Waboss New 40 Breeder (from a Reefer 170)

[Waboss]

I have another build thread here for my Red Sea Reefer 170 and figured I should start one for this new tank.

I recently moved and decided I wanted more horizontal space in the tank and wasn't really diggin' the cube design. So, since cash was a little tight during the move and I didn't really want to drop a bunch on a newer Reefer, like a 250 0r 350, I decided to go "old school" and just build a stand and drill a 40 breeder.

Now, to be fair, I did check with a couple of local builders to have a custom tank and metal stand built, but in both cases, it didn't work out. One had too long of a wait list for my needs and the other became unreachable after getting the quote. So that also helped "push" me into this decision (time will tell if it was a good idea or not......haha!)

So here's some details of the tank right now:

-Aqueon 40 Gallon breeder drilled for an eShopps Eclipse overflow and a 3/4" return
-Eheim Compact 3000+ return
-Deltec SC1351 skimmer
-Neptune Apex Classic
-2x DoS
-BR 70 Biopellet reactor
-MP10 QDW
-Jebao PP-4
-Reefbreeders Photon 24 V2

So when I moved, I moved the LR (kept it wet) and just did basically a full water change. I did scrub the LR, in tank water, before putting it in the new tank since I had some hair algae issues in the old tank (looking back, I should have just started over......but I was trying to keep my coral and critters alive and happy).

Here it is after initial setup (and yes, that's a Gyre in there....before I switched to the MP10)

Then just this past weekend, I added a small cabinet next to the stand and moved a lot of the electronics there. Which freed up space in the stand for me to change around a few things. I'll be removing the 2 supply pumps for the bio-pellet reactor and the UV sterilizer and putting in a larger return pump connected to a manifold to supply everything. I'm adding in Apex flow sensors so I can "tune" everything in the way I think I want it.

Also, it'll allow me to use the refugium space in the sump for what it's made for instead of just having more pumps there (which I just decided I wanted to do yesterday). As a matter of fact, I picked up a Spyglass reactor from Avast that I was going to put there, but now I've changed my mind. So I'll be posting it in the FS thread soon I guess......

So this is where we are now. I need to get the rest of the changes in place, the LEAVE IT ALONE for a while and let it just start "growing".

I'll add some updated after I add the manifold and such this weekend.

 

[joekool]

Looks like a good start. You must know a thing or two lol.

Liking the apex on the 40 my kind of reefer.

Also looks like you'll keep improving it as you go.

 

[Waboss]

Looks like a good start. You must know a thing or two lol.

Liking the apex on the 40 my kind of reefer.

Also looks like you'll keep improving it as you go.

Thanks!

Yeah, I'll keep tinkering I'm sure....even though I know I need to chill and let it be sometimes. haha!

 

[Lilmatty5dimes]

Looks great so far. Love the equipment list. Those Tonga branches look great in there.

 

[Waboss]

Well, finished the plumbing "upgrades" tonight.

This gives me more room in the sump (less pumps) and cleans it up a bit (I think). Now I just have to see if I can shoe-horn my other 1/2" flow monitor in the feed to the reactor.....I don't know if that'll work out though, it's pretty tight....unless I extend it down and around a bit.

 

[Waboss]

Thanks for no one pointing out I had the BRS reactor plumbed backwards......Hahaha!

 

[Waboss]

Added some T5 to supplement the LED's (not that they need them from a PAR perspective, I just like the look a little better and helps with shading).

I'm building a "shade" for it now....or I guess a floating hood (but it won't have a top). I 'll have to hang the lights then though since it'll look kind of silly if I have it hanging over far enough to cover the "legs" currently holding up the lights.

 

[Waboss]

Well, I guess I'm a bit lazy. I decided not to hang it as I would have to play contortionist to get the hanger mounted to the wall and to be honest I didn't feel like it right now.

So I modified the "hood" to rest on the Photon's mounting arms. It's a bit ugly, and I can clean it up later, but at least it works to block much of the spill over light from the rest of the room.

 

[Legal Reefer]

If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your 3/4" Return? Was it a lot with the drill bit and everything needed? I just ordered the eshopps eclipse - M overflow for my 40 breeder but need a return kit.

 

[Waboss]

If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your 3/4" Return? Was it a lot with the drill bit and everything needed? I just ordered the eshopps eclipse - M overflow for my 40 breeder but need a return kit.

I picked up everything on Amazon actually. It was like $24 for the bulkhead, MPT/Loc-line adapter, 6" of 3/4" loc-line, and the flare nozzle. I already had the hole saw, but it's just a cheapy one that came in a kit I think I paid $8 for.

 

[Waboss]

Well, after some pretty annoying algae drama that seemed to go on forever....and losing a LOT of coral to it being choked out. Things are finally coming around.

2 months ago:

And as of a couple of days ago:

And I've re-learned a lot about algae control and keeping my tank healthy again. I think I got a bit spoiled with not having real issues for while.........well, it got back at me.

 

[Waboss]

Cleaned things up a bit and a few close ups (sorry about the cell phone pics). Things are still looking good and healthy, so perhaps I've gotten the balance worked out finally. I'll feel vindicated if it's all still good in a month or 2.

 

[Waboss]

Decided that instead of the cheapo cabinet I put next to the stand to hold the electronics, I'd make a little hutch/box/whatever that I could mount to the side of the stand. Looks a lot cleaner I think.

Seems sometimes it's too easy to pile up a bunch of stuff next to the tank (and everywhere else in the house) hahaha!

Here's what it looked like before:

And here's what it looks like now:

Still need to clean up the cabling on the back side (inside the stand), but while you can't really tell now, they're bundled pretty well, so I should be able to clean it up pretty well.

Now I need to finish the side panels and then the stand is done as far as I'm concerned.......for now.........

 

[Daniel@R2R]

@Waboss Any updates on this reef? How's it going?

 

[Waboss]

@Waboss Any updates on this reef? How's it going?

Updates! Yes! Haha.....sorry for the delay, I didn't think anyone was even looking at this, so I guess I got a bit lazy.

Ok, so I've changed around a little bit and stability is starting to kick in nicely (corals are starting to encrust/grow instead of looking like dead tree branches) since I've stopped trying new dosing and nutrient management options (biopellets, bacteria dosing, macro algae, etc.). I settled on ATI's Essentials and a very light vinegar dose. That's it. Oh, and I rearranged my sump to make it kind of Triton friendly as I was going to put chaeto in the first chamber (now just has 2 liters of siporax) and my skimmer's in the second chamber. Don't know why, but the tank looks cleaner....but it could just be in my head I guess....haha!

I changed out my lighting and now I'm running an Aquatic Life T5 with Reefbrite XHO LED combo. Everything looks better and I don't really have any shading issues now. Plus I don't tinker with LED settings now....since there aren't any.

I've swapped out my MP10 and Wavepuck II for a pair of Jebao OW-25's (love the random mode on these) for flow. Everything seems to love it and I can point them where I want them (only real reason I'm using them over a pair of MP10's).

So anyway, here's a few pics of how it's doing now.

Only the XHO's were on for this pic. I'll take another one tomorrow and post it with everything on. Looks kinda bleak here....haha!

 

[Waboss]

Here's a shot with the new lights before my leather got eaten up by hermits.......never seen that before.

 

[Lilmatty5dimes]

Looks good man.

 

[Waboss]

Looks good man.

Thanks, I think it's really just me leaving it the heck alone and just doing routine maintenance.

I ran all my tests last night and they're near what I would expect perfect to be. So I'm pretty happy right now with it..........but what am I going to fiddle with now?

 

[Waboss]

Update!

Only real change here is that I swapped out the 2 DoS units I had for a 3 head Jeabo doser. While I know Jebao gets some bad rep, I personally never had any issues and know a lot of folks who've used them for years successfully. Plus, instead of having 500-600 bucks tied up in dosing, I have 60, so there's that too. And it takes up MUCH less space. I'm still on board with spending what's required to have a solid system, but I'm trying to be more responsible financially which what it really takes to run a successful tank with the level of automation I want. To be honest, if I ever decide to go back to GHL from Apex, I will jut get one of their dosers.....not because it's cheaper...but because I really, really, like them.

Anyway, here's some current pics.

 

[Waboss]

Latest shots (I'll update with the T5's on this weekend.