Waterbox 25 Peninsula as a beginner

[ThunderWind]

Hi guys. This is a copy paste of my reddit question, hope that is okay since i would like as much info as possible. :)

Been looking way to long for this tank since its on sale at a shop close to me for 260€ (tanks are very expensive in EU compared to US and IM is out of scope in EU. The 35.2 gal is almost double price at 430€.

It will be my first tank and for it i will have

• Tunze ATO
• Noopsyche K7 Pro V3 140W (will tune it way down) Again would like Nicrew Hyperreef Gen 2, but out of scope in EU do to no store inside = 30-40% extra taxes and import duties on equipment.
• 100W titanium heater with inkbird temp regulator
• 4 fans cooler for the hot day connected to temp regulator.
• 1x SLW-20 ... will add a SLW-10 if i see deadspots.
• No skimmer, bioload will be low, i will mainly have it for Softies and LPS and do weekly waterchange, as i do on my freshwater aquariums

Also would want an upgraded DC pump instead of the cheap return pump, I've read that Jecod DCS-1200 return pump should do the trick.
-Oh and a 3D printet chamber to erase the filter sock and use filterfloss instead.

Would I enjoy such small aquarium? I will be moving in a years time, so was advised to go small since it is easier. Then i can get startet and buy a bigger one latter and use my 25gall for a frag tank or quariuntine aquarium. What do you guys think? I cannot wait a year to start...

 

[Anna K]

If you get bit by the bug, you'll want to upgrade just as soon as you start this one. A lot of people will tell you smaller tanks are harder to maintain, and to start off larger and to grow. I think it really depends on what you want to do with it. I know you said softies and lps, but what kind? I also think the heater needs to be 150W for that size and not 100W (I could be wrong, so maybe someone more knowledgeable will chime in). Overall though, your plan for the tank with the equipment sounds spot on.

 

[ThunderWind]

Thank you
Would mainly like to stock following:
Soft: Sunny D, Raptor Rainbow, Pink zipper LPS: Hammer coral, Torch coral V, Goniopora

Taking their size and placement into account. My Idea was to stock mostly frags, and grow them bigger... so maybe in a years time when moving I could (if i get bitten by the bug) upgrade to a 75-100gal.

 

[ThunderWind]

I'm really confused right now. Looking at a waterbox 50.3 vs the Peninsula 25.. How diffcult is it to move a 50 gall compared to a 25 gall? I gotta empty it all when moving anyway right?