Advice on starting a 40 gallon SPS aquarium:

[dasstheboss]

There were a bunch of equipment choices I needed input on and rather than post in each forum, I decided to start a mega-thread. I'm not a newb to reefing but haven't bought any equipment in over 3 years - the LED faze flew over my head. If someone can answer the questions below, it would be great.

 

Tank: Mr. Aqua 40 Gallon Rimless (36x18x18) - will purchase from MarineDepot. Will be setup in a peninsula format, with overflow and pump on one side and viewable from three sides.

 

Livestock: Not decided on fish yet; primarily SPS.

 

Lighting: 4x 39W T-5 HO WavePoint fixture (will this be enough?)

Overflow: MAME Overflow

Skimmer: Bubble Magus NAC 3.5 (is this a good skimmer?)

Wavemaker: Vortech MP40

 

For a 40 gallon, do I still need a Ca reactor or can I get away with dosing?

 

Thanks for reading.

 

 

[seabass]

I would drill it. Do you just not want LEDs? A six bulb HO T5 fixture might be more suitable for a SPS dominant tank. You definitely can dose versus running a calcium reactor. I might consider one of these Avast skimmer kits: http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/youbuilt/CS1-Cone-Skimmer-Kit

[dasstheboss]

The HOB skimmers from AquaMaxx have also caught my eye. I plan on either a 10 gallon or 20 gallon sump. Neither will have enough space for a sizeable refugium and a skimmer area. Instead, I can plumb the refugium into my tank and have a HOB skimmer.

 

Is the new AquaMaxx Cone-S HOB any good? It's $320 but if I upgrade later, might be worth it. Would that be overkill for a 40 gallon?

 

As per drilling, I've never drilled a rimless tank before and using the MAME overflow is flood-proof isn't it? I just don't want to break the tank drilling and also find the overflow to be cleaner vs. having a black overflow and the return line.I'll only be running 200-300gph on the return line anyways.

 

As per lighting, LED has been on the back of my mind but I'm overwhelmed by the fixtures. I want a sleek fixture like the Maxspect Razor but is there a better alternative? It looks dated, most reviews are at least a year old.

 

Thanks for your input Seabass.

[najluni15]

Many people love the maxspect razor. The radions are also a top choice. Personally, I did a diy build and then went with reefbreeder photons. The new thing people love are the nanobox lights. For flow I love my maxspect gyre xf130 on my 75 gallon. I have had tunze and ecotech pumps and koralias and the gyre is my favorite so far.

[buckeyereefer]

_{SPS dominate tank....6 bulb T5 light hands down. or maybe a T5/LED hybrid if budget allows.}

[dasstheboss]

The choice for lighting will be the Maxspect Razor. I think it will be the best option given the sleek look and customization.

 

The gyre looks huge compared to a Vortech, that's why I'm thinking about it. I'll likely have a close look at both.