BeejReef
2500 Club Member
my 2c is I'd up my gallons on both ends. Instead of 30 or 100, I'd think in terms of (65, 75, 90) to start and 120 - 160 on the top end.
As stated, the tank cost is fractional next to the overall investment. My strategy would be to inexpensively and lightly stock the smaller tank, run it for a few years and really grow out a half dozen colonies... pick your poison. I'm thinking a big leather, a hammer, a mushroom rock, a zoa rock or two, and two or three faster growing, bread and butter sps.
You may end up loving it just like that, and you'll be one of the very few who didn't overload their tank. If you want to go bigger, you have the livestock to really take up some space and provide focal points in your dream tank and now you get to tinker with adding all the fish and acros you've been looking at without having to spend a fortune to fill it. On marginally larger tanks, it's much easier to scale your lights. Might get away with one now, two more of same brand years from now.
If you're retired, time is your friend. It's crazy, crazy to spend $400 on a skimmer when they're near giving them away used because it isn't wifi.
You asked for my 2c.. lol. Happy reefing however you choose to do it.
As stated, the tank cost is fractional next to the overall investment. My strategy would be to inexpensively and lightly stock the smaller tank, run it for a few years and really grow out a half dozen colonies... pick your poison. I'm thinking a big leather, a hammer, a mushroom rock, a zoa rock or two, and two or three faster growing, bread and butter sps.
You may end up loving it just like that, and you'll be one of the very few who didn't overload their tank. If you want to go bigger, you have the livestock to really take up some space and provide focal points in your dream tank and now you get to tinker with adding all the fish and acros you've been looking at without having to spend a fortune to fill it. On marginally larger tanks, it's much easier to scale your lights. Might get away with one now, two more of same brand years from now.
If you're retired, time is your friend. It's crazy, crazy to spend $400 on a skimmer when they're near giving them away used because it isn't wifi.
You asked for my 2c.. lol. Happy reefing however you choose to do it.
