First Reef

oolichan · #1 07-25-2009, 02:16 AM

Allright, so I'm going jump into a reef in the next few weeks or so. I'm not new to fishkeeping - I've been obsessed with fish since I was a kid and currently have a 300G FW cichla tank and a 55G malawi tank going at the house.

I know that SW and reef is a whole new ballgame but I'm up for the task. I drool looking at some of the tanksvon this site, reef tanks are where it's at.

With that in mind I need some advice. I know that fishkeeping is a slippery slope, hence the 300 in my living room! I want to make sure that my fist reef will keep me interested for at least a year or so.

I'm considering having a 24x24x17 rimless cube built. It ends up being about 45G. It will have a centre overflow plumbed and I'll build a stand and sump for it. Lighting will be as needed and likely bought used through this site.

My question is will this be a tank tank that will give me enough coral/fish options to stay interested for a while? I'd hate to drop $1500 to get this sucker running and realize I should have gone bigger!

Pazil · #2 07-25-2009, 02:39 AM

IMO.... No it is not large enough..... I am trying to think how I would aquascape a smaller cube with a center overflow....might be tough to do and keep room for fish and coral growth.... What ever you think you will be happy with (size wise) double it...

And then you can do it again in a year to two.....

Navarchus · #3 07-25-2009, 02:46 AM

After numerous number of upgrading I can give a word of advice:
Get the biggest thank you can that will fit your place and your budget!

Another thing to be considered by you is that SW most demanding ingredient is patience! It will take 6 -12 months for your reef to be established and giving you breathtaking results.

xtreme · #4 07-25-2009, 02:58 AM

I turned my 125g cichlid tank into a reef a year and half ago. I just finished upgrading it to a 280g a couple weeks ago as it was already getting full. Also with a center overflow aquascaping would be tough, and corals do grow faster than you might expect. I love tangs and some of the bigger fish and with a 45g you would be limited to the type and number of fish suitable for that tank. As you mentioned it would suck to drop a bunch of money then be wanting to upgrade in the near future. This hobby is VERY addicting so be careful.

banditpowdercoat · #5 07-25-2009, 03:02 AM

BIGGER is allways better. Especially when you allready have a 300gFW

I started with a 45g, now have a 150 AND the 45 LOL

intarsiabox · #6 07-25-2009, 03:21 AM

Bigger is more stable, not always better. You can always try a nano reef for a year and all corals, fish, rock, etc can be transfered to a larger tank if you decide to stick to reef keeping without spending a fortune on equipment just to have it wasted. Check out nano-reef.com and you will see small tanks that look just as good or better than many large systems or search this forum as well. Either way you decide it is a rewarding hobby. What I like most about it over FW is that everytime I look in my tank I see something new and everything is alive, even the sand and rock!

365seasons · #7 07-25-2009, 03:29 AM

If you've already got a 300G FW, I'd definitely aim bigger.

Go big or go home...
Wait...go as big as you can FIT in your home.

bignose · #8 07-25-2009, 03:51 AM

Obviously you know to research. Make and plan with your budget and stick with it. If this is going to be your first SW tank learn from it to see if it is something you like, if not get rid of it. Don't go balls to the walls.