New to Salt Tanks: 75gallon or 29gallon?

[StiersM]

I have everything required for my new salt tank and have been researching for a few months now. With encouragement from my wife, I have decided to part ways with my 9" Jaguar cichlid and free up my 75gallon tank for a saltwater tank. It will be some time before I can afford more than 20lbs of LR. I have already figured the live sand into the equation as well as the regular sand that I will be seeding. I have an unused 29gallon tank that I figured I could start everything in and then graduate to the 75gallon when I have the funds for the required LR. I am aware of the risks associated with the smaller tanks and the sudden unexpected changes in parameters as well as the low tolerance of saltwater species to these changes. Should I save the hassle and just start the 75gallon with what I can afford? I plan to sell some baby Pygo Caribe (Piranha) that I have in another tank to help with some of the costs associated with this venture. I welcome any advice and/or experiences that you've had. Thanks in advance.

 

[Anonymous]

Go with the 75 and use the 29 for a sump or refugium

hehe

20 lbs of Live rock is fine, you can add it a bit at a time, just make sure you quarantine everything you put in.

Hey, use the 29 as a Quarantine tank

Good luck

Bryan

 

[J.Howard]

I started out with a 10 gallon when I was just a kid. Sure it was a challenge, not to mention my first SW tank. Have had a 20 and 30 since and still use my 10 for quarantine. That has a couple of fish that will be moving back into the 200 they came with which is about cycled. My point? Go ahead and try the 29. You'll have the advantage of being able to build a better system with your current supplies/budget. A smaller system also gets you in the habit of testing reglularly esp. salinity/PH which seem to change fastest. I agree with knucklehead re: live rock. You can buy a little at at time. If you have an LFS that sells good CURED rock on a regular basis,. just get it when you can. That's how I did it as a teenager when I was broke. When it's time for the 75, you can keep the 29 for whatever you like and maybe even move some of your favorite stuff over when its ready.

 

[ricky1414]

just use the 75, it will be actually cheaper if you consider lights and such. Use the 29 as a QT or sump or fuge

 

[rich2103]

I would go with the 75 gallon as your start because if you start with the 29 gallon you will have to buy a separate filtration system for the 75 than the one you have on the 29, costing more money. Once you get experience you will regret starting with the 29. I do think you should use the 29 as a sump, and yes you can buy the rock slowly rather than all at once. If you buy corals most of them come on live rock which makes it beneficial to you.

 

[Mikef1]

Go with the 75 gallon you will be much happier in the long run. Bigger tanks stay more stable.

 

[StiersM]

Thank you for the information and suggestions. I think I have decided to use the 75gal as my main tank and the 29gal as the quarantine tank. I plan to start the tank with a bed of fine sand with a layer of live sand for seeding. I also plan to add the 20lbs of live rock and use that for cycling the tank prior to introducing any fish. When is it ok to add shrimp, starfish and crabs? I still have to research the specific tank inhabitants, especially since I am now settled on using the 75gallon tank. I believe that I will use 2-3 inches of sand as substrate. Does this sound alright? For filtration I will be using a Fluval 404 and an AC500. I have 2 small powerheads that I will position on opposite ends of the tank. I have heard that 1watt of lighting per gallon of water is ideal? Is this correct when using LR? I have a 40watt Actinic/Natural 50/50 bulb and a 60watt Natural Sunlight bulb. I am open to any suggestions. Thanks.

 

[abbeyspal]

75 all the way. I started out with a 10 gallon nano and it only took me 3 months to realize i wanted the bigger tank. Just imagine all of the possibilities for a 75 gallon tank. You just can't put much in the smaller ones.

 

[hdtran]

Protein skimmer. Don't leave home without one.

Cleanup critters after LR has cycled.

 

[StiersM]

Is RO water a must or can I treat it in some fashion? My LFS said that it is not required.

 

[Len]

It depends on the quality of your municipal water, but I can confidently say most areas really need an RO filter. IMO, the extra $100 or so is as worthwhile an investment as any equipment. Makes great drinking water too

 

[StiersM]

Thanks Len. I would have to agree with you on the RO filter. I'm sure my wife and kids would also appreciate the RO water.

 

[SDMike]

I have everything required for my new salt tank and have been researching for a few months now. With encouragement from my wife, I have decided to part ways with my 9" Jaguar cichlid and free up my 75gallon tank for a saltwater tank. It will be some time before I can afford more than 20lbs of LR. I have already figured the live sand into the equation as well as the regular sand that I will be seeding. I have an unused 29gallon tank that I figured I could start everything in and then graduate to the 75gallon when I have the funds for the required LR. I am aware of the risks associated with the smaller tanks and the sudden unexpected changes in parameters as well as the low tolerance of saltwater species to these changes. Should I save the hassle and just start the 75gallon with what I can afford? I plan to sell some baby Pygo Caribe (Piranha) that I have in another tank to help with some of the costs associated with this venture. I welcome any advice and/or experiences that you've had. Thanks in advance.

I'm going to be one of the dissenting votes. I'd say start with the 29gal tank, but keep an eye out for bargains so you can equip the 75 too.

Ie: I have a 29 now that I built a sump for that guess what? It moved under my 40L I just set up right next to it. The MAG7 ($25 'cause it needed a $10 impeller) running on the sump is now running in the sump on the 40L. Seems to do well there too...

I picked up a second BakPak for $40 from a local reefer, 2x96w ballast were a trade for a pump, the 2x70w MH "DIY HD Specials" were going over the 29 anyway, now they're over the 40L, etc.

Half or so of the LR is going to migrate over to the bigger tank slowly. I'll be adding to it as I go as well.

As an added bonus, I know of several people locally and here on the reef boards that have stuff. I could probably make another tank upgrade for a minimal investment: lumber to build a stand and another hood, and maybe more LR.

The 29 is such a good size that it would be hard for me to tear it down. So I'm not going to! I'm planning on having a slightly different reef in the 29. More mushrooms, etc.

Man, I must be tired! I'm getting long winded...

G'night.

Mike