My 40 gallon breeder

[Ordie23]

Here is my 40 gallon breeder. Just started cycle tonight after doing aquascape and filling. Equipment details below.

Tank- Imaginarium 40 gallon
Stand- Imaginarium 40ngallon stand
Filter- Fluval AC70
Heater- Sicce Scuba Contactless ( going to change soon)
Light- AI 30" Blade with riser brackets
Powerheads- AI Nero 3 ( one ordered and on way getting second after cycle)

I think it turned out good for my first aquascape. Will post better picture once water clears up. Didn't use the petsmart water that next to tank. That was for another smaller tank that had a ln emergency need for water after LFS closed. Used water from my LFS.

 

[trellemania]

Cant wait to see it coming along! Do you have a type of reef/fish planned for it? Following along as a newbie too

 

[Ordie23]

Cant wait to see it coming along! Do you have a type of reef/fish planned for it? Following along as a newbie too

I do have list. Im think a pair of clowns, goby, coral beauty angel, ank a kole tang. Maybe some more havent figured them all out. Also attached a photo from this morning.

 

[trellemania]

Thats awesome! Cant wait to see them join the tank! It already looks like it is clearing up well.

I did wonder if you had a plan for the tang's growth? The Kole tang was one of the ones I wanted too but I was discouraged by my LFS, they said it needs at least 90 gallons :loudly-crying-face:

 

[Oldsman]

Nice start! Looks like your tank cleared up quickly.
Whats your plan for a top? Glass or screen is popular, you'll probably find you'll want an ATO eventually. Our 40 has an egg crate top, and evaporates almost 1 .5 g a week.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Tank is too small for a tang.
Perhaps add a few more hiding spots and small caves for fish to hide if they need, especially if you want gobies or blennies, they need caves to hide in.

 

[Ordie23]

Nero 3 came in today. Got it in and set to random medium power currently. I think I got it in the right spot. I plan to get another for the other side. I'm going to place that one lower in the tank.

 

[Ordie23]

Nice start! Looks like your tank cleared up quickly.
Whats your plan for a top? Glass or screen is popular, you'll probably find you'll want an ATO eventually. Our 40 has an egg crate top, and evaporates almost 1 .5 g a week.

I plan on getting an ato. Looking at a tunze ato right now but it will be later down the road. Still trying to figure out the top as well.

 

[Ordie23]

Tank is too small for a tang.
Perhaps add a few more hiding spots and small caves for fish to hide if they need, especially if you want gobies or blennies, they need caves to hide in.

I do plan to add more rock. Had a budget I was sticking to and I didn't want to get to much rock and not have room for it. My aquascaping skills are a work in progress. This was my first time. What algea eating fish do you suggest to have since my tank is a little small for tangs?

 

[trellemania]

I'm starting small with some of those algae eating blennies, I'm considering a lawnmower blenny or tail spot blenny

 

[Ordie23]

I keep looking at fish constantly. I keep going i want that and that and that lol.

 

[trellemania]

Dude the desire to just go and buy 2 of every coral and fish out there is crazy! I keep getting all these emails of sales and auctions going on and I have to keep reminding myself that A) My tank is still in its infancy and I want to keep them alive and B) I just spent $300 on my last order and I am not made of money LOL

 

[Ordie23]

Dude the desire to just go and buy 2 of every coral and fish out there is crazy! I keep getting all these emails of sales and auctions going on and I have to keep reminding myself that A) My tank is still in its infancy and I want to keep them alive and B) I just spent $300 on my last order and I am not made of money LOL

I know right. I want it to be ready now soni can add fish and cant wait tonget my first corals. My LFS has beautiful corals in the store.

 

[trellemania]

What bacteria are you dosing? You may be able to put a fish in there sooner than later so long as you keep the cycle going with something like Fritz

 

[Oldsman]

You asked about algea eating fish, we have a lawnmower blenny..so much character swimming atop the rocks, and plan a diamond goby for the sand bed. Ive been told a tomini tang is suitable for a 40g cause they stay small. I hate to rehome a fish later though if not

 

[Ordie23]

You asked about algea eating fish, we have a lawnmower blenny..so much character swimming atop the rocks, and plan a diamond goby for the sand bed. Ive been told a tomini tang is suitable for a 40g cause they stay small. I hate to rehome a fish later though if not

I was doing some looking online before this reply. I looked at the tomini tang suggested tank is 70g for them. I did look and find the six line wrasse is an option. Do you have any experience with them and think that would be a good alternative?

 

[Ordie23]

What bacteria are you dosing? You may be able to put a fish in there sooner than later so long as you keep the cycle going with something like Fritz

I apologize i just noticed this posted question. Brightwell Microbacter XLM is what i used. I have been following instructions to a T with it and the Brightwell Quickcycle. Did day 4 testing and did the optional dosing for the Microbacter XLM. As per the instructions if everything is done right and by instruction day 7 it should be cycled.

 

[trellemania]

You are almost there then! Nice!

 

[Ordie23]

You are almost there then! Nice!

Yeah im ready to have some movement in the tank when i look at it lol.

 

[Anna K]

Nero 3 came in today. Got it in and set to random medium power currently. I think I got it in the right spot. I plan to get another for the other side. I'm going to place that one lower in the tank.

I have the Nero 3 for my 40, and I have two. I think it's smart to place it lower while you have that one higher! Will definitely make a great flow. You can also twin it (if that's the name on the app) to follow the first one (if you'd like).

I plan on getting an ato. Looking at a tunze ato right now but it will be later down the road. Still trying to figure out the top as well.

I have the Duetto 2 ato and it works perfectly. I know the tunze is still a bit pricier, but if you're needing to save some cash for another piece of equipment you might be happy with the Duetto.

I keep looking at fish constantly. I keep going i want that and that and that lol.

Dude the desire to just go and buy 2 of every coral and fish out there is crazy! I keep getting all these emails of sales and auctions going on and I have to keep reminding myself that A) My tank is still in its infancy and I want to keep them alive and B) I just spent $300 on my last order and I am not made of money LOL

The fish and coral sales are gonna be my downfall. Man, I even have the text messages coming in, and while I don't plan on buying anymore right now, I still click the link to view them I'm my own worst enemy

I will say though on the fish side, I made an order with Dr. Reef back in February for my fish, and it took so long, I went through one tank, replaced it with my now 40, and did a full month cycle before they were ready to be shipped out. So, that's always an option. Plus, they came quarantined so it was just another step I didn't have to worry about. Make sure though that whatever fish you get that you see if they jump. Cause if they jump, you'll need a lid, and Kraken lids are expensiveeeeeeeee