Need Help Planning Equipment Choices

[Jake029]

I have a tiny little nano right now. I got it a few months ago but the addiction is real. I picked up a 40 gallon cube with a sump on Craigslist and I am trying to figure out what equipment to buy.


1. I never had issues with phosphates and nitrates in my nano but I want to be prepared so I got some carbon and GFO. Can I just throw them in a bag and put the bags in the sump?

I'm thinking about getting a reactor but they are kind of pricey. Are reactors even necessary for a small tank like 40 gallons or are they intended for larger tanks?

2. Which vortech pump should I get? An mp10 qd or mp10 wqd? I might pick up 2 of them or just 1 with a gyre of some sort. I don't really get what the benefit of the wireless version is.

Something to consider is that I might get the Apex if I can find a good deal. Is it better to just get the wireless if I plan to use the Apex or does wireless have nothing to do with Apex?

 

[Crabs McJones]

I have a tiny little nano right now. I got it a few months ago but the addiction is real. I picked up a 40 gallon cube with a sump on Craigslist and I am trying to figure out what equipment to buy.


1. I never had issues with phosphates and nitrates in my nano but I want to be prepared so I got some carbon and GFO. Can I just throw them in a bag and put the bags in the sump?

I'm thinking about getting a reactor but they are kind of pricey. Are reactors even necessary for a small tank like 40 gallons or are they intended for larger tanks?

2. Which vortech pump should I get? An mp10 qd or mp10 wqd? I might pick up 2 of them or just 1 with a gyre of some sort. I don't really get what the benefit of the wireless version is.

Something to consider is that I might get the Apex if I can find a good deal. Is it better to just get the wireless if I plan to use the Apex or does wireless have nothing to do with Apex?

I cant speak for the gfo as I've never used it. I've always ran a refugium for my nitrate and phosphate control. For the vortechs, the mp10qd and the mp10wqd are the same pump, just the wqd has the ability to wirelessly communicate with other mp10wqd pumps, if you want to run them together I'd opt for the wqd. I use a pair on my 40 gallon and love them As far as the apex, if you like the ability to turn on and off equipment and monitor your levels from your phone, then the wifi version is the way to go. If you're like me and your almost never far away from your tank and just want a controller to run a set schedule for lights and pumps and to control temperature, then the classic would be the way to go.

 

[Super Fly]

1 - yes, u can place them in sump where there is good flow. Rinse them well prior to use. Many use these on a "need" basis and don't leave them in water 24/7 as we don't want 0 phosphate.
2 - just one MP10 sill be more than sufficient for 40 gal. As far as difference, what Crabs Mcjones said.

As far as controller, I would save $ and not get one unless u r into gadgets especially given its a 40 gal tank w not much equipment to control.