My first setup questions.

[bambootikigirl]

So I'm considering starting up a saltwater tank. My 40 gallon long has been a freshwater tank for a long time and I think I'm wanting to challenge myself with a new adventure. So I have been speaking to a few people about setup and want to know something. My current tank has 2 LED lighting hoods with 2 24" LED bulbs in each hood for freshwater. This is my current LED hood which I have 2 of because I have a 40 gallon long tank.

https://www.petmountain.com/product...NkJRJV9HR3Z4Ia5dpI99UinfuR9BcHlkaAk4lEALw_wcB

I do not like the open look of tanks (it's a personal preference and just my thing really). I'm really not a fan of hanging anything from the ceiling because we have photos on the wall and I also have birds. The birds could get loose and hurt themselves if the fly into the lamp or wires. I want to know if I could take the LED bulbs out and replace them with these?

https://www.marinedepot.com/Current...quariums-Current_USA-CU03002-FILTFILD-vi.html

If this isn't an option (replacing the bulbs for different ones), could I possibly remove just the 2 strips on the hood and replace it with a LED bar? I only want to remove the strip(s), not the entire hood, I like the shape and the feeding doors it has.

I have also decided I wanted to make an AIO on the one side of my tank. I don't want it on the back of the tank because it would take up 48" and the tank itself isn't that wide so I would lose a lot of space for corals and flow. Could I possibly just make the AIO in the middle back of the tank but not have it span then entire back of the tank? Something like this but in the back center?

https://cdn3.volusion.com/vhdja.ujqwr/v/vspfiles/photos/SCA-150G-2.jpg?1504049235

Would this pump be good for the AIO and the gyre be good for flow around the rest of the tank?

https://www.marinedepot.com/Tunze_R...arium_Powerheads-Tunze-TZ79080-FIPHAD-vi.html

https://www.marinedepot.com/IceCap_...arium_Powerheads-IceCap-CV0725-FIPHAD-vi.html

Corals I was considering mushroom soft corals and sinularia/cabbage leather corals.

For fish either a small reef friendly bottom dwelling team that consists of a emerald crab, a black barred convict goby, 2 harliquin or 2 scarlet skunk shrimps, 3 spiny star astraea snails and 2 blue leg or 2 yellow tip hermit crabs.

If I don't get the reef friendly bottom dwelling team, I was considering either 2 of Ocellaris, 2 Black Ice Ocellaris, or 2 Black & White Ocellaris Clownfish. My other option is if I don't choose a type of clownfish I would maybe get up to about 5, a mix of damsels. Blue, sapphire blue, yellowtail, tracey's damselfish would be my top choices.

Would I be able to do a mix of bottom dwellers with either the clownfish or damsels?

Anyways, sorry if my post is rather scatterbrained and hard to understand. Thanks and suggestions and help are really appreciated.

 

[Teahowa]

I'm new to the saltwater hobby as well and everyone I've spoken to has recommended staying away from damsels unless you're considering having a damsel only tank. For my 90 gallon reef tank. I have a couple skunk shrimp and some snails for clean up, as well as, two clowns a firefish, royal gramma, and kole tang. I don't think a kole tang would do well in a 40 gallon though. But what do I know I just started

 

[bambootikigirl]

I'm new to the saltwater hobby as well and everyone I've spoken to has recommended staying away from damsels unless you're considering having a damsel only tank. For my 90 gallon reef tank. I have a couple skunk shrimp and some snails for clean up, as well as, two clowns a firefish, royal gramma, and kole tang. I don't think a kole tang would do well in a 40 gallon though. But what do I know I just started

Awe well welcome to the hobby! Yeah tangs and angels end up being rather large so I thought I would just do smaller fish like clowns or damsels. I'm a tiny person so I kinda like having small pets You're very lucky to have such a big tank! I decided I wanted to go with my 40 long because it's a nice length but not too tall, so if I need to reach into the tank for something, my tiny arms can do it. I too have heard that damsels can be jerks but what if there's enough hiding spots for them to claim?

 

[Teahowa]

Honestly even if I was a veteran of the hobby I wouldn't want to answer the what if questions. Because then I wonder, what if I'm wrong lol. But I understand what you mean with the smaller tank. I have a step ladder to get in and take care of things. And even then, I'm up to my shoulder if I need to go down to the substrate.

 

[bambootikigirl]

Honestly even if I was a veteran of the hobby I wouldn't want to answer the what if questions. Because then I wonder, what if I'm wrong lol. But I understand what you mean with the smaller tank. I have a step ladder to get in and take care of things. And even then, I'm up to my shoulder if I need to go down to the substrate.

Yeah that's true about the "what if" questions and if you say, well why not try, animal people would get very upset cuz you put a living creature at risk. I have a small ladder I stand on to get into my tank but in most cases I don't need it cuz I have magnet scrubbers and the long two way siphon

 

[GoVols]

Yeah that's true about the "what if" questions and if you say, well why not try, animal people would get very upset cuz you put a living creature at risk. I have a small ladder I stand on to get into my tank but in most cases I don't need it cuz I have magnet scrubbers and the long two way siphon

Heidi,
The number 1 thing on my list to buy, would be an RO/DI unit with a built in TDS meter.
Otherwise your just going to be fighting an loosing battle

A unit like the below is a very go choice
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/4-stage-75gpd-plus-ro-di-system-bulk-reef-supply.html

 

[bambootikigirl]

Heidi,
The number 1 thing on my list would to buy, would be an RO/DI unit with a built in TDS meter.
Otherwise your just going to be fighting an loosing battle

A unit like the below is a very go choice
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/4-stage-75gpd-plus-ro-di-system-bulk-reef-supply.html

Unfortunately I can't do anything like a sump or things off to the side/under the tank. It's on top of a well made old 50's dresser that we added support beams on the inside for stability. All of the drawers have clothing and supplies for my fish and birds inside them so there isn't really room. Our house does have a built in water system that removes all chemicals in the water and is practically distilled water.

 

[GoVols]

Unfortunately I can't do anything like a sump or things off to the side/under the tank. It's on top of a well made old 50's dresser that we added support beams on the inside for stability. All of the drawers have clothing and supplies for my fish and birds inside them so there isn't really room. Our house does have a built in water system that removes all chemicals in the water and is practically distilled water.

I'm just being honest.

You need an RO/DI unit and they can be hitched to your kitchen sink.
A home water system just will not cut it.

You will have diatoms and algae all over the place without an RO/DI unit

Edit:
If you have a local reef shop that sells RO/DI water, many reefers go that route too

 

[bambootikigirl]

I'm just being honest.

You need an RO/DI unit and they can be hitched to your kitchen sink.
A home water system just will not cut it.

You will have diatoms and algae all over the place without an RO/DI unit

Edit:
If you have a local reef shop that sells RO/DI water, many reefers go that route too

This is what we have hooked to our entire house.

 

[Jesterrace]

As mentioned above if you have an LFS that is reliable you can just get some 5 gallon water safe jugs and buy saltwater/RODI pre-mix from them. I do this since my LFS is close by and there is no practical way for me to run or store an RODI system/equipment in my house.

 

[bambootikigirl]

As mentioned above if you have an LFS that is reliable you can just get some 5 gallon water safe jugs and buy saltwater/RODI pre-mix from them. I do this since my LFS is close by and there is no practical way for me to run or store an RODI system/equipment in my house.

I'm just being honest.

You need an RO/DI unit and they can be hitched to your kitchen sink.
A home water system just will not cut it.

You will have diatoms and algae all over the place without an RO/DI unit

Edit:
If you have a local reef shop that sells RO/DI water, many reefers go that route too

Well I have looked into our system and it does remove a bunch of stuff but I'm unsure if it can provide RO/DI water. My family though said they think it's a good idea to buy some water from a LFS store, so that's a plus!

 

[bambootikigirl]

Is there any suggestions to help me about the AIO and lighting?

 

[Pelagic One]

Hello and Welcome to R2R! I know we mention the occasional saltwater specialist from a Petco from time to time, but I don’t believe I’ve seen a Petco team member post here yet.

Your pump plans look good, and I like the idea of your AIO in the middle of the tank. It’s certainly a personal preference, often dictated by tank position (against the wall, peninsula or even in-wall), but it should look and work great for you.

Using the standard light hood is a good idea, given your preference for a clean appearance, and I agree with the easy-open lid for convenience. With the less-demanding coral you’ve listed, the lighting should be adequate for your needs. I cannot speak to the bulb change question, but I’ve seen others retrofit their existing hood with the same LED strip, which makes for a clean installation.

I always defer to others’ responses, because I like hearing (reading) diverse answers based on individual experience. Have fun with your tank build, and please show off some pictures when the time comes!

 

[CJS80]

As long as you can get it to fit you can put any light into a hood. However what you need to watch out for is heat. Like all electronics heat is bad and will cause premature failure, so you need to watch and see if you will also have to put a fan on the hood. For making your tank a AOI you can mount a box anywhere you want in the tank. You said there is no place for a sump but what about a HOB. If you have a few inches behind you can get/make a small HOB to have a little fuge area and run a nano skimmer in it.

 

[bambootikigirl]

Hello and Welcome to R2R! I know we mention the occasional saltwater specialist from a Petco from time to time, but I don’t believe I’ve seen a Petco team member post here yet.

Your pump plans look good, and I like the idea of your AIO in the middle of the tank. It’s certainly a personal preference, often dictated by tank position (against the wall, peninsula or even in-wall), but it should look and work great for you.

Using the standard light hood is a good idea, given your preference for a clean appearance, and I agree with the easy-open lid for convenience. With the less-demanding coral you’ve listed, the lighting should be adequate for your needs. I cannot speak to the bulb change question, but I’ve seen others retrofit their existing hood with the same LED strip, which makes for a clean installation.

I always defer to others’ responses, because I like hearing (reading) diverse answers based on individual experience. Have fun with your tank build, and please show off some pictures when the time comes!

I think a lot of the time chain petstore people are afraid to say they are working for a chain because of all the bad rep chain stores get. I myself love working at my store and eventho a lot of the stuff isn't acquit for most pets, I try to make it the best I can for them with what we do have. When I sell fish, I make sure that if the fish isn't going home to a good owner I have them either go back and do more research (while I give them suggestions and info) or decline their purchase. I am in no way perfect and still learning everything about aquatics and other animals at my store but I do try my best and continue to research, expanding my knowledge.

The tank is currently against a long wall in a bedroom away from the window for the most part. The one end of the tank is close to the window but I don't think it affects it. I was considering the peninsula but if I ever decide to change the tank, move it, or sell it, I didn't want to limit that one side. Then I was like, I would lose a lot of space if I did the entire back as a AIO but haven't seen any reef tanks with them just in the middle, so I thought maybe it wasn't a thing.

I'm glad that I can prolly jury rig something for lighting because I really didn't want to give up the hoods. My house isn't the biggest and we only have so much room for such luxuries. The house was built in the 70's and I wouldn't want to try hanging stuff from the ceiling and have it end up crashing down or something. Plus we have some pretty paintings on the wall and it would just cover them up, my family wouldn't like that very much. I'm sure if the bulbs are the same length I could prolly do something or just get a lightbar where the hood strips were, I just don't wanna give up the feeding door section.

As long as you can get it to fit you can put any light into a hood. However what you need to watch out for is heat. Like all electronics heat is bad and will cause premature failure, so you need to watch and see if you will also have to put a fan on the hood. For making your tank a AOI you can mount a box anywhere you want in the tank. You said there is no place for a sump but what about a HOB. If you have a few inches behind you can get/make a small HOB to have a little fuge area and run a nano skimmer in it.

The LED housing actually has circulation holes that I have felt and they never got very hot, maybe alil warm. I'm guessing that helps keep it cooler, I will for sure keep an eye on it once I get new bulbs though! I was planning on creating a custom AIO in the center (I think) so it can house the heater, possible small skimmer and a fuge. I saw some really small LED strips (Ecoxotic 12K White/453nm Blue LED Strip) which are only 6in long, so I thought I would connect that onto the back where the fuge would be. I will post some drawings of my idea soon, since I have the day off and I have all kinds of ideas circulating in my head.

 

[bambootikigirl]

Okay so this is what I have come up with for an AIO system. The top picture is an ariel view of the tank itself and the added AIO. The second picture is a side view of how the system would look and where things would go. The heater and nano skimmer would be in the same compartment. I wasn’t sure how large a refugium could be so I tried to give it a bit more room and have a small LED light put above it. What do you guys think?

 

[CJS80]

That looks alright except a few things I would change. First would be if that 3 1/2" is both with and depth, I would increase depth to between 6-8" if not all the way to the bottom of tank. I would also add 1" to each chamber increasing overall length to 20". It looks nice as you have it but you don't have the thickness of your dividers added in which loses room in each, and depending on the nano skimmer if its foot print is 3.0"x 3.3" you aren't going to fit it in a 2.97" space.