Completely new here

[Bl00dAngel97]

Hey guys, I’m about to buy a 40-50 gallon from Petco because they’re having there famous dollar per gallon sale. This will be my first saltwater but I’ve wanted one since I was little. I was looking for a new hobby and I’ve had countless experience with freshwater, including Betta and other fish breeding. Saltwater, though, is a whole other ballgame with beautiful fish and coral and inverts and everything! Now I am on a budget, so I’m looking for the cheapest set up for that tank, keeping in mind I will upgrade constantly overtime. I would like to do a reef aquarium because I love the coral too :). So any suggestions on cheap lighting good for coral, and a cheap setup in general. I got some good advice earlier, but looking for more.

 

[SPR1968]

Welcome to R2R it’s great to have you with us!

You might find this useful as well

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[JumboShrimp]

Welcome aboard! If you are on a budget (and who isn’t, right?), maybe decide to go one of two ways: Either purchase “adequate” equipment in all three main areas— filtration, flow, and lighting— knowing that upgrading as you get into corals with more particular needs can come with time, or, buy a “keeper” item in one category— such as the lighting that you think you will need in the future— and then upgrade the in other two main equipment areas down the road. Just my way of conceptualizing where you are... Best wishes!

 

[Bl00dAngel97]

Welcome aboard! If you are on a budget (and who isn’t, right?), maybe decide to go one of two ways: Either purchase “adequate” equipment in all three main areas— filtration, flow, and lighting— knowing that upgrading as you get into corals with more particular needs can come with time, or, buy a “keeper” item in one category— such as the lighting that you think you will need in the future— and then upgrade the in other two main equipment areas down the road. Just my way of conceptualizing where you are... Best wishes!

Great idea thank you! So I think I just want to go with a pair of clownfish to get it started. Some clean up crew. And maybe a few corals. So I can do soft corals for now, in my honest opinion they’re more interesting than the hard corals I’ve seen anyways. But I am new, so I’ve seen very little. And I know for the most part soft corals are easier and more hardy when it comes to low light. As far as filtration I was thinking getting a small protein skimmer and a carbon hang on the glass filter. I understand these things will need to be update as the bio load goes up. Basically what I’ve been learning is, everyone has there different ways. And the main things is making sure the water levels stay the same and that the skimmers and sumps and things of that sort just make it easier. But I will definitely be on top of water changes and things until I am able to get better equipment to help keep it clean

 

[Bl00dAngel97]

Welcome to R2R it’s great to have you with us!

You might find this useful as well

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

Thank you, that is very helpful. I think I just want to get a clown pair so they can establish dominance and help cycle the tank. Some clean up crew. And maybe some very hardy coral. The lighting is what’s killing me right now. Lighting and filtration.

 

[KrisReef]

@Bl00dAngel97

Welcome to R2R
If you are going to start with clownfish, next you will want an anemone for them to host which means you will soon need a good lighting system. Water quality can be kept up with water changes, but most folks try and use live rock and a good skimmer to cut down on the number of water changes they have to do.
The $1/gallon tanks do not have overflows for a sump, and a sump is a good place to hide a skimmer, and you can generally put a bigger skimmer in the sump than you can hang off the back. You can add a siphon overflow down the road, but if you think you might want to drill the tank you need to be certain that it is made from untempered (raw) glass, and not tempered glass because you can't drill tempered glass and get the hole where you want it.

Salt water: Should be mixed with RODI so your water change doesn't add unwanted stuff into your tank. All of this water change cost will impacting a budget.

And best of luck with the new hobby. You have come to the right place to find folks who will try and help you succeed at it! Welcome again to R2R!

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Welcome to R2R.

For filtration on the 40 you can use a canister like the Fluval 306. Just be sure to do regular maintenance on it. I ran one on a 40g for nearly two years with regular monthly cleaning of the filter unit. Having an overflow to a sump and skimmer is better, but not required on a 40 to be successful. Just stay on top of water changes and such.

For lighting if you want cheap the black box LEDs are super powerful and cheap but will require additional mounting etc. Other options is something like this light, the Pixie 30 Marine.

https://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Spe...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ZTPP7MZ0A36CV7EZC8CK

They have been out for a year or so now and are fairly inexpensive and the reviews are favorable on them. For a 40 breeder you would need at least two of them if all you are keeping is soft and lps corals.

 

[Bl00dAngel97]

Welcome to R2R.

For filtration on the 40 you can use a canister like the Fluval 306. Just be sure to do regular maintenance on it. I ran one on a 40g for nearly two years with regular monthly cleaning of the filter unit. Having an overflow to a sump and skimmer is better, but not required on a 40 to be successful. Just stay on top of water changes and such.

For lighting if you want cheap the black box LEDs are super powerful and cheap but will require additional mounting etc. Other options is something like this light, the Pixie 30 Marine.

https://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Spe...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ZTPP7MZ0A36CV7EZC8CK

They have been out for a year or so now and are fairly inexpensive and the reviews are favorable on them. For a 40 breeder you would need at least two of them if all you are keeping is soft and lps corals.

Thank you, very helpful. So my thing is, what exactly do the corals need as far as lighting? I see blue, red, green LED. I’ve told about t5 which seems to just be a white light. Or metal halide lights. And I’m not quite sure the difference in it all. I’ve seen full spectrum bulbs for under 30. And t5 for under 40. But I don’t know what fixtures they need. Or which is best for what. I’m so new lol

 

[Picard's Lionfish]

My suggestion is hit the newbie forum and do research. Dont start blindly. Also, spend the right money up front.

You can also consider some of the all in one systems like red sea. Also, get a larger tank than what you think you want now.

 

[reef lover]

Welcome to r2r !!