New Guy, Contemplating a 40g Breeder Tank

[bobsreef311]

Yes a lot of people actually do just cut the coral right off the “frag plug” you are describing I just don’t do it cause I’m usually a nervous Nelly handling coral haha but yes you can have the coral without the ceramic discs/frag plugs. Or even cut the pillar part of and just have it flat.

In one of my cases my Kenya tree has moved from its frag plug to the rock my guess for better flow but it just shows how awesome these creatures are.

 

[GARRIGA]

Sumps are pragmatic but loud and problematic in many ways. Why my main going to be a custom AIO because I want bigger baffles and having it plumbed or routed for use with canister filters. Seeking quiet reliability and not waking up one morning to leaks.

Here's a drop in kit I've considered although was going to drop into a 75g. Easily hides equipment and can be plumbed with a canister to increase filtration while still hiding everything from sight. Can be placed in one end but can also be placed on the back glass. Can add two if needed.

Personally rather just buy an AIO as in the end likely cheaper and aesthetically more pleasing.

I know many here love HOB but I'm a canister guy and have used both extensively and just my preference but don't see how any HOB will ever be as efficient as canister which is just simplistic term for reactor. Having media with little or no bypass ensur4e more efficient filtration. Obviously dependent on need and use.

I think there are roller mat units for AIO. Although sock much simpler but I don't use either. Let nature do it's thing and many not remove their socks because they struggle producing enough nutrients. This hobby can be as complicated or simple as one chooses. I'm lazy and by default I'm not cleaning socks or dealing with the stink of a roller mat.

Might want to look into a skimmer vs roller mat. Don't use one either but given limited space and having to choose roller or skimmer I'm going latter.

 

[TX_REEF]

Welcome! My only word of caution would be to decide what fish you want before you decide on the tank. You could get a 60 breeder for not much more $ which would give you a significant more amount of fish space.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Greetings all. First post here.

I recently developed the bug to set up a saltwater reef tank (I have never had an aquarium). Been doing a lot of reading and video watching. I am 100% sure that I can find all of the answers to my questions by continuing to search the forum, but it is easier of course to just include them in a post, so here we go.

Based on goals - a tank with soft coral (maybe some LPS?) and 6ish fish - and my reading, I think a 40g breeder tank makes sense to start. I like the dimensions - I would prefer a longer tank rather than a cube. Money is not really an issue (although I am not looking to waste money of course) - I was thinking about starting with an innovative marine 60 gallon EXT sump tank, but realized that is just plain silly - overly complicated to set up and maintain, a lot of water to make and move, and just too much to start. I am looking for relative simplicity (with as little plumbing and jury rigging as possible) and reliability in a first tank. And I gather than a 40g tank is enough volume to be relatively forgiving of mistakes.

For those reasons, I am thinking about setting the tank up with an HOB filter (marineland penguin Pro 375 is one that I have seen reviewed). I haven't found pre-made AIO 40g breeder sized tanks and the after market AIO add ons seem to have their own potential issues (need to silicone the back to the tank?) and also seem to really cut into the depth of the tank.

So... what do people think of that idea? Some questions are:

For a HOB filter (or perhaps two of them side by side?) - does everything go inside those filters? Heater, pumps, various types of media. Would I need to hang an ATO separately? I would like to use one of those roller filters rather than socks - can they fit inside an HOB filter or do they hang separately? I assume the basic RO/DI maker (75G a day) would be more than sufficient? Oh, and any recommendations for premade stands for a tank this size?

If people would care to make recommendations based on my goal - simplicity and reliability first, and willing to pay more for quality components - it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I started with a 40b but I drilled it and had a sump. It is an awesome tank for reefs but if you are going to go in that relative size, why not go for the rimless tank that wont have equipment hanging off of it? I like simplicity too, but sumps are really helpful especially if you run into nutrient problems where you want additional equipment. I say go for the 60g IM with sump. But if you have your heart set on the 40b, you'll make it work. The difference between a 40g and 60g in terms of maintenance is negligible.

 

[PDM]

So, as I continued reading and planning, it dawned on me that I will have to figure out what to do when we go away for a week or two or three, which we usually do once a year (including trips abroad). Then I started reading about aquarium controllers, remote infrared cameras, calcium dosers, automatic feeders, "aquarium sitters" etc.
Then I realized - no way am I going to do this. It's worse than owning a dog. At least you can drop a dog off with a sitter and not worry about it dying. Can't be tied down by a fish tank.

Thanks anyway for the input!

 

[skey44]

Fair enough. Yes if you get sensitive/expensive animals leaving can be quite challenging and nerve racking.

 

[ScottJ]

So, as I continued reading and planning, it dawned on me that I will have to figure out what to do when we go away for a week or two or three, which we usually do once a year (including trips abroad). Then I started reading about aquarium controllers, remote infrared cameras, calcium dosers, automatic feeders, "aquarium sitters" etc.
Then I realized - no way am I going to do this. It's worse than owning a dog. At least you can drop a dog off with a sitter and not worry about it dying. Can't be tied down by a fish tank.

Thanks anyway for the input!

A reputable local reef shop often has a 'tank sitting service.' A tank is a commitment, though.

I have 3 dogs and 3 reefs. Going away for any length of tile is a major undertaking. Luckily, we only have one big trip to the Caribbean in the 'dreaming stage.':smiling-face-with-sunglasses:

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

So, as I continued reading and planning, it dawned on me that I will have to figure out what to do when we go away for a week or two or three, which we usually do once a year (including trips abroad). Then I started reading about aquarium controllers, remote infrared cameras, calcium dosers, automatic feeders, "aquarium sitters" etc.
Then I realized - no way am I going to do this. It's worse than owning a dog. At least you can drop a dog off with a sitter and not worry about it dying. Can't be tied down by a fish tank.

Thanks anyway for the input!

Not when you have an ATO, someone that will come by to take a look etc. If it is something you want to do, a tank can run itself with just a little help.

 

[GARRIGA]

Perhaps a macroalgae tank with inverts and pods and fish that can live off those pods. Simple setup as nothing more than a wave maker needed with lights on a timer that can be left alone for weeks.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

I run a 60g breeder (same price as 40g breeder here) with no sump, and no skimmer.

I don't actually even run a filter. I spent my budget on lighting and flow, and then I use an Eheim skimmer to keep the surface clean.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/b...eef-no-sump-no-skimmer.1070135/#post-13196100
For flow, I run 2xNero 3 (not worth the money imo) and 1xTunze Turbelle.

I grow everything from softies to Acropora in this tank :)

I ran smaller all-in-one tanks and rimless tanks and I honestly didn't like them. So much evaporation (not good in the summer where it's already humid in the house), and I didn't like the netting lid.

 

[ElementReefer]

100% go with the 40B and a simple HOB filter, I like the Seachem Tidal because it has a surface skimmer built in. Get a cheap Amazon coral light and ATO.

This hobby is like 80% effort and 20% gear. Start modest and give it 12 months. If you enjoy it, THEN get the nicer tank. Better gear does make your life easier, but what you need to do as a newbie is find out if hefting around buckets and trash bins full of water, mixing saltwater, testing, keeping logs, cleaning, and dealing with the drama and frequent loss of these bizarre little creatures is worth your time.