40 gallon tank supply list and places to buy?

[cypike]

Im looking to get into the hobby and have watched a lot of videos on saltwater tanks and read a lot on them, but clearly there are some gaps in my knowledge.

Is there a way to get a tank set up to be able to make a reef tank for under $500? What are the most minimal supples needed in order to get a 40 gallon tank up and running without any stock? I get most confused when it comes to pumps and filtration.
There seems to be an infinite number of ways to do things and I need a dumbed down version.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cypike]

I have a film on top of my water in the brute after adding salt and mixing for 12 hrs, not sure if this is normal or not. I’ll try to get a pic soon.

 

[ElementReefer]

I have a film on top of my water in the brute after adding salt and mixing for 12 hrs, not sure if this is normal or not. I’ll try to get a pic soon.

Did you clean the Brute before filling? Or, did you fill with the lid off?

Surface film = things that are lighter than saltwater, mainly light organic material and oils.

 

[cypike]

Did you clean the Brute before filling? Or, did you fill with the lid off?

Surface film = things that are lighter than saltwater, mainly light organic material and oils.

I filled the brute up with water completely but didn’t clean it much, filled it up with RODI water and there wasn’t a film, but after adding salt and letting it mix there’s a film. I have a lid on it but it doesn’t fit well.

 

[cypike]

Here’s my PH

 

[cypike]

And here is the stuff on top, not sure what this is. Maybe salt?

 

[cypike]

dumped it in, cloudiness is from the sand. I think the stuff on top was precipitate

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

I Hope that is not an IKEA Cabinet. I know someone, who used an IKEA with a 3/4” top. Fasteners let go early one morning, dropped the tank into the floor.

 

[cypike]

I Hope that is not an IKEA Cabinet. I know someone, who used an IKEA with a 3/4” top. Fasteners let go early one morning, dropped the tank into the floor.

It’s not ikea, it’s from pet smart and is supposed to be able to hold more than a 50 gallon tank. It’s pretty sturdy feeling so I actually think it’s ok quality.

 

[cypike]

Batch two of saltwater added, going to let it settle out a bit and then add Dr Tim’s and turn off the lights for 48 hours, along with any mechanical pumps and things of that nature.

 

[ElementReefer]

Batch two of saltwater added, going to let it settle out a bit and then add Dr Tim’s and turn off the lights for 48 hours, along with any mechanical pumps and things of that nature.

You’ll want to keep the pumps and power heads going from here on out, unless you’re feeding or changing water. Reefs have lots of flow (fast or slow depends on environment of course) and oxygenation. The microbes don’t need calm water. The only filtration you want to pause when you introduce your microbes are skimmer and carbon (or other chemical media.)

 

[cypike]

its clearing up, haven’t added bacteria quite yet. Need to decide what to add to my filter.

 

[cypike]

*Double post

 

[cypike]

Added bacteria and ammonia, turned lights off and now begins the cycle

 

[cypike]

Added bacteria 2 days ago, not much has changed yet but haven’t measured anything today so we shall see. Being patient with it, I’m sure it will start cycling eventually.

 

[cypike]

Nothing yet it doesn’t seem, now wondering if I should add more ammonia like Tim’s suggests or wait until things start to convert

 

[ElementReefer]

Nothing yet it doesn’t seem, now wondering if I should add more ammonia like Tim’s suggests or wait until things start to convert

You could add more ammonia if you want, but the archaea that eat ammonia grow slowly, and nothing you can do about that but wait.

 

[cypike]

looks like it’s starting to convert from ammonia to nitrite and nitrate

 

[ElementReefer]

Yup definitely going now! You will notice some cross reactivity with the Hanna nitrite and nitrate tests. I wouldn’t focus too much on the strict values of them as much as the overall progress.

 

[cypike]

I’m now looking at this ESHOPPS Eclipse Slim Overflow Box (Small) https://a.co/d/dcOks8U

And this Esh Sump Reef System Rs-75 https://a.co/d/h29e5of

Lol

 

[cypike]

I’m now looking at this ESHOPPS Eclipse Slim Overflow Box (Small) https://a.co/d/dcOks8U

And this Esh Sump Reef System Rs-75 https://a.co/d/h29e5of

Lol

But only looking, for now HOB is fine