Bouncing some ideas around...

[Dustinba]

So today I have been bouncing a few ideas around in my head that make sense, but maybe not. That's is why I have you all for help and suggestions. I know this is a reef forum but after crunching the numbers and adding everything up, i may just do a fish only for now. Then later add the refuge and upgrade to some t-5 lighting or LEDs.

The thing I was wondering though, with the 40 gallon tank I have now, and once I put the sand and let's say around 40lbs of live rock, will two HOB filters be fine? Or will i "need" a protein skimmer. I also have a few power heads in the tank as well. Also the fish selection will mainly be small fish. 4 clowns, some firefish, sea star, and some clean up crew as well.

Thanks for the help.

 

[redfishbluefish]

It's do-able if you stay up with filter maintenance. Although I do question four clowns in a 40 gallon tank.....you'll eventually end up with two paired fish and two dead fish. Once mature, they are territorial and will fight to the death.

 

[maxxin69]

I've seen people only use power heads to run their tanks. HOB shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Rob.D]

I agree with Redfish, I have a skimmerless 7 gallon nano and I'm finding that weekly water changes are the only way to keep excess nutrients at bay. Also agree that 4 clowns will not reach maturity in a 40 gallon.

 

[Palting]

40 gallon fish only with a HOB filter should be fine. I would suggest getting a 75-100 gallon capacity HOB. Weekly filter maintenance and weekly 10% water changes with a 5 gallon bucket, proper feeding and proper fish choices and there is excellent chance you will be successful.

However, if you plan on a reef in the future, you may find it hard to upgrade from that set-up. You may have to start from scratch with an all new reef set-up.

 

[Dustinba]

Awesome. Thank you for the advice. The hob I have now i believe is rated for 75. And when I eventually do upgrade to the reef, I will put the fish in a quarantine tank or sell them until everything matures and settles with the reed to put them back in