aKlevans' 40 Gallon Breeder Sumpless Reef Tank - Build Thread

[aKlevans]

Most Recent FTS: 7/28/18

"Wow, another 40 breeder build." - You, probably

Hey everybody,
I'm documenting my progress on my first ever reef tank. I've been in the freshwater hobby for a while now, but this is my first venture into the saltwater world.

A little bit of backstory-
I had a 20 gallon freshwater tank that I was wanting to upgrade into a 50 gallon and I was wondering what I would do with the empty 20 gallon. I thought, "why don't I try a reef tank?"

I began searching on the internet about keeping saltwater tanks and I quickly fell in love with the saltwater hobby. So, instead of getting a larger freshwater tank, I went and got a 40 gallon breeder tank for a saltwater reef.

Anyway, I found a really nice spot for the tank in my office. However, the piece of furniature I had picked was way too weak, so I had to support it with some 2 x 4's.

I basically build a standard tank stand and fit it underneath the cabinet where a drawer was originally in place.

Then, I took the facade of the original drawer and attached it to the stand.
I'm setting up the aquascape tomorrow, so stay tuned

 

[aKlevans]

OK, I finished the aquascape. The sand still hasn't settled yet but you can still get a pretty good idea of what it is going to look like.
I used CaribSea Base rock for building the structure

I went with the Tidal Power Filter 55 for filtration. I went with a HOB because I'm too much of a wuss about a sump flooding.
It's really quiet and I really like how it has a built in surface skimmer. The flow speed is also adjustable.

For a powerhead, I went with the Koralia Nano 425. I haven't turned it on yet so I can't say if I like it or not.

I also made some improvements on how I attached the front facade to the stand. I added a metal brace that holds the weight of the board, which slides right on closes nicely.

I'll make an update tomorrow once the sand has settled and I'll go over the aquascape in detail.

 

[Maritimer]

Welcome to the salty side!

This looks fairly promising, and I can remember a time when undergravels and HOBs were what this hobby ran on.

~Bruce

 

[aKlevans]

Welcome to the salty side!

This looks fairly promising, and I can remember a time when undergravels and HOBs were what this hobby ran on.

~Bruce

Thanks Bruce!

Ok, the sand has settled, and you can finally see the aquascape.

 

[aKlevans]

I got some new rock from my LFS, so I redid my aquascape. I'm really happy about how it turned out and I think its a lot better than it was before.

I added a lot more to the left island. I have it reaching much higher than it was before, which is good because I plan on putting some montiporas on it.

I also added a lot more rock to the right side, but I still kept the basic shape. I moved the overhang rock piece to the center, and I think it looks a lot better there.

The added rock also helps all of the aquascape blend together and seem like the rocks are connected. I also used the "rule of thirds" to help with the design.

 

[Maritimer]

The 'scape looks pretty sweet!

The only thing that catches my attention is the spot where the right-hand "bay" formation comes close to the front glass. Make sure you've got room to get your favorite algae-scraper between the glass and the rock / whatever corals will be growing on it, and you're golden!

~Bruce

 

[aKlevans]

The 'scape looks pretty sweet!

The only thing that catches my attention is the spot where the right-hand "bay" formation comes close to the front glass. Make sure you've got room to get your favorite algae-scraper between the glass and the rock / whatever corals will be growing on it, and you're golden!

~Bruce

You can't really see it in the picture, but there is a good 2 inches between the rock and the glass.

Thanks anyway!

 

[aKlevans]

Ok, so its been two weeks, and I still haven't gotten a light. (mostly because they are really expensive)

I'm planning on getting 2 Ai Prime HD's because I plan on making this a reef tank with a few sps corals. They are a bit expensive, so if anyone has an idea for a light that is cheaper, please let me know.
I'm going to be browsing around for some used ones to keep the price down.

 

[aKlevans]

I got the water tested, I've finished cycling!

I got 3 nassarius snails to start light with the stocking. Two of them immediately dug under the sand, but one of them decided to climb on the rock

 

[Dlionsfan09]

You should get yourself a HOB protien slimmer. I ran a reef tank for a year with HOB'S. was a little tricky, I leaned a ton.

 

[aKlevans]

You should get yourself a HOB protien slimmer. I ran a reef tank for a year with HOB'S. was a little tricky, I leaned a ton.

I'm already saving up for one. Thanks though!

 

[Marine430]

You might be able to get a t5 fixture for under 250 and then get some ati bulbs for 20 each. Cheaper then led. Or if you wanted led i saw Dr foster had the jbj orion slim on clearance. I had it on my tank for a while but ultimately returned the light.

 

[aKlevans]

You might be able to get a t5 fixture for under 250 and then get some ati bulbs for 20 each. Cheaper then led. Or if you wanted led i saw Dr foster had the jbj orion slim on clearance. I had it on my tank for a while but ultimately returned the light.

That seems good, but I already am getting an ai prime used for $100. Thanks for the info though.

 

[aKlevans]

Big Update:

Two days ago I got the first of the AI Primes. I got it used for about $100, but it is the non-HD version.
I'm getting a second one as soon as possible, which hopefully will be the HD version.

I got a frogspawn coral to test if my tank was stable enough for coral.

When i first got it:

Fully open after one day:

I think it's doing pretty well, so I might get a few more corals soon.

I got a little bit of live rock from a friend to seed the tank with some coralline algae. I had to redo the rockwork a little bit to get it to fit in.

You can see that there was a Leptoseris on the rock.Not sure how well it will do in this tank, but I'll leave it in and see how it goes.

Some more pictures:

 

[Gramps13]

Looking good there Aklevans. Love the aqua scape. I have a 40 gallon breeder running without a sump myself.

 

[aKlevans]

Looking good there Aklevans. Love the aqua scape. I have a 40 gallon breeder running without a sump myself.

Thanks!

 

[aKlevans]

Just decided to post my light schedule:

 

[Tokash23]

Looking good 40breeders are great tanks imo. I just started one myself back in April except i went with a sump. I also wanted to go with the primes but bulked on the price went with a black box instead, its been alright so far, although i havent fully gotten into the coral game just yet (only have some zoas a green mushroom and a wall hammer that im pretty sure is fading). Ill be following along to see what comes of your tank...good luck

 

[Justin poirier]

What fish do you plan on adding

 

[aKlevans]

What fish do you plan on adding

-A pair of ocellaris clownfish
-2 banggai cardinals
-yellow watchman goby
-yellow assessor basslet