What size tank would you recommend for a first-time SW build?

[Morgie]

I won't be near getting another tank until Winter, but I'd like to get on the ball planning and researching which direction to go in! Since it will be my first SW build, I don't want to go with a full-reef, but mainly LR and a few easy to maintain, low light corals. (mushrooms, maybe)
I know that maintaining small SW tanks is more difficult, but which size do you think is the best for a first-time build/in general?
Also what shape? Rectangles, cubes, bowfronts, etc

 

[slitherbomb]

Get as big as you can afford really.

 

[freppy16]

I'm not disagreeing with getting as big as you can afford. But I started myself off with a 50 gallon FOWLR and it has helped me prep for the bigger tanks. It's gotten me use to the chemicals, water changes and has worked as a good introduction. That's always a goo route as a noob to SW tanks.

 

[Morgie]

Definitely planning on going big!

I'm also going to do a Caribbean biotope if that makes a difference on size advice.

 

[slitherbomb]

What fish are you looking at then? I started with a 75g myself.

 

[Morgie]

I'm planning on somewhere between 50-100gallons at this point.
Small enough to be a good start, while being big enough to house a nice amount of fish.

Haven't really thought about specific fish yet, but fish from the Caribbean. My family and I went on vacation to Aruba over the summer and the diving was definitely pretty inspiring for a SW tank. Since this tank is really going to be for my family (not me personally, I'm just the fish freak in the family haha) I thought it would be nice.

 

[Dary421]

Heed the advice from everyone,..get a tank bigger than you have planned on getting,....otherwise in a few months down the line you're going to get a bigger tank anyway ,.. This way you'll actually save money.

 

[Pufferlove]

Go big but remember you have yo include the costs of all the extra items

 

[TLTGF]

My advice would be minimum of 70 gallons - typically 70 gallon minimum is the requirement on several fish, so it opens you up to many more options. I started with a 54 gallon, and I'm already planning for a much bigger set-up. 125+ gallons.

 

[Morgie]

off to surf CL for a big tank!
Definitely don't want to go lower than 75 at this point.

 

[twisted metal]

I would go 70min. As stated above. A 75-90Gal Is a nice start. Alot of room to get use to the SW world. If you don't mind going over the 100Gal, there is the 110 show and the 125Gal tank. If I had to start all over I would deff go with a 125. I started out with a 75Gal tank, and now would love that extra 50Gal. Lol