1st timer 2nd time around

hey i am new to saltwater. but i am not nw to aquriums.
i started out with a 55 gal fresh water tank. it thrives and has many featuers. it is plante tank that has a perfect bioload, therefore no use of CO2 injection. it has many tropical fish but my pesonal favorite is the schooling neon tetras.
i am now starting a new 40 gal saltwater tank (and yes i know it is kinda small). i am putting a sump/refugium in the system to take care of the bioload. i want to get my system to a point where it could be as close as to self sufiant as possible (basicaly a true ecosytem in itself). now i am aware that is not completly possible but i want to put my self to the test. i am always reading about new things and trying to solve problems before water even hits the tank.

as of right now i have the tank, sump, stand, return pump(mag7), and protien skimmer(super skimmer 65gal). i will want to put a DSB in it to help the ecosystem as well as try and keep it more of a reef tank than fish.

i am really excited to get going on it and any advice is more than welcome. i am al ears.;D

 

welcome to 3reef! I think a lot of people have 40 gallons and love the size! Unfortunately, I really am not aware of a way to keep a reef tank low maintenance and self sufficient. I do know there is a person on here (I can't recall the name) that has a DSB and does virtually no water changes. If you do a search on this forum you can probably find those threads or someone here can chime in with the name.

 

Welcome. The ability for the tank to sustain itself especially if corals are in there is close if not impossible. You will have to do water changes and potentially dose to get your ca, alk and Mg levels to where they need to be if you have high coral loads. Nutrients have to be exported, which your skimmer helps and your water changes will too. I use a filter sock and I employ the use of GAC and GFO aswell.

 

Welcome to 3reef.