Back in the hobby after hiatus 40B

[LatinoHeat]

So I've been in hobby for probably close to 20 years but took a little break. That little break looks like technology really passed me by & I feel like an out of touch grandpa. I started with a 40B this summer from scratch. I'll post some pics & try to be detailed as a grandpa can only be

 

[LatinoHeat]

Bought a 40B from Petco. ($1/gal. sale). My purpose was to keep it simple & costs down. My budget was $1,000 & I've been buying parts & equipment for a full year before I even set it up to lower the impact on my wife's face
I used a black background from Home Depot that's mainly for furniture. It leaves a bubbly background but my goal is for that good purple & red algae to cover it up & had my friend cut a hole for plumbing.
My same friend build me a stand & just charged me parts for it. Even put a slab to place choice of beverage on top & not stain the wood.
Then I bought a 10 pack of black tubing to hang my lights. In hindsight i would just buy 2 regular silver tubes & spray paint but the 10 pack was already black was only $46 for all 10. I still needed to spray paint it over. Which is why in the future I'll just buy the 2.

 

[revhtree]

Awesome and welcome back!

 

[LatinoHeat]

Here's a picture of my friend (@UNICO) helping with plumbing. Plumbing is scheduled 80 gray to blend in from @Bulk Reef Supply. Majority of equipment was bought used here from fellow reefers.

 

[MarshallB]

Welcome back. Looking good so far. I really like that stand.

 

[LatinoHeat]

I went with an oversized skimmer (Reef Octo 150 INT) because I am a little heavy handed with my feedings 2 MP40's but I'm only using one now because I didn't know that @EcoTech MP40's magnets burst if they aren't kept in water after they are put into use (lesson learned from being out the hobby ) So I used an old @Hydor Korelia 4 to go with my 1 MP40 that is working.

 

[LatinoHeat]

My same good friend @UNICO gave me a couple clowns that he's bred to help cycle my tank.

 

[LatinoHeat]

Where I spent a good chunk of my money & blew my budget out the water is my lighting. Ecotech Radion XR15 G5 Pro with a diffuser. I used the settings from @Bulk Reef Supply to help me set it up since I'm still green with reefing technology.

 

[LatinoHeat]

I build the sump from a 29gal. I had leftover in storage. I bought one of those diy black acrylic kits from ebay & attached everything myself. I use a little light from @Aqueon in the sump. More pics to come.

 

[WirelessMike]

Nice build and welcome back!

 

[LatinoHeat]

Livestock in here now is a pajama cardinalfish, a bangaii cardinalfish, mandarin goby, diamond goby, & purple firefish. I have a 32gal with 4 fish I'll be transferring over. A maroon clown, a picasso clown from @UNICO, & my favorite nemo & a lawnmower blenny. I want to add a red firefish before adding the clowns.

 

[LatinoHeat]

Build went over on budget $500 but I'm happy

 

[LatinoHeat]

Here's an update on tank.

 

[LatinoHeat]

Calcium is 440-460 with Red Sea testing kits.