sinnaz Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 Hi guys i am just about ready to setup my first marine tank. I am undecided on the size of the tank to setup, some people tell me that the bigger the tank the easier to look after and maintain and less risky as well.... i also know that if i setup a small tank i will quickly be wanting to upgrade so that i can add more things anyone have any advice?? also where is the best/cheapest place in auckland to buy corals and fish??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianemone Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 go as big as you feel comfortable with, you will more than likely want to upgrade is you dont. things to think about Light Water movement Skimmer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madcookie Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 Hmmm, dont be too interested in buying 'any' sized tank, and thinking you wont want to upgrade to a bigger one later on. Its like a salary - no matter how big it is, theres always a yearning for more. Other forums have suggested minimum of 90 x 45 x 38, or about 150 ltrs, for a 'newbie'. But they have all commented that if you double this water volume you will have more chance of success - without too much maintenanace/work. I dont yet have a Marine setup - so am also interested in the 'experts' recommendations here..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 I think a good starting tank would be 1200 x 700w x 600h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 My minimum recommendation would be 4'. It allows a beginner to keep a wide variety of different animals. With smaller tanks, you are limited in the animals you can keep. It's also a good size as it's not too expensive to setup, and maintain. Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinnaz Posted September 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 so bigger is better in this case then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianemone Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 yeah if its a choice between a three foot and a four foot, then go the four, wont cost much more and the added swiming space lets you have different fish (which is part of why im upgrading) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 I'd say yes. Mainly because people want to keep a wide variety of animals, many of which can not be kept in smaller tanks. You do have to be aware of running costs though. My 6' and 4' uses $190 a month in power. So 4' i think is a good start size, but by all means go bigger if you can. Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinnaz Posted September 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 i am thinking a 4 foot at the moment , but why is your power bill so high? that due to metal halides or some other power huger piece of equip? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 Four 400 Watt metal halides and various pumps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misnoma Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 That'll do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinnaz Posted September 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 wow please tell me these are not a must have item? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misnoma Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 It's dependant on what you want to keep. Many corals need that amount of light to thrive.. whilst many others don't. Fish for the most part don't care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 Nope. It's overkill even for a SPS tank. I'll be using 250's and t5's on the next setup. Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinnaz Posted September 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 Basically i was planning on a mainly fish tank , i only wanted 1 small area with live rock and corals but mainly alot of free swimming space for fish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 The cost of the tank is going to be one of the smallest part of the whole, and can be easierly sold, also marine tanks don't work that well in standard tank sizes, you want a tank that has plenty of room front to back and often deeper too, to give you an idea, I have a fresh wtaer standard 4 foot which holds about 200l my marine is only 3 foot but holds about 300l. Anyway back to my point, go with however big you are comfitable with (and I would be thinking terms of liters not feet of tank), but plan on buying all the big ticket items (skimmer, circulation pumps, lights, maybe calc reactor, etc) for as big a tank as you are likely to get that way later on you only have to upgrade your tank. If I was starting out again I would buy to suit about 1000-1500l, this is as big as I would be comfitable going to before thinking I needed to start doing difficult stuff like adding beams under the tank, special drains etc etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sinnaz Posted September 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 as i am finding the higher the volume of water the more and more expensive things start becoming and the more andmore equipment you start needing, now this is not so bad if it is a one off cost but what are you guys running big tanks finding your big ongoing expenses are? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petplanet Posted September 25, 2005 Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 4ft is a great size. Especially if you ever have to move. 120x45x45 will cost $150ish. That's 240 litres then add a sump. You could light it with basic fluros (T8.) or T5 fluros (better, a little more pricey) or metal halides. T5s are great and you can always reuse them if you add a halide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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