Unrelated questions, bear with me

[Linden]

Bear with me here, I have a couple of completely unrelated questions and besides reading through a couple of threads here I am absolutely brand new to saltwater of any kind.

1) I have space for a 40 gallon breeder tank. Realistically, how much money is this project going to cost me? Ballpark estimate is fine. I really just want to know what it's going to take to get to the point where I have water in a tank and get to watch algae grow. From what research I've done I think I want to keep LPS corals and I really really want to eventually get some pajama cardinal fish. But I'm in no hurry to get there.

2) I AM super excited about setting up a tank. So I'm thinking about setting up a pico tank in the meantime. I know they are generally going to be high maintenance, but I just want a fun little project to do while I save up. I have an empty 5 gallon that I think I'm going to throw some sand and live rock in just to have something to test and watch while I'm saving up for my main tank. Does anyone have ideas for critters I could eventually throw in the tank? Maybe some kind of snail? Google was like, keep a clown fish! and that doesn't seem right.

4) Ok getting more into my 40 gallon tank. With the stand I have now I don't have space for a sump. Is that possible with saltwater? If so, what sort of equipment changes do I need to look at, and if not, does anyone have any stands they recommend?

Thank you so much in advance for any help!

 

[KingTideCorals]

Welcome to the hobby!

Money is never in the equation sometimes in this hobby LOL

Maybe my new channel can help with some tips, picos are fun water stability is key and you can get away without a sump!

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

Bear with me here, I have a couple of completely unrelated questions and besides reading through a couple of threads here I am absolutely brand new to saltwater of any kind.

1) I have space for a 40 gallon breeder tank. Realistically, how much money is this project going to cost me? Ballpark estimate is fine. I really just want to know what it's going to take to get to the point where I have water in a tank and get to watch algae grow. From what research I've done I think I want to keep LPS corals and I really really want to eventually get some pajama cardinal fish. But I'm in no hurry to get there.

2) I AM super excited about setting up a tank. So I'm thinking about setting up a pico tank in the meantime. I know they are generally going to be high maintenance, but I just want a fun little project to do while I save up. I have an empty 5 gallon that I think I'm going to throw some sand and live rock in just to have something to test and watch while I'm saving up for my main tank. Does anyone have ideas for critters I could eventually throw in the tank? Maybe some kind of snail? Google was like, keep a clown fish! and that doesn't seem right.

4) Ok getting more into my 40 gallon tank. With the stand I have now I don't have space for a sump. Is that possible with saltwater? If so, what sort of equipment changes do I need to look at, and if not, does anyone have any stands they recommend?

Thank you so much in advance for any help!

1) How much space (dimensions) do you have to work with? You say enough for a 40 breeder, you definitely want the biggest possible. Especially if your first tank.

2) Skip the pico. It’s hard. Use it for a ATO reservoir for your main tank (the 40 breeder).

3) You skipped 3. : )

4) You don’t need a sump. Can be done with HOB equipment.

Keep researching.
Enjoy the journey. Its the best part.

 

[Linden]

1) How much space (dimensions) do you have to work with? You say enough for a 40 breeder, you definitely want the biggest possible. Especially if your first tank.

2) Skip the pico. It’s hard. Use it for a ATO reservoir for your main tank (the 40 breeder).

3) You skipped 3. : )

4) You don’t need a sump. Can be done with HOB equipment.

Keep researching.
Enjoy the journey. Its the best part.

Thank you! I deleted a question because I answered it myself lol. My bad.