new to the hobby

[Crovax85]

Hey all. I'm very new to the hobby and.have been doing a lot of reading and research but there is so much information out there. This is my first tank and I am starting with a 40gallon breeder tank. I would like to start out with a FOWLR system and eventually my gf would like to be able to add some coral. My biggest question I have is what kind of filtration system should I be looking into? I've read all sorts of people using anything from a sump with different options to an HOB refugium and even just mechanical filters with biowheels.

 

[Downbeach]

First of all, welcome to the club.
A sump would be your best choice, since it's a great place to place your equipment, keep your tank a lot neater looking, and it will also add to your overall water volume. The first two pieces of equipment that I always think of when I hear someone starting out is and RO/DI unit and a skimmer. Using a sump will give you more options when it comes to the type of equipment, i.e. skimmer, you will need, but there are also some good Hang On Back devices too. Drilling the tank for an overflow to sump, would be the best option, but there are siphon type overflows that are available too.

 

[Paul C.]

Do u have the tank already? Is it drilled? A sump can either be bought or made. Making would obviously save u some dollars to put into a better skimmer, or into ur lighting. Say going from a 2 to 4 bulb T5 or some very nice LED's like what u can find from a few members here. As for the RO/DI.. I agree its a necessary piece of equipment, however, for a first purchase I'd pass. I have a 75 gallon tank and sump. Total volume is probably around 85 Gallons. I bought water weekly for my ATO and water changes. Just last week, after a year, i finally bought my Ro/DI system. No more lugging 5 gallon buckets for me. Lol. ATO is another great piece of needed equipment. Keep the sump level, skimmer works better, and salinity stays constant. Keep asking questions.. Paul C.

 

[cdness]

First off Welcome to R2R!

A sump would be the best choice if you have the choice when it comes to filtration. It is so much more flexible and clean looking than a bunch of HOB devices. This is assuming the tank is drilled... If it is not drilled the HOB skimmer is all you really need...

 

[Crovax85]

Thanks for all the quick input. Really appreciate it. I was thinking sump as well mostly because of down the road changes I am anticipating such as adding the coral and what not. I deffinately want to get a good filtration system going before I even think about getting the live sand and salt water. Making sure to take the time to plan it all out ahead of time to help minimize problems as much as possible.

Do u have the tank already? Is it drilled? A sump can either be bought or made. Making would obviously save u some dollars to put into a better skimmer, or into ur lighting. Say going from a 2 to 4 bulb T5 or some very nice LED's like what u can find from a few members here. As for the RO/DI.. I agree its a necessary piece of equipment, however, for a first purchase I'd pass. I have a 75 gallon tank and sump. Total volume is probably around 85 Gallons. I bought water weekly for my ATO and water changes. Just last week, after a year, i finally bought my Ro/DI system. No more lugging 5 gallon buckets for me. Lol. ATO is another great piece of needed equipment. Keep the sump level, skimmer works better, and salinity stays constant. Keep asking questions.. Paul C.

Yes I already have the tank, 40 gallon breeder. No it is not drilled. Do you know of where I can find a good source on building a sump? How big of a sump should I plan on? What would be better planned in the sump, more live rock or a refugium?

 

[fragmatic]

I would like to clear up a misunderstanding you MAY have. Most of us do not use a "filtration system". That is mostly a fresh water concept. We use live rock (LR) which has numerous bacteria and creatures in the holes, pores, and crevices which are the filtration eco system. You should think about buying over 1 pound of LR to every gallon of tank water. There are methods to cut this cost down but in the end you are going to want to end up with the proper amount of live rock. The sump is a way to move water in and out of your tank and house equipment out of sight and plumb in other devices you may decide to use while adding additional volume of water and refugium and/or other activities. It is a head full but you are on the right track.

 

[Paul C.]

Just noticed ur in MA. Western MA here. Ur at the stage where u gotta plan. As for the sump, as big as u can fit under the stand, and still have room for say a reactor, or a external pump, etc. Measure and see whats available, or u could build one. On my 75, theres one inlet, 2-4" socks, a refugium, skimmer takes up most of the return section. I had to move the pump externally to fit skimmer. I use a inline heater from Hydor just to save more room inside the sump. I'd build a sump using i'd say a 20 gal long. If u put the skimmer in the sump, u could always use the HOB refugium. Then figure out what u'd like for lighting.

 

[Crovax85]

I would like to clear up a misunderstanding you MAY have. Most of us do not use a "filtration system". That is mostly a fresh water concept. We use live rock (LR) which has numerous bacteria and creatures in the holes, pores, and crevices which are the filtration eco system. You should think about buying over 1 pound of LR to every gallon of tank water. There are methods to cut this cost down but in the end you are going to want to end up with the proper amount of live rock. The sump is a way to move water in and out of your tank and house equipment out of sight and plumb in other devices you may decide to use while adding additional volume of water and refugium and/or other activities. It is a head full but you are on the right track.

Lol yes I am aware of the differences between the freshwater filtration and saltwater. I guess to me just calling it a "filtration system" made sense as the LR and LS act as natural filtering to help take the bad chemicals out of the water helping to improve the quality just like a mechanical filter for freshwater. I do plan on 40lbs LR for my system and probably put more in the sump. I appreciate the input and you are right it is deffinately a head full especially all the information out there. I figured it would be best to join a forum and ask questions based off of my specific project.

 

[Crovax85]

Just noticed ur in MA. Western MA here. Ur at the stage where u gotta plan. As for the sump, as big as u can fit under the stand, and still have room for say a reactor, or a external pump, etc. Measure and see whats available, or u could build one. On my 75, theres one inlet, 2-4" socks, a refugium, skimmer takes up most of the return section. I had to move the pump externally to fit skimmer. I use a inline heater from Hydor just to save more room inside the sump. I'd build a sump using i'd say a 20 gal long. If u put the skimmer in the sump, u could always use the HOB refugium. Then figure out what u'd like for lighting.

Cool. Ya I am down on the south coast about 45 mins from cape cod. Right now I have an open stand that I got in the deal with the tank and some fresh water accessories. I do plan on trying to nab some sort of stand off of craigslist so that I can hide the sump and other equipment as well as a tank for the sump because I think I make one. I just have to find a good source for directions to build one. Now I have to figure out if I want to do a siphon set up or pay to have my tank drilled.

 

[fragmatic]

You may want to take advantage of the $1 per gallon sale at PetSmart. I did and got a 20 long to add to my system for $20. If it fits that would make a great sump. You will need to add some acrylic partitions and bubble traps, but there is plenty of help here to explain good ways to do that. You will never get a sump that cheap any other way. Is your tank drilled or do you need to get a HOB (hang on the back) overflow system? If so I know nothing about HOB systems.

EDIT: You will never be sorry if you drill. Be sure they drill for the bulkhead connectors they have in stock.


AND -> WELCOME to the forum!

 

[Crovax85]

Not drilled. Probably going to have to do a HOB as I am unaware of anywhere near me that could drill the glass for me.

 

[Paul C.]

Im sure you will get many replies about drilling. I have never done glass, but think its a pretty simple procedure. Just a thought about your stand. Your 40 breeder is 36" long if i recall. Thinking ahead, and how i think all of us here get to at some point... You will run out of room, and want to upgrade. Lol... The breeder is 18" wide just like a 75 or 90.. Maybe make your stand 48" long for future growth..

 

[fragmatic]

Not drilled. Probably going to have to do a HOB as I am unaware of anywhere near me that could drill the glass for me.

I have drilled one of my tanks and it is not all that hard nor expensive. Check out the DIY areas for how to's. Or ask for help, plenty have done it, few if any have failed.