average reef size

[darklcd]

hey all

I have been looking around at a lot of reefs these days and I am just trying to get an idea of what the average reef size is for the average reefer. I know it kinda sounds dumb but I have always wondered. I see some people that have been in the hobby for decades and only have a 40 gal and i see some people that hare still "wet behind the ears" (not a pay on words lol) and have 300 gal tanks.

I am just wondering if there is a good managable suze tank.

please start the ideas

 

[BCT182]

Heres my timeline:

29, 50, 20L, 72bow, 120, 90, and now 30 cube.

Planning on sticking with the 30 for a long time!

Ive been reefing since Dec 2003

 

[CarlaW]

I have had my 80 gallon reef for about 8 years, and I guess I am one those folks that are wet behind the ears with a 300 too. That has been set up for 4 years.
I really think the perfect size is a 180.

 

[JPG@CFI]

The average sizes that I build are from 120 to 300, I have built 1.5 gal. to 900 gal. I like the ones I can pick up by myself though. I have had in the past 10, 20, 39, 50, 100, 150, 300, 375, and now run a 50gal.,and have plans for another wopper after I remodel my living/dining room. I wouldn't mind hookin' my self up with a 72"x 36"x30" or 335 gal. Peninsula style.

Hey, everyone has to have a dream right?

Jason

 

[trido]

In my little bit of experience of reefing, with ALOT of reading on the forums. IMO the average size is closer to 75-120G. Everyone seems to have a limit to the affordability of their reef size. Those with reefs of 180 and up tend to be very serious about the hobby and it has more or less become a passion of sorts. To them, the electric bill doesnt matter anymore.

Again JMO.

I am just wondering if there is a good managable suze tank.

That depends. Some people feel that a large tank requires more maintanance than small ones. For me my small tank is far more work than the large one due to lack of automation. Large tanks do however need more salt, light bulbs, pumps, skimming, etc........ It all adds up a the end of the year. Its really more about budget.

 

[jedimike]

A 4' tank kind of provides a happy medium and seems most popular. 4' of lights is remarkably cheaper than 6' of lights. In terms of maintenance a 6' tank can cost several hundred more per year over a 4' tank. A 4' tank also means that most tangs are "off-limits."

I'd love to have a 6' tank, but I'm happy with my 4' tank.

 

[billaweed]

I'm happy with my 55.. When I buy my house I may go with an in-wall 180 but I'll se about that when I get there.

 

[burning2nd]

30, 5.5 ,5.5, 2.5

eh my next system is a 75. im in the middle of building that... i think ill be happy with that..

Im kinda more intrested in the hold plumbing and stufff

 

[darklcd]

it seems that a lot of it is affordability over anything else. I guess living in the states the prces are a little better then up here in the great white north lol. I have always wanteda big tank but the cost up here is just huge I don't know what you all pay for live rock but up here we are looking at about $9.50 per lb normally. I am thinking that then the wife and I move we might get a bigger tank likea 200 or 225 but we will have to see.

Also wanted to know what you all pay for stuff as well

 

[CarlaW]

it seems that a lot of it is affordability over anything else. I guess living in the states the prces are a little better then up here in the great white north lol. I have always wanteda big tank but the cost up here is just huge I don't know what you all pay for live rock but up here we are looking at about $9.50 per lb normally. I am thinking that then the wife and I move we might get a bigger tank likea 200 or 225 but we will have to see.

Also wanted to know what you all pay for stuff as well

When the 300 first went up, I budgeted $15,000, and went over it. That included getting some electrical work done in the house, and some finishing work in the room also.

 

[darklcd]

When the 300 first went up, I budgeted $15,000, and went over it. That included getting some electrical work done in the house, and some finishing work in the room also.

wow I new that they were up there but wow. I guess wiht a large tank though theres a lot of stuff as well and once its done its worth it.

how many corals do you have in there right now?

 

[CarlaW]

wow I new that they were up there but wow. I guess wiht a large tank though theres a lot of stuff as well and once its done its worth it.

how many corals do you have in there right now?

I just redid the whole thing, had a nasty occurance about 1.5 years ago

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32128

Not much in there now, but I will begin to build it back up when the time is ready, believe me!!!! If you check my gallery, you can see what it looked like way back when. It was a nice tank!!

 

[darklcd]

thanks for the info guys and gals it seems that it is more personal preference then anything else but thats ok i just wanted to get an idea for the future.

thanks for all the good info

 

[trido]

One way to look at setting up a tank is roughly $30-40 a gallon for a medium grade set up.
My 120 In-wall cost about 9K being closer to $75 a gallon. This included automation,being plumbed into the house, corals,fish, test kits, etc.........Its an SPS tank. Charlies original budget of 15K for 300Gs worked out to $50 a gallon but he went over. I set up a 30G softy tank for only $700. Its cost only $23 a gallon.

live rock but up here we are looking at about $9.50 per lb normally

Down in Seattle we pay from $5.99-8.99 for fiji select depending on the LFS. The price goes up from there. It actually wasnt much cheaper in the San Francisco area when I lived there.