40 Breeder setup

[40B noob]

Hello as youll soon see I'm new just filled my tank up last night. I'm thinking about putting 2 clownfish 2 watchman gobies and 1 or 2 skunk shrimp in the tank probably the 2 clowns first then an anemone soon after. And should I buy copepods and turn a hob filter in to a refugium?

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Hello as youll soon see I'm new just filled my tank up last night. I'm thinking about putting 2 clownfish 2 watchman gobies and 1 or 2 skunk shrimp in the tank probably the 2 clowns first then an anemone soon after. And should I buy copepods and turn a hob filter in to a refugium?

!!! Welcome to R2R !!! Don't forget to post some pictures of your tank. Also, how are you cycling the tank?

 

[40B noob]

I'm not sure yet I have to still mix the salt in the tank I know that I can only do this during the initial setup. I was bored of looking at an empty tank. I'm thinkingaboutghost feeding. Maybe buy a ng some Dr Tims bacteria in a bottle. And getting a green or blue chromis I'm not sure yet though. Also my tank is foggy and I don't have a cleaner yet but I'll post few pictures.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Ok, I used Dr. tim bacteria and ammonia to cycle my 40g and also used dry rock. I would not add any fish at this time since the tank must be cycled in order to add fish. Normally will take for 3 weeks to a month to get the tank cycle. The key on this hobby is patience. This is an important article on how to cycle your tank before adding any livestock.
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/cycling-a-brand-new-reef-aquarium.542/

 

[40B noob]

Thank you!

 

[40B noob]

I have live rock and live sand

 

[Ruben's Reef]

I have live rock and live sand

Ok, if you have live rock that never was dry then probably the cycle will be short.

 

[Mike N]

You will want to hold off on that plan for an anemone for at least 6 months, preferably a year. They do not survive very long in new tanks.
Good luck with your fish!

 

[40B noob]

Alright! Thank you Mike! May I ask why 6 months to a year?

 

[Mike N]

Alright! Thank you Mike! May I ask why 6 months to a year?

Not exactly sure as to the why.. I would guess it requires a very mature biofilter.
I have 2 in my tank now (40 breeder actually) that has been up for 2.5 years. I lost a green bubble tip when I tried before the 6 month mark. Just slowly deflated and melted away no matter what I tried.

 

[Peace River]

You will want to hold off on that plan for an anemone for at least 6 months, preferably a year. They do not survive very long in new tanks.
Good luck with your fish!

+1

This matches up to my experience as well.

 

[40B noob]

Have you guys tried to use a hang on back filter as a refugium? I'm thinking about it so I can bypass a sump and to grow some chaeto in the future to help with excess nutrient levels

 

[Mike N]

Have you guys tried to use a hang on back filter as a refugium? I'm thinking about it so I can bypass a sump and to grow some chaeto in the future to help with excess nutrient levels

I used a HOB refugium on my 40b for about the first year before installing a sump. It worked great for me.

Edit: I misread. You're referring to using something like an AC70/90 modified as a refugium. I have never tried that, so cant comment.

 

[40B noob]

+1

This matches up to my experience as well.

What are some things I could add??? When can I add a desired cleanup crew? 2 weeks into the cycle? Can I add copepods now or will the amonia spike kill them? The only reason I ask is because I seen one on the glass of my tank

 

[40B noob]

I used a HOB refugium on my 40b for about the first year before installing a sump. It worked great for me.
Edit: I misread. You're referring to using something like an AC70/90 modified as a refugium. I have never tried that, so cant comment.

What size? Im thinking about buying a bigger one then I have and using this marineland filter

 

[40B noob]

What size? Im thinking about buying a bigger one then I have and using this marineland filter

My bad I misread also

 

[Mike N]

What size? Im thinking about buying a bigger one then I have and using this marineland filter

I used an actual HOB refugium instead of a modified HOB filter.
This one from BRS:

 

[40B noob]

I used an actual HOB refugium instead of a modified HOB filter.
This one from BRS:

That's nice and how do the copepods go into the tank? Do they do it on their own or do you have to put them in your tank?

 

[BrandonS]

When you say you haven't put salt in yet did you fill the tank up with RO water and then add rock and sand? and have you added salt into the tank yet?

 

[40B noob]

When you say you haven't put salt in yet did you fill the tank up with RO water and then add rock and sand? and have you added salt into the tank yet?

Yes that is correct