Aquariums

[ltipton]

Right now I'm trying to decide on which aquarium and stand to purchase. I'm completely new to this so I don't want things to get too complicated at first, so I want to start out with a few fish and some easy to care for corals. I do want the option to eventually get sps coral and clams, without having to replace everything.

I've been looking at the predrilled 75 gallon All Glass aquarium. Do you think this is an aquarium I will be happy with long term or is the another one that would be better? I don't really feel ready to get a custom drilled tank, since I'm a newbie.

Lisa

[ragvette]

75gal is a great starter tank. I started with a 75gal tank when I get into reef aquariums. A built-in overflow makes things even better. The 65gal I have now has a built-in overflow and it's great.

You may want to take a look at a 90gal, it's basically the same width and length but it's a little taller/deeper. The only disadvantage to the 90gal is more of your arm is going to get wet.

[boozeman]

there are a lot of nice 90's on RS seems like a very popular size

[lcstorc]

Welcome to RS!

I love my Oceanic 90g Tech Tank. Plus it comes with Starfire glass which is super clear.
If you are planning tp start with the easy stuff first you will want to think about the lights you will eventually need for the clams and sps you plan eventually. I would say the same about a protein skimmer.
These are two important parts of the reef that people try to skimp on and pay for it later.

[tbittner]

A larger tank isn't any more work to take care of but it will add to the startup cost. You'll need a good bit more live rock for one thing. In the long run, I really believe you'll be happier with a bigger tank though.

Oh yeah! Welcome to RS!

[BigAl07]

Yeah I really like my 90g tank. Honestly I think "If" I were to do it again I would probably opt to move up to the 120 which is the same except slightly deeper front to back. It was literally only a few dollars more than my 90. The good thing about the 75/90/120 is they are all the same 4' width which makes buying lights, covers and stands easy to do.

Be sure and plan "long term" for the tank. Like Lynn suggested go ahead and get the lights and filtration system you "might" need so that you don't have to replace (gets VERY expensive) later on. It's worth waiting and saving a little bit longer up front than buying everything twice (or THREE times like I did with my lights).

Good luck and Happy Reefing

[wonderloss]

A larger tank means higher startup cost, and higher maintenance cost. You need more light, more water movement (either larger or more pumps/powerheads), and more water for water changes.

However, larger tanks mean more options. Larger tanks allow you to keep more or larger fish. There is more room for corals. Also, a deeper tank means greater variety in light level from bottom to top.

You should definitely get a built-in overflow. I also second the advice to plan your equipment with your longterm stocking plan in mind.

[framerguy]

Welcome to RS!

I'm with Terry on the bigger the easier. If you have the space for it go with at least the 90 or a 120. I have a 75g now and WISH WISH WISH I had gone larger to begin with! There's just so much more you can do (and more corals to buy!)

[Octoman]

I fully agree that you should go as big as your budget allows. Just make sure you plan for the added live rock, lighting, skimmer, etc... as mentioned above. But, also take into consideration whether or not you are going to have to move the tank. I rent and move around a lot, so I decided to stick with a 55 that will be easier to move in a couple years...

[ltipton]

I have been debating with myself about what size to get. My husband has a 90 gallon FOWLR. He thinks I should get a small set up. (He started with a 55.) Something like a 55 gallon kit from walmart or a Red Sea Max. My concern is that I won't be happy with the smaller setup and then will just end up rebuying everything.

Lisa

[lcstorc]

I would stay away from the all in one systems. You always want to upgrade something at some time.

[jupiter]

Originally Posted by ltipton

I have been debating with myself about what size to get. My husband has a 90 gallon FOWLR. He thinks I should get a small set up. (He started with a 55.) Something like a 55 gallon kit from walmart or a Red Sea Max. My concern is that I won't be happy with the smaller setup and then will just end up rebuying everything.

Lisa

You probably won't like the 55 because it is too narrow to keep a lot of the good stuff. I'm repeating a lot of what others have said but one thing you should consider is lighting. MH lamps should be placed 2 feet apart. So a 4' tank will need two, a 6' tank will need 3, but a 5' tank needs, hmm, 2? 3? I'd stay with even sized tanks rather than 3' or 5'.

You want a tank that is no more than 24" deep to accommodate a 250 W MH lamp.

You want a wide tank. Wider tanks give you more options wrt corals; maybe 18".

So I would recommend a tank that is close to 48" x 18" x 24". Good sizes are the 90, 75 and the 120. Since the difference is just height, I'd go with the 90 if you have the money.

If you want bigger, remember the MH rule and get a tank 2' wider but no more than 24" deep.

Something else to think about, you WILL upgrade. Everyone does So just get a tank that will make you happy now. I was never happy until I bought a 5' 110 gallon and that kept me satisfied for 4 years. 4 years is like an eternity in reef-keeping years. The lighting issue was a pain though - either too bright or too dim depending on the number of lamps.

BTW, this is just "my guide". It's the way I choose tanks so it's isn't a "reef-keeping rule" or something
Also I used MH in this post because I think that is what most reef keepers aim for wrt lighting.

[BigAl07]

Excellent advice jupiter. Very good points. I just want to say 48" x 24" x 24" is a GREAT size tank and it looks well proportioned from all sides. That's a 120 by the way *S*