height.

72 inches is good. But 96 inches would be better. At 72 inches a single fish can still harass its rivals. Maybe 96 or 120 might be better that way.
36” depth is terrific. It offers considerable scope for aquascaping.
27” height is hard to work with at places. And I am 6’ tall.

Mine is against the wall... enough gap for some access. But it makes getting access to the back of the tank problematic.

The tank has a top and my wife wanted it. It makes mo I guess lights around and optimizing height problematic and limits access. Avoid the top.

Mine has corner overflows. It limits how far back I can stick powerheads. A ghost overflow would give better options for powerheads and open up space.

Now it would be nice, if against the wall to have a fishroom behind it with access to the rear of the tank. Also a fish room would allow a large refugium easily just pickup an inexpensive glass tank.

I wish I had a frag tank tied into the system. Again a fishroom would allow for a frag tank or two tied into the system.

Also a fishroom would allow for an RODI system feeding an RODI can or two which could be pumped into a saltwater mixing can or two. It would make water changes easy. If you have the space, you could set up a bank of 55 gallon brute trash cans. That way, you would have the capacity for a big water change even for a big system.... but maybe that is crazy.

Another option is a peninsula build. Advantages viewable from both sides with access to fishroom from the end of the tank. You could go with a 48” depth and a 120” length... something like 700 gallons.

A monster tank like this will take considerable husbandry. You might pay a local guy to come in once or twice per week to do some of the more intense stuff.

Excellent advise, much appreciated! I think I’ve stalled on a planet aquariums 310 or 450 for my build. When I build my house, I plan to put it in a fish room. Also, thinking about tiring in the frag tanks!

 

[5Dsofdodgeball]

Hello,
I am in the planning stage of setting up my first marine tank. I've been doing a ton of reading and have watched how people will start and stop tanks, buy larger etc. I'd prefer to buy one tank. I am told that the larger they are, the more stable. So, I am trying to decide how large. Aside from the initial cost, its clear that larger systems will have higher costs. I'm also a gear head, so I'll enjoy the selection, set up and maintenance of the gear and learning how it works, the science behind all of it, too. But, when I start reading about ongoing cost of $1 per gallon with a large tank, well that doesn't seem wise.

I really like the idea of 120 X 48 X 30. But, at 750 gallons, thats huge and I am worried would be more than I could handle. So, then I look at 500 gallons and then at 300 gallons.

If the experience reef keepers could help point out the pros and especially the cons of each size, I sure would appreciate the feedback. I am concerned that I am leaving some important items out of the consideration, so all thoughts are appreciated.

I am also newer to the hobby, for my first tank I went with a 90- and it has been very manageable so far. Water parameters have been very stable, the size feels big enough to be attractive in my home theater, and the water changes and maintenance have been bearable.

If you’re good to go for the effort on a huge tank like that than that’s great. I almost went up to a 180- but the size made placement more difficult, and one thing to consider there is that a tank that size will be very expensive to stalk.

I found that the 180 gallon tank wasn’t just more expensive than the 90, but all the associates equipment made the costs ratchet up.

My was probably around $3000 total by the time I was finished with the tank, stand, sump, RODI system, return pump, wave maker, skimmer, sand, rock, refugium starter pack. This stuff added up like I didn’t expect.