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- Jan 29, 2020
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OK, so I've got to start this somewhere.
This is my rough plan for a 40g Breeder tank for my art studio where I work most of the day. I decided to somewhat accurately plan out this tank in Blender as I wanted to have an end goal and it also helped me roughly figure out what the budget will be. Hopefully, it will also help with some of the questions I've got. Those will be attached below
So a little history on me. My introduction to the hobby was when I was around 17 and I grabbed myself a 55G standard tank that after a year was upgraded to 75G standard that had to be broken down after a year before I went off to Bootcamp in the USMC. I made all the mistakes though, started with Well water, cheap salt, heaters went out, not enough lighting, removed my sand bed to try bare bottom, not enough testing. Like I said all the mistakes. Its been almost 10 years now though and I want to do things right the first time and let the system grow into success.
Goals
- To gradually allow the tank to mature over time from a few fish and soft corals into LPS and Possibly an Anemony, then a small SPS population. I also want the level of filtration and control to grow with the maturity and difficulty of animals in the tank.
Mainly SPS Dominate with a small mix of other corals that catch my eye
My real love is with the SPS and LPS I don't want it to come off as though I want to do it all but the temptation is there and I'll certainly feel things out a little as I go.
Equipment List
Lighting
- Ocean Revive T-247 LED
- 36" T5 Retrofit
- X2 ATI Blue Plus
Refugium Light
- Roleadro LED Grow Light, 75W
Filtration
- Vortex Omega 130 Protein Skimmer
- X2 Marine Pure 8x8x1 bio-media plate
- Macro Algae in Regium
- Live Rock
Flow
- Ecotech MP-10qd 1300 GPH
- Hydor Koralia Evolution 600 GPH
- QUIET ONE PRO 2200 594 GPH
- Icecap Gyre 3k
Heater
- BRS Heater Controler
- Finnex 300W
Controler
TP-LINK WiFi Smart Power Strip
RO/DI
- BRS 150 GPD 8 Stage
Top Off
Tunze Osmolater Nano
Planning on the Brs/WWC 3-4 month cycle but mainly making sure coralline algae is growing well before adding any LPS and SPS
The main questions I have are
-Can I adjust the drainage rate effectively with a gate valve? I'm having a hard time matching drainage with return pumps. I'm also having a hard time finding info on how much each size of PVC will actually drain
- Is it a bad Idea to de-rim and sand down the top of a 40G Breeder? I've seen mixed responses and I'm not sold on either option but it would be nice to have a rimless tank and save a decent chunk of change
-How much flow is recommended for a 40g tank to keep LPS and SPS? I've seen 20-50 times the volume of the tank.
- Is it safe to drill 3 holes in the glass relatively close to each other for drain/ backup drain/ return?
- How much ventilation do the T5 bulb ends and ballast need? Is 2 PC fans enough for the bulb ends and is passive cooling enough for the ballast?
- Do I need a skimmer with this small of a body of water?
That's all I got, for now, Heres those pics of my tank plan!
Feedback on my sump?
Feedback on DIY Light fixture?
This is my rough plan for a 40g Breeder tank for my art studio where I work most of the day. I decided to somewhat accurately plan out this tank in Blender as I wanted to have an end goal and it also helped me roughly figure out what the budget will be. Hopefully, it will also help with some of the questions I've got. Those will be attached below
So a little history on me. My introduction to the hobby was when I was around 17 and I grabbed myself a 55G standard tank that after a year was upgraded to 75G standard that had to be broken down after a year before I went off to Bootcamp in the USMC. I made all the mistakes though, started with Well water, cheap salt, heaters went out, not enough lighting, removed my sand bed to try bare bottom, not enough testing. Like I said all the mistakes. Its been almost 10 years now though and I want to do things right the first time and let the system grow into success.
Goals
Mainly SPS Dominate with a small mix of other corals that catch my eye
My real love is with the SPS and LPS I don't want it to come off as though I want to do it all but the temptation is there and I'll certainly feel things out a little as I go.
Equipment List
Lighting
- Ocean Revive T-247 LED
- 36" T5 Retrofit
- X2 ATI Blue Plus
Refugium Light
- Roleadro LED Grow Light, 75W
Filtration
- Vortex Omega 130 Protein Skimmer
- X2 Marine Pure 8x8x1 bio-media plate
- Macro Algae in Regium
- Live Rock
Flow
- Ecotech MP-10qd 1300 GPH
- Hydor Koralia Evolution 600 GPH
- QUIET ONE PRO 2200 594 GPH
- Icecap Gyre 3k
Heater
- BRS Heater Controler
- Finnex 300W
Controler
TP-LINK WiFi Smart Power Strip
RO/DI
- BRS 150 GPD 8 Stage
Top Off
Tunze Osmolater Nano
Planning on the Brs/WWC 3-4 month cycle but mainly making sure coralline algae is growing well before adding any LPS and SPS
The main questions I have are
-Can I adjust the drainage rate effectively with a gate valve? I'm having a hard time matching drainage with return pumps. I'm also having a hard time finding info on how much each size of PVC will actually drain
- Is it a bad Idea to de-rim and sand down the top of a 40G Breeder? I've seen mixed responses and I'm not sold on either option but it would be nice to have a rimless tank and save a decent chunk of change
-How much flow is recommended for a 40g tank to keep LPS and SPS? I've seen 20-50 times the volume of the tank.
- Is it safe to drill 3 holes in the glass relatively close to each other for drain/ backup drain/ return?
- How much ventilation do the T5 bulb ends and ballast need? Is 2 PC fans enough for the bulb ends and is passive cooling enough for the ballast?
- Do I need a skimmer with this small of a body of water?
That's all I got, for now, Heres those pics of my tank plan!
Feedback on my sump?
Feedback on DIY Light fixture?
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