Best tank size for a beginner?

[JEBrown2]

I'm looking for a tank between 55-210 gallons. I may choose to go with a bare bottom tank with driftwood and Java Fern. What is a good size, for the money, for a show tank?

Also, who's a great supplier?

Thanks

[sdrexler078]

Supplier for tank or fish? Tank would be glass cages for fish any of the sponsers on this site are great. As far as what size I'd say bigger is better. But if you've never kept fish you may want to start with a 75 to see how you like it then go up. But I love my 230 gallon

[JEBrown2]

Supplier for fish. I can go with a 75 tomorrow or wait for a custom stand and go bigger. I want a show tank between 4 and 6'.

[Keith Perkins]

No on a 55. Discus seem to prefer the 18 inches from from to back that a 75 has over the 12 inches of a 55. How much bigger you want to go is personal choice. If you're going to do it right, you're going to be doing 50% plus WCs regularly. Perhaps a good question to ask yourself is how much water are you willing to change that often. Aging water to stabilize pH is often desirable, so available space to age water is also a consideration.

Definitely check out the sponsor section for discus. The quality is vastly superior to most other sources and the prices are often very similar.

[discuspaul]

Suggest you consider a 75 or 90 gal depending on how much time/effort you want to put into water changes, tank cleansing, how many discus you wish to keep, what if any other fish you'd like to keep with them, and what kind of tank set-up you want to have.
What are your preferences ?

[ericNH]

I started with a 125. I think a 75 or 90 would have been a better choice.

[Andy27012]

Is this your first fish tank, or your first discus tank? If it is your first fish tank I would suggest choosing a fish that is more tolerant of less then ideal water conditions until you get confident on Water chemistry, maintence schedule and how much time you are willing to spend weekly on a tank. If you have had fish and are familiar with all this, then the biggest you can afford is best.

[John_Nicholson]

A 75 with 6 fish is my suggestion.

-john

[JEBrown2]

I've kept fish for over 20 years. I had a beautiful 45 tall with Wattley Discus about 15 years ago. I've been out of the hobby in recent years and am looking to get back in. I have a 6 gallon Nano Planted tank that I enjoy and has sparked my interest in doing something larger.

[fishtanktenderfoot]

I started (my first fish tank) with a 90g and discus. I think you will find that the initial set up cost of a 75 or 90 is about the same. As lots of good folks have stated above, the biggest concern for you is maintenance. Buy the largest size that you are willing to spend alot of time in shoulder deep vacuuming and wiping down. How big of an aging barrel can you support? How difficult to fill and drain your tank based on your layout and logistics? A new fish tank is like starting an exercise program - consistency is key. So choose the size that does not feel like a huge burden over the long haul. And spend time up front to make water changes easy for yourself. When you look at the different tanks in the store, put your arms in there and pretend you are wiping down every inch. You may find the extra depth of a 90 is uncomfortable (I have to use a bench to get into mine). Just my two cents. :)

[JEBrown2]

I've decided on a 90 gallon tank with an additional 75 gallon tank. I love the Emperor Filters but any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Keith Perkins]

If you're doing WCs like you should, sponge filters alone are plenty. Anything after that is pretty much gravy.

[DISCUS STU]

I've decided on a 90 gallon tank with an additional 75 gallon tank. I love the Emperor Filters but any suggestions would be appreciated.

Good choices. My setups are mostly Eheims 2215 prefilter to 2217 with Eheim biomedia these are in circuit with a UV sterilizer at the last stage. No carbon and regular large water changes. Again, these are my standard setups, others will have their own.

[discus510]

Depend on budget... i will get biggest tank wallet can afford... i would go with a 300 gallon 96 x 24 x 30 if ur buying new a tank that size with ur supplies and all be ready to drop about 8000 on it

[donnacona]

Begin with a 75 gal and an Eheim 2217 can't go wrong.

[tonytheboss1]

:bandana: 75g w/ 5 or 6 discus is a good starting point. You can always increase in tank size once you get a feel. As for discus suppliers, any of the sponsors is a better choice than most local sources when it comes to quality. My personal choice is Discus Hans. "T"