The Best Size Saltwater Aquarium For Beginners

[@RogueAquariums]

Good advice Matthew for beginners venturing into the hobby. You’re very correct with larger tanks, it takes time, money and a lot of patience. 😊

[@HelloReef]

Why Darren, do you have a big tank?!?! 😁

[@RogueAquariums]

@@HelloReefI have a large nano. 😂

[@HelloReef]

ha!

[@danieljensen4797]

Multi-decades in freshwater, but I just started saltwater 6 months ago with a 26g Red Sea Max Nano Peninsula. I agree with everything you said. Plus, if I decide I want to go larger, I'll keep the Red Sea as a quarantine tank. There have been many advances to the technology, and I believe that with a good modern heater and temperature controller, as you suggest in other videos, and with a reliable ATO, a modern small-ish tank can be as stable as a larger one was 15-20 years ago when "bigger is better" was actually good advice.

[@HelloReef]

Agreed whole-heartedly. Thanks for leaving a comment! -Matthew

[@guccisgooch9661]

Never had a saltwater tank. But I’ve been keeping reptiles and freshwater fish for majority of my life. I’ve always dreamed of having a saltwater aquarium but it always seemed so overwhelming and out reach. After years of research, I finally just got a 39 gal, rimless lagoon tank. I’m planning on DIY’ing my own filtration, and setting it up to eventually house my dream fish, a mandarin dragonet. I can’t tell you how much your videos have helped, and definitely wanted to thank you. I’m taking it slow, but I’m slowly accumulating more and more gear, and hopefully should have it up and running in a couple of months!

[@HelloReef]

First off, congratulations! It's a huge step setting up your first saltwater tank. Good for you. And second, thank you. Those were some really kind words. I'm grateful for hobbyists like you who take the time to reach out. Best of luck and keep me updated with how the build is going! :-) -Matthew

[@kevinlundin4013]

Your spot on.....I started with a 65 gallon.....and it was just to much work. I just HATE DOING large water changes. I like smaller tanks.

[@HelloReef]

:-)

[@statesm]

I started with Fluval evo and I highly recommend it. With a few upgrades it does really well. Teaches you a lot within that first year.

[@HelloReef]

Yeah totally agree. I love that peninsula style and it is a great tank!

[@ethanpegrum]

Got my first tank set up thanks to you Mathew, I've gone for a 25gal all in one and I'm really in love with it! Thanks for all your help

[@HelloReef]

That is super kind of you to say! Thanks so much and I'm glad to hear you are enjoying this hobby! It's pretty awesome! Happy Reefing! -Matthew

[@geekdomo]

0:20 My take on the argument is that as soon as you have a small tank worked out and everything is thriving you will almost always want to upgrade. I went from a 13.5 to a 40 to a 65 to now a 150 Lagoon. I really wish I had started with the 150. Ill probably head up to a 250 before too long and I am not even done setting up the 150 yet ;)

[@HelloReef]

Point well taken. The shape of my journey was similar, wanting bigger and more. Then I finally hit 7 tanks, had to hire somebody to take care of my tanks, and burned myself out a bit! Now I’m down to two tanks, and my favorite is the 15 gallon because it’s gorgeous and water changes are so easy!!

[@geekdomo]

@@HelloReef Absolutely! I still have my 13.5 fluval its so easy to maintain. Its pretty pimped out though with an Apex and a small Bubble Magus skimmer. Its in my office so I need to be able to monitor and control it from afar

[@MT-qf7nu]

I used to keep freshwater but always wanted a saltwater then when get more experience start adding corals I think a 40 g ( roughly 150 ltr) is a good size not too big but small enough so not too overwhelming and get some good ammount of fish in there

[@HelloReef]

Honestly, I think 40 gallons is the perfect size beginner tank.

[@tonyroma1161]

My first was a 10 gallon reef and I had no problems

[@HelloReef]

That's great to hear!

[@Trav84]

I’m glad you started at 15 gallons I love my 12 gallon but it is extremely touchy.

[@HelloReef]

Agreed. I know there are lots of hobbyists who will disagree with this video. The trick with smaller tanks is you just have to think smaller, not a ton of livestock. What’s the biggest struggle you’ve found with a 12 gallon tank.

[@Trav84]

Coral warfare is an issue immediately

[@Mark43613]

Hey Matthew what size screws did you use to hang your adaptive board on IM door ?

[@HelloReef]

Good question, I don’t remember. But I believe I used machined screws, something short and relatively thick, and couple large washers, and a nut on the inside. I used a drill to make the hole.

[@Mark43613]

I have a battery backup on my board would it be okay to put that on my door? Curious because of the weight of the battery backup.

[@HelloReef]

That’s a good question. I have quite a bit of weight on my IM APS stand and it does fine. I would think it would be okay. Just use your best judgement and use some large washers to distribute the weight.

[@Mark43613]

There is a echo tech adaptive reef board that has a spot to mount the battery back up on the board it is pretty heavy so didn’t know if you could mount it on there since I did like how you did that Matthew. Last question was the end of the screws that you used flat or sharp?

[@HelloReef]

Nope. If you use machined screws, they are flat!

[@Dylamos]

40 gallon's I feel like is the sweet spot to start the hobby and then you can move on to doing smaller tanks like your Helloreef tank or larger ones like 150 if you feel you're up to the maintenance.

[@HelloReef]

totally agree. I remember having this conversation with Ryan from BRS and he thinks 70 gallons is the best, and I get his point... I just think 40 is so much easier, more affordable, and big enough for most beginners. Thanks for taking the time to comment! Be well and happy reefing! -Matthew

[@dereks3207]

100% the Innovative Marine 40G is the best reef tank size. I love mine, and recommend it to everyone i meet.

[@HelloReef]

:-)

[@mathewjarvis7748]

My question for beginners is how much water are you comfortable changing every week?

[@HelloReef]

a good question indeed...