[FesteringGob]

I started this with a 10 gallon tank that was given to me. Right now it is only a 20. I have a filter that will handle up to a 55 Gallon and my light would need to be upgraded. What is the ideal size to get where the problems start to get to be less. I have heard that you need atleast a 40 gallon tank. They are supposed to be easier to maintain. I don't know. I work on my 20 every weekend. Is this true that they get easier the bigger you get? I can't afford the tank I want, but I have most everything to get up to 55 gallons. Suggestions? I want some corals and nice fish. I have an anemone,couple of damsels, purple pseudochromis, red footed snail, snail,one slug, small and one large hermit crab. The lighting, I know is low for that big, is 96 watt compact flourescent. I could put another one of those or go halide. I have a AMIRACLE SL-5 filter that is supposed to be good up to 55 gallons. Thanks.

[Peterock]

Originally Posted by FesteringGob

I started this with a 10 gallon tank that was given to me. Right now it is only a 20. I have a filter that will handle up to a 55 Gallon and my light would need to be upgraded. What is the ideal size to get where the problems start to get to be less. I have heard that you need atleast a 40 gallon tank. They are supposed to be easier to maintain. I don't know. I work on my 20 every weekend. Is this true that they get easier the bigger you get? I can't afford the tank I want, but I have most everything to get up to 55 gallons. Suggestions? I want some corals and nice fish. I have an anemone,couple of damsels, purple pseudochromis, red footed snail, snail,one slug, small and one large hermit crab. The lighting, I know is low for that big, is 96 watt compact flourescent. I could put another one of those or go halide. I have a AMIRACLE SL-5 filter that is supposed to be good up to 55 gallons. Thanks.

Hello there well I can't really speak on this topic al whole lot because I myself only have a 45gal but I can give you some insite.
First you should look at buying at least a 40-45gal tank that way you can use all the material you have for that tank and use the smaller tank as a quertine tank. I have also heard from my LPS that a slug will eat the corals and growth on the live rocks so you might want to watch him closly.
Second if $ is a issue then I would not get a Halide light because of the price you can easly get another p/c and place on the tank and that will be enough. I have a 45gal with 2- 96 watts p/c lights and I get about 4.2 watts per gallon in my tank. Thats good for starting out as long as you place things that need alot of light closer to the top and so on.
Third is how much live rock or live sand do you have in the tank currently?

Deffently get a larger tank check your local stores and get at least a 40gal you will see a huge differance in just that small upgrade.

[kevinpo]

IMO a 40 gal breeder is much better than a 55 for a reef tank. The dimensions are 36"x18"x17". The 18" front to back dimension is much better for aquascaping and gives more of a 3D effect. There is also better gas exchange for the volume of water because of the large surface area to height ratio. Your current lighting will also work better with a 40 breeder.

HTH,
Kevin

[FesteringGob]

I am not sure how much sand I have. It was just a bag of live sand. I have 3 pieces of rock about 12, that is a guess. 2 Pieces were with the 10 gallon the guy gave me. What should the ratio be for watt per gallon? If the light I have is enough, I am on the home stretch. The slug I have was supposed to be coral safe. He eats algea. Let me find what he is called and I will post here. I have no coral at the moment, but I wish to add some as soon as I get the tank set up.

[Peterock]

It depends on what you want in your tank will depend on how much light is the min. I have a 45 gal that is 75% mushrooms and I have about 4.3 watts per gallon.

Post what you would like to have in your tank and let people set their opp. It will be safe to say that you want 4-8 watts per gallon.

[vtec si]

Hey,
Fester'

Where do you live? The only reason I am asking is because I have three 55gal and a custom 50gal w/built in sump also a 40gal all sitting in the garage. WILLING TO GET RID OF CHEAP I MEAN CHEAP! THAT EVEN A POOR MAN CAN AFFORD! I am in Denver, Co

Laters,

Martin

[FesteringGob]

I guess the biggest thing I want is some corals. I like the anemones as well. Depending on the size, I would like some colorful fish. My tank is looking thin now, but with a 20 gallon, there is not much I can do. I live just about 20 minutes south of Atlanta, Georgia. Wish that was closer to Denver .

[FesteringGob]

Oh yeah. I have seen some beautiful clams that I would like to have one day also. Everyone I have ever seen had halide lamps though.

[Peterock]

Hey Vtei I live in denver and I would like to look at the tanks that you have I might be interested in getting another tank.

[scubadude]

Originally Posted by FesteringGob

I guess the biggest thing I want is some corals. I like the anemones as well. Depending on the size, I would like some colorful fish. ........

Oh yeah. I have seen some beautiful clams that I would like to have one day also. Everyone I have ever seen had halide lamps though.

Hi Festering

You appear to have been biten by the progressive hobbyiest addiction bug It has demonstrated in the past to constantly change everyones mind and their approaches toward their tank(s). While one of my most favorite sayings for the hobby is "the solution to polution is dilution" and dillution=bigger tank you will probably find that it has to do with finances/patience/time/persistence that depends on how big of a tank you chose. I will say that the things you are wanting though would be soo much better in a tank larger than 40-50g. Bigger diversities make for so much more appealing tanks for most but they also require more bigger sizes of tanks. I will say that there is an effeciency margin on many sizes, which has alot to do with the standard size (non custom) tanks. I personally wouldnt mess w/ an anenome and/or clams unless I had a 120g or larger but thats just me. I also think alot of hobbyiest fade out of the hobby because they get the premature thought that "reefkeeping" is hard cuz they start out with a very small tank (which naturally is harder) when it all actuallity its easier to start with a larger tank.

[The R/C Man]

Well I just kind of skimmed through this one but here it goes. If you plan on keeping corals and have the room for the tank buy a little bigger. 1. you will have a more stable system. 2. you can have a larger variety of corals and or fish. 3. the lighting is a big cost factor so go with the biggest tank that will accommodate the lighting you can afford. The last one was a biggy for me. For the money I spent on my 25 gallon I could have had a much larger tank for very little added expense.... Just my .02.....

[Poseidon]

ALso you may want to re-think watts per gallon! What happens if the tank is shallow and wide versus DEEP and narrow? Watts per gallon falls apart! BIGGER is BETTER!!! I do 20 gallon water changes once a month, add about 5 gallons of fresh water every other day, and feed my fish daily. That is about it! Simple! Of course I also have to scrape the glass and such but so does everyone else!!!