40 Breeder Build

bmbpka · May 6, 2018

I tore down my DIY 29 Gallon AIO tank. It was cool at first but a pain in the butt. Made a ton of mistakes building it and I wasn’t happy.

So I upgraded: 40 Breeder with a 20 Long Sump (missed Petco $1gallon by one day :mad

Stand is DIY and the Sump is DIY. I bought the EShopps Overflow box and drilled out my tank. Which was the scariest thing I’ve done in a while.

Equipment wise, I’m running the Deep Blue Triton 4 return pump. It does the job, kind of “hummy-ish” though. With the tv on you can’t hear it or notice it.

Still running the old Eheim 125w heater but I’ll upgrade later. It is doing the job for now.

Also purchased the IceCap Gyre 3K powerhead. This thing pumps! It’s blowing large chunks of rock around the tank (no sand bottom). I’m still playing with it but so far so good!

I also have the IceCap ATO and a custom reservoir that was built for me by my LFS.

Light is the ViparSpectra 165w. I’ve over stretched it’s linits (24x24 recommended and I think 30x30 max). I plan on upgrading to something legit down the road.

As of this morning everything is transferred over. Crossing my finger for no casualties....

bmbpka · May 6, 2018

Stand still needs to be skinned haven’t decided on what I’m doing yet

bmbpka · May 6, 2018

The media tray I kind of screwed up on. It’s to high and water doesn’t really flow over it. But that’s okay. Chemi pure can just lay under it. No big deal.

bmbpka · May 6, 2018

I also have some regrets on plumbing. Unions should be higher. I’m going to kick myself when I move one day. But it’s fixable.

Basket right next to the stand has my ATO reservoir inside.

bmbpka · May 6, 2018

bmbpka · May 6, 2018

Still need to add a Fuge light. My live rock from the old tank is in there. Along with a zoa colony that I couldn’t get off the live rock. It wasn’t the prettiest of Zola’s anyways.

bmbpka · May 21, 2018

Finally added a Fuge light a skimmer. Went with a small Aquatics Life clip on Fuge light and a Reef octopus Bh 50 skimmer. Skimmer is a bit small, but it’s doing the job.

Next up, finish building the floating canaopy and adding t5 to supplement my LEDS. I want more of that deeper purple you get from T5. Love my black box power, just looking for more color.

goober · May 21, 2018

Looks good. You can probably dial back your skimmer a touch so it doesn't skim so wet. Can run into salinity issues with your top off if you wet skim to much and let it get away on you

bmbpka · May 21, 2018

Thanks! I’ve been screwing with that thing all weekend, I have no clue on the setting. But I was starting to think the same thing. My ATO is going nuts it seems like. I really appreciate it.

bmbpka · Jun 10, 2018

Welp got rid of the black box led. Just wasn’t satisfied with the coverage and spectrum.

Went with an 24” AquaticLife T5/Hybrid paired with an AI Prime HD. Bulb wise (back to front) three blue + and one antic +.

So far so good, the AI prime has so many things to play with. Started out with the BRS setting they recommended. It’s not bad, but if anyone has any suggestions, I’d love to give them a try.

Prime comes on at 8am ramps until 10am.
T5 pops on around 10am and runs until 8pm
Prime starts to ramp down from 8pm until 10pm

Waiting on the prime hanging kit so I can properly mount it to the t5 fixture. Currently flirting with disaster as it is just sitting freely on top of the fixture right now ;Wideyed

goober · Jun 10, 2018

I use an AI prime HD and 4x T5 too. I run BRS AB+ schedule. You might want to change out one of those blue+ for a coral+ to get a better daytime look and really good growth. I do blue+ coral+ purple+ blue+ for my combo. You can check out my build for a bunch of pics taken using this!