A little about me!

[zoe_rclark]

Hey all!

My name is Zoe, and I am completely new to the aquarium hobby. I’m in what I call my research phase of my journey. I have been scouring the web and YouTube for all the information to get started, and figured joining a few communities may help answer some questions. I do not have a tank yet but am looking at getting with a 40 gallon AIO breeder. Any suggestions for a tank of those specifications would be awesome. I’d like to stick to my budget, but am willing to spend a little more if it offers a better outcome in the long run!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

 

[4FordFamily]

Welcome home, you will love it here!

Keep us posted on the build with lots of photos!

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome Zoe, glad you are here!

 

[zheka757]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Uncle99]

Hey all!

My name is Zoe, and I am completely new to the aquarium hobby. I’m in what I call my research phase of my journey. I have been scouring the web and YouTube for all the information to get started, and figured joining a few communities may help answer some questions. I do not have a tank yet but am looking at getting with a 40 gallon AIO breeder. Any suggestions for a tank of those specifications would be awesome. I’d like to stick to my budget, but am willing to spend a little more if it offers a better outcome in the long run!

Get some rock, saltwater, flow and bacteria’s in a brute garbage bucket.

Change 50% water each month till tank is ready.
The longer it sits, the better.

Now you have pest free live rock to start your system.

Rock is the backbone of your new system.

Welcome 2R2R!

 

[Anna K]

Welcome to the community Zoe! You've hit the jackpot if you're looking for information on all things saltwater here. The search feature is amazing (top right hand corner), and it's saved me from making numerous posts. I just started my saltwater journey almost two months ago, and I went with an Innovative Marine 40L AIO. I think the AIO is the best part of the tank because it's helped me learn a lot as I go, and you can still customize the back baskets if you want with different vendors media baskets, skimmers, etc. I got it on the blemish tank side on their site, here, and I'd highly recommend looking their blemish side to save a few bucks. I haven't really been able to find my blemish on the tank, and that seems to be the census for a lot of others on here who've also purchased a blemished tank from them! The rule of thumb for AIO's that I've read was not to go above 60g. :) Please check out my build thread/tank thread if you want some ideas on a 40 gallon!

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Hey all!

My name is Zoe, and I am completely new to the aquarium hobby. I’m in what I call my research phase of my journey. I have been scouring the web and YouTube for all the information to get started, and figured joining a few communities may help answer some questions. I do not have a tank yet but am looking at getting with a 40 gallon AIO breeder. Any suggestions for a tank of those specifications would be awesome. I’d like to stick to my budget, but am willing to spend a little more if it offers a better outcome in the long run!

Welcome Zoe! That’s a great footprint to start with. I would go with something like that with an overflow to a sump for more water volume. Most AIO’s that are around the 3 foot range are a bit wider and taller such as a 65-69 gallon, and include the display, all your plumbing, and a sump. Some users here sell their setups from time to time.

I will be moving to a 4 foot tank in a few months but I am in NJ. My tank is similar to a 40b, but deeper and wider (69g Nyos Opus 300 series). I’d sell you it but you would have to wait.

Think about what you want in your tank. Fish only? Coral? If so, what kind of coral? This will determine how much lighting you will need to give them what they need.

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[I never finish anythi]

Welcome to reef 2 reef Zoe.

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R and the salty world Zoe. Take things slowly. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.

 

[Shnetts]

Welcome to r2r!!!

 

[petcellar]

Welcome!

 

[CoralB]

Welcome !! :cool:

 

[KrisReef]

Welcome to Reef2Reef.

This is a difficult hobby to keep a budget in.

Decide what fish, corals, and other things you hope to keep before you buy an aquarium. The tank should be bought hat fits your goals, otherwise you will quit or upgrade.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Hey all!

My name is Zoe, and I am completely new to the aquarium hobby. I’m in what I call my research phase of my journey. I have been scouring the web and YouTube for all the information to get started, and figured joining a few communities may help answer some questions. I do not have a tank yet but am looking at getting with a 40 gallon AIO breeder. Any suggestions for a tank of those specifications would be awesome. I’d like to stick to my budget, but am willing to spend a little more if it offers a better outcome in the long run!

I hear ya with the research factor. I came back to R2R in Feb of '24 with the intention of boning up on my skill set before diving back in after 12 years out. And as life has had me pushed off my own launch (twice.......now Spring of '26), I find I'll have more time to study up and gain a greater level of expertise prior to pulling the trigger. I'm happy to hear that you're taking the time to gain your own level of expertise prior to launching. IMO, it ain't done enough. Not nearly enough.

So Greetings and Welcome to our collective obsession!

 

[Brisk]

Welcome!