Ryan's New 40g Breeder Tank

[Ryan S]

I went to Petco this morning and they were having their $1/gallon sale. I couldn't resist the 40g breeder and a 20g long for the sump. While I'll definitely miss the size of my old 135g tank, I love the dimensions of the 40g breeder and I figure I can always go bigger down the road when I'm ready!

 

So I brought them home and they are currently sitting on the couch!

 

40g Breeder:

 

20g Long for the Sump:

 

Side by Side:

[Incredible Corals]

That's an awesome combo. Can you drill the back or are you going to do a hob overflow?

[Ryan S]

Honestly, I plan on seeking out help here on WAMAS with respect to setup and equipment. My old 135g was all drilled/plumbed/equipped more or less, when I got it. So I plan on taking it slow setting this up. I am busy researching which light to get at the moment, and which RO/DO unit. First thing I need to figure out is where I can find a stand for it or if I should try and find someone to build one for me. As for drilling, I definitely want to get it drilled. But as to where/what size hole, etc, I don't know?

[Coral Hind]

Welcome back!

 

Have you decided what you want to keep in the tank? That might effect water flow and lighting requierments.

[Ryan S]

Welcome back!

 

Have you decided what you want to keep in the tank? That might effect water flow and lighting requierments.

 

Oh yes, SPS all the way! I was thinking of getting the 6x39w T5 current usa nova extreme pro light in the forums right now... I'd love a vortech for flow? Wasn't sure if one MP10 would be enough? I was reading online a few folks said a 24" 6 bulb t5 fixture is better for a 40g breeder because it's so shallow. Or a 36" light with only 4 bulbs. Would any of you advice in that regard?

[roni]

for a 3 ft tank a 2 ft fixture is fine. 6 bulbs gives you more ability to finetune the color to what you want. the current fixtures are nice but i'm a big fan of the ati sunpowers and mh/t5 fixtures over that size tank. i think 2 6045 tunze pumps would be great for flow or if you want controllable, 2 6055. either that or 2 mp10s.

[AcePuck35]

Ryan,

 

I am trying to set up the exact same system. My plan is to drill an over flow into the sump and use LED lights. I also would like to keep SPSs. Are you going to use a skimmer and if so what kind? That is one of the other things I am having problems with right now. Most skimmers are rated for 100 gallons or over. There is the instant ocean seaclone that is rated to 100 gallons but I am reading mixed reviews. I just posted a LED help topic in the DIY section if you are interested. If you want we can bounce ideas off of each other. I am basically at the same stage as you, I have my tank and that is about it.

 

 

[Der ABT]

i have a 30g breeder frag tank and have a 175w with 2 39w t5 Hamilton light that works great for all corals. the MH is in the center so you just move the corals that need less light out to the side. even has built in moon light.

I will actually be selling this in the near future as im supposed to break down my frag tank(though i dont want to) so pm me if your interested or just wanna see it (im in arlington too)

 

I would think a koralia would be the cheapest, MP10 would be nice but id probably pair it with another small pump that ran constant. i like koralia's because of cost and they make controllable ones now (in my frag tank 30 breeder i have a tunze 6045, koralia 3 or 4 that is on 6 hours a day)

Stand is really easy (actually have a stand that would work for you as well) but if you can cut 2x4s then you can make one for really cheap. there is a few plans on RC and da google. and its nice cause you can make it bigger/smaller/taller etc so you have a place to rest things and or fit more into the sump (like a 5g frag tank haha)

 

if you do drill the tank (i know i would and my 30 breeders are drilled) whne it comes to an overflow, Coralhind has a great one where he used a file hanger (the wedge one that goes on a door) and it was nice because it didnt block as much light because of the angle but it still surfaced skimmed, im sure he has a pic somewhere)

 

again let me know if you want to stop by and see mine for ideas.

[Der ABT]

STAY AWAY FROM THE SEACLONE.they sorta work but there are alot others out there that work better....if you want one my inlaws have two i think that are sitting in storage im sure he would sell for alot less then a new one...let me know

[AcePuck35]

what are some of the other skimmers that are better that would work on a smaller system?

 

 

[Ryan S]

I am trying to set up the exact same system. My plan is to drill an over flow into the sump and use LED lights. I also would like to keep SPSs. Are you going to use a skimmer and if so what kind? That is one of the other things I am having problems with right now. Most skimmers are rated for 100 gallons or over. There is the instant ocean seaclone that is rated to 100 gallons but I am reading mixed reviews. I just posted a LED help topic in the DIY section if you are interested. If you want we can bounce ideas off of each other. I am basically at the same stage as you, I have my tank and that is about it.

 

Hello. I saw your post. I wish I could afford LEDs. I think I am going to go with the 6x39w T5 fixture for now. I haven't settled on a skimmer yet, but I was leaning towards an Octopus 110, because I used to have a 150 on my old tank and it worked great:

 

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/reef-octopus-4-pinwheel-in-sump-skimmer.html

 

And I would definitely love to bounce ideas off of each other!

[Der ABT]

i have an aquac remora, remora pro i keep for my QT system that used to run on a 39 or 49g tank (cant remember which) and did ok. I had a coralife 65 i think it was that once you got it dialed in did really well for me as long as you cleaned it every month or 2 (actually still have it sitting in my garage as a back back up haha)

 

there are alot of others on here that will know better than me, last time i needed a smaller skimmer was over 6 years ago.

heard good things about the tunze and deltec skimmers as they ahve a small foot print but can get pricey

 

i would also check with Avast and see if they ahve anything in the works.... Justin and Dan are local and i can only speak to the 6 or 7 products of theirs i have but i probalby would never buy another brand anythign if they made every piece of equipment i needed.

 

aw crap ifyour going that big check with avast, the peg leg is freaking amazing and cheap

Edited September 7, 2011 by Der ABT

[AcePuck35]

Der ABT, I would love to buy from Avast I have been reading great things about their product but it looks like their smallest skimmer (at least on the web site) is rated for 100-200 gallons, I would assume that if they made a smaller one it would cost even less then the one they make and I would def buy it from them. I might e-mail them anyway just to find out if they make a smaller one.

[AcePuck35]

Actually I did just e-mail Avast

[Jan]

Hey Ryan! Welcome back!

I went to Petco this morning and they were having their $1/gallon sale. I couldn't resist the 40g breeder and a 20g long for the sump. While I'll definitely miss the size of my old 135g tank, I love the dimensions of the 40g breeder and I figure I can always go bigger down the road when I'm ready!

 

So I brought them home and they are currently sitting on the couch!

[Ryan S]

Hey Ryan! Welcome back!

 

Thanks Jan!

[Ryan S]

Does anyone have advice/opinions on where/how to drill the 40 breeder?

 

I was thinking I could drill the tank like this guy did:

http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44912

 

With the overflow at the back, top left, and the return at the back, top right (see his pictures). This would run about $125 for the kit from glass holes.

 

Or another option was 2 overflows, in the back left and right corners, and the return in the center back of the tank.

 

I could get 2 inky boxes, as shown in the tanks at this link:

http://www.livingreefs.com/coast-coast-overflow-t18684.html

 

And for the center return, I was thinking loc line with a y connector and 2 flare tips, sort of like this picture:

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1094966&postcount=34

 

I don't really understand flow rates, with the return pump and sump, size of the overflow holes I'll be drilling, etc. So I am not sure which is the best option or safest option either?

[Ryan S]

Also looking for advice on rock and sand choices.

 

1. For rock, deciding between:

 

Bulkreefsupply, 50# pukani dry rock - $160:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/brs-pukani-dry-aquarium-eco-rock.html

 

or

 

Marcorocks, 50# dry rock/5# live fiji combo - $132:

http://www.marcorocks.com/5lbs50lbsliverockdryrockcombo.aspx

 

I am leaning towards the marco combo, since the live will seed the dry rock, but I really love the pukani. Do any of you have the marco dry rock? Or punani rock? Thoughts?

 

2. As for sand ($30), I can't tell with my eyes the difference between coarse and fine. Do any of you have experience with either? I want high flow in the tank for SPS (but want a white sand bottom, not a bare bottom), so I am leaning towards the coarse sand, b/c I assume the fine will blow all over the place?

http://www.marcorocks.com/40lbbahamaaragonitesandshippingincludedallsandshipsuspsprioritymail.aspx

[Der ABT]

for rocks id go check out Fins and Feathers. he has betting getting some REALLY nice rock in lately, ive been talking about getting some new for my 120 and Sean was saying that he can order all kinds of shapes etc for you and its already live so the cycle would be much shorter

[Ryan S]

I do plan on checking out Fins and Feathers soon. My girlfriend has never been, so I want her to "get ideas" on what corals I'll be wanting in the near future. As for rock, I think I'm going to go with the 40# Pukani, $3/lb dry is hard to beat.

 

Today I am pondering between what return pump I should get (eheim 3000 vs mag 7); 1/4" clear vs. 1/4" black mesh for the screen top I want to put on the top of the tank (I think black looks better, but some say clear would let more light through or absorb less?); should I have 1 overflow (center) and 2 returns (back corners) or 1 overflow (left side) and 1 return (right side); and lastly, should I get 2 vortech MP10s for flow, or 1 MP40.

 

As always, any input is very welcome and appreciated.

[AcePuck35]

Ryan, since I have asked you about what skimmer you are going to use I have done some more research. I have backed off of the seaclone and found the Eshopps PSK-75. I have not seen a bad review of it yet but I just posted a topic in the product review section to see is anyone else is using it to gather more opinions. I also e-mailed Avast and they are thinking about building a smaller skimmer but don

[trockafella]

I use the Indo-Pacific black and white sand, and I love it.. Its very bright, and has a nice mixture of some larger black pieces in it. I have an MP40 thats turned up pretty high, and no issues. Once your sand settles it will be fine. All new sand is going to blow around some with good flow..

 

 

[Ryan S]

Ryan, since I have asked you about what skimmer you are going to use I have done some more research. I have backed off of the seaclone and found the Eshopps PSK-75. I have not seen a bad review of it yet but I just posted a topic in the product review section to see is anyone else is using it to gather more opinions. I also e-mailed Avast and they are thinking about building a smaller skimmer but don

[Ryan S]

I haven't made any progress on a skimmer yet, but will definitely check out the Eshopps PSK-75. I have decided to go with an Eheim 1260 return pump; 1/4" black mesh for the cover; and a center overflow with 2 returns on the back corners. I have not figured out what I should do for flow in the tank yet (2 MP10s or 1 MP40). Slowly but surely...

 

Update: I went ahead and ordered 2 Vortech Mp10w ES's. I decided their smaller profile would look better in the tank than the larger MP40s. I just hope they are strong enough (and yet not too strong so I can have some coarse sand in the tank).

 

I am trying to find the hanging arm kit for my light for less than $80. $80 seems kind of steep to me for 2 piece of metal and some wire? Does anyone know where I can find it cheaper? Or does anyone work with metal, this shouldn't be too hard to make?

 

http://www.petstore.com/ps_viewitem.aspx?idproduct=CU01092&child=CU01092&tab=5&utm_source=pscseggl2&utm_medium=pscse&utm_campaign=pscseggl2&utm_content=CU01092

[AcePuck35]

Ryan, check out my post asking about the skimmer I mentioned above now I am not so sure about the Eshopps skimmer any more. Trying to keep you in the loop on my research. Eshopps skimmer post