First tank 42 or 65 gallons?

[Gumbies R Us]

My advice I always tell people is if you can afford to go bigger and have space, choose the bigger option.

 

[bubbgee]

A piece of wisdom: when you wake up one morning to look at your tank, most people regret getting a smaller tank and it is rare that someone regrets getting the bigger tank.

I’d say go with the biggest tank you can get and fit in that area.

 

[PapitoDelSol]

@EuphyllinOHk
Thank you for your advices. Nice tank! I rally like your landscape with the rocks!
Indeed, the 42g has a perfect cubic shape but the cabinet is small (for that I wa also looking at the 65g).

@BonnieB, @Gumbies R Us, @bubbgee
I have the money and space for bigger than 65g if I want
To be more serious, I’m trying to evaluate the yearly cost of each tank to make my decision.
I’m going tomorrow evening to see both tank to get an idea of the size.
And I need to decide which one I will take really fast.

I’m going full Redsea for both tank. I like to have everything in the same app and going full brand.
For each:
-Reef led 115 (2 for the 65g)
-ReefWave 25 (2 for the 65g)
-ReefMat 250 for 45g and 500 for 65g)
-DC Skimmer 300
-ReefATO
-ReefRun G2 4000
-ReefRunner Contrôler
-Sliding Panel

3187$ for the 42g
4410$ for the 64g with a 320$ refund.

 

[gregrock68]

Thank you!
Yes, largent is always better! But 1180$ between both. For that I wanted to know if the 42 could be enough for this population.
I have the space so I will see them in a shop next week to get an idea.

About Redsea, I read a lot about the issues about leaking tanks and the behavior of customers service.
But here, I don’t have many alternative and I’m ready to take the risk.
Waterbox for example is not available here…

I didn’t really know where to post sorry!

I would encourage you to look at the UNS systems. These are incredibly well made and designed for the reef aquarist, and include many unique features that others do not offer. Needless to say, I love MINE ! and easy on the wallet at the same time!

@UNS_Brandon Parker @UNS_Parker

 

[Sophie"s mom]

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!

My motto has always been go the largest you can! Trust me , you will want more, so just start with the larger instead of growing over time.

 

[PapitoDelSol]

I would encourage you to look at the UNS systems. These are incredibly well made and designed for the reef aquarist, and include many unique features that others do not offer. Needless to say, I love MINE ! and easy on the wallet at the same time!

@UNS_Brandon Parker @UNS_Parker

Just took a look, nice tank system!
But I never saw this brand here in France (or west Europe)

Everytime I’m looking for a tank, I just saw RedSea as the more affordable.

It is my first tank, I don’t want to put too much money (but don’t want to regret it either) because after buying the tank, I need rock, sand, salt,fish, reverse osmosis…

What is your opinion about all in one tank like Redsea nano XXL? It works good and can stay a week alone?
I wasn’t really fond of internal filter when I had freshwater tank and it is almost the same principle no?

 

[PapitoDelSol]

So I will chose between both tank tomorrow (and look at the Nano XXL as a cheap alternative to begin my first tank).
I’m not sure to stay in the same apartment in a year (and the job ) so I’m taking that into consideration consideration!

So now, I need to think about building the eco system!
So I’m thinking about 10% of the tank volume so 25 of rocks (mostly dead/dry rock) and a seeding protocol to determinate.
Need to do some research about brand of salt, sand.

 

[gregrock68]

Just took a look, nice tank system!
But I never saw this brand here in France (or west Europe)

Everytime I’m looking for a tank, I just saw RedSea as the more affordable.

It is my first tank, I don’t want to put too much money (but don’t want to regret it either) because after buying the tank, I need rock, sand, salt,fish, reverse osmosis…

What is your opinion about all in one tank like Redsea nano XXL? It works good and can stay a week alone?
I wasn’t really fond of internal filter when I had freshwater tank and it is almost the same principle no?

I'm not a fan of Red Sea tanks, for the reasons stated by others when you check them out. I think you can do much better for a complete system versus going with a place for the cheapest. UNS systems are not AIO, you will have a full sump that's designed for the equipment you will need in each compartment. They even have a place for all the electronic hookups away and protected from water issues. To me, it's the best system by far since it's turnkey with thoughtful design. Well the Red Sea has some features, it doesn't compare in my opinion. Not to mention the customer service from UNS is super responsive. @UNS_Parker is always available if you have questions or issues, during the setup or later down the road.

 

[PapitoDelSol]

AIO seems really nice!
If the sump is good, I can buy all equipment separately.

But a little expensive for me. I’m seeing price as 3200$ for the R90.
I don’t see any distributor outside US and Canada on their website.
To expensive for now but maybe one day for a bigger tank!

 

[PapitoDelSol]

So… 2h to go to the near fish shop with saltwater, they didn’t have any Redsea reefer to see. I saw one similar to 65g and it is true, it is a nice volume and the fish guy advice me to get 65 instead of 42 to out more fish!
Just need to think about it.

The 10% offer finished this morning
Thinking before buying is good… but cost money, almost the difference between the two tanks…

 

[PapitoDelSol]

So, I will go with Redsea. UNS is really good stuff but not in my budget for this project.
But definitively when I will want really bigger tank!

Impossible to see any Redsea to compare the size but I saw both in two different shop.
I just had fresh water tanks when I was a teenager and they weren’t so deep.
20 to 30 cm more centimeters really show a bigger volume.

The RedSea 200 (42g) seems big compare to my souvenir of fresh water. Could be enough for my first project and have more money for coral, fish and landscape.
I liked the cubic size!
The RedSea 300 seems really big but not because of the length but the width. More space in the cabinet!

So I will go for the Reefer 300 with
- 2 x Reefled 115
- DC Skimmer 300
- 2 x ReefWave 25
- ReefRun 4000
- ReefMat 500

End I will put it in my office room (more space, i can close the door for the cat) especially because I have a leak since 1 year in my living room and I’m not sure when and what my landlord will change and I don’t’ want to wait month or to move the tank…

For the aquascape, I will go with Marco rock, ARKA rock or Aquaroche. Maybe 1-2 kg of live rocks to help with 3-5 cm of sand (any advice?)

I will buy a reverse osmosis.

For the test, which ones do I absolutely need to begin? And what is the better brand?

 

[cricket3901]

Bigger the less problems

 

[PapitoDelSol]

So, I went to a fish shop today and saw some broken RedSea! The fish guy told me the same as you and so… no Redsea!
I make his own tank and he will built one for me cheaper than a Redsea and better quality.

Size: 90x60x55
Sump: 70x50x45
Cabinet with aluminum
Price: 1560$
450% for delivery (200km)

He also told me it was useless to take Skimmer and pumps connected to the phone.
For him, once it is configured, I don’t need to touch them. What do you think?

For the light, he advises me PopBlum.

With a sump with this size, how to compartmentalize it?


Bigger tank, what do you think about quality?

 

[PapitoDelSol]

So I will order a custom tank for a delivery mid September.

Thank you for your help especially about avoiding RedSea when I was stubborn!

I will open new thread about lightning, skimmer to help me choose.

I will keep this one about the sump! How do I need to organize it? A refugium is possible?

 

[UncommonSense]

So I will order a custom tank for a delivery mid September.

Thank you for your help especially about avoiding RedSea when I was stubborn!

I will open new thread about lightning, skimmer to help me choose.

I will keep this one about the sump! How do I need to organize it? A refugium is possible?

I’m glad you opted against a Red Sea tank! I see failures posted on here more or less weekly; in fact, one was posted several hours ago!

This sump is custom too? — it would help if you had some graph paper to draw it out! This is how I do a lot of my sump design!



A macro algae refugium isn’t strictly necessary, you can also use an Algae Turf Scrubber (ATS) to achieve much the same result in a more compact space!

 

[PapitoDelSol]

I’m glad you opted against a Red Sea tank! I see failures posted on here more or less weekly; in fact, one was posted several hours ago!

This sump is custom too? — it would help if you had some graph paper to draw it out! This is how I do a lot of my sump design!



A macro algae refugium isn’t strictly necessary, you can also use an Algae Turf Scrubber (ATS) to achieve much the same result in a more compact space!

I watch some video about tank leaking and the fish guy directly did an estimate when I was watching the fish to show me he saw cheaper.
The cabinet is stronger.
I will have 78g instead of 65 and more space in the sump.

I don’t have the money for a ATS (what is the difference with an algae reactor?).
The refugium will be for algae, micro and macrodiversity.
I want to put a ReefMat. Isn’t it better to put the refegium before the ReefMat and skimmer?

 

[UncommonSense]

I will have 78g instead of 65 and more space in the sump.

Great! More sump space is something you will thank yourself for later!

I don’t have the money for a ATS (what is the difference with an algae reactor?).

You can easily DIY your own ATS for very little money, actually! (Let me know if you would like information on how!)

An algae reactor is an external chamber which has tank water recirculating through it. The chamber contains macro algae and is surrounded by lights!

I want to put a ReefMat. Isn’t it better to put the refegium before the ReefMat and skimmer?

Normally, mechanical filtration (ReefMat fleece roller, in this case) will go first in your sump; most fleece rollers are designed to have your display tank drain directly into them in the sump!

I like to put any refugium/ miscellaneous equipment type chamber next after mechanical filtration, as it can be at a higher static water height this way (more system water volume, more space for rock/etc)!

and finally a skimmer chamber last before the return pump chamber, because skimmers like to run at a fixed water height! — usually roughly 20cm of water!

— So: DT drain > mechanical filtration > refugium/misc equipment area > protein skimmer > return pump

 

[PapitoDelSol]

Thank you for your help!
Anyway I think ATS or Refugium will be set the 2nd year, the time to have more knowledge. But I need to plan the space before.

I was thinking, when you are talking about volume, it is just the tank or tank+sump?
In total I will have 78g for the tank and 30 for the sump.
Initial plan: have two clown fish

Other question, it is better to have the descent (I’m not sure for the vocabulary, I’m talking about the black box inside) in the tank or behind the tank?

 

[UncommonSense]

Thank you for your help!
Anyway I think ATS or Refugium will be set the 2nd year, the time to have more knowledge. But I need to plan the space before.

Of course! This is a smart move, you want to let the system mature before you start using a lot of filtration!

I was thinking, when you are talking about volume, it is just the tank or tank+sump?
In total I will have 78g for the tank and 30 for the sump.

When I say “system volume”, I am talking about the total amount of water in the whole “system” (sump + display tank) when it is operating!

Your sump may have a 30g maximum water volume, but you would never run the system wirh the sump filled up right to the rim!

— given that your sump will be maybe half full when the system is running normally, you can assume that it is roughly a 15g volume in the sump! (So, adding a deeper section to the sump can add extra water volume to the full system! — just make sure you have enough remaining volume left in the sump for it to accommodate 5-8cm of water draining from the display tank in a power outage without overflowing onto your floor!)

Other question, it is better to have the descent (I’m not sure for the vocabulary, I’m talking about the black box inside) in the tank or behind the tank?

Haha the English term for this is still debated, many people call it a “overflow box” though!

you can have your overflow box inside the tank (internal) or outside the tank on a back or side wall (external)… this mostly depends on personal preference!

Back wall overflow placement is a traditional layout; for placing the tank parallel to a wall!

Short side wall overflow placement is for a “peninsula” style tank, where the tank is typically placed perpendicular to the wall, allowing viewing through both long lanes of the tank!

— the internal overflow box drains through the bottom of the tank, usually; this means there is nothing sticking out from any side of the tank! (It does mean you have a tall box inside the tank to look at and work around, though!)

— the external overflow box drains through a wall of the tank, to an external box with drain plumbing! This configuration calls for placing the tank further from a wall, but allows for a minimal amount of overflow box to be visible inside the tank!

Your choice on internal or external overflow box should keep these considerations in mind, but both work quite well!

 

[PapitoDelSol]

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

I will about the overflow. I think inside will be more harmonious in my living room.

I think I can had some deeper section in the sump. I will have the bottom of the display tank a little inside the cabinet like the Nyos pro line to hide the silicon on the bottom and have a stronger system