New tank equipment help.

[ilpazzoo]

Hi Everyone, New here and have a few questions regarding setting up a new tank.

i was planning on going with a 40 gallon tank and i know a sump tank would be the ideal way to go but, I really don't have enough room for a sump tank. Would a canister filter be sufficient? or HOB filter? any advice or help would greatly be appreciated!! thanks everyone!

 

[Jesterrace]

Honestly under 50 gallons, a sump is nice but not necessary. DO NOT USE A CANISTER FILTER IN A SALTWATER TANK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are by far the most problematic filtration method since they are a pain to clean properly and can very quickly become nitrate factories and they are the method that is most prone to leakage. A Fluval 110 HOB filter would work fine for a tank of that size and a solid Hydor Koralia powerhead. I had a 36 gallon bowfront and used a single Hydor Koralia 3rd Gen 1950gph and it did a great job providing flow to the whole tank, so it would probably work for a 40 gallon. A HOB Protein Skimmer might be useful, but not 100% necessary if you do weekly or bi-weekly water changes. If you think you might upgrade at some point then I would skip the skimmer as it will just end up being money wasted.

 

[ilpazzoo]

thanks for the advice, would that be sufficient to house some corrals too?

 

[O'l Salty]

thanks for the advice, would that be sufficient to house some corrals too?

I had a 40 breeder with a HOB filter, power head and Orbit Marine light. I kept all kinds of corals including SPS.

 

[K. Steven]

How much room do you have in your stand?

 

[sil40sx]

IMO, the best way to go is an AIO (all-in-one) tank, more convenient than a canister. Plus you can hide some of the equipment(s) at the back.

There are plenty options out there, depends if you want cube, shallow or deep. First thing comes to mind are JBJ and Innovative Marine, etc.,

 

[mjlash22]

IMO, the best way to go is an AIO (all-in-one) tank, more convenient than a canister. Plus you can hide some of the equipment(s) at the back.

There are plenty options out there, depends if you want cube, shallow or deep. First thing comes to mind are JBJ and Innovative Marine, etc.,

+1 If you're looking in the 40g range, there are some nice AIO units outs there around that capacity.
Not sure what you're price range is, but the Red Sea Max E-170 is a good option, but probably on the higher end of cost.

 

[Tristan H]

I just ordered a Red Sea reefer xl 425 deluxe. I know the light that come with them aren’t the best but should get me up and running for awhile then I want to upgrade to redions. With the package I also ordered

A m1 return pump
2 - mp 40 power heads
A skimmz protein skimmer
A Neptune apex controller
6 stage ro/di system from bulk reef

My question is what else would you buy for the set up. My main concern is in the sump area. I think I am going to get a Neptune DOS setup. Would this eliminate the need for reactors? I am new to saltwater and want to start of right! Any suggestion would be great and thanks for your time