New 40gal

[209reefer]

Hey guys so i had great success with my 5gal i had and dwarfs but i had to sell them as my parents wouldnt help when i went to hawaii. So my question is i am plannin to have a 40 set up with a 20 long sump should i add a skimmer or just leave it open on the bottom with 2 baffles to hold my macro in the middle and a filter sock on one side and return on the other. I plan on housing seahorses pipefish and a couple mandarin gobies. As for corals what can i put in there exactly heres a list of what i was wanting to set in it.

Hammer ( branching)
Seafan
Fuzzy mushroom
Zoas
Feather duster

Thanks

Darren

 

[vlangel]

I would not have the branching hammer in your seahorse tank as it is a stinging coral. Some varieties of fuzzy mushrooms are controversial as well.You can keep leathers also along with the other corals in your list.
If it were my tank I would choose the protein skimmer over the macro algae. It is being discovered that too many dissolved organics in the water column may contribute to various seahorse maladies. Not only would I choose a protein skimmer but I would buy an oversized one. The SCA-302 is what I have, rated for 180 gallons and is under $150 on amazon, (or at least it was when I bought it). You could incorporate some macro algae in your display for nutrient export but that does require diligent maintenance.
Post pics of your build as I would enjoy seeing them.

 

[Devaji108]

updates?

 

[Sir JRAD]

Going well?

 

[209reefer]

skipped out on the 40 went to a 75 lol just got it setup up with water and black sand atm and will be adding the rock and zoas soon