Pick up a 160 and follow BRS 52 weeks of reefing. I went with a Red Sea Reefer 750xxl. It’s a 160.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/video-category/52-weeks-of-reefing
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/video-category/52-weeks-of-reefing
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I started with a 75 and upgraded to a 90 which is only deeper so you get that nice eye level water line when viewing the fish is the best thing in my opinion. It is hard to work in deep tanks if you ever set up and broke down a buddies or something you know it’s nearly impossible to see the coral while placing and then you need a step stool and with my 75 I did not
Some do, some don't, but I'd personally recommend also setting up a quarantine system. If you check the disease forum you'll see every day that people are frantically tearing their tank down to catch fish because their newest addition didn't get qt'd.
It doesn't have to be elaborate..
I use a 29g tank, heater, hob filter like an aquaclear, and a pump. Few pieces of PVC and you're good to go. This gives the fish time to adapt to captivity and you the time to observe for potenial problems. Much easier to treat a fish that's already in qt than trying to jam ALL your fish in hurried hospital tank.
My 120 was on the first floor with finished basement below it. It was fine. In the new house it is in the finished basement in the family room.
I'd recommend around a 75 also. I personally don't think bigger is easier especially for someone new. It's more money, more time, more mistakes to be made etc. When parameters get out of whack on a smaller tank its much easier to do a large water change and get everything back to normal. I started with my 90 bought cheap off craigslist and I think it was a lot for me to take on without experience. No matter how much reading you do, theres some things you just don't understand until you run a reef yourself. It's definitely a learning curve and a test on patience. That being said its been around 6 months since I got my first tank and I'm planning on getting a RSR 650 peninsula when I move. I definitely don't wish that I went that big to start with though because I've learned so many things since starting that I can now incorporate into a new build. Basically, I'm glad I made some newbie mistakes on a cheap smaller build so that I know exactly what to do to make a bigger more expensive build perfect. And you can also transfer over any equipment you invest in from a smaller to bigger tank if you do decide to upgrade.
Yea I think it just depends case to case. For me, I can transfer over my light but I will have to add another one and I'm transferring over my algae scrubber and powerheads.I agree with most of what you said, but I am going to have to disagree with the last comment on transferring equipment over. When I upgraded from my 36 to my 90 gallon the only thing that transferred were the powerhead and the 40lbs of live rock that I had in the tank. The light, the HOB Filter, The HOB skimmer, the Tank Heater all needed to be upgraded to a larger size for the tank.
Looks at your space and consider your budget. Not enough will say it but the hobby is expensive.
If you have to break out cost, hold on the Apex until maybe month 6. Before that you will just chase parameters especially in the first few months and it’s not necessary if you tank your time. It will also allow for you setup and to think about what you want to automate and how.
ATO and RODI are necessary for tanks unless you have an easy place to get your saltwater and RODI water. No matter the tank size . Also, pressure in the house. If it’s under 50psi, IMO ,you need a booster. You will waist so much water if not and it speeds up production.
How much room do you have for water changes? Where will you mix it? How much can you mix in one shot? Think hard about how water changes will be performed and come up with a system to make it easy. Carrying 5 buckets up a flight of stairs gets old but sometimes may be necessary.
Large tanks are nice, so are smaller tanks. Easy water changes for smaller tanks means you will stick to your schedule and get it done, are you the type of person where that’s a factor. Set yourself up for success.
Welcome to the forum!! I’m always excited to see a new tank build and live it with you on the forum