New Reefer, Best Tank for Acros

[reefnut999]

Hi Everyone,

This is Jack and I'm brand new to aquariums, let alone reefing. This is a crazy yet super cool world.

I know I'll probably be crucified on here for saying this but I'm planning on starting a larger tank with SPS Dominant first. At the end of the day SPS to me is the most gorgeous and interesting of all corals, and even though I'm new I'd like to just start with it and grow those big basketball heads over the next 10 years!

Do you all think this is doable? And if so, what do you think is a good tank for SPS? I've been looking at the IM 200's but not quite sure if something else like a rimless tabk is easier or better for some reason.

Appreciate the help!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D

 

[CoralB]

Welcome !!

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, glad you are here!

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[Utubereefer]

Welcome to the club

 

[BonnieB]

Welcome to our R2R family!

 

[ThisIsTheWay]

Welcome to the salty side :D

Innovative Marine or Waterbox tanks are solid choices.
Size-wise, you can grow SPS in just about any volume tank. Larger tanks are easier to keep stable, but do require more effort if you need to make a large correction (could you do a 50-100% water change on a 200 gallon tank?)
Cost of equipment also rises significantly with tank size.
As for eurobraced vs rimless, for smaller tanks it’s more a personal preference, for larger tanks I think eurobraced is better as it helps strengthen the structure. It can also help prevent splashes over the rim of the tank.

Since you’re new to the hobby, I’d recommend finding someone’s tank you admire and follow their method. You will find that there is no one right way to run a tank so do your research and then pick a method and go with it.

Best of luck!

 

[jsmkmavity]

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

 

[D'sreef]

Remember, take your time. Nothing good will happen in this hobby by rushing. Slow and steady is definitely for the win.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Welcome To R2R Jack !!!

 

[spsick]

Welcome!

Going from brand new hobbyists to successful SPS keeper can be like raising children. There will be setbacks and triumphs.

My suggestion is to start with something around 100 gallons and get some quality used equipment (lights, skimmer, powerheads) to make the jump and ensure you’re going to enjoy it and stick with it. Keeping an sps tank can be a lot of work, testing, water changes, tinkering, etc. So its important to be sure you enjoy the process and not just the result.

2 big things in my years of the hobby to have the most success: good RODI unit with pre filters replaced frequently on a schedule, and real live rock. A reef can be started with dry rock but you are looking at several years of ups and downs before you can have a stable ecosystem for sps in most cases. Quality live rock like the Aussie stuff @Eric Cohen sells is an excellent start and just makes things so much easier.

 

[1112-425XL]

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R and the salty world Jack. Take things slowly. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.

 

[Shnetts]

Welcome to r2r!!!

 

[P-Dub]

Welcome, Jack! Given all the right parameters and circumsatnces, anything is possible. I advise big and not too tall of a tank!

 

[Ocean_Queenie]

Hello & Welcome Jack!