1st reef tank-40 gallon breeder

[fishhound]

Well after months of planning, this dream has become a reality and it seems a little surreal to go from drooling over countless reef tanks on this site to finally starting one of my own. I wasn't really planning on digging in quite yet until I ran across Petco's "dollar per gallon" sale and could hardly turn down the savings. After a few phone calls and realizing alot of people cash in on this sale, I found one remaining 40 gallon breeder and a 20 long for the sump. With $90 in savings, I couldn't go wrong. So here it is, the beginning to my devotion to the ocean.....

Equipment:
-Aqueon 40 gallon breeder, drilled for 1" overflow
-Aqueon 20 long sump/refugium
-Aquaticlife 6x39 T5 HO with 4 lunar leds
-Koralia evo 750, Korailia nano 425
- Marineland 100 In-Sump protien skimmer
-Maxi-jet Utility 3000 return pump
-Homemade stand 36 x 38 x 20

Did a test run for two days with freshwater-no leaks thankfully and everything seems to be functioning properly. Hoping to fill with saltwater, sand, and live rock this weekend. I'm like a kid at Christmas except I'm flipping the bill! More pics to come.

 

[Big Jay]

I love tanks that don't look like science experiments. Well done!

 

[fishhound]

Yeah, most definitely on the smaller reefs where "real estate" is so precious.
Just one of the many benefits to having a sump.

 

[fishhound]

Added 80lbs fuji pink aragonite and 55 lbs live rock this weekend. The excitment level just climbed a notch. A few critters came in with the live rock... pods I guess. I did see something dart back into a hole as I was adding the rock, but haven't seen it since. Having trouble keeping the temp stable although I'm guessing it will be easier once I set the light light timer cycle. I am using two 100 watt heaters both in the sump in an effort to keep equipment out of the DT. Also added a deli shrimp to trigger the ammonia spike.

Here's the parameters as of last night (prior to adding the shrimp)

Ammonia-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-Under 10
pH-7.8
Temp-78.5
SG-1.019 (A little low, I'm guessing from rinsing the sand and remaining freshwater added with it)
Alkalinity-2.5
will post more pics as soon as the water clears

 

[Ravenfan84]

Very nice looking setup seems very well planned and thoughtout

 

[BigJay]

very sharp set up! I think you picked the best medium size tank available. The breeder makes a most excellent reef tank in that its shallow and wide. Can't wait to follow your progress.. good luck!

 

[ReeferMan420]

very nice start! Love it!

 

[smkndrgn142]

Looks great! I've always wanted to do a tank this size! Can't wait to see it with some life!

 

[SilverDragon]

Looks like fun. good luck and keep us posted!

 

[fishhound]

Thanks for the comments all. It is day four and all seems well. Water has finally cleared so I took a few pics tonight. The kickstart deli shrimp is starting to look pretty nasty. Kinda looks like a jellyfish just laying on the bottom. No ammonia spike as of yet. Debating adding a few pounds of choice rock before its too late. Any way here's the pics!

 

[BigJay]

rockwork looks great.

 

[Eric]

Looks Great

 

[Eddieelq]

Looks awesome!

 

[Eddieelq]

love diy's

 

[Lemonpeel]

I like the skimmer. isn't it a marineland? i've been thinking of getting one but I think my sump will be too small if I turn it into a fuge...

 

[fishhound]

Hey Lemonpeel. Yes it is a Marineland and this thing has a pretty small footprint. I just started it today...it is day 9 since starting and already pulling crud from the water. Very minimal noise, in fact I can't hear it with the doors closed. Pleased so far although I'm thinking I might have to rig up a drain fitting on the cup.

 

[partypalooza5]

Hey, for your overflow box are you using the Eshopps internal part? I'm thinking of doing the same thing for my tank... just curious how it's working out for you.

 

[fishhound]

Hey all. Yesterday I added 7 more lbs of liverock all mostly covered in coraline and took a few of the smaller, less attractive pieces and threw them in the refugium. Still no ammonia spike. It is day 9 and now I am seeing what I believe to be a diatom bloom. Could the tank be cycled already since algae is growing? I never noticed any cycle to speak of. Nitraes are still under 10 even with the huge rotting shrimp festering on the bottom. Should I take it out? Should I assume it has cycled? should I wait? Not sure what to do...I am in no hurry and will gladly wait, but I don't want algae to have its way with my reef.

 

[Eric]

The diatom algae is part of the cycle keep monitoring your levels and when the diatom dies off that is one indication that the tank is ready to go.

Tanks looks great BTW

 

[fishhound]

Partypalooza5 nope not eshopps. It was custom made at a LFS. It does work very nicely. Came out of the back with a T-fitting, capped, and drilled a hole in the cap as a silencer. The lights are louder than the trickle noise this tank produces...very pleased with how quiet the whole setup has been.
Here's a pic