Complete 40 Gallon Breeder Build

skinz78 · Nov 25, 2010

I think you will be fine with the screws.

RZ5T · Nov 25, 2010

Got the first coat of paint done. I'm hoping to get it all installed tomorrow. I'll post some pictures when I get it hung.

milkman · Nov 25, 2010

Two 250w MH is a lot of light for a 40br. Given the depth is only 18", I might be concerned about bleaching things.

RZ5T · Nov 25, 2010

milkman said:
Two 250w MH is a lot of light for a 40br. Given the depth is only 18", I might be concerned about bleaching things.

Yeah I was wanting to put 4 t5's instead of just two, but they wouldn't fit in with the Halides. :wink:

RZ5T · Nov 26, 2010

So, I got the T5's wired up and when I plugged them in... nothing. It took another 45 minutes to narrow down the problem. It was a bad end cap. I hate it when one little problem can cause the whole system not to work. Makes troubleshooting a pain.

skinz78 · Nov 26, 2010

LOL I am a sparky by trade so I totally hear ya on that one!

RZ5T · Nov 27, 2010

So I got the shelf hung above the tank.

Here's some pictures.

I still need to install the halides and I plan on putting an artificial plant of some sort on top.

skinz78 · Nov 27, 2010

Looks great, did you just screw the hood down?

RZ5T · Nov 28, 2010

Yeah I have a total of 26 - 3" Screws holding it up. LOL I don't think it's going anywhere.

RZ5T · Nov 28, 2010

The shelf is finished the lights are installed... I AM DONE!!!

coral · Nov 28, 2010

I have been lookin at the thread and this is very professional. I like it and good pictures.

RZ5T · Dec 2, 2010

Thanks Coral.

I'd like to start moving the direction of the thread from the tank build to the eye candy inside the tank. I need to get a better camera for some coral pics.

RZ5T · Dec 12, 2010

Here's a little bit of eye candy.

RZ5T · Dec 13, 2010

WRXgucci · Dec 13, 2010

Very well done build, i was going to buy a neo-nano or a solana, but i may have to break out the tools for a round two on my setup. my only question is, is your hood hinged? i find myself having to remove my light fixture to get at certain things and it looks like 2-3 inches of clearance.

RZ5T · Dec 13, 2010

WRXgucci said:
Very well done build, i was going to buy a neo-nano or a solana, but i may have to break out the tools for a round two on my setup. my only question is, is your hood hinged? i find myself having to remove my light fixture to get at certain things and it looks like 2-3 inches of clearance.

The hood is currently un-hinged, and as of right now it hasn't been an issue. The lid does open so if need be I can get into the tank that way if a coral falls behind a rock or something, and I can also change the bulbs when need be. I wasn't too worried about having to move rock because it's all epoxied together.

Most of the time I just reach into my tank between the top of the tank and the bottom of the hood. I mounted it with the intention of being able to get into it that way. Hopefully I won't have to take it down and install some sort of hinge to it, but you never know what the future will bring.

Thanks for the interest.