What's the best choice?

[Eli_The_Eel]

I have a 40g wide tank that I want to make into a reef tank. What would be the best filter for this tank? I am new to SW, I only have a self enclosed nano, and have never dealt with sumps, skimmers, fuges, wet/dry or whatever the hell else you guys always talk about. Simplicity and cost efficiency are about all that matters to me.

[kimmy]

simplicity...LR. That's all I have ever used. 40G use a min of 40LB's of rock. I would advise 50 to 55LB's. I am also on the fence about skimmers. I have had them and not. I am not currently using a skimmer with no ill effects. Good luck and keep posting.

[Jason McKenzie]

I've never use any mechanical filtration. Live Rock and a skimmer is all you need. I would build an overflow and get a sump. If you have question don't hesitate to ask

J

[Eli_The_Eel]

So all I need to do is have live rocks to start with? I don't need to worry about any kind physical filter? I guess I would need a powerhead to get some current then?

[Frizza]

What Jason said

Yes you will definately need some flow, you could get a couple of powerheads (maybe the koralia nano's) one either side of the tank.

[Eli_The_Eel]

I guess I've always had this impression that you need the water to be filtered mechanically... How does an overflow and a sump work? Is that something I can add in a year or so?

[gazog]

You can add it later but then you have to use an overflow and some don't like using the because they have a tendency to fail, or stop which isn't good. (floods)

Best way is to drill tanks and pipe it to sump that way.

[Eli_The_Eel]

These are all things that can be done in the future though, right? In other words, LR and PHs will be fine for a few months to a year?

[kimmy]

well you don't want to drill in a year, you would have to empty the tank, just upgrade.
My 1st tank was a 40G reef with only LR, 2 PH's, and 2X96 watt pc's.


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