40 Breeder Equipment List Suggestions

[hig789]

I have been researching what equipment I'd like to put on my 40 breeder build within the next few months and just wanted to get some opinions. The tank will be drilled for a overflow and will have a 20L sump. The plan is just a simple 3 chamber sump(skimmer in the first, fuge with chaeto in the middle, and return in the last). Just looking for some opinions or other recommendations. It will have a few SPS, but mainly LPS and zoas.

Return pump - Tunze 1073.050
I like the fact that you can adjust the flow easily without using gate valves on the return line. I have a tunze on my 15g aio and it is dead silent. And mainly the fact that you can use a regular car battery in case of a power outage. Return plumbing would be 3/4".

Skimmer - Reef Octopus 110
From everything I have read this is a very good reviewed skimmer. And would be over sized for the tank.

Overflow - Not Sure
I really like the 16" Synergy overflow but it would be overkill for a 40. I like the fact that you can remove the weir and clean it. What ever overflow I end up with I was planning on plumbing it with a 1" drain bean animal style. Most of the small overflows(the ones with the box on the back of the tank) I have seen have only one bulkhead through the glass. I'd prefer two just in case a snail or something gets in there and blocks one.

Flow - 2 MP10's
I already have one MP10 on my 15g and love it. So I figure another on the other end would make for good random flow.

Lighting - NanoBox Quad
Pretty much decided on this light but if someone can recommend a single fixture that would light the tank sufficiently I'd consider it. I really like the hybrid lights but I am going to be building a hood for the tank since I have two little ones and I don't want them staring straight into the LEDs when they are looking at the tank. So maybe in the future I'll retro some t5's into the hood.


Any thoughts on the list good or bad?

 

[steve&mari]

Sounds like you're on the way with a good plan as to what you want. Here's a link to our 40b build if you're interested in looking. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/big-steves-getting-back-into-hobby-our-new-40b-rimless.198286/

 

[hig789]

Sounds like you're on the way with a good plan as to what you want. Here's a link to our 40b build if you're interested in looking. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/big-steves-getting-back-into-hobby-our-new-40b-rimless.198286/

That's a sweet tank. I believe I read through you thread a while back. I really like that rimless 40, if I wasn't going to build a hood I would have got a rimless over the Aqueon.

 

[hig789]

Hopefully I can find a lot of the equipment in good used condition to save some money also.

 

[steve&mari]

Hopefully I can find a lot of the equipment in good used condition to save some money also.

Finding the deals is a big help in this hobby lol.

 

[Reefchris28]

For the overflow box on my 40b I went with glass holes 700gph kit. Works awesome, easy to clean and pretty much silent. Hope that helps.

 

[hig789]

Well I just bought this to light it. Fully controllable via a bluefish mini.

 

[Ebone]

Your list looks pretty good so far, def the 2 mp10's are worth every penny... on my 40 I have a herbie system with a pair of 1 inch drains and a 3/4 return

 

[steve&mari]

Looks like a nice light.

 

[hig789]

Looks like a nice light.

If you look up the new NanoBox Hybrid, this is pretty much the same light. But the guy I bought it from made this one a while back before Dave came out with his.

 

[hig789]

Had been looking at the Reef Octopus 110int but the Skimz SN143 Monzter Mini caught my eye. I like the RO because it's a proven design but the Skimz small footprint and the fact that it's DC is really nice. Seems to be well reviewed. Anyone have any thoughts on the two?

 

[hig789]

Also I'm probably going to go with the Jebao DCT 6000 for a return over the Tunze.

 

[Harold Green]

A couple of things to consider. Although many hobbyists have the fuge in the middle they generally do much better with a reduced flow of water through them. I'd put the return in the middle and tap off a little flow through the fuge from either the overflow or return allowing the return pump to be feed from both ends of the tank. It's a good idea if you're going to have a high bio-load to size the skimmer up for around double your water volume. If you have room in the sump a filter sock can keep you water almost polished and invisible.