Gabe's Great 40B Build

[gabrieltackitt]

I think that looks like a good stocking list, I've currently got 7 fish in my 40 breeder (display being smaller than yours). It doesn't seem like too much for my tank and you've done a good job and parsing out their habitats.

Have you purchased any pods (amphipods/copepods) to start seeding the tank with? I would highly recommend doing this before you put too many other fish in the aquarium. Feeding phytoplankton and small particulate coral food will allow them a few weeks to set up a good breeding population before anything predatory towards them ends up in the aquarium. This will also help long term in your mandarin care, I'm at ~4 months with my aquarium and I would be more than comfortable adding a mandarin, I have pods coming out of my ears right now haha.

I purchased a refugium starter kit from @AlgaeBarn and finally got some pods seeded and growing in the tank. I plan on seeding more every other month with as many different species as possible for diversity and won’t probably even think about adding a mandarin for at least a year.

 

[Sltloser]

I purchased a refugium starter kit from @AlgaeBarn and finally got some pods seeded and growing in the tank. I plan on seeding more every other month with as many different species as possible for diversity and won’t probably even think about adding a mandarin for at least a year.

Perfect, you're well on your way there! I split my first pod purchase in 2 and cultured the half I kept for a few months. Every 1-1.5 weeks I would do a water change and pour out half of the culture into the aquarium. I think it helped build a strong pod population. Just another suggestion, either way you're doing but right!

 

[gabrieltackitt]

Stocking Time

It’s time to start stocking the tank with Coral and Fish. I currently have a pair of Ocellaris Clowns, and a Yellow Watchman Goby + Tiger Pistol Shrimp. I also have a bicolor blenny currently in QT that will be going through a full preventative QT soon.

As for coral, I currently have several various Zoas growing low, a green/purple hammer, a Koji Wade Pink Nepthea, and a red Monti of unknown variety.

Just thought I’d update the build thread, thanks for reading here are some pics.

 

[Sltloser]

The first inhabitants are always exciting, they bring some movement to the tank. Things are looking good!

 

[October Sky]

I realize this is basically a dead thread, but how did you break siphon on your return?

 

[tbrown]

I realize this is basically a dead thread, but how did you break siphon on your return?

I know this wasn't directed at me, but I drilled a couple of small holes just below the surface of my tank. My return break suction before the overflow stops.

 

[October Sky]

I know this wasn't directed at me, but I drilled a couple of small holes just below the surface of my tank. My return break suction before the overflow stops.

I appreciate the response, and will leave one for the next reefer.

I kept researching, and the hole option didn't work in my situation, so I did a 45 degree elbow, pointing to the ceiling, then a slip to 3/4" thread and put my locline "Y" there. From the Y, I put the return tubes just below the water level. If I turn off the return pump, it almost instantly breaks siphon.

 

[gabrieltackitt]

Welp, that does it everyone. This build is officially concluding.

I’ll be starting a new build thread for the upgrade soon, but for now here’s a few pics.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Welp, that does it everyone. This build is officially concluding.

I’ll be starting a new build thread for the upgrade soon, but for now here’s a few pics.

Tank looks great, best of luck with the upgrade!!