Need help with first marine setup

[Carmex]

Hi. I'm planning on getting ...


40 gallon breeder tank from petco

About 40 lb of live rock (has blister worms)

6 green chromis (can I go less? Also, I've recently been told they are not recommended.)

2 turbo snails

3 skunk shrimp

And possibly either a pencil urchin or a common starfish.

I'm not going to get it for a few months yet, but I thought I'd research until then. I come from a freshwater background and have always wanted a saltwater tank.

I want to try coral, but I feel that I should wait until the tank stabilizes.

I'd also like to use a canister (along with live rock) for filteration. My lfs told me that it would be okay, since the tank won't be that big.

On a side note, I might decide to go with a 55 gallon. I think the 40g might be a little small. The thing is, it will be in an apartment and I'm concerned about the weight. Someone told me that if they allow waterbeds, then a fish tank should be fine.

Going back to filteration, I wouldn't mind trying other methods. I was thinking if possible trying a refugum...I think that's what they were. The separate tank with live rock and baffles.

If I do get coral, the lighting I plan on going with is the Marquis T5HO.

So please tell me what you think and what improvements I need.

Thanks!

[BillNye]

I wouldn't use a canister filter. Had one when I was younger - got clogged and flooded the entire room. I'd get a sump with a nice skimmer. More water volume, more space for equipment and you have the option of putting in a refugium if you'd like.

[Carmex]

What kind of canister did you have? I have an API filstar on my fw 20g. I swish the media in old tank water every month or so.

[tennesseebob]

On my turtle tank I used a canister for a fair amount of time, one of the marine land filters, no problems out of it, just make sure they are sealed properly after cleaning. If possible I would get your tank from pet owners soonish, they started their $1 a gallon sale this last weekend, even if you leave the tank sitting around for a couple months it will likely save you a chunk

[Carmex]

I had an interesting time setting up my 20g canister. A lot of water ended up on the floor. But I've had it for about a year now and I've got it pretty well figured out.

Any thoughts on how a 55g will be in an apartment? Would it be too heavy?

I'd like to get it now, but I don't have anywhere to store it. I'm afraid of it cracking. If I absolutely have to, I'll wait til the next $1/gallon sale.

[lmforbis]

55 won't be too heavy. The 40b has better dimensions for a reef in my opinion.

[Shawn O]

Hi. I'm planning on getting ...


40 gallon breeder tank from petco

About 40 lb of live rock (has blister worms)

6 green chromis (can I go less? Also, I've recently been told they are not recommended.)
Only one in a small tank.

2 turbo snails

3 skunk shrimp
Might be too many, hopefully some skunk shrimp owners here will chime in.

And possibly either a pencil urchin or a common starfish.
Urchin will need plenty of algae, starfish will likely eat all of the micro-fauna in the sand bed then starve to death.

I'm not going to get it for a few months yet, but I thought I'd research until then. I come from a freshwater background and have always wanted a saltwater tank.

I want to try coral, but I feel that I should wait until the tank stabilizes.

I'd also like to use a canister (along with live rock) for filteration. My lfs told me that it would be okay, since the tank won't be that big.

On a side note, I might decide to go with a 55 gallon. I think the 40g might be a little small. The thing is, it will be in an apartment and I'm concerned about the weight. Someone told me that if they allow waterbeds, then a fish tank should be fine.

Going back to filteration, I wouldn't mind trying other methods. I was thinking if possible trying a refugum...I think that's what they were. The separate tank with live rock and baffles.

If I do get coral, the lighting I plan on going with is the Marquis T5HO.

So please tell me what you think and what improvements I need.

Thanks!

Go with the 40B, it's deep enough (front to back) to get a better aquascape than a 55. A 55 is pretty narrow and pretty much all of the currently made 55s are made with tempered glass and cannot be drilled for an overflow.
Sump will allow a refugium and a place to hide all of your equipment. Canister filters can work well but will need to be opened and the gunk cleaned out regularly. People often use a canister filter filled with live rock as an additional refugium. A 40B with a 20 Long sump is quite popular, from what I gather.

[CStrickland]

55 isn't that heavy but they work much better for fw than sw, same with canisters.
55 is too hard to fit rock in and clean, usually can't drill it, plus the oxygen exchange is a little trickier. Canisters have a rep for increasing nitrates, which turtles and fish mind less than corals, but I never had one that's just what I heard.

I wouldn't assume a landlord is ok with a tank, especially if you plumb a sump onto it. But what they don't know can't hurt you ;)

[Carmex]

Go with the 40B, it's deep enough (front to back) to get a better aquascape than a 55. A 55 is pretty narrow and pretty much all of the currently made 55s are made with tempered glass and cannot be drilled for an overflow.
Sump will allow a refugium and a place to hide all of your equipment. Canister filters can work well but will need to be opened and the gunk cleaned out regularly. People often use a canister filter filled with live rock as an additional refugium. A 40B with a 20 Long sump is quite popular, from what I gather.

Isn't a chromis a schooling fish? Maybe I should go with a different fish? I don't want clowns. Someone said they would be good, but I don't want them. And gobies are out too.

Sumps are a bit scary for me. My lfs guy told me he'd come and set up the tank for me, but I still have to learn weekly maintenance.

[Carmex]

55 isn't that heavy but they work much better for fw than sw, same with canisters.
55 is too hard to fit rock in and clean, usually can't drill it, plus the oxygen exchange is a little trickier. Canisters have a rep for increasing nitrates, which turtles and fish mind less than corals, but I never had one that's just what I heard.

I wouldn't assume a landlord is ok with a tank, especially if you plumb a sump onto it. But what they don't know can't hurt you ;)

Actually, I made sure fish were okay. Me and the manager were talking about cats. I have two, but they're on the farm with my horse. The manager said they only allow one cat. So I asked him about fish. And he said, and I quote,"The only animals that are regulated are cats and dogs. You can have however many fish you want."

Well, then. Don't mind if I do >_>

[hotelbravo]

Hi. I'm planning on getting ...


40 gallon breeder tank from petco

About 40 lb of live rock (has blister worms)BRISTLE worms are very beneficial parts of the clean up crew some people are afraid of them cause of their ability to sting people but i handle them very often bare handed and no stings ever. i would deffinetly keep them in your tank

6 green chromis (can I go less? Also, I've recently been told they are not recommended.) chromis are aggressive and will end up killing each other in that size tank.

2 turbo snails

3 skunk shrimp i would only do 1 skunk in that size tank

And possibly either a pencil urchin or a common starfish.urchins will need alot of algae and a new tank isnt the best for them. and as for the starfish they have a very bad track record with survivability in the home aquarium they quickly starve to death and they die even quicker in new tanks

I'm not going to get it for a few months yet, but I thought I'd research until then. I come from a freshwater background and have always wanted a saltwater tank.your making a good call researching its a smart move. we here on this site dont want to sell you anything so we will give you honest advice thats not influenced by hidden adjendas like making pay roll

I want to try coral, but I feel that I should wait until the tank stabilizes.

I'd also like to use a canister (along with live rock) for filteration. My lfs told me that it would be okay, since the tank won't be that big. i bought a canister filter and used it for only 2 months before i got rid of it and installed a sump. ive never been happier with the sump and is suspect you would be happier too

On a side note, I might decide to go with a 55 gallon. I think the 40g might be a little small. The thing is, it will be in an apartment and I'm concerned about the weight. Someone told me that if they allow waterbeds, then a fish tank should be fine.the dimensions of the 40 are more desireable imo. the 55g is just to skinny.

Going back to filteration, I wouldn't mind trying other methods. I was thinking if possible trying a refugum...I think that's what they were. The separate tank with live rock and baffles. the sump usually has a refugium and like i said earlier you would be happier with this method

If I do get coral, the lighting I plan on going with is the Marquis T5HO.

So please tell me what you think and what improvements I need. you should be considering what powerheads you will be using. good flow is essential in a reef tank and not enough flow can lead to many problems, you didnt mention how much sand you planned on using but about 30-40lbs of sand would be good for the 40g breeder. make sure you buy aragonite sand ive seen alot of people just put random types of sand in there unknowingly and its caused problems

Thanks!

[Carmex]

I forgot to ask about the sand. I have white petco brand sand in my fw tanks. I usually like 1-1.5 lb per gallon.

I was thinking of a dsb so probably around 40-45lb. I'm not sure yet. I didn't research this part yet.

Are there any other fish that are recommended for a 40b besides clowns? I was pretty set on the chromis, but my lfs said he can order other fish.

And what types of corals are good for my tank type? Should I wait til a few months after the tank is set up?

Sorry for all the questions.

[hotelbravo]

I forgot to ask about the sand. I have white petco brand sand in my fw tanks. I usually like 1-1.5 lb per gallon. fresh water sand and salwater sand is completely different make sure you are using ARAGONITE sand. go check what type of sand petco uses in their brand bags and if its not aragonite then do not use it

I was thinking of a dsb so probably around 40-45lb. I'm not sure yet. I didn't research this part yet.

Are there any other fish that are recommended for a 40b besides clowns? I was pretty set on the chromis, but my lfs said he can order other fish. if your doing a deep sand bed then that can open the door to certain gobies that like to make dens. you could add cardinals like the bangai cardinal or the pajama cardinal they "school". also maybe a firefish but just one as they dont get along with multiple in one tank for very long. you could also make it an aggressive tank and put in lion fish and a small snowflake eel.

And what types of corals are good for my tank type? Should I wait til a few months after the tank is set up?the type of coral varies from photosenthetic coral which require powerful lighting to corals that are reliant on you to feed them and do not need light. and mixes between. research on your part is the only real way to tell which coral you will want.

Sorry for all the questions.

[Carmex]

Ok I've decided to change my fish line up. I'll still be going with a 40b. I'll be using a 20g refugium. I'm upgrading my 20g fw, so I might as well put it to use elsewhere.

My current fish line up that I plan in now are

2 black and white clownfish

1 fire fish (maybe)

1 neon blue goby (unless I can find a pair)

1 indian starfish (or another type of fromia)

2 turbo snails

2 skunk shrimp

I'd also like to try and make this a reef tank. My lfs has frog spawn that is very pretty. And since I've decided on clownfish, I'm googling all kinds of anemones. Also, I REALLY want a starfish. I wouldn't plan on adding it til about 2 months after the tank gets settled. From what I've read, the fromia like to be spot fed. So it shouldn't be too hard to take a piece of thawed shrimp and feed it.

For lighting, I like the marquis T5HO. I suppose it depends on what's all stocked.

[mmittlesteadt]

I'm pretty new to reefkeeping (but not SW or FW) and I'm using a 40 gallon breeder as my display tank. You can check out my build thread (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2486801) for ideas. Also, do a search here for 40 breeder tanks for other ideas on this size tank (aquascaping, filtering, lighting, corals, fish, etc.). I was originally going to go with all HOB (hang on back) for everything and eventually settled on a sump. I have it all documented.

Do a lot of research here, and read ALL the stickies at the top of the New to the Hobby forum...specifically the "Setting up a New Tank; How To (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074)" one.

This is my 40 breeder at about two months or so...

http://2ndnaturecreations.com/reef/junetank.jpg

[Shawn O]

Isn't a chromis a schooling fish? Maybe I should go with a different fish? I don't want clowns. Someone said they would be good, but I don't want them. And gobies are out too.

Sumps are a bit scary for me. My lfs guy told me he'd come and set up the tank for me, but I still have to learn weekly maintenance.


They will kill each other until there is only one left if put in a small tank. You'd need a much larger tank to do them. One is fine in a small tank, been thinking about getting one myself.

[Sk8r]

Smallest damsel tank is 100 gallons. Territory demands.

Suggest the file ^^^ at top, called SETTING UP. This will save you a lot of money.