Starting 40 breeder

[jdpeters]

Just coming back to the reef side of the hobby and currently building out a 40 breeder. I’m still in the thick of the build process but I’m really starting to put some forethought into how intend on starting it once I get it rolling.

I’m fully committed to it being a bare bottom mostly SPS reef. Picture will be attached with my current progress.

I understand there is some pitfalls to bare bottom in reference to stability in the beginning but I’m prepared for it. Tank will be lit by a Kessil ap9x with really throttled back intensity for a good length of time and I will likely do a fish in cycle.

My question is how would the community go about starting it along with what methods and or products? I’m patient but a little overwhelmed with the overwhelming ability of products and live goods. Thank you!

 

[TX_REEF]

good choice with the AP9x, that should take care of any coral you would ever want in a tank that size. Have you given thought to flow? Very important for SPS. 1-2 gyres would work wonders i think. I use these on my frag tank: https://amzn.to/40bbBk0

 

[jdpeters]

good choice with the AP9x, that should take care of any coral you would ever want in a tank that size. Have you given thought to flow? Very important for SPS. 1-2 gyres would work wonders i think. I use these on my frag tank: https://amzn.to/40bbBk0

I’ve really went back and forth on the lighting but the ap9x is great solution. I’m likely going to do 2 Nero 3s

 

[sushiboss]

I’ve really went back and forth on the lighting but the ap9x is great solution. I’m likely going to do 2 Nero 3s

That’s how I did flow in my 40b.

Since you got lighting and flow done I’ll just say this. While I’m not an expert rather far from it, just because the display is “bare bottom” doesn’t mean you can’t use substrate.

You can use Tupperware's of substrate in the sump to get the same “effect” as having substrate in the display.

Check out a product called miracle mud. Many have mentioned it’s awesome potential in sps tanks and fish health etc.

Happy reefing

 

[jdpeters]

That’s how I did flow in my 40b.

Since you got lighting and flow done I’ll just say this. While I’m not an expert rather far from it, just because the display is “bare bottom” doesn’t mean you can’t use substrate.

You can use Tupperware's of substrate in the sump to get the same “effect” as having substrate in the display.

Check out a product called miracle mud. Many have mentioned it’s awesome potential in sps tanks and fish health etc.

Happy reefing

Thank you for mentioning substrate in the sump. I’ve been listening to a ton of BRS at work and I had the idea of putting a dish of possible ocean direct into the sump. I assume even just a few cups of let’s say, ocean direct could help with the initial set up and stability with the beneficial bacteria from it?

 

[sushiboss]

Thank you for mentioning substrate in the sump. I’ve been listening to a ton of BRS at work and I had the idea of putting a dish of possible ocean direct into the sump. I assume even just a few cups of let’s say, ocean direct could help with the initial set up and stability with the beneficial bacteria from it?

It would definitely help of course.

Check out a product called miracle mud for some further planning if you’re interested. It’s supposed to work wonders, helps control and maintain HLLE etc. idk about all of that but it would be huge for stability and cryptic zones etc.

I’ll be using it in my next tank project coming up shortly

 

[jdpeters]

It would definitely help of course.

Check out a product called miracle mud for some further planning if you’re interested. It’s supposed to work wonders, helps control and maintain HLLE etc. idk about all of that but it would be huge for stability and cryptic zones etc.

I’ll be using it in my next tank project coming up shortly

I’m watching the BRS/WWC series right now. I’m just coming back to the reef side of the hobby and I’m surprised to hear someone mention miracle mud, I assumed it would have died out. My last system had a benthic zone with just a bunch of cycled rock and a skimmer section. I think that might be a little old school but I’m going to use a skimmer, haven’t picked one yet and possibly just do a benthic chamber no macro algae. Any thoughts on that? Possibly ocean direct sand and rubble both in trays for ease of cleaning?