Starting my first saltwater tank

[KleineVampir]

Hey guys. I recently came into the possession of a 40-gallon breeder tank and I want to make it a nice saltwater tank with some clownfish. I want to breed clownfish in there while also making it look semi-decent. I have a 20 gallon long freshwater planted tank with shrimp and snails...lots of stuff going on with that but it's a whole other story. I guess my point is that I do have experience with aquariums, just not saltwater.

One of my main questions is about the lighting. I do want to grow some coral in there, some sea anemone. Initially I probably won't get the fish just to cycle the tank a bit. I don't know if I need a certain kind of light for coral or what. I'd appreciate a good recommendation on that.

Also I'd like to know if you can use a sponge filter on a saltwater tank. I'm guessing it might get clogged by salt? Anyways HOB will probably be fine. (Then again don't they use sponges too? I mean basically...) Then let me know how much powerheads matter. So far as I know you need some flow for the corals. I'd appreciate some recommendations on those too.

Lastly the livestock...I will continue to research clownfish as obviously I'll have to do if I want to breed them. I know a bit about them already though. Still, I'm a big fan of shrimp so I was wondering what you guys would say about having a fire shrimp or two in there as well as the clowns.

 

[Jeight]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Jekyl]

Welcome!
Shrimp will be fine. 2 might be pushing it in a tank that size. Lights I used marsaqua. They're on the cheap end and will be good enough for you to grow what ever coral you want. Flow all together you want 30 to 60x tank volume depending on the coral you want. For the anemone make sure you wait about 6 months before adding one.

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

Welcome to R2R!

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

 

[KleineVampir]

Ok, thanks for your answers. Hey I want to mention that I want the light on a timer. I forgot to mention that!

 

[dwest]

Hey guys. I recently came into the possession of a 40-gallon breeder tank and I want to make it a nice saltwater tank with some clownfish. I want to breed clownfish in there while also making it look semi-decent. I have a 20 gallon long freshwater planted tank with shrimp and snails...lots of stuff going on with that but it's a whole other story. I guess my point is that I do have experience with aquariums, just not saltwater.

One of my main questions is about the lighting. I do want to grow some coral in there, some sea anemone. Initially I probably won't get the fish just to cycle the tank a bit. I don't know if I need a certain kind of light for coral or what. I'd appreciate a good recommendation on that.

Also I'd like to know if you can use a sponge filter on a saltwater tank. I'm guessing it might get clogged by salt? Anyways HOB will probably be fine. (Then again don't they use sponges too? I mean basically...) Then let me know how much powerheads matter. So far as I know you need some flow for the corals. I'd appreciate some recommendations on those too.

Lastly the livestock...I will continue to research clownfish as obviously I'll have to do if I want to breed them. I know a bit about them already though. Still, I'm a big fan of shrimp so I was wondering what you guys would say about having a fire shrimp or two in there as well as the clowns.

Welcome!

You should gets lots of lighting recommendations. I would look at an aquatic life t5 hybrid. Run t5’s now and add leds’s later. Lots of options.

A sponge filter will work on saltwater. Many of us use them in our quarantine tanks.

I use mp40’s for flow. Though they are pricey. Might want to look at jebao if on a budget. Lots of options out there.

Clownfish are in the “designer” phase right now. Are you planning on selling them or just want some to lay eggs? I would go with cleaner shrimp over fire. Hope others will chime in.

Read a lot!

 

[cracker]

Welcome Kleine ! Your tank is a good size for beginners like us . You have a long way to go before breeding clowns . The corals & anemone will require some good lighting . You may need more filtration than an Hob type .Power heads are important etc. There is live rock , test kits , stands, Then cycling the tank etc . Don't let all that intimidate you . Check out our New to saltwater forums,there great reads there on starting from scratch . Good Luck & happy You joined !

 

[KleineVampir]

One question I keep asking myself is, how much harder is this going to be than keeping a freshwater tank? What am I getting myself into?

Another question I keep asking myself is, do you guys have an area for "journal" threads? I looked and didn't see any. It's not so much that I need it for journaling, it's just that it's good to have a thread dedicated to one tank. I'm going to want guidance/input/suggestions over a long period of time, not just right now. Is it ok to stay on this thread or do you have a better place for that?

 

[Jekyl]

Build threads in member forum

 

[Smarkow]

Welcome!

You should gets lots of lighting recommendations. I would look at an aquatic life t5 hybrid. Run t5’s now and add leds’s later.
Read a lot!

Good advice here

 

[KleineVampir]

Oh ok I see that. How about I use this one for a little longer and then I'll move over to the member tank area?

By the way, more questions! Is there a natural way to reduce ammonia in the tank? Is that what the corals do? Sea anemones? I guess algae would but that's not necessarily good. Also can you keep any kind of "normal" plants in there or is it all straight up coral?

 

[KleineVampir]

Good advice here

Dare I ask...why T5's first and then more? I'd really like a one and done lighting solution here...

 

[jeffchapok]

One question I keep asking myself is, how much harder is this going to be than keeping a freshwater tank? What am I getting myself into?

Like you, I also had freshwater experience but am just 4 months now into saltwater. It's definitely more challenging and an entire magnitude more expensive.

Saltwater fish are far more sensitive to water conditions and seem much more vulnerable to disease and parasites. With freshwater, I was pretty successful just using tap water and a dechlorinator. Now I find myself with an RODI filter and an entire array of test kits, and I still lose fish occasionally.

I can tell you it's a lot harder flushing a $35 fish down the toilet than it was a $1.49 platy. Although both still make me sad...

Then there's coral. I'm just starting to experiment to see what I can grow. Some things I have success with (toadstool leathers, green star polyps, Kenya trees, cabbages) and others not so much (hammer corals [emoji25]). Then there are zoas which have been hit or miss for me - one thrives and another right next to it closes up and never opens. And I have no idea why.

I don't mean to be discouraging. It's been a tremendous enjoyment and I spend almost every evening just gazing at my tank. But be prepared, it's many times more difficult, at least in my experience, compared to freshwater. But it's also very rewarding as well.

 

[KleineVampir]

Like you, I also had freshwater experience but am just 4 months now into saltwater. It's definitely more challenging and an entire magnitude more expensive.

Saltwater fish are far more sensitive to water conditions and seem much more vulnerable to disease and parasites. With freshwater, I was pretty successful just using tap water and a dechlorinator. Now I find myself with an RODI filter and an entire array of test kits, and I still lose fish occasionally.

I can tell you it's a lot harder flushing a $35 fish down the toilet than it was a $1.49 platy. Although both still make me sad...

Then there's coral. I'm just starting to experiment to see what I can grow. Some things I have success with (toadstool leathers, green star polyps, Kenya trees, cabbages) and others not so much (hammer corals [emoji25]). Then there are zoas which have been hit or miss for me - one thrives and another right next to it closes up and never opens. And I have no idea why.

I don't mean to be discouraging. It's been a tremendous enjoyment and I spend almost every evening just gazing at my tank. But be prepared, it's many times more difficult, at least in my experience, compared to freshwater. But it's also very rewarding as well.

Well...I can't say I don't have the time to care for it. I guess I have some money for it but not exactly a ton. Still the ability to take care of both fresh and saltwater has to be worth something or other.

Yeah...your assessment is kinda what I thought a while ago. But now, I have a handle on the freshwater tank to where I barely have to do anything with it. And somebody I know kindly donated the 40 gallon breeder to me for free. They want to see a saltwater tank, and you know, that's kinda what I've been thinking too! Seems like it's a thing that you don't really see around too much. Just a few at the old fish store but that's about it.

Also I figure getting clownfish, which are relatively hardy; combined with the 40 gallons should make for a somewhat easy saltwater experience. That's the theory anyways.

 

[OverC’s]

Hey guys, just signed up for reef2reef so forgive me for not knowing how to start my own thread.
I have a freshwater 20 gal long that has gone great so far but originally i wanted to get into saltwater and corals but figured i could use some practice before i got there. Anyways im excited to jump over to the salty side of things and have been doing some research the past month and probably wont buy anything for another 3 months because im going on a vacation but id like to hear some opinions on the equipment i would want for my system.

Red sea reefer 350
Protein skimmer:
simplicity 240DC
Return pump: Jebao dcp 4000
Some sort of wavemaker or flow pump
Submersible heater 300w
Light: photon v8-42
(Or a current usa orbit IC LED)
I like the light by current and its controllability with anything from sunrise/sunset to stormy period settings but ive seen some youtube reviews on it and it doesnt look like it can cover the width of the reefer 350 tank


As for stock and corals im open to any opinions, substitutions or subtractions but my rough list would include:

2- occelaris clownfish
1 or 2- flagtail shrimp gobies
Some sort of firefish
1 midas blenny
3- multicoloured lubbocks fairy wrasse or orange back fairy wrasse
1- princess anthias
1- kole yellow eye tang
2- black axil chromis

As for corals, something like this:
hammer coral
zoas
torch coral
Acropora
Lobophilia

I look forward to hearing from some of you, Colton

 

[Smarkow]

Dare I ask...why T5's first and then more? I'd really like a one and done lighting solution here...

The idea behind mixing t5 and LED is that you get the combination of spread (t5) with intensity and control (LED). The fixtures can be very expensive, and with limited exceptions do not allow customization, though the aquatic life brand hybrids DO. You will have to buy the LED fixture separately. I pair my aquatic life fixture with kessil ap700s.

Many early reefers (myself included) don’t really know what they want until they have some experience, which wastes a ton of cash. I originally had 5 AI primes over a long tank. The spread of the light was terrible and I couldn’t get sps to grow. So I built a custom hood (fans and everything) and retrofit some t5s, but the AI primes burned out over the course of a year. That was like 2k wasted... I digress.

The aquatic life fixture would allow you to get your tank started with t5 (cheap, will let you do 99% of what you need from getgo, including your clownfish and basic corals) and then add in your choice LED fixture in a few months when you have a better idea what you want from the hobby. Down the line, if you upgrade your tank (for instance, many take a 40g breeder starter tank and later use it for the sump on a 100g display) your 36” light fixture is not a complete waste because your LED modules can be adapted to a new hybrid fixture.

Good luck, just my 0.02 ;)

 

[Gonebad395]

Welcome to R2R

 

[dwest]

Oh ok I see that. How about I use this one for a little longer and then I'll move over to the member tank area?

By the way, more questions! Is there a natural way to reduce ammonia in the tank? Is that what the corals do? Sea anemones? I guess algae would but that's not necessarily good. Also can you keep any kind of "normal" plants in there or is it all straight up coral?

Bacteria on rocks and sand are your ammonia friends.

 

[RIreefGuy]

Welcome to r2r!!!! Salt water can be challenging and expensive, but it's totally worth it! This forum is amazing and contains a WEALTH of knowledge. Research a ton, ask lots of question, take your time and you will definitely be successful! ;Shamefullyembarrased

 

[KleineVampir]

Ok I guess you guys sold me on T5's, at least for now. What's the kind of power usage of these things? What I like about LED's is that they're efficient. And now I gotta get something else and something tells me they aren't as efficient but I hope they're at least decent. Also given that I indeed need a 36" light fixture, T5, and with a timer on it...got any specific recommendations for a unit?

Yet another question: Do I need to buy another temperature controller or can I get away with a normal old heater? Somebody said that the coral are sensitive to temperature change and I don't want to worry about that. I got a temperature controller for my shrimp since they too are very temp sensitive. But that leaves me the old one that I could use.

Btw could a mod move this thread to the member tanks area?