Before choosing a salt water tank or tanks there are many things to consider. The variety of the building material, designs, sizes and price range are somewhat intimidating at first. Most if not all reef aquarium owners would say to buy the biggest one you can afford and in some respect they are right.
Owning a big salt water tank is a risky venture for the beginning reef aquarist. The initial expense is huge and to maintain a large salt water tank takes patience and a well thought out plan. Many beginning reefers should read and study the hobby before making such a purchase. So then why do the more experienced reef keepers suggest that the beginners buy larger salt water tanks? The answer is simple, because bad things will happen slower to a bigger reef tank thus allowing the reefkeeper to make proper adjustments before the tank crashes, such as water quality issues.
One could go the smaller route and own a very nice nano-reef aquarium. These smaller salt water tanks are extremely difficult to maintain. Water quality, temperature and nutrients could go out of hand very fast resulting in a tank crash and the loss of the aquarium.
So know that you consider the size of your salt water tank, you need to take into consideration the material and design of the salt water tank. As of right now you could go with a glass aquarium or an acrylic aquarium. The decision is up to the reefkeeper, but lets take a look at some of the pros and cons of these two salt water tanks.
The Glass Aquarium:
1. Generally cheaper then the acrylic aquarium.
2. Glass Aquariums are more resistant to scratches then acrylic aquariums.
3. Glass is heavy, a pain to move if its really big and needs a well constructed stand to handle its weight.
The Acrylic Aquarium:
1. Weighs less then glass, which then in turn helps with shipping if purchased online.
2. Less resistant to breaks.
3. Can be made into nearly any shape if you find the right aquarium maker.
After you choose what material you want your salt water tank to be you need to figure out if you want to have a bowfront, a regular box or another shape you can think of. Proper planning and research of your reef’s fish and corals will help you choose what size salt water tank and its design.
If you are new to salt water tanks and reef aquariums then I suggest you read this article on How to Set up a Marine Reef Aquarium.
