This is my 40 breeder build thread. I would enjoy other people to follow my build thread and offer up advice/comments on anything that is done. I will try and post updates at least once a week. This is could be a fairly long intro post to bring the story up to speed.
Prior to setting up the 40 breeder I had a 37 gallon FOWLR that was running for about a year in our living room. It was freshwater before and when we moved and purchased our home I broke it down. With the freshwater being taken down, I decided I wanted to try the saltwater game. I did a few months research before setting it up. Fast forward to around March 2021, my wife and I didn't like where the tank was in the living room. So I persuaded her into letting me getting a 40 Breeder (A LOT better dimensions than the 37) to put in our 3rd bedroom. This got the tank out of the living room and allowed me to upgrade!
(Picture of 37 gallon)
I was waiting for the dollar per gallon sale to get my 40 breeder. So I decided that I would build a DIY stand for it. I used the common design that can be found on just about any forum. The only change I made to it was instead of using the vertical 2x4 in the corners to attach the load bearing 2x4s to, I used a pocket jig to screw into the frame. This eliminated about 8 ft of board which during COVID we all know the prices of lumber have been ridiculous. I do not have any pictures of the build process of the stand because I didn't have a build thread in mind at the time. Then I wrapped the stand in 1/4 inch plywood and added it to the top and inside stand on the bottom for future upgrades for a sump and hold ATO container. Also added a door on the front to keep it looking clean.
The pictures are prior to stain and adding the plywood on top.
\
Inside the stand I added some roughly 2x2s around the inside on the bottom to create a basin for spilled water in the event of a spill/overflow. The plan is to add a rubber liner if I ever add a sump. The whole inside of the stand was painted with white epoxy paint used for refrigerators. I believe I got it from Home Depot, I can add a picture of the can if anyone is interested. I liked that it would give a hard finish that would be able to withstand the salt water abuse. It also helped to brighten up the inside of the stand. The outside of the stand was sanded, stained, and clear coated.
(Inside of stand and stain on outside)
Around May I transferred equipment, rock, and water to the 40B. I bought 2 AI Primes from someone on here that with the plan of using those instead of the Current USA lights that I was using. I started with a CPR BakPak2 HOB skimmer and have since upgraded to a Reef Octopus 1000. Wave pumps started as Current USA but was also upgraded to a single AI Nero5, I plan on getting another soon. I also added a few pounds of Marco shelf rock to give some levels for coral placement. The old sand was thrown out and I got 40lbs of Caribsea live sand (don't remember the size/style).
Picture is when the tank was first set up.
These pictures are from last night 08/03/2021. I added my first corals!! A devils hand on the left structure in the middle and some GSP on an island in the between the two structures. I haven't decided if it is going to there or not. I'm not sure I like the rock being in between the two prominent structures. I just cleaned the glass so tank is cloudy.
(Full tank)
(Top down of structure on left)
(Top down of structure on right, the orientation is screwed up so the top of picture is the front of tank)
Equipment:
AI Prime HD x2 mounted using BRS recommended spacing and height off water
Reef Octopus 1000 HOB protein skimmer
AI Nero 5
~40LBS of live sand
~30-40LBS of rock
Aquatop 100 watt heater
Current Stocking:
Fish-
Mocha Ocellaris x2
Orange Striped Cardinal x2
Royal Gramma x1
Cherub Angel x1
CUC/Inverts-
Tiger Conch x1
Nassarrius x2
Red Leg hermit crab x5
Astrea Snail x3
Mexican Turbo Snail x1
Coral-
Devil's hand
GSP
As mentioned earlier, please follow my thread if you are interested. I will try and read other peoples build threads, follow along, and help with feedback as well. I plan on doing at least a weekly update. If any questions feel free to ask!
P.S.
If you took the time to read all this I appreciate and know it was long but I wanted to bring the build up to speed.
Prior to setting up the 40 breeder I had a 37 gallon FOWLR that was running for about a year in our living room. It was freshwater before and when we moved and purchased our home I broke it down. With the freshwater being taken down, I decided I wanted to try the saltwater game. I did a few months research before setting it up. Fast forward to around March 2021, my wife and I didn't like where the tank was in the living room. So I persuaded her into letting me getting a 40 Breeder (A LOT better dimensions than the 37) to put in our 3rd bedroom. This got the tank out of the living room and allowed me to upgrade!
(Picture of 37 gallon)
I was waiting for the dollar per gallon sale to get my 40 breeder. So I decided that I would build a DIY stand for it. I used the common design that can be found on just about any forum. The only change I made to it was instead of using the vertical 2x4 in the corners to attach the load bearing 2x4s to, I used a pocket jig to screw into the frame. This eliminated about 8 ft of board which during COVID we all know the prices of lumber have been ridiculous. I do not have any pictures of the build process of the stand because I didn't have a build thread in mind at the time. Then I wrapped the stand in 1/4 inch plywood and added it to the top and inside stand on the bottom for future upgrades for a sump and hold ATO container. Also added a door on the front to keep it looking clean.
The pictures are prior to stain and adding the plywood on top.
\
Inside the stand I added some roughly 2x2s around the inside on the bottom to create a basin for spilled water in the event of a spill/overflow. The plan is to add a rubber liner if I ever add a sump. The whole inside of the stand was painted with white epoxy paint used for refrigerators. I believe I got it from Home Depot, I can add a picture of the can if anyone is interested. I liked that it would give a hard finish that would be able to withstand the salt water abuse. It also helped to brighten up the inside of the stand. The outside of the stand was sanded, stained, and clear coated.
(Inside of stand and stain on outside)
Around May I transferred equipment, rock, and water to the 40B. I bought 2 AI Primes from someone on here that with the plan of using those instead of the Current USA lights that I was using. I started with a CPR BakPak2 HOB skimmer and have since upgraded to a Reef Octopus 1000. Wave pumps started as Current USA but was also upgraded to a single AI Nero5, I plan on getting another soon. I also added a few pounds of Marco shelf rock to give some levels for coral placement. The old sand was thrown out and I got 40lbs of Caribsea live sand (don't remember the size/style).
Picture is when the tank was first set up.
These pictures are from last night 08/03/2021. I added my first corals!! A devils hand on the left structure in the middle and some GSP on an island in the between the two structures. I haven't decided if it is going to there or not. I'm not sure I like the rock being in between the two prominent structures. I just cleaned the glass so tank is cloudy.
(Full tank)
(Top down of structure on left)
(Top down of structure on right, the orientation is screwed up so the top of picture is the front of tank)
Equipment:
AI Prime HD x2 mounted using BRS recommended spacing and height off water
Reef Octopus 1000 HOB protein skimmer
AI Nero 5
~40LBS of live sand
~30-40LBS of rock
Aquatop 100 watt heater
Current Stocking:
Fish-
Mocha Ocellaris x2
Orange Striped Cardinal x2
Royal Gramma x1
Cherub Angel x1
CUC/Inverts-
Tiger Conch x1
Nassarrius x2
Red Leg hermit crab x5
Astrea Snail x3
Mexican Turbo Snail x1
Coral-
Devil's hand
GSP
As mentioned earlier, please follow my thread if you are interested. I will try and read other peoples build threads, follow along, and help with feedback as well. I plan on doing at least a weekly update. If any questions feel free to ask!
P.S.
If you took the time to read all this I appreciate and know it was long but I wanted to bring the build up to speed.
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