New Clownfish setup plans - Opinions needed!

[reeferloverco]

On Sunday I will be getting a new 40 breeder tank. I plan on setting it up as a reef tank for my two ocellaris clowns, chalk bass, black line blenny and purple fire fish. The only corals I have now are a gorgian and mushroom. There is also a condylactis anemone.

I have a 36" duel t5 ho fixture I am going to use. Plus I am going to be using the live rock (at least 30lbs) from the established 55 gal tank so I should have minimum cycling. I will be using new sand. Shooting for about 2 inches. I am going to be using a cascade 300 back filter for carbon or filter sock for other media and water flow. I also have the option to move a canister filter to this new tank but I have hard these are harder to maintain with a reef tank. There will be a Aqueon 700 circulation pump for more water movement and a 150 watt Aqueon pro heater.

A few years down the road I would like to breed the clowns so am setting them up in this tank now to get established. In addition I would like to get some BTA's and maybe a carpet.

Will any species of carpet do well in this tank long term or do I need to stick with BTA only?

The other corals I would like to keep are frog spawn, maze brain, ricordia, other lps and softies. I wanted a clam, but don't think there will be enough light.

Do you think I need a protien skimmer? If so can any one recommend a decent quality one that is also easy on the budget?

What does everyone think about the stock list?

Any recommendations on things I should do differently?

Thanks for any suggestions! Jake.

 

[bills tank]

Id get better lighting before adding any anenomes . Itll be better for the corals you wanna add too thats not all that much lighting u have now and yes add a skimmer . Good luck with the transfer

 

[bills tank]

I would upgrade your lighting or at least would add more lighting to your setup and get a skimmer before you add anemones or the corals you wanna add. Hope this helps sure others will add too it .

 

[reeferloverco]

What would be considered adequate lighting for what I want to do?

I have a duel bulb 96 watt fixture I used for a 46 gallon bow front I had years ago. One of the bulbs is a new 10,000k but the other is an older one. I don't think I could find an actinic for it though. I could use that one instead or in addition to.

What's your opinion? Also, I don't have a much more money to spend on this tank. I was thinking about going with the coralife 65g skimmer. I can get it for $100 shipped. Does that seem like the best skimmer for the dollar for that size tank?

Thanks for any suggestions or help on this set up! - Jake.

 

[shifty51008]

I would at least go with a 4 bulb T5HO unit if you want an anemone. or add the 96 watt fixture to the T5 unit.

as for the skimmer if you wanna get the coralife skimmer at least go with the 125 unit. the company really oversizes their skimmers. IMO the 65g skimmer is maybe only good for a 20-30 gal tank.

 

[SkySoldier173]

I would have the tank running for close to a year before putting an anemone in. Clowns will not host condy anemone. Best off with BTA. The carpet anemone is pretty aggressive and may eat other fish and sometimes clown and need room for it to move around. Great lights and flow is must but mostly stability and water quality in an established tank.

 

[SkySoldier173]

If you plan on breeding in the future just to bare tank with terrecota pot