40 gallon tank supply list and places to buy?

[cypike]

Im looking to get into the hobby and have watched a lot of videos on saltwater tanks and read a lot on them, but clearly there are some gaps in my knowledge.

Is there a way to get a tank set up to be able to make a reef tank for under $500? What are the most minimal supples needed in order to get a 40 gallon tank up and running without any stock? I get most confused when it comes to pumps and filtration.
There seems to be an infinite number of ways to do things and I need a dumbed down version.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Spare time]

I have to agree with this more than anything here. There are some things that off brands are alright for and others where it makes sense to save a little. Lighting imo is one of those. You could get a $80 no name black box with basically only on and off, or you could save a bit more and get something way nicer in the $300 range. Something that is reliable, not a fire hazard, and is proven to grow whatever corals you want to later is super important! And you have to remember the light will possibly be one of the biggest factors in how your tank looks. I have used disco casting led lights before. Having an old Kessel 360 though, it makes my tank look SO MUCH nicer, I will never go back to disco making lights again. It's that big of a visual difference.

I usually emphasize this strongly on any electrical equipment going into the tank. Heaters, power heads, pumps, etc.. There's nothing like a tank at 100 degrees or with a nice electrical current lol. Better yet, you can have cheap power heads go in reverse and get fresh home made sushi right before your eyes (yes I had this happen :'( )

 

[cypike]

Don't use a picture background, by painting it it will hide everything and your filter will blend in

Yep I planned on doing this

 

[mslatts_reef]

I've found the most impactful components in the hobby to be a sump and skimmer. A sump will make your setup look cleaner and it will add water (increased stability in water parameters). A good skimmer will help you with your water quality and clarity. You can definitely keep the project under $500 by keeping your equipment simple and/or buying equipment off of Facebook Marketplace.

 

[cypike]

Well guys, according to #9 I guess I cannot use my filter

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Well guys, according to #9 I guess I cannot use my filter

LOL!

 

[cypike]

What should I include in my filter, it has a sponge and some media, maybe some carbon?

 

[Cichlid Dad]

What should I include in my filter, it has a sponge and some media, maybe some carbon?

I hope others chime in here, but no carbon for now some say never, Spong will need cleaning like a filter sock every 3 days if used. If not the old food and poop will break down and turn to nutrients. Some say media only. At some point you will want a protein skimmer hang on the back. Some people use media only in filter and protein skimmer. I personally would use foam, buy it from Amazon in a big sheet and cut your own. Cut 3 or 4 switch them every 3 days and then wash them in a clothes washer after you run a empty cycle water only and never use soap. Then just media after that.

 

[cypike]

I hope others chime in here, but no carbon for now some say never, Spong will need cleaning like a filter sock every 3 days if used. If not the old food and poop will break down and turn to nutrients. Some say media only. At some point you will want a protein skimmer hang on the back. Some people use media only in filter and protein skimmer. I personally would use foam, buy it from Amazon in a big sheet and cut your own. Cut 3 or 4 switch them every 3 days and then wash them in a clothes washer after you run a empty cycle water only and never use soap. Then just media after that.

Yeah not planning on adding anything that can disturb bacteria until tank is fully cycled.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Yeah not planning on adding anything that can disturb bacteria until tank is fully cycled.

Carbon also can have a negative effect on some fish. Mostly tangs I believe.

 

[cypike]

Carbon also can have a negative effect on some fish. Mostly tangs I believe.

Luckily for me I don’t plan on having tangs, but I’ll do some reading about it. Probably won’t put it in if it’s unnecessary

 

[cypike]

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Its like Christmas every day!

 

[cypike]

Tomorrow have more coming and then Wednesday I think is the last day of Christmas.

 

[cypike]

One coat done

 

[Cichlid Dad]

One coat done

Looks good, remember a flashlight from the back will show you when you are done

 

[cypike]

If I paint the whole thing black does it become schrodingers aquarium?

 

[cypike]

Not the final rock placement but the black was a 10/10 choice

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Not the final rock placement but the black was a 10/10 choice

I agree!

 

[Cichlid Dad]

That looks great, now don't make the mistake of getting into a rush. This will take time. I suggest you watch BRS 5 minute guide videos . When you get this all put together, and running, you will get algae and a bunch of ugly stuff. Everyone goes through this. It will take time don't rush to anything ever. Most of the time some turbo snails, and copepods will take care of it for you. You will have to scrap glass. Your rock will turn green and have stuff growing on it. Everything you add to the tank has the potential of introducing unwanted stuff. Once in your tank, it's there for good in most cases. It will come in on frags, any live rock you add. It took 6 months to get my tank where it is at now. It is still a little baby and will take at minimum 1 year to mature. Make a choice on what kind of reef you want. Softy, LPs ECT. Always be looking into the future on what you buy, where you place it ECT. A softy tank is beautiful and less expensive. One sps you can add to a softy is bird's-nest coral. Then a hammer or frogspawn.

 

[cypike]

That looks great, now don't make the mistake of getting into a rush. This will take time. I suggest you watch BRS 5 minute guide videos . When you get this all put together, and running, you will get algae and a bunch of ugly stuff. Everyone goes through this. It will take time don't rush to anything ever. Most of the time some turbo snails, and copepods will take care of it for you. You will have to scrap glass. Your rock will turn green and have stuff growing on it. Everything you add to the tank has the potential of introducing unwanted stuff. Once in your tank, it's there for good in most cases. It will come in on frags, any live rock you add. It took 6 months to get my tank where it is at now. It is still a little baby and will take at minimum 1 year to mature. Make a choice on what kind of reef you want. Softy, LPs ECT. Always be looking into the future on what you buy, where you place it ECT. A softy tank is beautiful and less expensive. One sps you can add to a softy is bird's-nest coral. Then a hammer or frogspawn.

I’m not worried about it, i need to still sculpt rocks and stick them together and then get my RODI system setup.

I’ve also watched more BRS stuff than I care to admit.