What's the best choice?

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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?

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.

 

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?

 

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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