Tank size

I am interested in the hobby but have never done a saltwater aquarium. I have a freshwater aquarium now and wish to start a saltwater. What is the recommended tank size for a beginner? Thank you.

 

I always recommend a 75g... It gives you more time to catch problems cause when it goes wrong, it can go wrong quick. With nano tanks etc, they are recommended for experts only.

 

The biggest tank that you can afford and set-up would be optimal, without breaking the bank while setting up the tank and all the equipment!

Especially for novices, the bigger the tank, the less chance of human error detriment and the greater the dillution of waste etc. that accumulates in the water column. Those are just a couple reasons for a bigger tank!
Good luck!

 

What type of system do you want to have that would dictate the minimum you would start with . A saltwater fish or a reef type system. If you are sure you really want to run a marine tank then yes get as large as you can afford ? But if you are on the fence ? I'd say a 55 makes a good size tank for a lets see if I like this or not.. Once you buy this stuff its worthless keep that in mind and I'd hunt local papers and bulletin broads in LFS to find as much used as you can . The stuff that others wanted to go marine have to sell now..

 

I also think a 55 is a nice size to start out with.

Won't cost so much getting it set up with LR, or couple of powerheads to keep adequate water motion.

Is what I started out with.

Anything smaller would make it difficult for one just starting out to keep stable.

And yes, a used should be easy to find one.

I have one in back yard if you want to come get it. ;D

 

I will like to have a reef aquarium and my budget is high now so I could afford some of the big tanks.

 

O.K if you have the bucks a 75 or 90 are not great that to use as a reef tank to rectangular and limited surface area to depth . Not saying they won't work i myself ran a 90 for a few yrs and I know their limitations as a reef .

But if you wanted to go with a 75 or a 90 then a 125 will not be that much more if you look at the whole picture . And if you ask/look around the lighting and all won't kill you . The stand Hood and tank would be the major outlay and will make a great reef tank.. Just besure its a reef ready or get it drilled and internal overflows before you do anything else with it.. No Hang on overflow will work that well with a 75 and up . I custome made my own Hang on and it was O.K But I had to tear it down and drill it in the end.

 

a 75g is the as a 55g as for height but it has more surface area... 55g=48x12x20, 75g=48x18x20. I agree with the part about a 90g, 48x18x25. You want the tank to be as wide as 1/3 the length of the tank for gas exchange purporses. IMO 55g is the worst tank you can use because it is so narrow, but most people started with them because they are a dime a dozen used. There is a good reason why they are a dime a dozen used becuase the people bought them wised up and went bigger.

Another thing as for shopping for tanks, you have to remember the deeper the tank, the more its going to cost for lights to penetrate to the bottom.

 

Go with as big a tank as you can afford. I would take a 75g over a 55g because of the depth of the tank for aquascaping. A 90g only offers a taller tank and more water volume. You would need more expensive stronger lighting for a 90g vs a 75g. If you plan on metal halides you will need 250watt bulbs vs 150watt for the 90g vs 75g IMHO. Go with a 125g instead of the 90g if you can swing it.

 

one more thing.... with larger tanks, you need to check your floors... You may have to add some supports to your floor to support anything over a 75g.