Getting back into it...

[MNFishGuy]

I've been away from reef keeping for about seven years, but I'm taking the plunge and setting up a 40 gallon tank. A couple of things I'm curious about. What is the current thinking about deep sand beds/plenums in the tank? I don't plan on having a sump.

Is live sand worth buying? I've seen it bagged on shelves - this seems odd to me....

In the past I used kalkwasser, is that still a good way to add calcium, or is it obsolete?

I have a 4 bulb T5 HO fixture, will be putting in liverock, have 600 gph of circulation. Plan on mostly basic stuff to start with until I get my feet wet again.

Any good skimmer recommendations for a 40?

Thanks!

[Parrothead]

Yeah, No Yellow tangs, let alone a school of them,

A good skimmer for the 40 would be the AquaC Remora Pro with the mag 3 pump

[metalhead]

I've been away from reef keeping for about seven years, but I'm taking the plunge and setting up a 40 gallon tank. A couple of things I'm curious about. What is the current thinking about deep sand beds/plenums in the tank? I don't plan on having a sump.

Is live sand worth buying? I've seen it bagged on shelves - this seems odd to me....

In the past I used kalkwasser, is that still a good way to add calcium, or is it obsolete?

I have a 4 bulb T5 HO fixture, will be putting in liverock, have 600 gph of circulation. Plan on mostly basic stuff to start with until I get my feet wet again.

Any good skimmer recommendations for a 40?

Thanks!

Hi and yes you will want a DSB, plenums aren't used much anymore I don't think. Either way though, I'd recommend a DSB.

No, the live sand you see in bags at the LFS is no better than dry sand and not worth any extra $$$. The best thing to do is get a small amount of sand from an established tank to seed your DSB with once the cycle is complete. You wont need much, just a small cupfull or two.

Yes, Kalk dripping is still a viable calcium supplementation method and one of the best IMO... I would rate it #2 behind a reactor.

Your T5's should be fine for a 40 gallon tank, there will be very few if any corals you can't keep healthy assuming no more than 18-20'' of depth.

Looks like Parrot has you covered on the skimmer. I've heard that the remora is the best HOB skimmer you can get which is what you'll want since you're not running a sump.

[MNFishGuy]

Awesome, thanks!

What dsb depth should I be targeting?

[Parrothead]

3-5 inches, just plain aragonite, nothing fancy

[MNFishGuy]

Great, should I add a canister to hold any media? I'm not sure what the current best practice is... I am assuming no biological media, but wasn't sure about chemical media like carbon etc.

Thank you again for your help!

[Parrothead]

if you are going sumpless a canister filter would be a great place for carbon etc. if you are planning a sump, you can use the sump for the media.

[MNFishGuy]

So I've got the tank situated, I have a three inch argonite sand bed, working on getting it filled with saltwater (at the rate of my RO). I ordered the Remora Pro, should be here soon, Once I get the water situation under control, I'll be adding the live rock. What should I be considering for snails and hermits? Species and number recommendations would be appreciated. Any other inverts I should be considering for maintenance? Thanks!

[Parrothead]

for now just concentrate on getting the water and rock in the tank, once that is done you are going have about a 3 week, maybe longer period to figure out what you want for a clean up crew, There's a great place for it, I just gotta dig up their information for you,

[MNFishGuy]

<P>Will do, I tend to be a planner, so I often get ahead of myself.&nbsp; The skimmer shipped yesterday.&nbsp; I appreciate the help, and am looking forward to your advice on clean up crew.&nbsp; Thanks!</P>

[Parrothead]

go to reeftopia.com, tell them where you are at in you setup, which right ain't that far, but you'll get there they are some great folks who really don't mind helping, they come highly recommended here by some of more experienced members

[MNFishGuy]

Will do, thanks for the advice, now I have some doing to do.