Beginner

[ScuabaDuba]

I've kept freshwater tropicals for a long time, but wanted to transition to either a brackish or marine tank.

What is the minimal gallon-count needed to create a reef-environment?

Thanks...

 

[Max]

any thing under 29G is nano, most people say nano isnt for beginers, but its cheaper so you can afford better equiptment ect. i think most people start with a 50G for there first SW or they should

 

[Navarre]

Basically I would advise you to get the largest tank you can afford. The more water volume the more forgiving the setup can be. It takes longer for things to go wrong/waterquality to deteriorate etc.

I started with a 180ltr tank (40 UK gallons)
This is considered a good beginners tank and allows a good variety of corals/fish (although the larger fish like tangs etc would not be suitable).

I now have a 130 Uk gallon setup and i can say its far easier tomonitor water quality etc.

The other comments are right htough, smaller tanks are harder as they can polute ec far faster.

 

[impur]

any thing under 29G is nano, most people say nano isnt for beginers, but its cheaper so you can afford better equiptment ect.

Hmm, my nano has run me about $650. And i had most all of the equipment.

 

[spanair]

well I paid around 2 grand on my tank at the least which is 3,746.40 USD, thats alot more than a nano .

 

[ScuabaDuba]

Well, thank you all very much. I guess I should wait until I can save up some money lol

 

[Navarre]

Before you go away and feel that marines aare out of your reach )

Tell us what kind of amount of money you were considering on spending. Reef keeping can be done on a budget if you know what your doing.

 

[Max]

any thing under 29G is nano, most people say nano isnt for beginers, but its cheaper so you can afford better equiptment ect.

Hmm, my nano has run me about $650. And i had most all of the equipment.

well im saying you dont have to buy as big of a skimmer so you can get a higher quality one rather then having a larger tank and having a low quality one, just my opinion...

 

[ScuabaDuba]

I was thinking something below $200 to set up. I all ready ahve the tank. And I dont include the fish in that budget.

 

[Max]

you could do that easy... other then the tanks some sand (like 20$) live rock (say you have a 29G) 25 lbs (about 75-125$) skimmer (a cheap-o one for 20$) and you said dont include the tank or fish... that comes out to... 135-185$

although if you are going to do something larger, like 50G its a little mroe then 200$ i spent 650$ on my 75G in 2 days andi still have to buy a mh ballast and bulb... (not needed for you)...

 

[bgraber]

Or check this out.. Get the tank, substrate, skimmer, heater, a powerhead or two and some good live rock.. Set it all up and watch the life spring from the rock for a month or two While you are saving your pennies for some nice lighting and whatnot..