Need your help putting together a complete supply list for a new tank!

glb · Nov 25, 2015

I'm starting a 40g breeder build and need some help. My 12g nano is an aio so I didn't have to buy much equipment. Here's my list of what I think I need. Please add to it, as I'm sure I'm leaving things out!

40g breeder tank (already have)
20g long DIY sump (already have tank)
-glass panels and plastic grating for build/silicone sealer
DIY stand
-waterproof sealer and stain
Skimmer with pump
Overflow kit with overflow, glass drill bits, bulkheads
Pipes/tubing for overflow and return (what do you recommend? I have no clue)
Return pump
LED's
Auto topoff
Controller (eventually)
Testing equipment/hydrometer (already have all of this)
RODI and salt mix (already have)
Additives such as kalk/mg, etc. (already have)
Heater
Gfo reactor/gfo
Filter socks
Carbon
Purigen
Live sand
Live rock

What am I leaving out? I'm still in the planning stages and want to be thorough. Thanks in advance for your help!

oscarinw · Nov 25, 2015

To add:
Powerheads
Refugium light? (If you're contemplating a refugium)

To your piping question:
PVC 1/2" for plumbing from return pump to tank
PVC 3/4" for drain

Good luck!

booth2010 · Nov 25, 2015

Looks good to me, maybe some sort of auto dosing pumps if you think that will be needed. For pipes and tubing most people just use pvc and clear braided tubing sold at HD or Lowes

Edit: And yea like oscarinw said, powerheads lol. Youll probably want 2

Brian Kim · Nov 25, 2015

Wife's approval!

glb · Nov 25, 2015

Thanks everyone! How could I forget powerheads?? Lol. How many/what size do you recommend for a 40g? I have a hydor one in my nano and really like it.

dbl · Nov 25, 2015

Good start to your list, just add patience to it as well.

booth2010 · Nov 25, 2015

I have 2 in my 40br a Jebao rw-4 and a Vortech MP10 both at half power or less and it still blows sand around.

glb · Nov 25, 2015

dbl said:
Good start to your list, just add patience to it as well.

Oh I have patience in spades! I've had a 12g nano for 5 years. Lol

glb · Nov 25, 2015

Can anyone recommend a good return pump? How much do they cost?

ice fish · Nov 25, 2015

Can get a nice DC pump that you can control the flow that comes out of your return. A jebao isnt too expensive

jdbrown1998 · Nov 25, 2015

A couple of things I would suggest - 1) if you do want a controller eventually pick one out now and get highly compatible stuff to it. 2) think about noise when picking out your return pump. If you want to be able to watch tv get a quiet one. 3) you don't need all live rock - buy dry rock and save yourself some money. Get one or two pieces of live rock to seed your tank.

glb · Nov 25, 2015

jdbrown1998 said:
A couple of things I would suggest - 1) if you do want a controller eventually pick one out now and get highly compatible stuff to it. 2) think about noise when picking out your return pump. If you want to be able to watch tv get a quiet one. 3) you don't need all live rock - buy dry rock and save yourself some money. Get one or two pieces of live rock to seed your tank.

Great advice. I have a rock in my nano covered in coralline that I can move over when I'm ready. I'm planning to buy an apex so I'll look for equipment that's compatible. Thanks!

glb · Nov 25, 2015

How many gph do you recommend?

jdbrown1998 · Nov 26, 2015

I've always heard between 6-10 times your tank volume per hour so about 400. Don't forget to account for your head pressure and how much that will decrease the flow of the pump.

glb · Nov 26, 2015

jdbrown1998 said:
I've always heard between 6-10 times your tank volume per hour so about 400. Don't forget to account for your head pressure and how much that will decrease the flow of the pump.

What is head pressure? The return will be about 3 feet tops.

jdbrown1998 · Nov 26, 2015

So there is some amount of pressure that it takes to pump water up vertically, called head pressure, the higher the rise the more pressure. Your pump has to overcome this pressure to pump water - so it decreases your flow. For instance the 1262 is rated at 900 gph if there is no rise. And it will pump water up 12 foot but there is no flow then.

. The image shows the flows in between so make sure you look at this when picking a pump.