Getting a huge tank as a newbie ... bad idea?

[Birdlady]

I would get the reef ready....all that really means is that the water will overflow through a concealed box into the sump below You won't need to get a hang-on overflow box in that case.

I would try and get your arm in the tank to the bottom before getting the deeper tank. I got my rock and sand from a fella with a deep tank and I could barely reach the sand to get it out. Cleaning will be a bear if you cannot properly reach everything.

[beamer]

[quote author=glocklt4 And what size is good? *I'm thinking probably 125. *Would like to have a couple or 3 tangs, a puffer, a trigger, etc... *not a whole lot but mroe than you guys say my 75 gallon can handle.

Thanks!!![/quote]

Since you want several tangs *I would suggest having a tank longer than 4 feet long. I've heard it suggested that a minimum 6 ft in length is best to give the tangs more room to swim. I have a 120 with 3 tangs and its kind of crowded with mine being 48x24x24 in. *I do like the depth of mine (24 in) although I would definately not want it to be deeper. As it is I can't reach the bottom of the tank and it makes things difficult to move around. Now I wish I had a larger tank. A 240 might be nice with a length of at least 6 feet. That will be wishfull thinking for me for awhile as the 120 gl is my very first tank and I've only had it for 6 months.

Go for the biggest one you can afford, reef ready, and don't go overboard on the depth. JMO.

Good luck with it and most of all have fun!

Clindy

[glocklt4]

Thanks for all the advice guys! I'm going to keep my eye out for a 135-150 reef ready .

[evojoe67]

Originally Posted by glocklt4

I have a 75 gallon fresh, and the 46 gallon bow front salt. *I have made an offer to give the 75 to my parents to start a salt with but i would obviously want to replace the 75 with a larger and convert to salt since i'm hooked.

Is it a bad idea as a newbie to marine aquariums to get a pretty large tank (100-150 gallon), to do a fish only tank ? *I catch on very quickly to my hobbies so I'm sure i won't be a newbie for long, but is it harder as a newbie to manage a big tank? *I'm used to big water changes and everything with the fresh and I can expect the equipment for salt to cost a bit ... but the chemicals in the tank and everything should be EASIER with the large right??

And what size is good? *I'm thinking probably 125. *Would like to have a couple or 3 tangs, a puffer, a trigger, etc... *not a whole lot but mroe than you guys say my 75 gallon can handle.

Thanks!!!

welcome aboard! i am also new to the hobby. my first tank, started about 2or 3 months ago, is a 210gal, with a 40 gal refugium. things are going pretty good, so far. i've actually heard it's easier to keep a larger tank then a smaller one. who knows/ anyway, have fun!

[baugherb]

11-15-2004, 08:48 PM Little late.. I've done the same thing myself..... The bigger the easier.... GO FOR IT>>>>>

[omard]

"...Getting a huge tank as a newbie ... bad idea? ..."


Great Idea!!!!

[Froc3]

Yes! Very good idea! Love your thinking! Only, when you get the itch for an upgrade it'll be 200g+ not just 120g like me GL and happy reefing, listen to these guys are you're bound to have success!

Evan.

[Godbert]

bigger tank = bigger success for newbies, that is as long as you still do everything right

[wastemanagement]

I would like to say go for it
The speed at which you understand is not a question,we are all however still learning
The downside with starting BIG is that the errors that we make are multiplied and we all make errors in the beginning, it a given. ( so study up)
I do however agree that its a wise choice to buy with the thoughts of bigger and better/reef in mind as If we started a poll on "who would like to make a Tank upgrade " it would be a one horse race.

Good Luck

[wildreef]

Super idea i think moving to a larger tank , eaiser to correct those "sometimes" inevitible mistakes (as i seem to do)
I went from a 38 gallon all the way to a 220gal. (in wall ) i got hooked quick on the saltys.