Should my first full-size aquarium be a reef tank?

[Vassal of Ulmo]

Hi all,

I have years of freshwater experience, but always with tiny, easy-to-maintain aquariums around 2.5 to 5.5 gallons. No live plants. I'm thinking about getting a full-size aquarium. By full-size, I mean over 40 gallons. Probably 55 gal fresh or 120 gal salty.

I really want to get a reef tank - they're just so vibrant and colorful - but I also feel unqualified. I have a nagging feeling that I should get a freshwater community tank / planted tank instead, before attempting something more challenging and more expensive.

A reef tank is no doubt what I really want. But I fear that I could be in a world of hurt if I jump the gun, and attempt saltwater before mastering freshwater.

Thoughts?

 

[Jekyl]

It's no where near as hard as you've been led to believe.

 

[VintageReefer]

Bigger = more stable. I have a link to a killer deal on a 83g reef ready setup if you want. It’s 48x20x20, rimless, low iron glass, ghost overflow, sump, plumbing kit, auto top off, and a custom made cabinet.
Kits like this are nearly $3k and I can get it around 1500 shipped, sometimes there is an extra 10% off also.

 

[raimundosantana]

I wouldn't be affraid of reef tanks in your position. They aren't hard as you think, they just need good water quality. When you use RO/DI water and a good salt, it makes life easier.
The problem with big size tanks is price. Filling it with corals and fish, and getting good quality light, can be expensive. So do more research about the hobby and build a tank properly sized for your budget.

 

[Asm481]

A well done freshwater planted tank is not easy. Neither is a reef tank. They both require a commitment on your part to tend to the piece of nature you choose. That said, do research, slow changes, accept it may not look perfect immediately, bigger is better. If doing a reef, a minimum 75 gallons starts to give you some options, fish and aquascaping. Nano tanks are harder to keep stable.

 

[apb03]

Go with what you want; otherwise, staying engaged in the hobby will be hard. I failed miserably at freshwater because I didn't enjoy it nearly as much and eventually tore it down. I always wanted to do a Reef Tank but assumed it was too expensive and difficult.

Saltwater is only more challenging when comparing keeping corals vs fish. Otherwise, fresh vs salt is quite similar.

It's a good challenge though, it's why I stick around.

 

[piranhaman00]

Planted tanks are much harder than reefs in my experience. Plants grow too fast.

Any aquarium experience is fine.

 

[Reefer Matt]

I actually suggest full size reefing first. The tank size lends to more stability. I think if you are willing to do the work, you will have an awesome tank! You can do it!

 

[Doctorgori]

I’d either get a 10 or 20 gallon or jump up to a 4ft tank 75, 90, 120 et
the smaller tanks can actually be maintained via water changes only, don’t believe the hype otherwise…
As mentioned at 4ft your stocking options open up big time…we are talking ocean fish, many are small but most are much bigger than freshwater fish

 

[SudzFD]

Hi all,

I have years of freshwater experience, but always with tiny, easy-to-maintain aquariums around 2.5 to 5.5 gallons. No live plants. I'm thinking about getting a full-size aquarium. By full-size, I mean over 40 gallons. Probably 55 gal fresh or 120 gal salty.

I really want to get a reef tank - they're just so vibrant and colorful - but I also feel unqualified. I have a nagging feeling that I should get a freshwater community tank / planted tank instead, before attempting something more challenging and more expensive.

A reef tank is no doubt what I really want. But I fear that I could be in a world of hurt if I jump the gun, and attempt saltwater before mastering freshwater.

Thoughts?

My recommendation,

Do your research and set it up right from the start. You can check out my build thread for a very simple but effective setup. If you like saltwater go for it! Just go slow. Start with fish only and live rock. After about 6 months add an easy coral and see how it goes, then some LPS, then maybe sps last if it goes well.

Nothing wrong with a fish only tank too. Great way to start and can be converted easily to reef in the future.

 

[Vinaka_vakalevu]

If I had anywhere to put it that tank @VintageReefer is talking about would be in my house. Such a good deal on a tank!

 

[metro6775]

Sometimes I think to myself I should have stayed with my freshwater african cichlid setup. It was so easy and beautiful, but I think that is why I ended up here. It was too easy. Anyway, I would start out with a smaller reef tank. Bigger tanks are more forgiving but also much more expensive.

 

[MnFish1]

Hi all,

I have years of freshwater experience, but always with tiny, easy-to-maintain aquariums around 2.5 to 5.5 gallons. No live plants. I'm thinking about getting a full-size aquarium. By full-size, I mean over 40 gallons. Probably 55 gal fresh or 120 gal salty.

I really want to get a reef tank - they're just so vibrant and colorful - but I also feel unqualified. I have a nagging feeling that I should get a freshwater community tank / planted tank instead, before attempting something more challenging and more expensive.

A reef tank is no doubt what I really want. But I fear that I could be in a world of hurt if I jump the gun, and attempt saltwater before mastering freshwater.

Thoughts?

adding invertebrates may actually be an easier tank to take care of than a fish only tank - with regards to algae, etc.

 

[VintageReefer]

If I had anywhere to put it that tank @VintageReefer is talking about would be in my house. Such a good deal on a tank!

Mines in my garage while I make room for it lol. Couldn’t pass up the deal

This is it if anyones wondering

 

[EricR]

...
A reef tank is no doubt what I really want...

Then I say go for it.
I have no freshwater experience (other than my kids maybe having a couple/few betta years ago) and I feel like I'm doing OK with a simple setup.

Research first, of course, and this site is a good resource.
Beyond that, just go slow and learn as you go (IMO).

 

[MnFish1]

I kind of like the simplicity of an All-in-one tank. as a compromise. my experience with them has been positive. I agree with others - starting a reef tank - is not harder than starting a specialized FW tank (like discus, etc) The prices for the stuff inside the tank is more expensive (i.e. rock, fish, inverts, coral)

 

[Uncle99]

Hi all,

I have years of freshwater experience, but always with tiny, easy-to-maintain aquariums around 2.5 to 5.5 gallons. No live plants. I'm thinking about getting a full-size aquarium. By full-size, I mean over 40 gallons. Probably 55 gal fresh or 120 gal salty.

I really want to get a reef tank - they're just so vibrant and colorful - but I also feel unqualified. I have a nagging feeling that I should get a freshwater community tank / planted tank instead, before attempting something more challenging and more expensive.

A reef tank is no doubt what I really want. But I fear that I could be in a world of hurt if I jump the gun, and attempt saltwater before mastering freshwater.

Thoughts?

Get what YOU really want.
Then you will be happy.
Reef tanks do not have to be difficult.

 

[Glowurm]

Having just started the hobby i cant confirm its not as hard as i thought, but at the same time more complicated than i gave it credit for, which for me is fun since this is something i aim to enjoy for years to come.

I went for a 70 gallon system, wish i'd started bigger (I will get bigger down the road) but its enough for now and its just big enough to avoid having huge swings in water conditions. Nano sounds and looks cool but i can see how things could turn sour fast...

 

[ReeferHD]

for a first time reef aquarist I'd recommend a 40 gallon, enough water volume that its stable but not so large that it's overwhelming, it's also very cost effective as you won't need as much salt or equipment as a larger tank. but everyone has their own method so you may have a better experience with a larger tank.