Is it advisable to go big on your first tank?

[tankq]

hi guys,

I'm pondering bout having a 3ft-4ft cabinet tank to start off this hobby instead of 2ft.

Is it wrong for me to say i do not want to keep upgrading in the future?

Need your humble consultation on this. Thanks

[cs_sg]

Hi
I think there is no right or wrong when you choose the size of the tank.
Having kept both 1feet to 3 feet planted tanks, I like the different experience in maintaining tanks of various sizes for its uniqueness and beauty.

My 3 footer is still up and running for a year now even when I didn't have the time to maintain it much. Most of the plants I choose were 'low maintenance' like the nanas and crypts.

I would consider the following before I decide on the tank size though.

1) Cost involved
(tank, lighting-electricity, substrate to be used, live stock to keep, fertilizer)

2) Time
(High maintenance setup vs low maintenance, i.e. the type of plants you choose determine how much time you need to spend on trimming to maintain the look).
We could spend all the free time we have when we first get into the hobby but in the long run, could you be committed enough to spend as much time to keep your plants (and fish) happy?

3) Space
( you can figure it easily that once you have everything setup, it is be quite a chore to move it around)

4) Plants and the type of scape you have in mind
The size of tank also 'restrict' the type of plants you would keep, for e.g. you probably won't choose the larger plant species for a small tank cos it would outgrow it in no time.

5) The type of fish you're keeping (Shrimps? Tetras? or more space demanding fish like angels, discus?)

6) Do your research well, chat to the friendly AQ members here, read up how they set up their tanks BEFORE you get too excited with the tank purchased and start to pour the substrates in.


Happy reading (and planting soon!)

Cheers

[andrewtyr]

yes, if you feel that you are in this for long, you should get a larger tank. But of course, there are people who prefer nano sizes or the standard 2ft. And they continue to spawn more tanks of different scapes.

You must consider the point that standard big tanks are deeper and you will need stronger lights to penetrate through the water. Hence there are fixed and variable costs (utility bills) to consider.

But ultimately, you must review your lifestyle so that you won't overload yourself in future. The success/failure of your first tank determines whether you will be addicted to this hobby for life.

[benny]

I started with a 5 ft as my first tank. Subsequently they just got smaller and smaller as I struggle to find places that I can increase my number of tanks.

Cheers,

[Chee Jin]

I have read a few books on aquarium and they always recommend to buy the biggest possible that your budget allows. The reason given was the bigger the tank, the more stable is the water condition which will help beginners.

For me I started off with 2ft as everything needed will be in smaller quantity, eg gravel, plants, media, live stock, hence cheaper. However, after a while, it became 2 ft tank. Now, after a year, I am thinking of upgrading to 3ft tank. I think kena poison by all the pictures the brothers share in the forum.

[Shadow]

Yeah, I also read that bigger tank have more stable water condition. Though I do started with 30x18x16cm, very small thank. Then move to 1.5ft, followed by 2ft, another 2ft, another 2ft... until I got 6 2ft tank. Now shutting down my 2ft tank one by one and venture to 3ft tank. Everything is ready except for the time

So I don't think really a matter wheter you start big or small, just do enough reading from book, web site, or this forum before you start your tank.

[ranmasatome]

i think you need to consider what your purpose is for getting the tank. Personally for me.. i love to do scaping..so i go for 2ft tanks and smaller tanks becuase they cost less to set up and are easy to tear down....everynow and then if i think of an idea.. i just scape it up in small scale in the tanks...the problem with small tanks is getting the right plants and getting everything to look the right perspective...and also water maintaining water quality.

For bigger tanks... its easier to get plants and easier to maintain the water condition..so that is a plus factor as well... So you need to consider what you want the tank for?? it is to beautify or is it for you to test and try out stuff or what??

I think 2.5 to 3ft tanks are great mix of the inbetween if you still are undecided.

[tankq]

hey bros,

thanks for the replies,really appreciate it.honestly d reason i want to try my hands on aquascaping is because at my workplace does have a tank with all the plants in it and after all the work is done,having to see it before going back could be relaxing if not soothing.keep imagining if i am to have 1 myself at home!it is seriously soothing.besides since my 1st love which is fishing is waning.i would like to have a new hobby,one that is closer to home.in fact at homeso yeah, thats d reason behind it.

[Aquaculture]

Ask yourself how serious are you? How long would you be able to sustain in this hobby?

A bigger tank is way much easier to control the micro and macro of the eco system as compared to a smaller when a little change may be too much. Especially if you're interested to get into CRS where they are ultra sensitive, I would strongly advise you to start with at least a 3ft tank.

As you gain experience, you may then consider smaller tanks. Personally, bigger tanks gives you a greater buffer for mistakes.

[edwinloh]

imho... i personally think is more on ur budget and the "commitment" you have.. the bigger the tank the more space u can do with aquascaping..

as long as u dun over "burn your hole.. i guess it should be ok..

[Goondoo]

imho... i personally think is more on ur budget and the "commitment" you have.. the bigger the tank the more space u can do with aquascaping..

as long as u dun over "burn your hole.. i guess it should be ok..

Not to forget the bigger the tank, the harder to get rid off....

[southcentral]

hey bros,

thanks for the replies,really appreciate it.honestly d reason i want to try my hands on aquascaping is because at my workplace does have a tank with all the plants in it and after all the work is done,having to see it before going back could be relaxing if not soothing.keep imagining if i am to have 1 myself at home!it is seriously soothing.

What size is the one at work? Take some measurements. Do you know who takes care of it? (fellow worker or professional company) if it is a fellow worker, maybe you can quiz them (after hours, of course) and get some basic ideas. Then come back here with your ideas and a plan and these guys can help you work it out.

besides since my 1st love which is fishing is waning.i would like to have a new hobby,one that is closer to home.in fact at homeso yeah, thats d reason behind it.

I had a friend who loved to bass and crappe fish. He would just sit in front of my aquarium and stare at the fish in there. It was like he was trying to figure out what the fish were thinking, I suppose so he could catch the wild ones easier.

A planted aquarium doesn't have to be complicated. As others have indicated, tank depth, types of plants, not enough research on your part and loosing interest can make it work and expensive.

You have to decide if you want a planted tank with fish or a fish tank with plants...Either way, it can be alot of fun.

The post by cs_sg summed it up pretty well.

I'm a sister,
Southcentral

[yyylarry]

Is 60x30x30 considered big?

[southcentral]

Inches or centimeters?
Really the depth is what needs to be considered in a planted aquarium.
If it is 30" deep, that would be much harder to get light very far into the water...

[biweilow]

A bigger tank is not necessarily better than a small one.

Let's not forget that Amano scapes are frequently done in small tanks (around 2ft), yet they are still stunningly beautiful.

What should be taken into consideration, as all the bros above have mentioned, is the amount of dedication as well as time and costs that you have to fork out.

[juggler]

After all these years, I think it depends how much time you can afford to keep this up.

My home tanks (5ft and 2.5ft) have slowly "degenerated" to slow-growing and easier maintenance plants. I do very little water change and the setup uses less electricity than before so I don't feel as guilty contributing to global warming.

One thing for a small tank (like 2ft), you can't keep big plants.

[williamng]

For me, I used to own a 4ft tank. Now going into nano tanks. My current one is actually a 45cm x 26cm x 30cm (32 litres) tank. Easier to setup, maintain and most important tear down. Intend to do more scaping. Hopefully 1 per year.

[AngelAddick]

Hi bros,
Just adding my views on this. I'm two years into this hobby and my view on fish-keeping has changed heaps since.

Started after I picked up a couple of 5-plan (2x1x1.5) tanks which people discarded. In all, I must have picked up or been handed maybe six to eight 5-plan tanks in the past. Caught the fever, keep everything from tetras to rasboras to guppies and angels. In those small tanks I;ve successfully bred angels etc.

But, since getting a three 3ft tanks, the experience has changed. It's quite obvious that the bigger the tank, the easier to control the water quality. I'm not about to move up to w 4-footer, but for me, the bigger the tank, the better.

I'm not into aquascaping though, so perhaps the smaller tanks are far more suitable for aquascapers as other bros mentioned above.

The only drawback for me for bigger tanks is that once the community is established, it's harder for the fishes to spawn successfully because so many other fish are out for the protein snack.

Happy New Year everyone!

[icemelt86]

Agree with most of the posts.
Like one of the bro suggested buy as big as your budget would allow.

If you are pondering between a 3ft or 2ft, just go for the 3ft. Cost wise it isn't alot more expensive.

Also consider the type of landscape you intend to design.