40B Colorado Build and BS!

piranhaman00

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Looks great! I love my Jebao DCP pump, dead quite, I actually switched all my tanks to them from ecotech haha.

I would have went with a 29 for the sump but I guess if you plumb it right you will be able to handle the back flow from power outages.

I run a 36" sunpower on my 40B and it is so awesome! Controllability is a gimmick that hinders coral growth ;)
 
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Looks great! I love my Jebao DCP pump, dead quite, I actually switched all my tanks to them from ecotech haha.

I would have went with a 29 for the sump but I guess if you plumb it right you will be able to handle the back flow from power outages.

I run a 36" sunpower on my 40B and it is so awesome! Controllability is a gimmick that hinders coral growth ;)

How do you like the T5? How many bulbs do you have?
 

brett_schn

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How do you like the T5? How many bulbs do you have?
I’m loving my new t5s on my 40b. I have 4 24” bulbs. Only a 2 month tank but here’s a picture for you.
front to back Blue plus coral plus purple plus blue plus

85A42ADC-70B5-4677-B4E8-A0C73EE4A04F.jpeg
 
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No doubt that T5 will grow corals as well as anything. I’m still thinking LED for me. No annual bulb replacement.
 

piranhaman00

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No doubt that T5 will grow corals as well as anything. I’m still thinking LED for me. No annual bulb replacement.

I dont get why thats such a big issue. LEDs dont last forever...in fact they die pretty quick when you do some researching.
 

brett_schn

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No doubt that T5 will grow corals as well as anything. I’m still thinking LED for me. No annual bulb replacement.
Here’s another thing to think about. While my t5s aren’t really hot and I don’t usually run a heater as I’m in Florida but In colder states you rely less on a heat with t5s. Someone wrote on how they actually save money on the electric bill with t5s over leds. also I spent $140 on my t5 setup with $80 replacement yearly. I can run my t5s for 4-5 years before reaching the point of something like the reef breeders around $500 or $1600 in radions to create almost as even coverage as the t5s. Also there is a lot more technology to fail in new leds compared to t5s.
Also not sure if I missed it but what do you plan on keeping coral wise? (And fish wise if you don’t mind me asking I’m planning on picking up more fish for my reef)
 
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Planning on a mixed reef with softies, LPS, and some SPS. Everyone seems to do pretty well with the Reef Breeders, seems like one of the best values out there for what you get. I think I would probably be happier in the long run with something like that vs. a T5 setup. (Again, not a knock on T5 lights or people who use T5 lights.)
 

brett_schn

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Planning on a mixed reef with softies, LPS, and some SPS. Everyone seems to do pretty well with the Reef Breeders, seems like one of the best values out there for what you get. I think I would probably be happier in the long run with something like that vs. a T5 setup. (Again, not a knock on T5 lights or people who use T5 lights.)
Do what you think is best for you. Reefbreeders will do a great for you. Not trying to discourage you from leds just encouraging you for other options ;). You’ll love your reefbreeders though
 
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I did all the cement work tonight. Tomorrow hopefully attach the black vinyl tubing and test everything with tap water.
 
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I've never done any plumbing before this tank. I hope I did everything right. The PVC to ABS transition cement is some nasty, smelly stuff but I really like the color LOL. The all purpose cement is not as bad to work with. Thinking of letting everything cure for 24 hours before I test it tomorrow. I still need to install my old RO/DI under the sink or pay someone to do that. Along with a lot more projects.
 
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Finished up the plumbing and added a second gasket to the Eshopps M overflow. Going to let it run all night with freshwater and then work on the aquascaping next.
 
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The tank is pretty quiet. I hope to get saltwater in it this weekend if I can figure out the aquascaping. Then how best to cycle it? Seems like most people use the bottled bacteria with an ammonia solution or what not.
 

brett_schn

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The tank is pretty quiet. I hope to get saltwater in it this weekend if I can figure out the aquascaping. Then how best to cycle it? Seems like most people use the bottled bacteria with an ammonia solution or what not.
That’s exactly what I did. Everything looks great 2 months in. Cycled In 3-4 days haven’t had any algae issues
 
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That’s exactly what I did. Everything looks great 2 months in. Cycled In 3-4 days haven’t had any algae issues
What product did you use? I’m thinking it would be smarter to buy at an LFS and not risk an issue with cold weather in shipping.
 
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Tank is up and running today. LFS had some decent live rock so I bought 12 pounds to add to my 25-30 lbs. of dry rock. They have both premixed saltwater and RO/DI fresh. So I used their premix and got a spare container of the RO.
 
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Water is a lot clearer now. I added a bottled bacteria product last night. Along with the ammonia solution to feed the bacteria.
 

Sebastiancrab

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I do. 4 bulb 24” fixture.
They are All the same manufacturer just different distributors this is the exact one I bought although I paid $60 for it a month ago

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.
 
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