Which way to go

[White Hair]

I posted earlier about starting with a 30 gal,pretty much a newbie. My wife and i are retired and are on s/s.Question is, should i go with a small tank 20-30 that is doable on our budget now. Or should i save and go piece by piece working towards a 100 gal tank which is my dream setup. Anybody that has been in this situation or with experienced advice,thanks.

 

[LesPoissons]

The funny thing about reefing is that most of us eventually always want to go bigger. i think your determining factor is what kind of fish and/or corals are you hoping to keep? what is your dream fish/ what makes you want a salt water tank? You will be pretty limited in a 30g but the prices are more doable and mistakes are made on a smaller scale. Conversely, the smaller the tank, the more small issues can cause big fluctuations. In a larger tank you have more room for error- but mistakes are more costly. I started out as a newbie on a 220 gallon bc it was available to me and I wanted a wide variety of fish. It’s been great bc I have a lot of freedom for variety, but occasionally I have wished that I started smaller because everything is more expensive and costly than a smaller tank And mistakes are made on a larger scale. If your dream tank is 100g, I predict you won’t be satisfied with a 30 and you should save up and do it right. however, You could always start with a 30 and as you get more comfortable, plan for your 100g and use the 30g as a future sump or qt tank. Either way, as you move forward, here are my suggestions:
1. Save up and buy the best equipment. I can tell you I have spent much more money over time (and a lot of frustrarion) making up for my mistakes or 2nd hand equipment and inferior cheap products than I would have if I had just saved and bought “the good stuff” initially. If you start with the 30, you can likely repurpose most of your tank lights/sand/rock/power heads/rodi system etc in a later 100g and use the tank for a sump- so plan with a growth mindset and buy quality.
2. Have a plan of what fish/corals you want so you can purchase in order of aggression and know where you will be placing your corals in the tank.
3. Prevention will save you untold pain in the long run. Let your tank cycle well and completely. Set up a quarantine tank and use it for every new fish. Dip corals. Get test kits and monitor your tank. Set up a schedule for water changes and maintain it.
Hope this was some help!

 

[Addicted2Coral]

I'll tell you this.....it is like cars. You will always want more. Go with the piece by piece 100. You will just upgrade your 30 in a year or less and it'll just cost more in the long run lol. You would always wish you went bigger as well. Send it with the bigger tank and never look back! Also as stated above, DO NOT skimp on equipment! You will spend way more long term if you don't buy quality stuff the first time. My 12 years of experience has taught me this valuable lesson. Good luck!

 

[White Hair]

The funny thing about reefing is that most of us eventually always want to go bigger. i think your determining factor is what kind of fish and/or corals are you hoping to keep? what is your dream fish/ what makes you want a salt water tank? You will be pretty limited in a 30g but the prices are more doable and mistakes are made on a smaller scale. Conversely, the smaller the tank, the more small issues can cause big fluctuations. In a larger tank you have more room for error- but mistakes are more costly. I started out as a newbie on a 220 gallon bc it was available to me and I wanted a wide variety of fish. It’s been great bc I have a lot of freedom for variety, but occasionally I have wished that I started smaller because everything is more expensive and costly than a smaller tank And mistakes are made on a larger scale. If your dream tank is 100g, I predict you won’t be satisfied with a 30 and you should save up and do it right. however, You could always start with a 30 and as you get more comfortable, plan for your 100g and use the 30g as a future sump or qt tank. Either way, as you move forward, here are my suggestions:
1. Save up and buy the best equipment. I can tell you I have spent much more money over time (and a lot of frustrarion) making up for my mistakes or 2nd hand equipment and inferior cheap products than I would have if I had just saved and bought “the good stuff” initially. If you start with the 30, you can likely repurpose most of your tank lights/sand/rock/power heads/rodi system etc in a later 100g and use the tank for a sump- so plan with a growth mindset and buy quality.
2. Have a plan of what fish/corals you want so you can purchase in order of aggression and know where you will be placing your corals in the tank.
3. Prevention will save you untold pain in the long run. Let your tank cycle well and completely. Set up a quarantine tank and use it for every new fish. Dip corals. Get test kits and monitor your tank. Set up a schedule for water changes and maintain it.
Hope this was some help!

Very much so, i plan on a reef tank with a few fish, i really don’t know enough to say which way on corals,sps, pls, soft, or hard, i’m guessing it will take time to discover which way to go, again, thanks

 

[sfin52]

I agree. If you have your heart set on a 100 you won't be happy with a 30. But setting and maintaining one is loads more expensive. The more fish the more food costs. Water changes the bigger the tank the more expensive the water changes are. It takes more fish, inverts and coral to fill the 100 g tank.
The only thing I can tell you is buy the size of tank you want to take care of.

I spend about 3 hrs a week on my 75. When i clean. My filters once every 4 weeks is more like 6
The only person who can decide is you. I have a 75 and there are times when I wish it was smaller.

 

[White Hair]

I posted earlier about starting with a 30 gal,pretty much a newbie. My wife and i are retired and are on s/s.Question is, should i go with a small tank 20-30 that is doable on our budget now. Or should i save and go piece by piece working towards a 100 gal tank which is my dream setup. Anybody that has been in this situation or with experienced advice,thanks.

Another thing, is it sensible to buy a used tank, if so, where is the best place to shop, if not same question where to buy and what brand.

 

[Jon Fishman]

I personally would go in-between, on size and shoot for over-kill on the gear.

Maybe a Red Sea 50-60G tank, and. you can hit it with top notch lighting and controller with dosing etc.

I find so many beautiful tanks in these sizes because you you can actually fill it with amazing corals in your lifetime!

I say slowly build the Rolls Royce of 50,60 or whatever gallon tanks.......

 

[LesPoissons]

Very much so, i plan on a reef tank with a few fish, i really don’t know enough to say which way on corals,sps, pls, soft, or hard, i’m guessing it will take time to discover which way to go, again, thanks

Maybe go on Live Aquaria and look at the fish varieties and see what you are drawn towards. Many fish can’t go together or won’t fit in a 30. If you find a few “must haves,” it may help you decide.

 

[Bubbythebull]

Many beginners are plagued w this question. I have a simple solution:::

Since budget is the number one factor, small is best because it would be way less on equipment and also long term wise, you would spend exponent less on stock. If you decided to go large, then you run the issue on skimping or buying low grade filtration equipment. I much rather have a happy, stable, thriving, reef at 30g...than an unstable 100g. Also, trying to stock up the larger tank will start to feel like an in achievable task and become a money pit.

Both tanks require the same type of filtration and husbandry. Do not be fooled by thinking more water equates to less water changes or less care. I rather have a stocked smaller tank then an empty looking large tank

 

[LesPoissons]

Petco usually has “1$ per gallon” sales a couple times a year. Also people sell tanks constantly in my area on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Additionally, check with your local fish stores- people often turn to them to sell tanks or they may have old ones they want to part with. Check the glass for scratches and the seams for ripping silicone and ALWAYS ASK TO SEE IT FILLED!

 

[sfin52]

Many beginners are plagued w this question. I have a simple solution:::

Since budget is the number one factor, small is best because it would be way less on equipment and also long term wise, you would spend exponent less on stock. If you decided to go large, then you run the issue on skimping or buying low grade filtration equipment. I much rather have a happy, stable, thriving, reef at 30g...than an unstable 100g. Also, trying to stock up the larger tank will start to feel like an in achievable task and become a money pit.

Both tanks require the same type of filtration and husbandry. Do not be fooled by thinking more water equates to less water changes or less care. I rather have a stocked smaller tank then an empty looking large tank

My thoughts as well

 

[sfin52]

Petco usually has “1$ per gallon” sales a couple times a year. Also people sell tanks constantly in my area on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Additionally, check with your local fish stores- people often turn to them to sell tanks or they may have old ones they want to part with. Check the glass for scratches and the seams for ripping silicone and ALWAYS ASK TO SEE IT FILLED!

Pets supply plus does as well.

 

[foxt]

My vote is to start smaller, use a "starter tank" as a learning vehicle, and take the time as you learn to decide on what your "dream tank" should have. Oh by the way, "dream tank" is a moving target

 

[JuniorB721]

I am at a different point in life but I approached the hobby in a similar way, go big right out the gate or dip my toes in the water. I elected to dip my toes in the water and am very happy with my decision.

Inevitably you'll make mistakes, I over fed, had a goby refuse to eat anything (live, frozen, pellet, or flake), pushed my salinity to 1.052, and countless other small things and having a smaller tank made these "learning opportunities" much easier and cheaper to deal with.

There are also many things that will transition with you from one tank to another , testing, filters, etc.. I'm glad I started small. I wanted to make sure this was a hobby I would enjoy long term before I threw money at a larger system that a year later I would be ready to sell.

 

[LesPoissons]

Many beginners are plagued w this question. I have a simple solution:::

Since budget is the number one factor, small is best because it would be way less on equipment and also long term wise, you would spend exponent less on stock. If you decided to go large, then you run the issue on skimping or buying low grade filtration equipment. I much rather have a happy, stable, thriving, reef at 30g...than an unstable 100g. Also, trying to stock up the larger tank will start to feel like an in achievable task and become a money pit.

Both tanks require the same type of filtration and husbandry. Do not be fooled by thinking more water equates to less water changes or less care. I rather have a stocked smaller tank then an empty looking large tank

Definitely valid points here, especially as budget is always the limiting factor. I do have to say that even with lower end funds- stocking has never been what I would consider a negative. Slowly Filling my 220 has been the best, easiest, and most fun of having a large tank. I think the flip issue with smaller tanks is having to cut out a lot of what you wish to have bc of space.

 

[foxt]

Another thing, is it sensible to buy a used tank, if so, where is the best place to shop, if not same question where to buy and what brand.

Sure, it is sensible to buy used tanks. Just inspect it carefully, seams, glass, frame, etc. As someone else said, best if you can check it out when it is full of water. Check the for sale section of this forum; depending on where you live, you may see entire systems up for sale, some of them up and running while the sale is posted.

Speaking of used, I have save a lot of $ buying used gear on the for sale forum, as well as craigslist, etc. I don't need the latest model, etc, so gently used pumps, skimmers, lights, power heads, apex gear, are all a perfectly fine way to get into something for less than buying new.

 

[White Hair]

I posted earlier about starting with a 30 gal,pretty much a newbie. My wife and i are retired and are on s/s.Question is, should i go with a small tank 20-30 that is doable on our budget now. Or should i save and go piece by piece working towards a 100 gal tank which is my dream setup. Anybody that has been in this situation or with experienced advice,thanks.

I posted earlier about starting with a 30 gal,pretty much a newbie. My wife and i are retired and are on s/s.Question is, should i go with a small tank 20-30 that is doable on our budget now. Or should i save and go piece by piece working towards a 100 gal tank which is my dream setup. Anybody that has been in this situation or with experienced advice,thanks.

ok,

I posted earlier about starting with a 30 gal,pretty much a newbie. My wife and i are retired and are on s/s.Question is, should i go with a small tank 20-30 that is doable on our budget now. Or should i save and go piece by piece working towards a 100 gal tank which is my dream setup. Anybody that has been in this situation or with experienced advice,thanks.

ok,next question, on tank purchasing, is a tank from Petco good or buy a used

I posted earlier about starting with a 30 gal,pretty much a newbie. My wife and i are retired and are on s/s.Question is, should i go with a small tank 20-30 that is doable on our budget now. Or should i save and go piece by piece working towards a 100 gal tank which is my dream setup. Anybody that has been in this situation or with experienced advice,thanks.

On purchasing tanks new from Petco or quality used red sea or water box, does Petco sell quality tanks

 

[Jon Fishman]

On purchasing tanks new from Petco or quality used red sea or water box, does Petco sell quality tanks

No. Really in the grand scheme of things, tank cost is peanuts. Buy a really nice one. It is the cornerstone. Beautiful rimless etc. Low iron starfire or whatever it is glass.....

 

[foxt]

Depends on what your intentions for the tank are. If you're going the 30 gallon starter route, you could get an Aqueon tank from Petco for $30 when they have the $1/gallon sale. Nothing wrong with that tank.

If you are skipping the starter tank and going with the 100g "dream tank", then as the previous poster said, go for something nice because you'll be looking at it a long time.

Sort of a utilitarian vs. show-piece kind of decision.

 

[sfin52]

@Katrina71 is the master scrounger. Not a negative. She is Excellent at finding gems. She may be able to give insights into how she finds gems