my first reef was and is my 18gallon nano.
im sorry, but having anything bigger is simply not an option. so me starting a 90 is above and beyond what i can afford and move every year.
the most challenging aspect, for me, was maintaing consistant perameters.
thing is, i spent about SIX MONTHS on forums, reading books (Didnt buy, just read in the store) asking questions etc.
i let my tank cycle for 8 weeks. this allowed me to observe the bacteria build up, and then learn how to maintain my perameters. once my perameters were consistant for 2 full weeks, i considered myself ready.
then i added life.
THE disturbing part if the nano trend i see is stubborness and idiots.
individuals who are UNWILLING to research the hobby prior to starting.
im sorry, but not putting in the effort to understand this hobby has doomed more living creatures than anything else. doesnt matter if your tank is 1 gallon or 1000, if you dont know, you need to learn.
the STUBBORN are those who listen to only the cheap options, buy with out research, and then watch something die, get frustrated and quit. (ALL THEY NEED TO DO IS RESEARCH PRIOR TO PURCHASE!)
the IDIOTS are the LFS' that allow people to walk out the store w/ fish LR, corals and a tank etc. puch CC on people as a great substrate, and sell nems to people w/o asking about their tanks. THE IDOITS can be worked out if people would just research.
As far as nanos being too hard for a newb, im sorry but thas a load of BS IMHO.
im a lazy, fat, unmotivated individual with a fist full of bad habits. IF i can research, if i can learn to and consistantly maintain a nano as my FIRST ever reef, anybody can.
you just need to take the time to gain the knowledge of how to do so.
this is like guns, its not a plug and play hobby. you need to understand what can go wrong, why, and how to prevent it.