First tank 42 or 65 gallons?

[UncommonSense]

So it the same for fish, if a fish need 30g it is the total system?

The minimum tank size for fish is usually the display tank only, ignoring sump volume! — this is more about the tank’s physical dimensions, ensuring the fish has enough space to move around comfortably!

— the bonus sump water volume is more about tank stability; a larger volume of water takes longer to change in chemistry! (Plus, it serves as your filtration!)

I think I can had some deeper section in the sump.

The trick here is to let the deeper section(s) of the sump cascade using gravity to the shallower sections! — I like to put the skimmer chamber near the end of the gravity cascade, because skimmers usually like to sit in around 18-25cm of water! (That doesn’t stop you from making the skimmer chamber deeper than 25cm and putting your skimmer on a stand to elevate it, though!)

 

[PapitoDelSol]

So, I’m now thinking about adding 10 cm to the tank
So 33L more liter.

For the sump, so the first compartiment have more height than the second ect?
How design it?
Refugium is better at the end or the beginning?
I can put the reefmat and the skinner in the same chamber?

 

[mh0ward]

If you havn't already ordered the custom build, have you considered possibly buying a smaller tank that you could start out with, then repurpose it as the sump for your larger system later on? It would be cheaper to run as you learn and you'd end up with a lot of life and mature rocks to jump start the larger display when the time came .

 

[bigjonbird]

Hi,

I’m French and new here! Not many active French forum about saltwater tank! And I have a lot of questions
After many research, I know which fish I want for it!
So I wonder if it’s better to get a 42 or 65 gallons for it.
I’m looking at the RedSea Reefer 200 or 300 G2+ full equipment.

- a couple of Amphiprion ocellaris
- a couple of Pterapogon kauderni
- one or two Cryptocentrus cinctus + Alpheus shrimp
- one or two Pictichromis porphyrea
- detritivorous (number to determinate).

So what do you think? 42 or 65?

Thanks!

I think a 40 gallon is great because a 10% water change is 4 gallons. Which most jugs are no bigger than that which makes water changes easier to do. I have a 40 gallon breeder and love it. Water change of 4 to 5 gallons every week or so and it's no big deal. If you are new to the hobby it is also easier to do a big water change if something goes wrong. Good luck!

 

[UncommonSense]

So, I’m now thinking about adding 10 cm to the tank
So 33L more liter.

For the sump, so the first compartiment have more height than the second ect?
How design it?
Refugium is better at the end or the beginning?
I can put the reefmat and the skinner in the same chamber?

Taller tanks do often require thicker material, just keep that in mind!

Yes, the first compartment in the sump will have the highest water height; water will cascade with gravity from chamber to chamber, each at a lower water height than the last!

Refugium can go wherever you have space, I like to put mine near the beginning of the sump, after the drain chamber to get more water height inside it for rock and anything else you want to add in there!

Reefmat and skimmer can go in the same chamber, as long as the skimmer isn’t submerged too far in the water; use a DIY stand under the skimmer to get it to the correct submersion depth (~20cm submerged, varies by skimmer model)

 

[PapitoDelSol]

Hi,

I’m French and new here! Not many active French forum about saltwater tank! And I have a lot of questions
After many research, I know which fish I want for it!
So I wonder if it’s better to get a 42 or 65 gallons for it.
I’m looking at the RedSea Reefer 200 or 300 G2+ full equipment.

- a couple of Amphiprion ocellaris
- a couple of Pterapogon kauderni
- one or two Cryptocentrus cinctus + Alpheus shrimp
- one or two Pictichromis porphyrea
- detritivorous (number to determinate).

So what do you think? 42 or 65?

Thanks!

I think a 40 gallon is great because a 10% water change is 4 gallons. Which most jugs are no bigger than that which makes water changes easier to do. I have a 40 gallon breeder and love it. Water change of 4 to 5 gallons every week or so and it's no big deal. If you are new to the hobby it is also easier to do a big water change if something goes wrong. Good luck!

40 gallon is in fact a good size and cost less but too limited for the aquascape.

I decide to take a 80 gallons (90x60x55) just not to be too limited.
Maybe going to 87 gallon (100x60x55) to have more length to swim and more space in the sump and cabinet.
Just don’t want to buy 3 lights.

 

[UncommonSense]

Just don’t want to buy 3 lights.

You can use two point source lights, and longer bar lights to supplement on a longer tank!

 

[PapitoDelSol]

Just don’t want to buy 3 lights.

You can use two point source lights, and longer bar lights to supplement on a longer tank!

Need to decide!
45g will be nice to begin and cheaper but I’m worried to lack space too quickly!
So I will go to the 80g (90x60x55) or the 87g (100x60x55) if the price gap is small.
I think, it will be good volume to keep it more year and not to big if I buy a flat or house in the next year!
Don’t worry no yellow surgeonfish in this future tank

Anyone to help me design the sump according the material I want to put in?

It is funny, at the beginning, I just wanted two clown fish
Years ago, I had many reptiles (turtles, lézard, snake) up to 10 terrarium! And same, at the beginning I just wanted a couple!

 

[PapitoDelSol]

So, little uptade!
I’m planning before 2027 to change job (maybe) and buy house or apartment. In this case I be able to buy 100-150g tank if I want or more.
So I decided to wait for a big tank!

But I really want to begin now and learn so I will go for the 45g (60x57,5x53) and I will use it as quarantine tank when I will be stable geographically to buy a bigger tank!
No Refugium for this one!

After reading tank threads all day, searching the better deal, the material will be:

- Maxspect Jump MJ-L290 (96W) (why the Ethereal is so expensive!)
- Maxspect Gyre XF 330 (9000L/h) or XF 350 (18000 l/h). What is best, bigger running low or the other way?
- Maxspect MJ MK200 Skimmer
- Pump Maxspect DC 6K
- Redsea ATO
- ReefMat 250
-Heater 100w

Fin really good deal on Alibaba (like -40% cheaper than in France)

What do you think about this setup? Did a forgot something important for the material part?
I will order the tank Monday

 

[PapitoDelSol]

So, I made my choice: 57g (38 + 19).
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/first-tank-neptunian-m-pro-60.1132549/