Cody's 40G Reef Build

Cody

Look what I got for Christmas...

A 40G (Breeder Style) tank. This will be my next big project, and will stay untill college.

Specs:
-40G breeder tank (36" long x 18" deep x 16" tall)
-3x72W T5's (216W Total) (4 10k daylights, 2 Actinics)
-About 70-75lbs of LR
-30-40lbs of LS
-2 Koralia 1's
-Tunze 9002 DOC Skimmer
-Stealth 100W Heater
-Corals
-Fish

I plan to stock this tank with:
-2 Clownfish
-1 YWG with Pistol Shrimp
-1 Kole Tang (Yes, I know. I have done loads of research on this)
-Possibly 1 Jawfish
-Others

-Hermits
-Snails
-Red reef Starfish, maybe
-Maybe an Urchin
-A few Clams
-Peppermint Shrimps
-Cleaner Shrimp
-Others

-CORALS Galore

Right now, I have 35lbs of rock from Liveaquaria, and 16lbs from my LFS. I will also be transferring the rock from my 10G once the 40 is done cycling. I will bring most of my corals back, and the fish+inverts. The tank is very, very cloudy ATM. Here are the first pics:

FTS (before spraypaint) with no lights on and nothing in the tank:

Daylights (no spraypaint):

Actinics (no spraypaint):

Both (no spraypaint):

The infamous cloudy FTS (only one light on)

Angled:


Continue to watch this thread for updates, etc.
Let me know what you think!

Kellsindell

Congrats again cody!

To keep the sandbed from flying up like that, you should pour water into a container in the tank and then have that container on a trashbag. also you should pump it into the tank that way you have it more controlled rather then just pouring it.

Can't wait to see what you do with this guy... Happy Reefing!

Yasin

I'm sure this tank will be as successful as the former tank.But I'm curious about the filtration system of the tank.Can you give some information about the filtration system?What do you think about using sump in a tank.?Is it useful or not?Thank you...

Cody

Thank you guys!

Kells, I put the rock and water in before the sand, which is why it is so dusty. I did that so the sand would form around the rock.

Yasin, my filtration will be mostly the natural filtration. This is powerheads, live rock, sand, and water changes. I will also have a Tunze 9002 Skimmer as well to aid in filtration. The powerheads I am using will be either two Koralia 1's, one one Koralia 1 and a Koralia Nano. The Skimmer will also give off some flow. I have about 50lbs of live rock in there right now, but it will be almost 75lbs once I transfer everything from my 10G over.
I think using a sump is great I just didn't add one because the tank is in my room, so it needs to be quiet, and I have no clue on how I set one up (not the best in plumbing).

Yasin

Thnaks cody..you are right.I have a sump in my tank and it makes a lot of noise especially at nigt on the other hand it helps filtration.In my sump there is a deep sandbed and refigium.

Cody

Sounds like a very nice sump!

I will be making or buying sort of in-tank refugium, to hold Chaeto and maybe a small DSB. I would be making it out of plexiglass, and drilling holes to allow water to enter and exit.

Kellsindell

I was just giving the info so that you (if you didn't already know) and others would benifit from doing it that way. Sorry if it seemed condesinding .

I have the same issue when it comes to plumbing. I haven't done my 55g's refuge or sump yet... though i mean to. i just want to make sure i have a full understanding. Can we get a shot of the skimmer? and where you got it from? what's it rated for?

Natural filtration will be great, but i don't recommend using calurpa... that stuff it bad news bears.

Cody

Oh, no problem! Sorry that I forgot my smiley face, lol.

As to my skimmer, I don not have it yet. I ordered it from Marinedepot on Christmas Day, and it shipped yesterday. Once I get it in, I promise I will get some pics.
It is rated for aquariums 26-52 gallons. Stony Coral aquariums up to 30, but I have seen a few people with the 9002 for their 40s and love it. They also said it is very quiet, so another plus! The proper size would be like a 9005 or 9010.
You can see all the models here:
Tunze DOC Protein Skimmers (Nano, Classic)

And I will be using Chaeto, not calurpa.

Kellsindell

woops on the misunderstanding LOL

Sounds like a good skimmer, but you are going with natural filtration on top of that, so the rating shouldn't affect you too much if at all.

Glad to hear you're not using Calurpa. It'll kill a system... though i can't stand how Cheato falls apart when you try to harvest it. Oh well, it could be worst... it could be Calurpa

tmz

this is gonna be such an epic project.

i'm pretty stoked to see update pictures! =]