50 gallon nano or 75 gallon fresh planted

G

guidedbyechoes

AC Members
Oct 14, 2007
10
0
0
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.
Click to expand...


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 :)
 
Last edited:
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.
Click to expand...


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.
 
Yeah.. Right now Dr Fosters has a sale on IO or Reef Crystals for under 40 bucks for a 5 gallon bucket (160 gallons of salted water). With shipping it came to under 50 bucks which is like 25 bucks cheaper than any of the local stores around here.
 
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
 
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
Click to expand...


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.
Click to expand...


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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom