new and biocubes

Hello all im new to 3reef and im looking to start my first saltwater tank. I have read and read about this. I was wondering if anyone could let me know if a small biocube is a nice way to start out. I have been checking into every aspect possible.

 

Hey LionKitty. I am a n00b myself. What size tank are you looking at? I have a 24 gallon Nano. After alot of research on my end I was advised that a bigger tank would be a bit more forgiving than a smaller one.

I have had my tank up and running for about 5 weeks now and its going through its cycle. So far its been a good experience. Let people know exactly what you are looking at and what you want to do. Might make it easier for you to get a better answer.

 

im looking at the 14 gal or the 29 gal biocube.. I eventually when i get use to saltwater fish get a bigger one.

 

Have you started your research? What kind live stock do you want? Going to have a reef tank? Corals?

 

yes i have done tons of research and still am. I would like to do some live rock and maybe eventually some corals. The fish i want eventually i know i will need more experience and a bigger tank for. In the small one i would like clowns and maybe 1 or 2 other fish. I also want a few cleaners in there. I do like the look of the tanks with the corals and reef looks in. I'm still doing research its why i figured id ask before buying anything until i have it down pat.

 

Well again I am no expert.. But this is what I did when i started... Again my tank is 24 gallons

I got my tank..
Went to Home depot and bought 5 5gallon Buckets with lids
Went to LFS and Bought 30lbs of live sand and 25lbs of live rock.
Also got 30 gallons of water
Also bought a good Tester kit. I went with the API Kit
I bought a hydrometer to test the salinity in the water
I also bought Salt
I got a good algae scrubber so I can keep the inside of my tank clean.
I am trying to remember everything i bought. Seemed LIKE ALOT at the time. I am sure a bunch of other people will chime in..

 

I started with a 29g Biocube.
There are pros and cons to starting small IMO

Pros: All in one...plug and play, easier filtration system and allows for you to DIY, dont have as much equipment to buy, less start up cost, takes up less room, less live rock and sand to buy, there are many cool corals you can have in it, gives you practice in keeping a reef tank....have to have a routine,

Cons: Limited in the size of fish and types of corals you can have, easier to overload it, smaller the tank the less forgiving a mistake is, if you like the hobby you WILL eventually want to move up to a bigger tank, skimmers are not as good in nano tanks

You are going to get conflicting advice on this.....I think a smaller nano tank is great to start with because it is less expensive so you are not out of a lot of money if you decide you dont like it, dont have time to care for it, or whatever. However people get frustrated with the hobby because they messed up something, was given wrong advice, or they overloaded the tank. However this happens with any size tank

I started with a 29g biocube and within 5 months moved up to a 75g. I now have 4 saltwater tanks going, the 29g for mantis, 72g fish only, a 12g fish only and a 135g reef tank.

If I was you I would aim for the 29g at least. I will give you a little more play room. I know they have the MH version, but if you get that they you will have to have a chiller

 

Good luck...sounds like you are ready! I would think about getting a refractomer versus the hydrometer. More money but I would not trust a hydrometer at all. (I made a big boo boo with it when I first started) If you are mixing your own saltwater I would highly recommend a refractometer

 

Thanks Schackmel. I will be mixing my own water any recomendations on a Refractometer?

 

I would get as big of a tank as you can afford, within reason. This is primarlily due to the fact that parameter fluctions will present much less of a problem, temperature swings are easier to control, as is salinity and more water = more dilution. However, this is within reason. I also agree with Schakmel in that if will be less expensive to start a smaller tank than a larger one. I would go with the 29gal.
As for a refractor meter, try ebay or some place online. You can get a decent one for about $40.