Shep's 40 Gallon LPS Reef

Shep · Nov 25, 2015

Ok, that makes it easy. I'll look around LFS for them.

Shep · Nov 25, 2015

cameronh said:
Hey man, your tank looks good!

Thanks!

kenniole · Nov 25, 2015

the underside "flap" or whatever its called of a female is larger than a males.. just google how to sex crabs... wait probably wont pull up what you want.. LOL.. females are also smaller

Shep · Nov 25, 2015

So why females and not males?

kenniole · Nov 25, 2015

Males get big and start straying from algae and onto meat.. as in fish

. Plus they look scary... The other day at my lfs they found one that was about 4-5" that just browned out and ate shrimp

Pete polyp · Nov 25, 2015

As you can see the belly of a male looks like it has a tallywhacker lol. As stated the males can become a problem as they sometimes go after corals, inverts and fish

Shep · Nov 27, 2015

Well after much debating, I will be adding a sump! Just ordered everything from BRS and it should be here by next Friday. I will be using a CPR W/Aqualifter pump for the overflow and a Trigger Emerald 26 sump, I can't wait to have the set up.

Shep · Nov 27, 2015

Also ordered 100000000000 snails (not really but I did get a cleaner pack), this should help get the algae outbreak under control

kenniole · Nov 30, 2015

the trigger systems are so nice <3.. send me one too for Christmas!

did you order from reefcleaners.org? because the owner cannot count so you probably will get 100000

Shep · Nov 30, 2015

kenniole said:
the trigger systems are so nice <3.. send me one too for Christmas!

did you order from reefcleaners.org? because the owner cannot count so you probably will get 100000

I can't wait to get it all set up and I ordered from live aquaria

MrDJeep123 · Nov 30, 2015

Reefcleaners is a good source for snails. My only problem with buying from John, is he uses USPS. I need to order snails and stuff and things, and well, the temps haven't been the best. For my area USPS will have them to me in 2-5 days because well, USPS just flat out sucks.

I can't wait for you, Shep, I'm exited too! YYAYAYAYAY!

Pete polyp · Nov 30, 2015

Shep said:
I can't wait to get it all set up and I ordered from live aquaria

I like live aquaria for clean up crew because you will get mature snails and hermits. I always go for trochus snails (which are on sale at the moment) with a Mexican turbo snail or two and a mix of blue leg hermits and Mexican red leg hermits. I also have at least 1 or 2 emerald crabs but I will pick them out in person to ensure I get females.

Shep · Dec 4, 2015

So two things....it turns out my protein skimmer is rated for up to a 150 gallons and I have a lightly stocked 40 gallon tank (just a tad overkill, right?) and two, how does one go about adding a sump to a tank? Would I fill the sump up then connect the overflow and return pump? Also which section would the ATO go in?

NanaReefer · Dec 4, 2015

You'll be very happy having a sump!!

Pete polyp · Dec 4, 2015

Shep said:
So two things....it turns out my protein skimmer is rated for up to a 150 gallons and I have a lightly stocked 40 gallon tank (just a tad overkill, right?) and two, how does one go about adding a sump to a tank? Would I fill the sump up then connect the overflow and return pump? Also which section would the ATO go in?

Seems like you could fill the sump and treat it as a water change. It really wouldn't matter if you had the overflow hooked up first or not because it's not going to drain that much from the tank. The plumbing in the return will also hold some water and the level in the sump will drop when you turn the pump on. The float switches need to go in the chamber with the return pump.

Pete polyp · Dec 4, 2015

Oh, and I wouldn't worry about the skimmer being oversized. I'm using a bubble magus curve 5 on my 40. Usually I let it drain back into the sump because my tank really doesn't need a skimmer.

kschweer · Dec 4, 2015

I agree with Pete. Make up bir more water than you think you will need just incase. The Ato sensor needs to be in the return section and you can put the line for top off water anywhere in the sump really. Good luck man!