New and researching for a cube tank

[rob john]

Hi all!

I’m new to the hobby and still researching. I’m envisioning a 40g tank with a sump and lightly stocked.

I used to have as a teen a 48 L and a 120 L tanks for fresh water. I have some clue on what a fresh water tank maintenance is. Not much about salt water though.

The 40G is to have enough inertia not to overthink water quality (more than necessary).

I’d also want the tank to be somewhat geographically aligned (ie clownfish, anemone, coral and invertebrates to come from the same original bio dome.)

Another think that’s on the requirement list is “should come from aquaculture or more generally not being collected from wild ecosystems”, that including sand and rocks.

Lastly, back in these pre-internet days there were great books about these types of hobbies with diagrams, species descriptions, etc.

Is there anything today that’s relatively up to date with the current knowledge, techniques and hardware that I could read? Ideally it should give a good base on hardscaping, flow, filtration, and basic critter list? Internet can supplement all of this but it’s nice to have something where you can go back and forth between two sections, take the time to study a page, …

I may not even set up anything but let me know your thoughts:)

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

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

 

[zheka757]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[edsbeaker]

Hello and welcome!

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[jabberwock]

My recommendations are:
1. don't get a cube. I have found that they tend to stack the fish on top of each other, and lead to aggression.
2. don't get clownfish, they are mean and murderous.
3. do get real ocean live rock from a reputable mariculture outfit. real ocean live rock is Gold Dust!

 

[I never finish anythi]

Welcome to R2R.

 

[rob john]

1. don't get a cube. I have found that they tend to stack the fish on top of each other, and lead to aggression.
2. don't get clownfish, they are mean and murderous.

Thank you! In my head it’s going to be only 2 clownfish and the rest would be invertebrates. Wouldn’t that solve the aggression problem?

 

[jabberwock]

Thank you! In my head it’s going to be only 2 clownfish and the rest would be invertebrates. Wouldn’t that solve the aggression problem?

Mostly, yes. They may fight to establish dominance, and one may kill the other, but yes. Just clowns will mitigate the aggression thing.

 

[Jimbhoy13]

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

 

[CoralB]

:cool: Welcome !!

 

[Ocean_Queenie]

Hello & Welcome!

 

[Fish Fan]

Thank you! In my head it’s going to be only 2 clownfish and the rest would be invertebrates. Wouldn’t that solve the aggression problem?

Clownfish are not as happy-go-lucky as Disney would like us to believe :)

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

 

[rob john]

Clownfish are not as happy-go-lucky as Disney would like us to believe :)

Does the species matter in that case?

Beyond Disney, the general marketing material list then mostly as beginner friendly. Either in illustration or for example here: https://www.fishkeepingworld.com/clownfish/ or here https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/content/post/how-to-care-for-clownfish .

Would getting the pair as juvenile reduce the animosity (in comparison with introducing two stranger adults)?

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, glad you are here! This is a great beginner book written by a member here about a year and a half ago.

 

[coastalcoraline5181]

Hi all!

I’m new to the hobby and still researching. I’m envisioning a 40g tank with a sump and lightly stocked.

I used to have as a teen a 48 L and a 120 L tanks for fresh water. I have some clue on what a fresh water tank maintenance is. Not much about salt water though.

The 40G is to have enough inertia not to overthink water quality (more than necessary).

I’d also want the tank to be somewhat geographically aligned (ie clownfish, anemone, coral and invertebrates to come from the same original bio dome.)

Another think that’s on the requirement list is “should come from aquaculture or more generally not being collected from wild ecosystems”, that including sand and rocks.

Lastly, back in these pre-internet days there were great books about these types of hobbies with diagrams, species descriptions, etc.

Is there anything today that’s relatively up to date with the current knowledge, techniques and hardware that I could read? Ideally it should give a good base on hardscaping, flow, filtration, and basic critter list? Internet can supplement all of this but it’s nice to have something where you can go back and forth between two sections, take the time to study a page, …

I may not even set up anything but let me know your thoughts:)

welcome to R2R!