How Big To Start?

[dr.ben]

I went big and got a 125 because of the perception of added stability. I love that I haven't felt forced to upgrade to add the fish I wanted since that was the magic number for a couple of my favorites.

 

[Calm Blue Ocean]

Definitely consider maintenance. The not so glamorous side of your tank. How many and what size buckets do you want to deal with when doing water changes? Will you be buying water? How much room do you have for water storage? If you have an emergency you might need to be able to mix up a significant amount of water in a big hurry. My laundry room has more space dedicated to fish tank maintenance than to laundry and my tank is only 50 gallons!

 

[Ferrell]

The problem with 'go big' is that doing maintenance tasks get harder. Doing a water change becomes a project, not just a couple buckets.

I think the 30-40g all in ones are a great place to start. They work, lighting is reasonable, equipment is cheap, and they're big enough to not be unstable.

I agree ^^^
I started with a 75 and love it, in fact so much I got a IM30L AIO at the first of the year and started another dedicated LPS tank. Used tank, lights, power heads and pump, rock sand and water less than $800. 75, homemade sump, skimmer, pumps, power heads, lights, apex...++$3000,
the maintenance is easier for sure, equipment was less expensive, fish selection is limited but I’m finding a lot a pleasure in smaller. Trouble is it fills up pretty quickly. Both are great ways to start, 75 is a lot more work (just spent 3 hrs doing the 6 months cleaning of the sump and equipment) but is in fact more stable than the 30. 40b would’ve been my 2nd choice

 

[Boss]

I started with a 20 gallon and was very successful with softies and LPS. I just didn't notice a difference of stability when I moved to 125 g. However, costs sure did go up .

 

[Fishurama]

Starting bigger makes it easier on you overall. More stability. Easier to throw things off in a smaller tank. You can also fit more fish, have a wider variety of fish to choose from, can fit more coral, etc.
The cons with bigger tanks are they cost more, water changes are more annoying, and they take up more space.
125 to 150 is the perfect starter tank IMO, this way you wont have to upgrade for awhile when the addiction bites.

 

[92Miata]

Bigger tanks are more stable, but they're also harder to correct when things go wrong. And frankly, I haven't found a 75 or so to be much less stable than a 400. Below 20 or so, tanks are unstable. Above that, not so much.

I can make enough RO, and turn it into salt water to do a 50% water change on my 40 in 3 hours.

If I have an algae outbreak, I can pull all the rock out and scrub it.

If I have a problem with an aggressive fish, same deal.

I've maintained a 40, 58, 72, 135, 400 and 12000 gallon marine tanks. I only have the 40 now. I don't regret that.

 

[RtomKinMad]

I went big and got a 125 because of the perception of added stability. I love that I haven't felt forced to upgrade to add the fish I wanted since that was the magic number for a couple of my favorites.

I wish I had gotten a 125 to start and just stayed there! Which was my husbands idea and I said it was way too big! But now we have 2-300gal and a 75! Because of the fish I wanted. But it’s a lot of work, not to mention expensive. So I like your idea best!

 

[RtomKinMad]

I agree ^^^
I started with a 75 and love it, in fact so much I got a IM30L AIO at the first of the year and started another dedicated LPS tank. Used tank, lights, power heads and pump, rock sand and water less than $800. 75, homemade sump, skimmer, pumps, power heads, lights, apex...++$3000,
the maintenance is easier for sure, equipment was less expensive, fish selection is limited but I’m finding a lot a pleasure in smaller. Trouble is it fills up pretty quickly. Both are great ways to start, 75 is a lot more work (just spent 3 hrs doing the 6 months cleaning of the sump and equipment) but is in fact more stable than the 30. 40b would’ve been my 2nd choice

The 75 is gorgeous!

 

[ahiggins]

Personally I would stay below 75.
Somewhere in the 40-60 range is a great volume and allows more fish in your tank but it’s not overwhelming if something has to be done to it.