What is a reasonable size tank?

[Brocnizer]

So I am new to the hobby, but I see myself going alot further into it. I like the fact that there is something to always do to the tank...I like work that is relaxing.

Anyway, so now I have a 36 gallon tank and in 2 years I will be moving. Most likely it will be a nice house, so what is a reasonable size tank without getting to crazy?

When I mean crazy, I do not want the tank costing $200 a month in electric, $100 water changes, etc...

Well I guess I can spend $100 a month to maintain the tank.

I remember watching HGTV with my wife and this couple spent $110,000 building a 10' X 10' tank in their house. D@mn thing had one foot thick concrete walls and kids come on field trips from local schools to see it . Anyway, that is not my place

[hng]

Personally, I think a 75-90 gallon tank is a great size. Not too expensive, easy to find, uses standard 4 ft bulbs (T5 or VHO), has a good volume, footprint is not too big, don't need a giant skimmer. Looks big without overwhelming a room.

[dobejazz]

Are you looking to set up a reef or a Fish only?

180 seem to be a popular size
Although for my reef the 95 corner I have is perfect for me

[Brocnizer]

Originally Posted by dobejazz

Are you looking to set up a reef or a Fish only?

180 seem to be a popular size
Although for my reef the 95 corner I have is perfect for me

Good question.


I like to go on vacations at least 3 times a year usually for 6 days at a time and I'm worried if I get into a reef system someone might mess it up while I am gone.

By the way, I add some cured live rock and nitrate dropped from 40 to 10 in a week. Amazing!

[motorslave]

IMO that is really a question that only you can answer! I have a 150 and when it was up all I could think of was the next step and upgrading. What you want to keep is one factor that will determine the size of the tank. Some fish need alot of space to be healthy and happy. The larger the tank the easier it is to keep stable also. But, with size comes expense and time. Take a good amount of time to look around at what people have. read about what they have and what they do to amintain it. Budget is of course a large factor too.
It really is up to you, but be hi=onest with yourself about howmuch time you will be willing to put into it after 5 years of the same thing.

[medicdiver]

I'll put my 2 cents worth.. I have a 120 reef and I too go on several vacations for a week at a time. My method is to do a water change about a week before I leave, make sure all my levels are good, and extras are added. I will cut my skimmer back to dry skim instead of wet(to prevent overflow of the catch bottle. As for fish, an auto feeder would work perfect for you (everything else should be on a timer anyway). Anyway getting back to the size. I think motorslave said it all, you really need to figure out what you want to put in it before deciding what size. The more research you do before, the better the outcome will be. Ohhh , and always go 1 bigger than you estimate.....lol.

[Geoff]

what do you want to keep? if you want tangs then i suggest not getting a tank that is smaller than 6'. preferably 8' or longer would be better.

if the tank is thought out from the beginning maintenance can be a breeze. i go on vacations fairly often for a week. i just have a neighbor come over and empty the skimmate bucket and feed the tank, that is it. i switch out my 2ltr skimmate waste container for a 5g bucket so that my neighbor only has come by every couple of days or so. the feedings themselves are also as infrequent.

the more predators you have the less you can feed. the more herbivores/planktonivores you have the more you will need to feed the tank.

HTH,

G~

[Brocnizer]

I guess I will have to answer this question in 2 years :-)

I'm thinking along the lines of maybe a 200 and start it out as FOWLR then let it evolve from there.

I figure I should start planning now so when the time comes I have it all figured out.

[jenajet]

Personally I'd go as big as you can afford. We always go bigger.