WHich takes up more time?
- Thread starter rosechay
- Start date
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I wouldn't say it is necessarily more work at all. A lot depends on what type of corals you are trying to keep. Personally, I would much rather do 10 percent weekly water changes on a 20g than I would on a 300g...lol. Are you new to saltwater? Welcome to R2R!!!!!! Please share what you want to keep, what type of lighting, etc and we may be able to help you more : )
They are actually MUCH faster on the cycle IME. the problem and time comes in from the learning curve to keep such a small tank stable.
btkrausen
Fish Hoarder
Yup, what they said. A smaller tank is generally harder to keep per say because of the smaller water volume. When you have a larger water volume, its easier to keep things stable, as smaller things effect the water less, as anything is diluted more than a smaller tank.
However, the smaller the volume, the less you have to spend on salt, additives, sand, and RO water
However, the smaller the volume, the less you have to spend on salt, additives, sand, and RO water
bulkhead
Community Member
Yup, what they said. A smaller tank is generally harder to keep per say because of the smaller water volume. When you have a larger water volume, its easier to keep things stable, as smaller things effect the water less, as anything is diluted more than a smaller tank.
However, the smaller the volume, the less you have to spend on salt, additives, sand, and RO water
+1
I think somewhere around 55 gallons is an ideal starting size (purely opinion).
btkrausen
Fish Hoarder
Thats the size that I originally started at. Was very manageable, and was big enough to keep things stable.
Michael7979
Active Member
When dealing with a smaller tank, the smallest evaporation can cause a bigger swing in tank parameters.
IMO a small tank is just a temporary fix until you want a bigger tank. So if you can start with something bigger like a 40B or a 55g tank.
IMO a small tank is just a temporary fix until you want a bigger tank. So if you can start with something bigger like a 40B or a 55g tank.
btkrausen
Fish Hoarder
Exactly. When you are buying equipment, tanks, etc, just bump it up to the next level the first time, as you'll probably want to upgrade in the future anyway. I wasted a lot of money going the cheap route the first time, and then ended up buying what I really wanted in the end.
I would start a little bigger. Dont go straight for a 100+ system. I started with a 10 it last 3 months before I upgraded. Well all the equipment I got was no longer useful. Wasted alot of money. Plus it is hard to find used equipment for a smaller tank. People are always selling stuff that would work for 40+ gallons anything smaller you have to buy new.
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I agree with m and m. 100+ for a new reefer is intimidating while 40 breeders are just made to be turned into a reef tank and 75's are "big" but still supurb beginner reef tanks. The best part of a 75 is that there are A LOT of folks that start there and upgrade so there is a lot of cheap but very good equipment peices for sale. Take it from a nano guy (me) I have had 4 diffrent all in one nano tanks and they still are great tanks but a real pain to keep stable, for the first time in 6 years I finally got one to where I wanted it and it was a rough road. My 75 on the other hand was a cake walk compared to all of them! Incidently I just bought a 220g 
for a nano guy this is just going to be plug and play ROFL! The message there is even if you love nano tanks you will upgrade sooner or later.
for a nano guy this is just going to be plug and play ROFL! The message there is even if you love nano tanks you will upgrade sooner or later.
Viva'sReef
Valuable Member
I started small, then went big, then bigger........now I'm finding myself wanting to go back to a smaller size. I'm thinking an Elos MIDI is in my near future.
seafansar
Well-Known Member
I started with a 20 gallon then went quickly to a 125 and after several more tanks including a 150 now I'm happy with my two 28 gallon nanos. I think it really depends on what equipment you get and what kind of tank you get. My 20 gallon was a pain, but my 28 gallon all in ones are pretty easy upkeep. Also it's much easier to do water changes on small tanks than bigger ones.
J Rog
Valuable Member
Ya, i have a 29 gallon biocube that i up graded to a 120 gallon. Now I have both set up because o one wanted to buy the smaller tank or the equipment.. But the biocube was much less work for me because all the maintenance is on a much smaller scale. But after 8 months of just having the biocube i wanted to upgrade. Well i wanted to upgrade much sooner then that but had to save the money first fo the bigger tank and equipment. The only equipment i could use on my bigger tank from the smaller tank was my PH moniter and ATO..
Timewise, I believe the bigger tank takes more time. That said, there are lots of different factors to consider besides time in selecting your first tank. Available space and $$ you wish to spend being the biggest two.
Great starter tank! I went with a standard 29 for my first tank and regretted it the whole time. the 40 br has a lot of room and is easier to aquascape since its only 16inches high.
