Greetings

[fishtank]

Hello all.

I am a relatively new FW enthusiast and a brand new SW researcher looking to get as much help as needed. I gave a 10g FW fry tank, a 29g Community Tank and a 40g breeder Planted tank still cycling. I have had the 29g for the longest and just have not been happy with it. My plan is to keep the 40 and the 10 and convert my 29g into a saltwater tank. I have come up with the setup below and was hoping you guys could point out any major issues if any with this setup. the brands are not really important.
1 x 120w Taotonics LED light
1 x octopus-bh1000 HOB skimmer
1 x 5 stage RO/DI unit
1 x Korilia Evolution 1150? or 2 600's?
1 x Refractometer with calibration fluid
Existing 150w Heater
Existing AC 50 filter with Matrix and Purigen
Instant Ocean Reef Salt
2 bags of Natures Ocean Reef Sand
30lb ish of Live Rock

 

[heathlindner25]

it looks like you have a good list going, welcome to the salty side!
I don't see test kits in there anywhere....don't get API....lol

 

[fishtank]

oh really? Thats one thing I just left out as an assumption, I have the API freshwater. Their Saltwater is no good?

Also I think I will sell my entire 29g setup (minus 1 of the 2 AC 50's) and use that to buy a 40g breeder. Thats what my planted is and I love the foot print.

 

[heathlindner25]

fishtank;901504 wrote: oh really? Thats one thing I just left out as an assumption, I have the API freshwater. Their Saltwater is no good?

Also I think I will sell my entire 29g setup (minus 1 of the 2 AC 50's) and use that to buy a 40g breeder. Thats what my planted is and I love the foot print.

good idea

 

[grouper therapy]

Welcome!! Good start on the list.

 

[mikesmith34]

Yea and a second mortgage on the house to support the addiction

 

[fishtank]

haha well I do like my FW but SW I have always loved! I also have a huge unfinished basement so maybe one day that second mortgage might come in handy :thumbs:

Edit: So with a 40g breeder should I go with a power head on both ends and the skimmer in the middle? Is their a rule of thumb for that kind of thing?

 

[fishtank]

I have read all the advantages of a sump and appreciate your input. I just cannot go sump with this one due to location and stand. I custom built the stand as it's in front or an ac return so instead it became a shelf for my boys toys

 

[jdavid]

Buy a 40 B and drill that sucka!!

 

[stacy22]

JDavid;901535 wrote: Buy a 40 B and drill that sucka!!

For a smaller tank I totally agree. I love the footprint of the 40B. :up:

Your list of potential equipment is pretty good. If you are doing corals you need to get lighting of the appropriate intensity and K spectrum. Also, as mentioned get some quality test kits. API is ok for initial set-up like NH3, nitrite, and nitrate but not for the other chemical parameters that will need to be monitored- Ca, Alk, Mg, etc. Also you'll need some Prime/Amquel and a supply of commonly used meds for marine water.

Also I would suggest that you begin planning and researching your potential stock list. Arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can regarding the organisms you plan to keep- what foods they eat, what their temperments are like, what tank size is recommended,etc. Many marine animals have much narrower tolerances for environmental conditions than their freshwater counterparts.

ARC has some very knowledgeable folks here who are willing to help.

Good luck with your tank.

Oh, and, we expect a build thread!

BTW, some of us here also keep freshwater. We have a freshwater sub-forum here as well (in the SIGs).

 

[jeffmuse]

stacy22;901617 wrote:

Good luck with your tank.

Oh, and, we expect a build thread!

BTW, some of us here also keep freshwater. We have a freshwater sub-forum here as well (in the SIGs).

Welcome to the ARC, if you need a hand with anything please let me know.

Everyone likes build threads on this board and we expect a lot of pictures! :yes:

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

If you go with the 40 breeder, I would recommend a hang on sump/refugium/skimmer like one that CPR makes. Otherwise, as noted, test kits for the basics then as the tank ages a little add the others. If you go with the 40 breeder, you'll need two TaoTronics LED units because one won't cover the length of that tank. Looks like a good start! Welcome to the madness!

 

[fishtank]

Thanks for all the encouraging help guys! Sadly I just found out that petco's $1/g sale just ended so I will have to wait until the next sale. at least I can use that time to research my stocking options.

 

[fishtank]

for reference here is the diy stand that the 40b will go on.

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[tbub1221]

Welcome !
Looks like you got a good start on things.
Good luck with the build.
Maybe watch the sale and trade section , 40 B are fairly common ppl sell them often used for a good price.
Also IMO if you removed the shelf from the middle a sump would fit great .
The stand looks good did you build it ?

I guess if you put a sump there the orange cat would be upset :b

 

[stacy22]

Nice stand. It doesn't look deep enough for a 40B though???

 

[fishtank]

lol on the orange kitty! Yeah this is the one trade off with the wife as she likes to keep the boys toys there. He just turned 1 so with influx of toys the kitty is no longer alone lol.

I built the stand myself and it is only 15" deep, Once I sell the 29g I will be modifying it to suit.
Here is the stand I built (no doors yet) for my 40g planted

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[fishtank]

so without being a plumber or a glass cutter how hard would it be to go sump. If the stand was re-done I could put a 20 long as a sump but I have no sump knowledge at all.