Hey there! Novice from Texas

Hi! I am just starting out with salt water and want to get a good grasp on what I'm doing before I murder defenseless sea creatures out of ignorance. I'm interested primarily in coral tanks and am wondering if those more experienced people out there would recommend starting with a "nano" tank and grow my own with the kits or to just start with the size I intend to keep- about 200 gallons I think. Again, novice is a kind description of my current experience level so any feedback is welcome. Thanks!

 

Welcome to 3reef.

Maybe you want to consider a larger AIO (all in one) tank such as a Red Sea Max.

Nanos are great but less forgiving than larger tanks. AIO nanos can be very limiting with regard to what type of livestock you want to keep. A lot of newer hobbyist have a tendency to experiment with different types of fish and inverts. It's very easy to over stock a nano and that leads to problems with water quality and compatibility of certain types of fish and inverts.

 

Hello and welcome to 3reef

 

If money is no object, go with a bigger tank. ( I am from Texas too where bigger is better...) But have you added the cost up yet?

 

I agree, the larger the tank the more forgiving it is, but also the more expensive it becomes. A big determinant of the cost for big tanks is going to be the lighting that you are goign to have to buy and run to keep a large tank full of SPS if that is your inclination. If you wanted to do LPS and Softies I believe you can keep them under T5s. I also live in Texas and I had to get a chiller for my tank for this summer, hence the bigger the tank the more expensive it becomes to chill it
But dont get discouraged this site is amazing has many people wiht lots of experience that will chime in and give you their 2 cents of info. Welcome to 3REEF`

 

I, too, fought over whether to go with an "all-in-one" tank or a larger "custom" system with refugium, etc. I chose the JBJ 28 w/ LED because of the versatility, price and and ease of care. So far, it has done everything I have asked and wanted. Feel free to look through my build thread (linked in my signature below). One day when I know I will stay put for a long time, I will upgrade to a much larger tank. Until then, a smaller tank with choice corals/fish is just what I need to soothe that saltwater itch.