Please help me decide.

[texasfootball21]

I've always loved aquariums, and have been keeping fresh water aquariums for a long time.
I've always been to afraid of cost and difficulty to try to keep a marine aquarium. I'm ready to take the plunge and go for it.

I currently have a 36 gallon corner tank with a stand, Emperor 280, Fluorescent lights (bad ones), 100 W heater, and various aquarium supplies. It is set up with a few fresh water fish and has never been treated with copper.

I want to keep a few fish, some inverts (mainly crabs and shrimp), and possibly a few very low light corals. I want to keep the tank beginner friendly.

I have been wondering for a long time whether I should buy an aquapod 24 gallon or use my 36 gallon. Or if I should take another route altogether as far as the tank. The problem is that I don't have a lot of money, and money is very necessary in the marine aquarium hobby.

I was just wondering what everyone thinks is better, and cheaper, for a beginner. And what all would I need to buy if I used my 36 gallon?

I already know I would need some things for both systems such as:
Test kits
Salt
Sand
Rock
Skimmer
Powerheads
Food
Maybe T-5 lights (for the 36)
and some other things.


Thanks for all comments. They are really appreciated, and I apologize if the post didn't make sense.

[tattoosmitty]

I think cost wise I'd go with the larger aquapod. It's basically ready to rock right out of the box. think the biggest thing I hated spending the money on was the live rock and live sand. Then again I did go with all tonga branch...75 lbs worth +8bags of live sand. The other thing that kills you is the lighting. But what do I know I'm just a newb...

[texasfootball21]

Thanks.
You know more then me thats for sure, I'm not even a newb yet!

Also, for the 36 gallon, what would be better for the money

A prizm skimmer

A Crp Bak Pak

Or a Fission skimmer

Obviously the Cpr would be the best but the more money I spend on a skimmer, the less I can spend on other things.

[tony]

there have been a couple of bakpaks for sale here in the past month for $50ish

[erikharrison]

Obviously the Cpr would be the best but the more money I spend on a skimmer, the less I can spend on other things.


Spend the money on the skimmer, don't short yourself by buying something that will need to be upgraded. Do it right the first time! :) Being on this site will find you plenty of support!!!

[texasfootball21]

Thanks!
I was thinking I should buy a good skimmer, healthier tank and less time on water changes in the future.


Anyone have any suggestions on which tank is a better option?

[KyleV]

I would go with the the aquapod because the size is not much different and the cost to put everything on the 36 is going to be about the same without anything to skim the surface.

With that said if you decide to do the 36 I have a prizm I'm willing to donate if you become a member.

[texasfootball21]

Okay, its been hard for me to decide, I've been going back and forth for a while. With the 36 I can keep more fish, but I will need for equipment and its really not a saltwater set up. I was thinking if I bought the aquapod I could eventually make the 36 gallon some kind of species tank, I thought a Snowflake eel would be perfect, but the tank is a bit small for that.

In fact, I almost ordered the aquapod last night, but then I kept thinking about my corner, tough decision.

Kyle, thats extremely generous! Thank you! But I'm not sure I could become a member any time soon, thanks though!

[texasfootball21]

By the way, I have been reading that the fission skimmer is not that great, but would it still be worth having in the tank? I mean its only $30.

Also, Does anyone have any thoughts on stocking an aquapod? What would work best?

I was thinking something along the lines of:
2X Clownfish (not sure on the kind)
1X Sixline Wrasse
1X Firefish
Hermits and Snails
Emerald Crab
Cleaner of Pistol Shrimp
Maybe a green BTA for the Clowns

Thanks!

[Troy Valentine]

Go for the 36 corner, but like Erik said buy a great skimmer for it.

One of the prettiest reef tanks I have every put together was a 36 gallon corner (aquatrend). At that time I was upgrading from a 20 gallon tall, and never had much success with reefing, until I puchased that corner tank.
Since you are new to saltwater, the greater water volume will act as a buffer for the mistakes that you are going to make. This hobby is like an addictive drug, and 50% more water will make it all the more pleasureable. Also I would keep the Emperor 280, slice the filters open and empty the old carbon out and put new carbon in once a week. It will work as mechanical-biological filtration, and provide you some nice flow. Go for it...

Just my 2 cents

[Sherri]

I found out through experience, the bigger the tank is, the easier it is to take care of! My 2 gal is a pain compared to my 180.....go with the 36 IMO....when you get into it, you'll wish you had gone bigger...the thing about marine tanks...you get the bug to upgrade. Good luck. I had African Cichlids for about 17 years in 55 gal tanks - went salt...never looked back!

[Headless_donkey]

Check out garf.org. they have a great explanation for setting up a "bullet proof" reef. I think in your situation it might be perfect.