90 gallon for noobie?

[justkillin_time]

Hey all, I hang out here quite a bit, mainly researching. It's been a great resource.

My question is: Do you think a 90 gallon tank with a 37-55 gallon sump is too much for a beginner?

I was initially going to set up a 37 gallon with a 10 gallon sump, but I know that I will out grow that quickly and there is the old saying, solution to pollution is dilution. Many people I've spoke with feel the larger the tank the easier it is - in some aspects.

My goal with this tank is mainly soft corals and a tank that allow the fish to have ample room to swim back and forth. I would like to have some schooling fish, etc. Many of the fish I look at need 75+ gallon tanks.

I have been running a 2.5 gallon pico as well as a 1 gallon - both sw. I have a great resource nearby for immediate help and I have you guys and girls!

I have the opportunity to buy a 55 gallon for $45 but I think I'd be happy for a longer period of time with a 75-90 gallon tank.

Your opinions are welcomed.

Dave

[salty420]

I say go as big as you can afford! Would be quite expensive to just set up a 90, the amnt of LR and LS alone would break me! Then lighting on top of that, ouch!

[WeeNe858]

i would go as big as you can.. but a 75 is big enought to run an assortment of fishes and not be to overwhelming in cost

[justkillin_time]

Yea 75g-90g there is a pretty good cost difference. Not only LR and lighting but the tank itself. I will probably be building my own stand and canopy. I will also be doing DIY lighting to save a bit more on cost.

I plan on putting it in my entertainment room with an entertainment center around it. Then I will have a projector screen that will drop down when it's time to watch tv, otherwise the fish tank will be the main focal point.

The wife and I figure we should go ahead and do it right the first time. But I don't want to get in too deep - ha! I kill me.

Looking at the recent poll the 90 is winning!

[Germanman]

i say worth the time cost and work to go bigger. but smaller tanks can be soo great to.

[aquaman#1]

I say the bigger the better.

[Rbishop]

I like big tanks.

[justkillin_time]

Well I can put my big tank dreams on hold. Wife and I just bought 2 pugs pups. GRR! That was my tank setup right there minus some live rock and some odds n ends. It's all good though, they're **** cute things and they'll fit nicely in a 90 gallon tank! ;)

Thanks for your input guys - I'm definitely settled on my 90 gallon - I think I'll just use my current 37 for the sump/fuge.

I'll just keep droolin over every one's tank here and keep refining my tank dream list.

Dave

[5xevy]

Congrats on the pugs! Have any pictures of your new additions?

I like your idea of the 90G (I voted for that one) and using youro 37G as a sump/fuge.

[justkillin_time]

Here's the two new additions, Maximus on the left - Odin on the right.

[5xevy]

They're so TINY! But definitely cute! How are they training? Do you have any other dogs?

[justkillin_time]

No other dogs, so they'll get plenty of attention. They're only 9 weeks old - when they're 10 weeks we're planning on taking them to an 8 week training course. They seem too small yet to train -hehe.

[justkillin_time]

Can I use 2 of these for my reef tank? I would also use 2 PC to supplement.

http://cgi.ebay.com/METAL-HALIDE-250-watt-MH-Grow-Light-w-250w-ballast-hood_W0QQitemZ180113656463QQihZ008QQcategoryZ42225 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[SHK_ATK]

sweet deal yet another SW tank in the works :D :D 90G would be ideal not 2 big and not 2 small. Dont feel to bad my g/f really wanted another dog and cat... so I put off buying fish for almost 2 months and bought a Lab puppy and a Taby cat (just like the one that ran away) But now shes more focused on my SW tank its kinda funny.