40g breeder plans - SPS dominant

[Burks]

I had thought about doing a 36x36 tank but would rather not since I'll be moving in less than a year. Have the 40g breeder already with a 20g long for a sump so....I'll roll with that for now.

Anyways, here is my plan so far.

40g breeder w/20g long sump (half refugium).
DIY needle wheel skimmer, 6" diameter body
GFO/Carbon reactors

Lighting:
175w Reeflux 10k MH. 2x39 T5HO supplements (will add another 175w when funds allow)

Flow:
Mag 7 return - 500GPH at 3' head
3 x Koralia 2's - 1800GPH total
Total - 2300GPH or 57.5x turnover

The only thing I don't know about, is whether I want a 4" sand bed or bare bottom. I have no idea how a sand bed would do that shallow,with that much flow. That is where I am stuck.

But other than that, does that look ok? I'm aiming for the tank to be SPS dominant with LPS/Softies thrown in here and there (mainly the bottom and sides). Not sure if I want a clam or could support one at 175w.

Suggestions?

 

[roshi719]

If you are planning on SPS I would go with a single 250 rather than the planned 2 175's. Just get a good reflector and it will give you plenty of light.

My .02

 

[Burks]

What reflector would you recommend? If I'm going 250w, I'd like one that will reach the entire tank and not a centralized area (the reason for the eventual 2x175w). I've never really tried to light an entire tank using just one halide.

 

[paintballer768]

I think lumenarc is a good brand?

 

[theplatypus]

Why not run a t5 only setup?

 

[roshi719]

Lumenarc mini or a lumenbright they are both pretty good.

 

[johnr2604]

I would personally just go with your original plan. By the time you raise up one 250 high enough to cover the whole tank you will have a significant reduction in par plus be spilling light all over the front and back. With it being a 40 breeder the 175s will be fine because of the shallow depth. You will also be able to keep the lights alot closer and probably end up with the same par or more than a 250. Now if you were talking 2-250s then that would be a different story.

 

[FateX8]

well then, why not 2 150s?
even more par then 2 175s

 

[johnr2604]

well then, why not 2 150s?
even more par then 2 175s

I think he is trying to use one fixture he already has to save money. I can respect that being poor and all myself LOL

 

[Burks]

Why not run a t5 only setup?

I really, really, really thought about that but couldn't justify the added cost for a 6 bulb fixture. Then the cost of ATI/UV bulbs, ick. Trust me, I'd like to but by the time I got all the money together, the tank would be torn down within two or three months to move. Really had my eyes on a Tek fixture.

With the 175w I'm already half way to my lighting goal. I mounted my 250w in the canopy today and it sure got to the corners well, but I lost a ton of light over the front/back (Hamilton fixture).

 

[FateX8]

as for flow, i have a 2" sand bed and vortec mp20 and oceanrunner 2500 return pump so thats around 2400 gph and im planning on adding more
and my sandbed hasnt moved at all

 

[Burks]

Fate, what type of substrate are you using?

I'm stuck between Aragamax Select and Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand. Price is only different by $4, so that's not a big factor.

Edit: Well I ordered 2 bags of the Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand from the LFS today. At the discount I got, steal.