29 gl (nano?)

addam4208283 · #1 11-22-2005, 06:23 PM

i have been tossing back and forth the idea of either working with a 65gl tank or something smaller like a 29 or so. i can't seem to make up my mind on what to start with. i should first say that i am newbie, and am afraid of getting way over my head hence the going back and forth. so my question for you guys/gals is if i decide to go with a smaller tank than the 65 i have would it be ok if i got equipment that has the ability to be used on the larger tank?(50-100gal)
if this is ok i figured when time comes to go to the larger tank i would just add what i need to what i already have ex. another/larger heater, jet, etc.
thanks
ADAM

DanG · #2 11-22-2005, 07:32 PM

A bigger tank is always nicer from the stand point that if you have a chemistry change it takes longer to become a big issue in a larger tank compared to a smaller tank.
If you went with a smaller one now and went bigger later, you'd probably need new lights, if you bought a bigger skimmer now, you could use it on either tank, same with a bigger heater, but it's safer to run 2 smaller heaters on a bigger tank because if one malfunctions, you're not completly screwed.

OCDP · #3 11-22-2005, 08:13 PM

Mostly everyone on here will tell you, go as big as you can afford. Think of it this way, instead of feeling insecure about buying a bigger tank, feel more insecure of buying a smaller tank, for the first point dang listed. Bigger is better... take it from me, I thought setting up a 20g would be less work, less money, etc.. It's been a little over a year and a half and I can now say that I made a huge mistake going with 20g.

You will end up buying lights that you will eventually (most likely) upgrade .. a skimmer, pumps, powerheads ,etc.. it's best to buy the BEST you can afford now, save the hassle of spending now on what "will do" because in the end when you do upgrade, you're spending a heck of a lot more when it all adds up.

Research , research, research.. find out where you think you want your tank to go.. coral dominated? if so, what kind of corals, this will determine lighting, skimming, etc.. You will thank yourself down the road from all of your research.

Ask plenty of questions here on canreef, there is plenty of knowledagble reef keepers on this forum.

Scott

Murminator · #4 11-22-2005, 08:29 PM

I started nano's to see if I could do it and how hard it really is. I jumped into knowing nothing and learning lots. Now I am at the stage I want a bigger tank BUT if I started with a bigger tank i am almost certain it would have been a disaster, I had really no knowledge and I would have spent tons of money on new rather than used and DIY. Then there is the price of corals locally they are outragous, so I started with frags and grown them out. I couldn't imagine having a 100g+ tank with only frags and no colonies, so to me the nano's made more sense, I could learn the reefing woes and grow out frags into colonies and slowly scavage equipment to start a bigger tank without breaking the bank to get it started and then have nothing in it

OCDP · #5 11-22-2005, 08:39 PM

Heh I guess it all goes back to..

research, research, research

tons of reading will save your butt big time in this hobby!

addam4208283 · #6 11-23-2005, 04:06 PM

see the thing is i am looking at it from these angles also. i am pretty sure i thing i can afford to set up the larger of the two tanks but i think it could be hard at times because of school, car, etc. with this i am just worried about something going wrong that will cost me tons that will result in me not being able to provide the best of care. (not just talking about tank but all things in general) with a larger tank i would have way more things to buy then with a smaller one. this is because i am also in the dart frog hobby and have stuff around that i could use with a smaller tank.(ex. 29gl tank, lighting from a&h supply, etc.) also since i still live at home i have space issues as well.

as for research at the moment i am reading the new marine aquarium, when finished i will being going on to another guide book, got some info on guides from a previous thread i made. i think Scott mentioned corals and such, do you have any specific reading for those?

thanks to everyone who replied. i am just thinking out loud right now and don't plan on setting up a tank until after the semester is over and maybe even after xmas.

thanks again
ADAM