So I'm new to this forum, and to saltwater/ reef tanks in general. Long story short, I've had quite a few freshwater tanks in the past, just bought a house and have the room to finally set up the tank that I've wanted for years. I've done a decent amount of research, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to run my plans by people that actually know what they're talking about, and find out if I'm being an idiot or not.
The plan is essentially a 40 gallon breeder that will start as a FOWLR system until I feel confident enough to start adding in corals. I'd like to set it up to add corals without needing to make drastic changes to my set up. As of today, I bought the 40 gallon tank, and a 20L tank that will act as a sump (Petco $ per gallon sale and 40's were 50% off). The budget is a decent concern of mine, the main thing is saving money where I can, but not buying something terrible that I'll need to replace.
The sump is going to be DIY with 3 chambers. The first will be big enough for an in-sump reef octopus skimmer, but I'm going to hold off getting that until it becomes apparent I need it. The second chamber is going to be a refugium with rock rubble and chaeto, lighted with a simple LED made for plants, so primarily blue and red spectrum. I know fuges aren't viewed as incredible nitrate/ phosphate removers, but I think relative to the size of the tank, it should play a big part, as well as supply pods. Third chamber will be the return pump and heater. Somewhere in there I'll be running a media bag with carbon (adding reactor potentially later on).
With that in mind the rest of the equipment I'm currently looking at (with recommendations/ reviews welcome) is:
Light-
Current USA Orbit Marine LED Saltwater Reef Lighting System (36"-48")(Seems to be a good option for LED at a great price with good reviews, just haven't seen much talk in any forum about it)
Powerheads-
Hydor Koralia Nano- probably 2 of the 240's
Heater-
Eheim Jager
Return Pump-
Quite One PRO 12oo (only 317 gph, so do I need more?)
Thinking of adding Hydor Flow Rotating Deflector to the return as well
Plumbing-
Tank will be drilled, herbie overflow with gate valve to tune the primary overflow
Stand-
DIY probably 2x4 frame with hardwood plywood/ trim with removable panels for easy access to the sump
The rest is probably API test kits for most parameters, thinking courser sand and definitely dry rock. Stocking will most likely be clown pair, 1-3 firefish, 3 chromis and misc inverts. Feel free to let me know what you think of the plan, anything I should add or remove or just change up. Thanks for any help.
The plan is essentially a 40 gallon breeder that will start as a FOWLR system until I feel confident enough to start adding in corals. I'd like to set it up to add corals without needing to make drastic changes to my set up. As of today, I bought the 40 gallon tank, and a 20L tank that will act as a sump (Petco $ per gallon sale and 40's were 50% off). The budget is a decent concern of mine, the main thing is saving money where I can, but not buying something terrible that I'll need to replace.
The sump is going to be DIY with 3 chambers. The first will be big enough for an in-sump reef octopus skimmer, but I'm going to hold off getting that until it becomes apparent I need it. The second chamber is going to be a refugium with rock rubble and chaeto, lighted with a simple LED made for plants, so primarily blue and red spectrum. I know fuges aren't viewed as incredible nitrate/ phosphate removers, but I think relative to the size of the tank, it should play a big part, as well as supply pods. Third chamber will be the return pump and heater. Somewhere in there I'll be running a media bag with carbon (adding reactor potentially later on).
With that in mind the rest of the equipment I'm currently looking at (with recommendations/ reviews welcome) is:
Light-
Current USA Orbit Marine LED Saltwater Reef Lighting System (36"-48")(Seems to be a good option for LED at a great price with good reviews, just haven't seen much talk in any forum about it)
Powerheads-
Hydor Koralia Nano- probably 2 of the 240's
Heater-
Eheim Jager
Return Pump-
Quite One PRO 12oo (only 317 gph, so do I need more?)
Thinking of adding Hydor Flow Rotating Deflector to the return as well
Plumbing-
Tank will be drilled, herbie overflow with gate valve to tune the primary overflow
Stand-
DIY probably 2x4 frame with hardwood plywood/ trim with removable panels for easy access to the sump
The rest is probably API test kits for most parameters, thinking courser sand and definitely dry rock. Stocking will most likely be clown pair, 1-3 firefish, 3 chromis and misc inverts. Feel free to let me know what you think of the plan, anything I should add or remove or just change up. Thanks for any help.
