New to the hobby- questions

[Scud]

Hi there!
I have been doing freshwater aquariums for quite some time, and recently decided to try my hand at a 40 gallon reef tank. I think I’m going to try to go sumpless.

So far I have only purchased-
40 gallon breeder tank
Seachem tidal 110 HOB filter
100 watt heater
Thermometer
Refractometer

I still need to get the lights, test kit, power heads, refugium, RO system, salt, sand, dry rock.

Looking to do some of the easier stuff in the beginning- soft corals, zoas, shrimp and a couple fish- but eventually move onto harder stuff once I have a feel for everything.

What I need to know, what else do I need to start up a solid reef tank?

And why do people say that mechanical filtration becomes nitrate factories? In the freshwater world this isn’t the case. What is the difference with saltwater? Is there more waste produced?
I’ve maintained planted aquariums for a long time, without issue. Usually only cleaning out the filters once in a blue moon- and even then, I only us distilled water, as to preserve some of the beneficial bacteria.

Would a HOB filter rated for 400gph, combined with lots of live rock, and strong flow be enough?
Would I need a skimmer?
I’m going to do a small refugium with some macro algae and microorganisms. Hoping that will be enough. I’m limited on space, and cannot do anything larger.

thanks for any advice!

 

[SPR1968]

Hi and welcome to R2R!!

This should answer many of your questions and anything else just ask

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Scud]

Thanks, I’ll check it out!

Hi and welcome to R2R!!

This should answer many of your questions and anything else just ask

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[WVNed]

Mechanical filtration catches stuff from the water which dies and then bacteria eat it and spit out nitrates. The only way it doesn't is if you clean it very frequently like every 2-3 days.
What should happen is stuff stays in the water until it is eaten by something. The marine food chain is much longer than the freshwater one and contains a large number of filter feeders.
A good skimmer is kind of a do all on a reef tank. It aerates the water, it removes particulates and it exports some nutrients.
Here is a pic of my tank. I only run a skimmer.
See the wall? You are looking through 4 feet of water.

 

[Hemmdog]

I’d strongly consider drilling the 40b and adding a sump. I did this with my 40b, it’s amazing how much more stability a sump provides the system. It’s really not to hard to figure out; And if you can already fit a 40b, why not use the space below it for a sump.

~3 months later

 

[WVNed]

Really Ned
How well can a skimmer clean water?
80 pounds of unwashed crushed coral goes in. Plus 40 pounds of dirty sand from an old tank move also not washed. I wanted the dirt in the tank.
Again with the tank on the right you see the wall through 4 feet of water.

2 days later

3 days

I kept freshwater for 3 decades before starting marine tanks. They are easier
if you let them be. You need good water movement and good lighting and a skimmer. Double super turbo filtration is not needed. Why make work for yourself.

A sump can be an old tank with some glass glued in it
This is what sits under the tank on the right above

It can be other stuff too
This is what runs the big tank.

It gives you somewhere to put the stuff to run the tank where you cant see it.

 

[Scud]

All great replies thank you!

The biggest issue with the sump for me is space. My tank is going to be on a granite countertop in my house. My wife would not be keen on me drilling holes in it. However, I could potentially pipe it through the wall behind it- but it seems like a lot of work.
So if at all possible I was hoping to go without a sump.

 

[Scud]

And with that said, I’ll definitely be grabbing a good skimmer.

 

[WMR]

I’d strongly consider drilling the 40b and adding a sump. I did this with my 40b, it’s amazing how much more stability a sump provides the system. It’s really not to hard to figure out; And if you can already fit a 40b, why not use the space below it for a sump.

~3 months later

Nice tank setup & nice board

 

[Hemmdog]

Nice tank setup & nice board

Thank you

 

[WMR]

Welcome to R2R! You’ll find all the answers to your questions here. Keep the fw tanks going too, good luck

 

[Auquanut]

Welcome to R2R, the absolute best place to get questions answered. I keep FW planted tanks too. for me the difference is stability. With the planted tanks, the plants themselves help to keep a healthy balance (thats why refugiums are so popular with reef tanks). If you were to decide to keep a FOWLR tank, that balance isn't quite as demanding, but when you start adding corals it becomes more of an issue. Corals love stability. In my opinion, you absolutely can use HOB filtration. I would go with something rated at twice the water volume you have and clean it often. Of course, if it were me, I would use a sump if possible. They're just easier, increase your water volume, and give you options for when the demands of the tank change as it matures. Oh yeah, and for me a skimmer is a must. Hope this helps.

 

[Scud]

Welcome to R2R, the absolute best place to get questions answered. I keep FW planted tanks too. for me the difference is stability. With the planted tanks, the plants themselves help to keep a healthy balance (thats why refugiums are so popular with reef tanks). If you were to decide to keep a FOWLR tank, that balance isn't quite as demanding, but when you start adding corals it becomes more of an issue. Corals love stability. In my opinion, you absolutely can use HOB filtration. I would go with something rated at twice the water volume you have and clean it often. Of course, if it were me, I would use a sump if possible. They're just easier, increase your water volume, and give you options for when the demands of the tank change as it matures. Oh yeah, and for me a skimmer is a must. Hope this helps.

Dooley noted.
My HOB filter is rated for 400gph? I think that’s adequate for a 40 gallon- maybe even a little much?
I love my planted tanks, I’ve kept them for years- and for years wanted a reef tank- but the thought and the money always scared me- but recently I decided to stop being scared and give it a go.

Attached are some pics of my 7gallon planted tank- recently rearranged. I used to have a 29 gallon- but took it down when we moved across country.

 

[Auquanut]

for years wanted a reef tank- but the thought and the money always scared me- but recently I decided to stop being scared and give it a go.

Go for it! You won't regret it.

Attached are some pics of my 7gallon planted tank- recently rearranged.

Awesome little tank. You obviously know what you're doing.

 

[Rakkasan]

Mechanical filtration catches stuff from the water which dies and then bacteria eat it and spit out nitrates. The only way it doesn't is if you clean it very frequently like every 2-3 days.
What should happen is stuff stays in the water until it is eaten by something. The marine food chain is much longer than the freshwater one and contains a large number of filter feeders.
A good skimmer is kind of a do all on a reef tank. It aerates the water, it removes particulates and it exports some nutrients.
Here is a pic of my tank. I only run a skimmer.
See the wall? You are looking through 4 feet of water.

What light is this that you're using. Beautiful tank! What kind of coral are you using?

 

[WVNed]

That was a while ago. Things have changed. That is a Reefbreeders Photon V2 with a shade I made stuck on it.
400 gallons now.
No filtration in this system either.
I have a skimmer with ozone now.
I have LPS, softies and macro algae in the tanks. I am more of a fish person. I just want more than bare rocks for them to swim around.
That 75 has been redone. I am putting an eel and dwarf lion in it. I just ordered them from Aqua Locker.