On a scale of "crucial for success" to "not a big concern," how much emphasis goes to water volume?

revhtree · May 30, 2023

On a scale of "crucial for success" to "not a big concern," how much emphasis do you place on water volume when it comes to your saltwater reef tank?

Does it play a significant role in your tank's stability, or do you believe other factors outweigh its importance?

Troylee · May 30, 2023

Bigger has always been easier in my experience! It’s great for people to learn on a 40gallon breeder etc then upgrade and everything becomes so much easier! But!!! More expensive… lol

zheka757 · May 30, 2023

I think more bigger, more expenciver. But more forgiving for mistakes. I also think reefer that know what his doing can have a success from 5g tank.

Lebowski_ · May 30, 2023

I am very happy with my 15g and 25g, not a big consideration for me. Don't have a bigger tank option until we decide on our mortgage, but I know my past bigger tanks had a lot of the same issue.

Depends a lot on how involved you want to be. Bigger allows more auto pilot.

revhtree · May 30, 2023

Thanks for the feedback!

Dbichler · May 30, 2023

Started with a 54 then 29 biocube to my current 210 with 40b sump. Current tank is so much easier but yes much more expensive. 60 breeders would be the ideal dimensions for a first tank with a 40 breeder sump. I recommend this to most reefers who ask what is an ideal startup tank. Room for equipment and potential for upgrades. Plus these tanks are not costly and can have an excellent choice livestock. All in all water volume is not necessarily crucial for success but definitely makes it easier.

Katrina71 · May 30, 2023

I guess it depends on how you measure success. What type of coral and fish you prefer? Is success defined by cost and ease of use, or the successes defined by larger water volume's advantages in some cases.

workhz · May 30, 2023

400 gallon sump on a 1 gallon pico.

paragrouper · May 30, 2023

I have a 32 gallon, but I want a 90 gallon—so:

I believe that my current tank is a good learning platform and the smaller volume keeps me on my feet, as I know it is not as forgiving as a larger tank.

However, when speaking to my wife, it is absolutely critical that we upgrade ASAP (I give an awesome “the sky is falling” pitch)

zoomonster · May 30, 2023

When I started in the hobby around 1990 it was generally advised 55g was the minimum. Granted reef technology has grown by leaps and bounds but still prefer larger. From 55g it was only upwards and still looking up lol. More water, more forgiving of error and of course more room for stuff.

Fritz05 · May 30, 2023

I believe you can be successful irrespective of the water volume, whereas of course a very small tank can go bad quickly. Also, I believe the "law of diminishing returns" applies : A 50 gallon tank is more forgiving than a 10 gallon, but is a 150 gallon still significantly "better" than a 50 gallon? What about 500 gallons? At some point the higher costs and increased workload (think of even a 10% water change) outweigh the added stability of a larger system in my view.

c_ronius · May 30, 2023

I think the ratio of life to water volume is of more importance. I find all tank sizes are way more stable with less crap in them, and vice versa.

At this point in my reefing career, I try (It's hard) to keep my inhabitants to a minimum, or at least way less than most tanks I see. You can spend considerably less time fussing with maintenance and testing by having a higher ratio of water to life. I spend a lot of time away from home, often a week or two away from the tank, and it's comforting to know there is a good buffer if things take a turn.

It's easy to over pack a smaller tank, which usually has no sump with extra water volume. Most (not all) larger volume tanks have a greater water ratio. I think this is why most people seem to think smaller tanks are more difficult.

That said it's of course totally possible to pack em full... I'm guilty... But it's alot more testing and instability to deal with. If you like testing every day and all that mess have at it.

Rusty_L_Shackleford · May 30, 2023

There's definitely a sweet spot. Too small and it's really hard to get it stable. Too big and costs climb quickly. I have a 34g red sea and just started a 32g biocube. I feel like that's a pretty forgiving size. It's big enough to get a little stability, but small enough that the gear and maint isn't prohibitivly expensive.