40BR + 29G Dual display tank setup

[Bearded]

I'm planning a new setup consisting of a 40 breeder as an LPS tank, with a 29G gravity flowing back into the 40 and on a reverse lighting schedule.

I want the 29 to be basically a macroalgae garden and maybe keep some non-reef safe inverts as there won't be any coral in the tank. I've got a 130W PC fixture with 6700k bulbs that I'm going to use for lighting.

I'd love to get some suggestions for stocking this tank. I've already got it drilled for the feed back into the main tank. What kind of flow should I plan for? What kind of pump should I use?

What else could I put in there that would be interesting to watch when the other tanks lighting goes off? Starfish? Cukes? A decorator crab? Urchins?

Joe

 

[Samala]

Urchins are going to eat too much of the greenery you're trying to keep around. (Or red or brown 'weeds too.) Cucumbers are an idea certainly, should help to keep the sandbed clean.

Flow.. good question. Do you want this to be more of a settling chamber for detritus coming in from the reef? More detritus would probably help fuel macroalgae growth in the macroalgae garden. I find macroalgae to be pretty easygoing for flow rates and rather unassuming. Keep it in motion so that nuisance algaes dont settle on the leaf fronds and it is generally happy.

A few will do better in higher flow, I think Gracilaria has this habit, as does Sargassum.

>Sarah