Newb, let my student talk me into this! :/

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ozzyoyo02

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I'm a high school teacher and one of my enthusiastic students talked me into setting up a coral tank for me and my daughter. He will be doing most of the work, but I want to know what to expect step by step - or what SHOULD be done step by step. I have only bought a 40 gallon tank so far. I would like to know what to buy next, and the best place to get them. SO ANY ADVICE WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED!!!!!! Lights I would like to be led and streamline if possible..
 
Chewy.com
Hi and welcome to R2R! You have an awesome student! HA!

I am assuming the tank will be set up in the classroom? Also do you have a local fish store that is close by?
 
If all goes well I may put one in my class..but that's hard considering I'm a wellness/pe teacher.. so this first one is going at my house..and if all things go well and I learn enough I will go larger.. the only store really around me is petco and petsmart..
 
www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
First off what kind of tank is this going to be? corals? and if so what type? this will depend on what type of flow you should get, also will there be a sump?
 
oceanparadise1 said:
First off what kind of tank is this going to be? corals? and if so what type? this will depend on what type of flow you should get, also will there be a sump?
Click to expand...
Sorry I should have been more clear.. it will be a coral tank.. I don't know anything other than that.. was looking for tips or advice on a path to follow..thanks
 
Well, if you have a sump or not will determine the type of skimmer we suggest. As far as flow, I like the hydros for price vs efficiency. You could do three 550s and they are pretty inexpensive at 30 a piece off www.thatpetplace.com


As far as skimmers I'm a fan of the reef octopus line.


Sent Via the R2R Forum APP on my iPhone5
 
Top Shelf Aquatics
Welcome to Reef2Reef, you came to the right place for tips n tricks to get started on the right path!

Do you plan on having a sump on the tank?
 
ozzyoyo02 said:
I'm a high school teacher and one of my enthusiastic students talked me into setting up a coral tank for me and my daughter. He will be doing most of the work, but I want to know what to expect step by step - or what SHOULD be done step by step. I have only bought a 40 gallon tank so far. I would like to know what to buy next, and the best place to get them. SO ANY ADVICE WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED!!!!!! Lights I would like to be led and streamline if possible..
Click to expand...

Perhaps already mentioned but the very first think I would do is setup part of the tank as a refugium for macro algaes. Even just a simple partition with some side lighting to light up the macros.

The idea is to get the tank balanced out with macro algae right from the start.


then do the rest.

my .02
 
Nutramar Foods
oceanparadise1 said:
Well, if you have a sump or not will determine the type of skimmer we suggest. As far as flow, I like the hydros for price vs efficiency. You could do three 550s and they are pretty inexpensive at 30 a piece off Pet Supplies and Fish Supplies at That Fish Place - That Pet Place


As far as skimmers I'm a fan of the reef octopus line.


Sent Via the R2R Forum APP on my iPhone5
Click to expand...

yeah I have been told by several people that hydro were the way to go.. but I was told to use two.. would 3 be better?? And I heard that reef octopus was a good line.. on another note.. I want to use led lights..and I heard taotronics is a good one.. does that sound right..thanks
 
beaslbob said:
Perhaps already mentioned but the very first think I would do is setup part of the tank as a refugium for macro algaes. Even just a simple partition with some side lighting to light up the macros.

The idea is to get the tank balanced out with macro algae right from the start.


then do the rest.

my .02
Click to expand...

Ok haven't heard that yet..does that help the ecosystem??
 
Hey just saw where you are from. Im up in Cookeville Tn. There are several good saltwater stores within about 15-20 mins of you depending on where in Nashville you are. If you are in Donelson there is a small but good one right off of old hickory blvd. called Emerald Bay. In Nashville at 5009 Nolensville pike is the largest saltwater store in the area. Its called the Aquatic Critter. Both places can help get you going, Also go onto the MTRC page on here. Just type MTRC into the search and you should find it pretty easy. There are tons of reef addicts in this area that may have some stuff cheaper than you would pay at the retail store to help get you started and a lot of them are very knowledgeable about equipment and later on coral selection.
 
MTRC (Middle Tennessee Reef Club) Just so you knew what those letters stood for lol. Sumps are useful to keep your skimmer and Macros in. Plus they add water volume which is always good, The more water you have the easier it is to maintain balance in parmaters. What school down there do you teach at?
 
www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
bjledbetter said:
Hey just saw where you are from. Im up in Cookeville Tn. There are several good saltwater stores within about 15-20 mins of you depending on where in Nashville you are. If you are in Donelson there is a small but good one right off of old hickory blvd. called Emerald Bay. In Nashville at 5009 Nolensville pike is the largest saltwater store in the area. Its called the Aquatic Critter. Both places can help get you going, Also go onto the MTRC page on here. Just type MTRC into the search and you should find it pretty easy. There are tons of reef addicts in this area that may have some stuff cheaper than you would pay at the retail store to help get you started and a lot of them are very knowledgeable about equipment and later on coral selection.
Click to expand...
Thanks I'm going to aquatic critter today..and I've heard of the mtmc but couldn't find it..hopefully I will be able to today..thanks I appreciate it a lot!!!
 
bjledbetter said:
MTRC (Middle Tennessee Reef Club) Just so you knew what those letters stood for lol. Sumps are useful to keep your skimmer and Macros in. Plus they add water volume which is always good, The more water you have the easier it is to maintain balance in parmaters. What school down there do you teach at?
Click to expand...
hunters lane high school..yeah we talked about going bigger but I wanted to try it first you know..
 
With that size tank you don't have to have sump. You could go with a hob skimmer and they work fine. All you need to start is get some good cured live rock ,skimmer, powerheads for circulation. Led lighting would be nice. Good salt mix using ro/di water only. I believe in keeping things simple. There are lots of goodies they will sell you if you don't mind spending some cash. You might want to get a test kit so you can test your water after you get tank going. Go slow and be patient and everything will work out for you.
 
Ok so I went to aquatic critter and got a list of things to buy.. do these sound right..

1. Eheim classic 350 - 2215. $166
2. Eheim jager heater 150w 79g $43
3. Hydor powerhead
4. Skimmer - either
Prizm hang on 40g $129
Coralife 65g superskimmer $154
5. Live sand/dry sand & Fuji rock
6. Salt
7. Dechormotor ?????
8. Buffer ???
9. 36" equator sky led $139 or taotronics 36,??

Does that sound right..can I do better..
 
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