40 gal breeder FOWLR

[jackwkahn]

Hi, i live by the beach and set up a 40 gal FO with fine sand, dead rock, and mangroves growing in the tank with a schoolmaster snapper, a white grunt, a molly miller blenny, 3 sergeant major damsels, and some weird lizard fish thing, all juvenile. everything is from the ocean including the water. However, I went to the LFS today and saw some beautiful fish that i got immediately attached too. I was told that if i dont start from scratch using store bought rock and sand, i would risk losing a lot of money. My question is wether or not my current setup is efficient. I'm running an aquaclear HOB power filter rated for tanks up to 55 gal, two 250 gph powerheads, a heater, two airstones, and another small power filter that i use as a mangrove refugium. Is my aquaclear efficient biological filtration? what do i need to change? (i will purchasing a coralife 65 protein skimmer when i re do my tank)

[leebca]

Welcome to Reefland and thanks for posting.

The equipment you need and information about that equipment is found in this post: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

One of the goals is to have enough circulation. In all (the total of outside filter return and inside pumps) should be higher than 8X the total volume of the system/hour. Look up your flow rates and see if they add up. From your list, I think you have this covered.

Regarding filtration, if you don't want to use live rock, you'll most likely need some suplemental biological filtration. I would suggest a cannister filter and pump. The one you've listed (a hangon) is marginal for this type of filtration, in my opinion, although you have not stated the model number.

The statement by your LFS is not totally true, but you'll need to know much more about marine aquariums to know how to choose the best options for your setup. Reading will get you pretty far and knowing the qualify of the person you get informaton from. For instance, this is me: Bio - Lee (a.k.a. leebca)

Caution about removing marine life forms from the water. In most coastal states the removal of marine life forms (and even rock) from the wild violates regulations and laws unless you are properly authorized and collecting from certain areas. I would look into this and not risk legal difficulties.

There are many topics worth getting to know more about. This Table of Contents contains links on subjects to become more familiar with: Table/Contents - Link List

[jackwkahn]

thanks, i was planning to use about 30 pounds of live rock, will this be enough? also- what kind of fish would thrive in a tank this size? I would die to have a tang, but i know its just to small

[leebca]

The 'usual' is 2 lbs of LR per gallon, but any amount near that will be fine. You just want enough surface area for biological filtration and if you want the other advantages of LR, enough of it to provide those advantages.

You should get a book on Marine fishes. You'll want a fishes, when grown to full size, will be under about 8 inches of length. That can be a few small or three medium sized fishes or a combo. You want those that don't swim long distances or need a lot of room and yet will get along with each other. Since there are so many choices and those choices are a matter of personal preference, get that book and start thumbing through it.