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.

 

[PotatoPig]

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

If you’ve not thrown in the towel on budgeting and want to set up a *basic* sump Petco’s has their half price tanks on at the moment. A 20 long will set you back a whole $27 or grab a 29 gallon for $40.

As an initial step you could just use it as-is with a filter sock holder clipped on and your heaters dumped in it.

If you want to divide it up (probably a good idea if only to ensure it can’t overflow your tank in the event of a return failure) go see a local glass store and they should be able to cut baffles for about $10/piece and then another $10 for silicone and you’re set. Just make sure you space them to fit your heaters, filter sock and skimmer (if any).

 

[cypike]

Day 4, probably going to add more ammonia shortly.

 

[cypike]

still haven’t added more ammonia, it’s still at about 1 ppm. Nitrites are sky high it seems though. Not sure if that’s an issue or not.

 

[cypike]

Still holding off on adding ammonia but it’s now down to about .5ppm. Nitrites are still high but looks like they’re being converted to nitrate so that’s good. I’ll add ammonia after ammonia hits zero.

 

[cypike]

Looks like things are being converted to nitrate now, still haven’t added ammonia but will when it hits 0 just to see how long it converts.

 

[Dave1993]

See the thing about API test kits are they are complete trash

 

[cypike]

See the thing about API test kits are they are complete trash

So I hear, I have salifert ones coming tomorrow

 

[cypike]

So I hear, I have salifert ones coming tomorrow

But I will say, these do show movement as expected

 

[Dave1993]

salifert are trash too hanna is the only way to go but also a waste of money for ammonia/nitrite checkers

 

[cypike]

I mean I’m sure they aren’t as accurate as Hannah ones but I also am sure they’re good enough to get the job done.

 

[Dave1993]

I mean I’m sure they aren’t as accurate as Hannah ones but I also am sure they’re good enough to get the job done.

not really salifert says i still have 1.5ppm ammonia and 1ppm nitrite they are incapable of reading 0
only way too truly see if your tank is cycled is buy a snail add it see if it lives

 

[cypike]

I mean I’m sure they aren’t as accurate as Hannah ones but I also am sure they’re good enough to

not really salifert says i still have 1.5ppm ammonia and 1ppm nitrite they are incapable of reading 0

mine read zero originally with ammonia, but I suppose they could pick up on other things and claim it’s ammonia

 

[Dave1993]

I mean I’m sure they aren’t as accurate as Hannah ones but I also am sure they’re good enough to

mine read zero originally with ammonia, but I suppose they could pick up on other things and claim it’s ammonia

how long has ur tank been set up did you add live bacteria? you might be cycled now tbh

 

[cypike]

how long has ur tank been set up did you add live bacteria? you might be cycled now tbh

It’s only been 7 days since adding bacteria

 

[Dave1993]

It’s only been 7 days since adding bacteria

wait another 7 days play it safe add a snail see how it does but u r probs cycled now tbh

 

[cypike]

wait another 7 days play it safe add a snail see how it does but u r probs cycled now tbh

Yeah I’m not afraid of waiting, just documenting my progress. I’d like to see some progress on the nitrites and then I’m going to dose ammonia again to see how fast it moves. If it moves fast I’m probably cycled.

 

[Dave1993]

Yeah I’m not afraid of waiting, just documenting my progress. I’d like to see some progress on the nitrites and then I’m going to dose ammonia again to see how fast it moves. If it moves fast I’m probably cycled.

just to make you aware nitrites don't matter in salt water as long as you can process ammonia

 

[cypike]

just to make you aware nitrites don't matter in salt water as long as you can process ammonia

Yeah I’m just watching to see if it does that efficiently

 

[cypike]

Looks like zero ammonia, going to wait for nitrites to get converted and then add more ammonia to see how fast that gets converted

 

[cypike]

Dosed ammonia today as nitrite was .25, hoping for a nitrite spike tomorrow and for it to be processed in 48 hours