Tank for beginners

[percy001]

What kind of tank is best for beginners? I’ve heard a lot about different brands.

 

[Baldyreef]

What kind of tank is best for beginners? I’ve heard a lot about different brands.

innovative marine is always a great tank brand for begginers IMO, id stay as far as possible from red sea tanks (known for seam failures and other issues)
whats the biggest your willing and/or able to get? in reefing bigger is always better for beginners as more water volume leaves more room for mistakes and is more stable

 

[Subsea]

Not sure that bigger is always better. For a newbie, AIO, smaller tanks doing partial water changes are an easy introduction to marine ecosystems.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

I was at my Llocal fish store, LFS. and they had a real nice 15 gallon all in one, tank but it was over 250 dollars, you can get an Innovative Marine 15 for right around 100 or at least that is what I paid. I also say a JBJ AIO tank that was about 40 gallons that looked really nice. Stay away sumps in the beginning. Ask me why.

 

[kevgib67]

Biocubes are pretty much plug and play.

 

[exnisstech]

I would find a nice AIO at a size that will allow you to have a few smaller fish that appeal to you and room to grow a few coral if you choose. I really do like my IM20 and that is also having sumped tanks up to 330g running. I ended up breaking it down a few months ago but set it back up in the basement a couple of weeks ago. I run it simple with some filter floss but there are skimmers that fit and well as media caddy's.
I really like big tanks with sumps but for a first tank I would go with an AIO . They can be pretty easy to care for and you wont end up with thousand$ tied up if it turns out the hobby isn't for you. You can put a lot of money in one but it isn't necessary.
I think most brands are decent except red sea.

 

[cilyjr]

Not sure that bigger is always better. For a newbie, AIO, smaller tanks doing partial water changes are an easy introduction to marine ecosystems.

I think this is generally good advice overall, With one caveat, I would try to stay somewhere around the 40 to 50 gallon range. It's a good balance in my opinion between a little extra water volume stability versus ease of doing chores.