50 gallon nano or 75 gallon fresh planted

Hello I am currently deciding between a 50 gallon nano reef starting out only live rock then graduating to corals or a 75 gallon planted freshwater with mostly live bearers, rainbow fish and shrimp.

As far as the nano reef side goes to my understanding I will need:

stand
tank
live rock,
(most likely but not imperative) live sand or
coral substrate (which I have),
a power head that will move the water about 10x per hour min.
marine salt (which I have)
a hydrometer or refractor
a light or lights that will get me 3 watts per gallon
possibly a protein skimmer
clean up crew
ultimately live stock and coral

foods

thermometer


PLEASE TELL ME IF I FORGOT SOMETHING

On the freshwater side.

I will need:
stand
tank
fluorite
fertilizer
other specific minerals depending on the plants chosen
substrate sand or small gravel
bogwood
non calcium rocks
Co2 system(Which I have)
Filtration system (more gallons per hour the better)
Adequate lighting (3 watts per gallon once again)
plants
livestock
foods
thermometer


I believe that covers it. I really can't go wrong either way. Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this. I wrote this in a hurry so if you need clarification I will do my best to clear up any miscommunications.
:nilly:

Grins said:

This list may help: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118995

A 50 isn't really a nano tank although it isn't a large one by any means. May I ask why you're not considering a 75g reef? It won't cost much more than a 50g reef and it will given you more stocking options.

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Well I have yet to buy the tank but. Think close to 20 gallons of water each change would be quite taxing money wise. I initially wanted a 25 but thought if well manage with a refugium a 50 would be easier to keep stable. And I may be getting the 50 for free

Grins said:

You'd not be doing 20g each change on a 75. More like 8-11 gallons and if you mix it yourself it isn't outrageous as far as reef expenses go. The 50 if free would make a fabulous sump/fuge.

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Well I currently have a 25 tall. SO I had planned on that being the sump.:headbang2:So in essence I would have 75 gallons to play with.

Grins said:

yes but that water volume only applies to the bioload, not for the room some fish need. If you would buy a 75 for the FW I highly encourage you to look at what you might want to stock your SW tank with if you get it and see what options you might have moving from a 50 to a 75

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For freshwater I was going to add blue spot gouramis, endlers and rainbow fish.

For salt I was thinking a 2 osc. clowns, 1 chromis, 1 firefish and 1 cardinal. So I was under the impression that this amount of fish would not send me into the red.

Grins said:

No, that would be fine in the size you're talking about. I just know how I have a 55g and how much I wish I'd bumped up to the next size based on my wants for stocking.

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Well its actually double the size I initially planned on. I originally planned on the clowns and the firefish. But since I'm getting the 50 gallon for free and I got the 25 for free as well. I feel it would not be ethical to sell one or both of them to buy another tank. Especially because they both come from family friends.