Ralph's 1st "real" tank. 40b peninsula

Rpujol85 · Sep 5, 2016

I started the hobby about 4-5 years ago with a craigslist Eco Mini (basically a slightly nicer/rimless 29g biocube). Here is what it looks like right now.

I have gone without a skimmer for long enough, and who doesn't want a bigger tank. So I picked up the good ol' 40b+20l combo during the last $1 per gallon sale. So after building the stand, getting it plumbed, and figuring out all the minor details here's what it looks like right now. Please excuse the cloudy water just added a bag of live sand to the display and a bucket of fiji mud to the sump. I'll post a few more pics once it clears up, and explain a few of the tank details/plans. Thanks for looking!

Sm51498 · Sep 5, 2016

I'm doing a 40 breeder build now too. I'll be tagging along.

Chrisfish · Sep 5, 2016

Well if this new one looks anything like your bio cube I'm sure it will look awesome.

Rpujol85 · Sep 5, 2016

Here's a look at what is currently going on underneath. Obviously missing a skimmer. I'm planning on a Skimz 143n, as I currently have an all DC/low energy thing going on. I also need to swap over the nano osmolator over from the other tank.

And here are a couple shots of the display since the water has cleared a bit. Going for the minimalist look, also keeping the back of the tank unpainted and free of clutter. Planning to do mostly SPS on the left island and going to put various euphyllia on the right structure to make it look like a tree.

I probably won't have much more to post until I get fully cycled, and add the skimmer and lights. Planning on a 4x24 ATI with eventual plans of replacing the two center bulbs with some Nanobox arrays or something along those lines. See you guys later.

Benedetto84 · Sep 5, 2016

Nice set up! Following!

revhtree · Sep 5, 2016

Looking good!

PaReeferJ · Sep 5, 2016

Nice setup! Same tank and sump as me.

Chrisfish · Sep 5, 2016

Rpujol85 said:
Here's a look at what is currently going on underneath. Obviously missing a skimmer. I'm planning on a Skimz 143n, as I currently have an all DC/low energy thing going on. I also need to swap over the nano osmolator over from the other tank.

And here are a couple shots of the display since the water has cleared a bit. Going for the minimalist look, also keeping the back of the tank unpainted and free of clutter. Planning to do mostly SPS on the left island and going to put various euphyllia on the right structure to make it look like a tree.

I probably won't have much more to post until I get fully cycled, and add the skimmer and lights. Planning on a 4x24 ATI with eventual plans of replacing the two center bulbs with some Nanobox arrays or something along those lines. See you guys later.

Looks really good I like the simplicity of your rockscape

Rpujol85 · Sep 5, 2016

Thanks for the kind words guys.

Hopefully I will still be able to snag the skimmer I want as I recently saw a used one at about $80 off retail on the forums, but I don't get paid again til Wednesday. We'll see. If not I'm gonna plop it down on the ATI. I'm dying to see this thing lit up. ☺

ZJedi945 · Sep 5, 2016

Wow that cube looks awesome with all of that GSP on the back wall! Can't wait to see what you do with this one.

Rpujol85 · Sep 5, 2016

PaReeferJ said:
Nice setup! Same tank and sump as me.

It's an awesome combo. The possibilities are endless.

Chrisfish said:
Looks really good I like the simplicity of your rockscape

Thanks. I'm really digging it so far too. I'll have to see where I can cram in some marinepure in the sump to make up for the lack of rock though.

ZJedi945 said:
Wow that cube looks awesome with all of that GSP on the back wall! Can't wait to see what you do with this one.

Thanks. The plan is to keep the back wall completely clear on this one, and just have a generally "clean" asthetic. We'll see though. I've been thinking about adding a floating shelf of rock to the back wall, but I think I'm going to hold off on that idea, at least until the tank fills out some. ✌

Rpujol85 · Sep 8, 2016

So the house started to stink yesterday from the dry rock cure/cycle in the tank. I just put my brs mini reactor with carbon in this morning. Hopefully that'll help a bit.

On a side note I am starting to think about a fish list. I already have a pair of clowns and a royal gramma that will be transferred over. I'm thinking the only other thing I will be able to get away with are gobies. Partly due to not wanting to overstock, but also due to the lack of rock work and hiding places. I think with any other fish everyone might be too stressed with so few places to seek refuge. What do you guys think?

steve&mari · Sep 8, 2016

Looks nice and agreed with you on gobies n light fish load with the limited hiding spots available.

Rpujol85 · Sep 8, 2016

Luckily the carbon did the trick. Zero odor when I got home.

Thanks @steve&mari!

Rpujol85 · Sep 10, 2016

Still no stank, thank God! Also I was able to snag the skimmer I wanted from a fellow R2R member, @anthonywood. Paid on him on Wednesday and I noticed on the front doorstep Saturday morning! Here it is breaking in and a FSS (full sump shot) lol.

Also I made some slight changes to the island on the right in order to be able to better view the cave in the rear.

And a couple of FTS'S

Just planning to keep adding my MB7 as per the directions and I might even actually start testing to see where I am in the cycle.

Rpujol85 · Sep 21, 2016

Let there be light! The 4x24 ATI is up. I got it used for $200 with 10 bulbs. Currently running coral+, purple+, blue+, coral+. I just ordered an AB Special and a True Actinic as it looks a little too frosty for my taste. Still super stoked though!

Also here's a shot of the sump with the new DIY mason jar biopellet reactor.

Chrisfish · Sep 21, 2016

Tanks looking really good.

ZooZilla · Sep 22, 2016

Great start! Nice rock work.

Rpujol85 · Sep 22, 2016

ZooZilla said:
Great start! Nice rock work.

Thanks. I just added the center rock on a whim. I was doing some coral trades with a local reefer and he just took that really neat looking shelf out of his tank last week to free up some space. It's still pretty simple, and I think, in line with the original concept. Plus more space for coral!