planning my build

[Krak3n]

A little more about me I am a 911 dispatcher and it is a very stressful job sometimes but staring at a reef is really relaxing to me. That being said dispatchers aren't rich lol so it's a budget build for sure. I have been trying to learn every possible thing I can so I bought a few books and have been creeping the forum for a while now. Just want to run my build list by you guys and see if it's looking ok or am I way off. This is going to be a slow build but seems that's the way to go anyway.

40g breeder tank (dollar per gallon)
2 jebao wp10s with the controller
2 75 watt heaters
Bubble Magus e3 hob protein skimmer
Aquaclear 110 hob filter
EBay black box 165 watt full spectrum led light
40 pounds of dry rock
Not sure about sand but want to use dry

As far as corals go I want to mainly go with zoas softies and lps but later may try some sps.


Thanks for any help

 

[alan.lee3]

I had almost the same first set up. 46 bow front and Instead of a HOB filter I had a zoo med 50 canister.

I quickly upgraded to a WP-25. I just went with one 250watt heater. Then soon an onyx rapid led.

 

[booth2010]

The 2 Jebao WP10s will work, however I would suggest going with 2 Jebao RW-4s. The are a better quality pump, last longer, have more controllability, are more powerful, and are just all around better. They are $40.00 each on Amazon so not much more than the WP10s but I would definitely think about it.

 

[alan.lee3]

Agreed. Now I upgraded to a 57 rimless and use only one RW-8. Lowest speed and setting and does more than enough

 

[Krak3n]

So noob question when you say controllability what does the mean. Also what kind of placement and direction is best. Do I want it blasting my rock or around the rock or hitting the glass . Sorry probably stupid I just have no idea.

 

[booth2010]

Different modes like wave, pulse, ramp up/down and its intensity (how powerful it is). Having 2 RW4s you could probably max them at 3/4 power on both of em and never have em any higher which can make em last even longer with proper cleaning. I cant help with placement really as I always ask that question too lol. I would have it going around the rock though, the water movement should remove detritus from the rocks.

 

[Krak3n]

Lol well that part makes sense now. Placement is still unclear and I have looked everywhere and even looked at pictures of other people's setup but it's still hard to tell. I guess it's not one size fits all I'm betting rock placement and aquascape is a big factor. Guess I'll have to play with them until I get no dead spots.

 

[usctrack]

Following along as I may be building me a 40B soon as well.

 

[Krak3n]

Here's another noob question for you guys. I know to put the dry rock in first then sand. But the rock on glass makes me nervous. Would it be ok to use the putty on the bottom of the base rocks where it touches the bottom glass so there is no rock on glass? Would also make it more stable I think.

 

[booth2010]

I would buy a very thin piece of acrylic, thats what I did for my 40B, it was like 10$ for a 24"x18" piece.

 

[Krak3n]

Not a bad idea but couldn't that trap some bad stuff under it?

 

[Krak3n]

Well things are moving along however slowly. After a bit more research and thinking I've adjusted my plan a bit. I got the tank now working on the stand. Going to be hand picking my pieces of dry rock here and there locally. I've found a few cool pieces so far. So new list looks like this.

40 gallon breeder- purchased
2 jebao rw-4
150 watt eheim jager heater
Bubble magus e3 protein skimmer
Aquaclear 100
Ocean revive S026 led light
40-50 pounds of dry rock


Livestock

2 oc clowns one orange one black
1 coral beauty Angel
1 hi fin red stripe goby paired with a candy striped shrimp
1 green clown goby
Maybe a few green chromis undecided
Mix of hermit and
snail CuC
Green BTA
Blue porcelain crab

Mix of soft coral lps and zoas
Possibly some easy Sps later

So excited but taking it slow. Can't wait to get it wet!