40 dream tank

**Antonias1391** · 09-04-2011, 05:15 PM

So I'm planning on starting a 40 breeder and I have some ideas on gear for it but I want to hear what the rest of you have to say on what u would use. what is the right amount of watts to heat 50g of water?? It is going to be a mixed tank with a good bit of sps so there's a baseline to go off

Here's my list
- 40g breeder
-20g sump DIY
- avast DIY skimmer with tunze hydrofoamer
- Brs carbon and gfo reactor
- 300gph return for 8x turnover
- Vortech mp-40wes
- tek t5 6 bulb fixture
- RKL light

Tell me what u think and pleas ask me questions the more problems you all cam find with this plan the better it makes it

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**Electrobes** · 09-04-2011, 05:23 PM

I like what I am seeing so far. I have a sumpless 40BR that's a mixed reef, and going off of my tank, you definitely have way more in terms of machinery (*Good ones at that) than I do. As for the heater wattage, if you have the room for it, I suggest maybe 2 X 150's (a bit overkill) or 2 X 75's.

**Antonias1391** · 09-04-2011, 05:44 PM

I don't have all the gear yet sadly I still need to get the tank the return pump and all the lighting and heaters. Thanks for the info on the heaters it always confuses me. Do u have a thread on your 40g breeder I'd love to see it

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**cmcneil** · 09-04-2011, 06:02 PM

What tunze hydrofoamer are you getting the 9410 or 9420?what is the skimmers base diameter and neck diameter?you might need to detune the pump some to make it work properly depending on the skimmer body size.I-tech uses modified hydrofoamer pumps on there model 100 and 200 and both pumps needed modified venturis to work properly.lmk if you think you need a new Venturi and I can help you out.

**Antonias1391** · 09-04-2011, 07:24 PM

I have the 9410 for it.
heres the specs for the skimmer
Technical Details:
Footprint: 9"x10"
Height: 22", with Swabbie 24"
Diameter at Base 7.5"
Neck diameter: 3.75
hopefully that can tell you if i need to do any further modding on it

also on a side note for the tanks details i am going barebottem as i have had to many problems with sand for it to be worth the look. it also makes cleaning a breeze

**Mellowguy** · 09-04-2011, 08:25 PM

I'm adding a 40g breeder to my display tank. I'm gonna use it for propagating anemones and some frags to help pay for this expensive hobby. Plus, coral propagation amazes me and I will enjoy it. I have read that 6 watts per gallon is needed for proper coral growth. I assume your planning on buying a 6 - 39 watt bulb unit. That's 234 watts, which is plenty. But if you don't plan on keeping high light needing coral like acros, you may be ok with a 4 bulb. That's 154 watts, which is about 6 watts per gallon. But that is just a suggestion to save you a couple bucks. Also, 40g breeders are shallow. So there is less water depth for light to pass through, to filter the light, making less light wattage more effective. On the other hand, with a 6 bulb, you can add actinic and other color enhancing bulbs, without taking away from your wattage ratio. I would also consider 10 times turnover on your pump, if the pump is only a few bucks more.

**butts182** · 09-04-2011, 09:04 PM

if you want to keep acros, go with the 6 bulb fixture...if not 4 is good enough. if you want a 6 bulb ati fixture, let me know...i have one that is very lightly used. pm me for info if interested.

**cmcneil** · 09-04-2011, 09:16 PM

I don't thing the 9410 is going to be enough air for the body.does avast recommend any air draw for the skimmer?the 9410 only pushes about 600lph at best depending on the body.I have an I-tech 100 and it uses the 9410 modified to about 500 lph,the model 200 uses the 9420 modded to about 900lph.the model 200 is about the same size as your skimmer so that's why I think you will need the 9420.but hey only time will tell.make sure you keep you receipt so you can return it and upgrade if your store will allow it.

**Antonias1391** · 09-05-2011, 10:20 AM

Avast actually recomended that pump over the one they sell with it ill have to give them a call and check if they have a recomended air draw. Thanks for pointing that out to me !

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**pumarjr** · 09-05-2011, 10:30 AM

I have an mp10es on my 40 gal tank. an mp 40 will be way overkill IMO. Also, I am running a 680 gph return pump on my tank. I run 1 x 150w heater in my sump, never had an issue, temp stays +/- 1 degree 24/7.

**AsphaltPays** · 09-05-2011, 10:55 AM

+1 on the MP40 I have one on my 60 frag tank (48"L*24"W*12"H) and only run it half way
Looks like you are well on your way for a great tank..
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**butts182** · 09-05-2011, 11:32 AM

I don't think the mp40 is overkill. I have 1 mp40 and an mp20 on my 40 breeder. I run the mp40 about 35 percent and the mp20 about 80 percent. A Rio2500 is my return pump. I might recommend using 2 mp10s instead of 1 mp40. That way you would have good, irregular flow everywhere and you could sync/antisync them to work well together.

**bmac16** · 09-05-2011, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by butts182

I don't think the mp40 is overkill. I have 1 mp40 and an mp20 on my 40 breeder. I run the mp40 about 35 percent and the mp20 about 80 percent. A Rio2500 is my return pump. I might recommend using 2 mp10s instead of 1 mp40. That way you would have good, irregular flow everywhere and you could sync/antisync them to work well together.

+1 I have my mp40 at 75% and need more flow for sps ....I also recommend the 2 mp10

**Antonias1391** · 09-05-2011, 04:39 PM

Thanks every one for your suggestions!! Another thing I forgot to mentionis that I am planning on having a nem corner. As with the mp 40 I will just go with it for now and make sure it isn't blasting everything if it doesn't work out I'm sure some one will be willing to trade for some 10s

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**Antonias1391** · 10-12-2011, 12:56 PM

I bought my lights ! I purchased the sunlight supply tek t5 6 bulb fixture either the tank bracket and 6 bulbs
3 ATI blue+
1 uvl super actinic
1 kz Fiji purple
And one ATI 12k Aquablue special.
After I bought them I logged onto reef2reef and saw that the current totm had the same bulb combo! Was pritty motivated about that !! I also bought bulkheads and bits to.begin the plumbing and drew up a design for the stand with my father who is a master carpenter.
Other than that brief moment of reefing Zen I have been training for my mos I graduate on Nov 22nd so I'm almost done !

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**Antonias1391** · 10-22-2011, 09:30 PM

Got my order in from Brs last thursday, super fast shipping as usual! Today we started the move to our new house and I got the tank drilled, painted, and i got the bulkheads on! I'm going to plumb and get the skeleton of the stand built tomarow. I had to revise my plan a little and the tank is now going to be a pinisula next to the front door. Here's some pics

**Antonias1391** · 10-24-2011, 04:39 AM

Got the tank up and a very rough rockscape done. The 20g sump bearly fit in the stand and we has to build the stand around the 20g but it all looks exactly how I wanted.it to. I will try to.get some pics up soon !

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**Antonias1391** · 10-24-2011, 06:55 AM

I have a question about my photoperiod. I was thinking 10 hours total. 1 hour for both morning and twilight. Then 8 for a full total all lights on. Is that to much, or about right ?

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**Antonias1391** · 10-24-2011, 06:33 PM

Dang no oppinions!?

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**Antonias1391** · 11-06-2011, 01:44 PM

Time for an update and some new pics !! Everythingis doing well and polyping very well the sps are loving the new t5s and I've fine tuned my mp40w-es to that its set at about 40%. I unfortunately lost my female tomato clown in the move. I couldn't get her to the new house fast enough

. Now I am looking for a controler. I'm thinking apex. Any opinions? Here's a couple of pictures.

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