Hello from No. VA

Hi,

I currently don't have a tank. I sold my 65 gallon a couple years ago. But, the reef bug is back! I'm checking out what's new with reefs in the last two years. I have an empty 55 and I can't decide whether to do it as a reef or to buy one of the new "nano's". I've been reading about the Red Sea Max (34 gallon; largest I can find) and I'm wondering if the all in one is the way to go? If anyone has the all in one; give me some feed back on what you like or dislike about it. I'm having an internal struggle with having a smaller tank. Not sure which route to go.

All input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for taking the time to educate me.

 

Welcome to 3REEF. I vote turn the 55 into a reef.

 

Thanks for the welcome; you'll be seeing me here often. WOW you both vote 55 huh? I was thinking the Red Sea Max for upkeep reasons, just sounds so much easier than putting another tank together piece by piece. That's what I did with my 65; I even learned some plumbing!!

 

Well my thoughts are the bigger the better. I have no experience with the all in one systems so I can't offer any help there.

 

Get as big as you can afford and accommodate. You'll be wishing you went bigger if not.

 

That's my thinking also, the bigger the better. The thing that bothers me about the smaller tanks; one mistake and BAM total blow out, with bigger I think you have a fighting chance. Which leads me to; the sump, what size would I need under the 55? I'm definitely doing the refugium, I had that in my 65 and think they are soo much better. I bought the one for 65 online and it was custom made, all I had to do was tell him the size of the tank. I can't find the link any more that site and have no idea where it was.

 

Welcome to 3reef!! I have a 29 gallon and a 24 gallon and I vote for the 55.

 

Thank you; 55 does seem to be the majority vote. Going to be more expensive I think.

 

Welcome to 3reef.

Buy a 180g and use the 55g as a sump.