[bbleifus]

I am still doing research for my reef system. I originally was looking at the RSM (34gallons) to start my new hobby. I thought about going bigger (112gallons) then down sized because of size limitations in my house and was looking at a 90 gallons (36x 24x25). I started pricing the tank, stand, canopy, lights, skimmer, sump, pump, DO/DI, etc. It was looking to come out to over 3 thousand dollars. This makes me nervious to sink that much money on a new hobby. The RSM is starting to look like a good point to start. If I get hooked and can handle the mantainance I can upgrade and keep the RSM as a secondary tank. Some people think that the RSM is pricey but if you were to price the items separately I think it is a good deal. People that have larger reef tanks seem to put down nano system. What are your thoughts. Is this a good way to go for a beginner?

[glampka]

The RSM is definitely a bit pricey however it also packs a load of equipment for that price. It's definitely something that would work for the beginner

[bbleifus]

Can someone give me an example of the bioload the RSM can take both fish and inverts.

[Charles R.]

I am writing from Chattanooga, Tennessee. I just bought a RSM and I think I paid to much for it from my LFS, but then the price of ordering it and then having it shipped plus the time to put it together adds up to a hefty price its self. I have had mine going for a month now and its just beautiful. I have 45 pounds of LR plus about 40 pds of LS. I put that much sand because if wanted a deep sand bed for a better biological health of the whole system. I have had fresh water tanks for years but this is my first venture into salt water tanks. I decided to start off smaller and learn the hobby before going larger in a reef system. The saga will continue, but I trust to a satisfying end for everyone.

[Charles R.]

The bio load on a RSM from all I have learned is about 1/2" of fish per gallon and the inverts is something that has to be done carefully. I have two large Mexican Turbo snails and about a dozen smaller crabs and they all are doing a wonderful job. I have some blue mushrooms a colony of Green Recordia. If my spelling isn't right, please pardon me. I also have added one yellow tail damsel. I am going to keep it there for about another two months to let the tank mature. I do plan on adding maybe another two or so fish but that will be it. To stay on the small side of a bio load is far better than going to the upper side of a bio load and loose everything.

[Fishhead Junkie]

i know i am only a beginner to the whole nano saltwater tank world but i just can not see only putting like 4-5 fish in a 35gallon tank....even with adding all the corals and what not....there is still lots of room in that tank for a few more fish. i have a 29gallon bio-cube and i have at least 8 fish in there and its been running fine for 4 months, plus more corals than you can shake a stick at. check out my pics on the soft corals forum thread..i posted about 8 pics of it. i do my weekly water change of about 5 gallons of premixed saltwater from my LFS where i got the 29gallong tank from, i add my usual DT phytoplankton in there, brine shrimp, and something for my pygmy angel although that thing will just about eat anything. like i said though, i am just a beginner, for all i know, 4 months down the line from now, i'll be crying from the loss of my fish. take a look at the pics though..tell me what you think.

steve