40B Colorado Build and BS!

brett_schn · Nov 2, 2020

Elaine123 said:
Are you hanging this from the ceiling? And is that a Fijicube sump kit? Any particular reason you picked it over Jax Racks? I am doing the same build as you including a similar white stand but with a rimless tank. I have one half inch pipe.

Yeah I hung from the ceiling

R.Weller · Nov 2, 2020

Reef Tanker said:
Water is a lot clearer now. I added a bottled bacteria product last night. Along with the ammonia solution to feed the bacteria.

Looking great. What wave makers are you planning?

Reef Tanker · Nov 2, 2020

R.Weller said:
Looking great. What wave makers are you planning?

Thinking of maybe the Reef Breeders RP-M or something like that. I like the Vortech MP10 but man they're expensive! Holy smokes. I just don't really want cords in the tank so I'm open to other recommedations too.

R.Weller · Nov 3, 2020

I'm a huge fan of the IceCap gyre. A few months back I installed two of the 4k's in our 300gal & it's impressive. For the 40b, I'd consider 1 of the 2k's w/ the controller. As with many of these technologies, the software is a little buggy, but the hardware is amazing. It's worth considering the research on 'sheet' vs. 'wave' flow patterns when making your selection.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/2k-gyre-flow-pump-with-dual-pump-wifi-controller-icecap.html
I saw you're post on the DCP-2500. I'm a big fan of Jebao return pumps as I'm running four of them now. I'm using the exact model, the DCP-2500, on our algae scrubber that feeds our refugium & it's been running non-stop for 2 1/2 years through all of our upgrades with almost no maintenance. However, the gyre's replaced two OW-50's that we're very loud inside the display, which is something for us because we use a surge device that is also loud & quiet operation is not a priority. So while I support Jebao return pumps, I was not satisfied with their wave makers.

Mastiffsrule · Nov 3, 2020

Evening,

Just stopped by. Great looking build. Nice sump build. Check the jebao wavemakers too. For price they are not bad. bit noisy and noticeable but make lots of power. Rock work looks good.

Reef Tanker · Nov 3, 2020

Thanks for the replies. Hoping to get this thing cycled and then start adding a few animals next.

Rip2131 · Nov 5, 2020

Tank build looks really nice. I'm following along, considering an upgrade to the 40b!
Very fun to read! Thanks!

Reef Tanker · Nov 11, 2020

Ammonia is gone now. Nitrite levels are dropping fast too. Tank should be ready any day now for some animalities.

Thinking of starting with a few snails and hermits, maybe one fish too.

But what kind of fish to begin with? Seems hard to choose a good fish that isn't too trite. Maybe a couple of chromises?

Reef Tanker · Nov 14, 2020

Nitrite is zero now. Hopefully getting the first fish today.

Reef Tanker · Nov 21, 2020

No luck with fish yet. I had a Vanderbilt chromis die and then tried a Banggai cardinal. It didn't make it either. So I'm cycling the tank again and hopefully building up the bacteria populations.

Just placed the big order from BRS and got Black Friday deals on everything:

Reef Breeders Photon 32 V2+
Classic 110SSS Reef Octopus skimmer
Tunze Ecochic Refugium light
Tunze Osmolator ATO
Salifert Calcium test kit

Still hem-hawing on which powerhead(s) to get. But ***** excited about the new ****** gear on order!

Reef Tanker · Nov 21, 2020

$1,049.70 with tax and everything. Still need a power strip to plug it all in LOL.

Reef Tanker · Nov 22, 2020

Today I ordered the IceCap Gyre 2k and a few other things. Starting to see some algae and little pods in the tank now.

Reef Tanker · Nov 25, 2020

My gear arrived today. I didn’t think it would be here until next week. I am just floored with the technology we have now. This light is freaking awesome. Holy smokes. The skimmer, my goodness! You really get more for your money now than 20 years ago in equipment. Far better than when I started at 16!

Reef Tanker · Nov 28, 2020

Picked up a zoanthid colony and a ricordia mushroom yesterday. Along with an acan.

Reef Tanker · Dec 5, 2020

This is with 6 corals now. Hopefully getting more animals today or tomorrow.

Reef Tanker · Dec 5, 2020

Almost ready to make water with my old RO/DI unit from 2008. My water pressure is way too low so I ordered a Smart Buddie from BRS.

Reef Tanker · Dec 8, 2020

Smart Buddie booster pump arrived today. Brought the pressure up from the low 20s to over 80 psi. Making water now and reading 0 tds. I still need a better reservoir with a float switch but I’m in business now.

Reef Tanker · Dec 8, 2020

Tank as of just now with eight corals:
2 Acans
Duncan with 2 heads
Zoanthid colony
2 Syphastrea frags
Ricordia mushrooms
“Frammer” frogspawn/hammer hybrid.

Also 3 trochus snails. Seems like they have plenty of algae to eat.

Reef Tanker · Dec 9, 2020

Made 10 gallons of water last night. It took maybe 2 hours per 5 gallon jug. Reading zero TDS on the DI output into the container.

So far I highly, most definitely recommend the Smart Buddie! Holy smokes that is an incredible product! Again, went from low 20s to 85, maybe even 90 psi. The SB automatically turns on when you turn on the water. Automatically turns off when you turn off the water. Automatically flushes the membrane for you. The unit couldn't produce any water before, the pressure was just too low for the membrane. Now it's cranking out 5 gallons in 2 hours with a tap water temp of 56 degrees as of last night. I'm not an RO/DI expert but I think that's pretty dang good. I think my unit is rated at 100 gpd. At $130 I think the Smart Buddie is an insane value. For me, it made RO/DI production not only possible but out-freaking-standing in my house!

If you're on the fence about a booster pump, or even making your own RO/DI water, good grief do it already! Glad I kept the old RO from 2008. No leaks, no problems, and competes with probably anything made today.

Okay, done gushing about the Smart Buddie and the glory of a good RO/DI. But I've been in or around the hobby for 20 years now and I fell in love with that product in one night. I think it sets the bar for what a booster pump should be.

Lex_510 · Dec 11, 2020

Reef Tanker said:
My gear arrived today. I didn’t think it would be here until next week. I am just floored with the technology we have now. This light is freaking awesome. Holy smokes. The skimmer, my goodness! You really get more for your money now than 20 years ago in equipment. Far better than when I started at 16!

How you like the reef breeders led, is it enough lighting, someone is selling a use one don’t know if I should hop on it