BigDaddyD1992's 40g breeder 20g long sump build!!! Pictures!!!

[BigDaddyD1992]

Couple more weeks, need about $200 worth of stuff to so i can get it up and running, but if sump doesn't end up working out then it will be closer to a month before i have saltwater in it.

 

[Ou8me2]

Couple more weeks, need about $200 worth of stuff to so i can get it up and running, but if sump doesn't end up working out then it will be closer to a month before i have saltwater in it.

Cool, I just ordered my Mars Aqua Lights today and a few other things. I'm guessing about another month for me. I still need to build a stand and get a lot of little things ordered and done and make some final decisions on equipment etc.

 

[BigDaddyD1992]

So havent made any posts for a week or 2, been helping my roommate tear down his 125g saltwater and start a new 20g long to keep his midnight ocellaris clownfish and 4 shrimp in, i will be starting a thread for this 20 long also here soon i helped pay for the light so that kinda set me back on getting dtuff for my 40 breeder. But ive been thinking really hard about live stock as far as fish and inverts go and here is my list:

40 breeder fish
2 ora percula clowns
1 yasha goby
1 tail spot blenny
2 banggai cardinalfish
2 purple firefish
1 tomini tang

40 breeder inverts
1 RBTA
1 tiger pistol shrimp
4 trochus snails
1 tonga fighting conch
4 mini brittle starfish
1 pom pom crab

Now the tomini tang will be purchased at a size of 2" and will sell/trade it once it out grows the 40 breeder. So what do you guys think? Any thoughts or suggestions about this stock list?

 

[Reef noob_]

looks good to me, You have to be careful with that tang though. Many people say they'll trade them out but never do then the tang police gets em!! But seriously, looks good to me. With the anemone I'd introduce it as one of the first corals so it can find a spot and not have to walk all over your corals.

 

[BigDaddyD1992]

So i finally have my fiji dry live rock (58lbs) soaking!!! Started it the other night, going to wait 4-5 weeks then start getting the 40 breeder set up!!! So right now i have a finnex 200w heater a 1500 gph hydor power head and a 600 gph hydor power head. Do you think that this will be enough flow for the curing process?

Tank is getting pretty full of stuff lol! Too bad they're not fish and corals!!
Going to be plumbing tank her within the next couple of weeks, then the leak test...hopefully it does all fall apart then!!!

Corn Fed Iowa Bred

 

[HuskerBioProf]

Looking great. I just put water in my 40 breeder after taking about as much time as you to get going. I had my rocks cycling during the setup time, so my cycle is pretty much done now (after a small spike at setup and a little bit from a crappy old RODI). I am following along to see how it all goes since we are starting about the same time.

EDIT:

Just saw-- I am sorry you are in Iowa (just kidding )!

 

[BigDaddyD1992]

iowa is literally the worst state to live in for the saltwater hobby. Sub par local fish stores, and everyone here pretty much only does fresh water cuz no one wants to put the time into it! Super exited just about soaking rock!

Corn Fed Iowa Bred

 

[HuskerBioProf]

I sold my 120 gallon to an Iowan who drove in to Omaha for the fish stores. I think it was an hour or two for him. Just an idea. We have a couple of nice ones that I have been to, and a couple of others I have yet to visit (I am new to the area).

 

[BigDaddyD1992]

Yeah i live in central iowa, i hear that in the quad coties area they have nice lfs. In Des Moines (where i live) we have 2, Adams aquatics, and iowa pet foods and aquatics. Adams isnt too bad, fish look ok but coral tanks are full of aiptasia...then iowa petfoods and aquatics is all around bad. Bad fish and frag tanks...plus their staff has no idea what they are talking about. I got into somewhat of an argument with an employee there because he tried telling me cuttlefish live for like 7-10 years! more like 1-2 if your lucky. So not only bad husbandry but, they also dont know what rhey are talking about...

Corn Fed Iowa Bred

 

[BigDaddyD1992]

So im finally back with an update(sorry for the long wait)!! Got the back of the tank panted black, and its finally plumbed!!! Its never felt more like a reef tank till now!! Going to let the pvc cement cure and tomorrow im going to do a leak test on the whole system with freshwater. If all goes according to plan ill have it set up on monday night. Rock has been curing for about 5 months now, been doing water changes on the brute trash can every couple of weeks. Ive got 80 lbs of live sand(dont know if ill be using it all) and plenty of salt mix, i think its finally about time to get this tank up and running! So ive been doing a lot of research and ive come to the conclusion that im going to go all LEDs on this tank. Im going to be going with 2 of the Kessil A160s, and control them with the Kessil Spectral Controller. Going to buy the lights one at a time so i dont break the bank! Also ill be cycling the tank without any lights. Heres a picture of the back of the tank with plumbing.

Corn Fed Iowa Bred

 

[BigDaddyD1992]

Also heres my 20g long that has been keeping me occupied and is a place for me to hold some livestock for the 40g breeder. Ill be selling it or tearing it down when the 40 gets done cycling. It has 1 midnight ocellaris clownfish(holding for a friend for a few weeks), 1 black ice ocellaris clownfish, 1 yasha goby and red banded pistol shrimp pair, 2 caribbean porcelain crabs, 1 cleaner shrimp, 1 fire shrimp, 1 tonga fighting conch, and 1 trochus snail.

Corn Fed Iowa Bred

 

[Ou8me2]

So im finally back with an update(sorry for the long wait)!! Got the back of the tank panted black, and its finally plumbed!!! Its never felt more like a reef tank till now!! Going to let the pvc cement cure and tomorrow im going to do a leak test on the whole system with freshwater. If all goes according to plan ill have it set up on monday night. Rock has been curing for about 5 months now, been doing water changes on the brute trash can every couple of weeks. Ive got 80 lbs of live sand(dont know if ill be using it all) and plenty of salt mix, i think its finally about time to get this tank up and running! So ive been doing a lot of research and ive come to the conclusion that im going to go all LEDs on this tank. Im going to be going with 2 of the Kessil A160s, and control them with the Kessil Spectral Controller. Going to buy the lights one at a time so i dont break the bank! Also ill be cycling the tank without any lights. Heres a picture of the back of the tank with plumbing.

Corn Fed Iowa Bred

I can't wait to see it and 5 months of curing rock. That's patience right there. :crazy1: Looks good so far. :beer:

 

[BigDaddyD1992]

I can't wait to see it and 5 months of curing rock. That's patience right there. :crazy1: Looks good so far. [emoji481]

Thanks! Im super exited, been a long ride to get this tank where it is now lol.

Corn Fed Iowa Bred

 

[BigDaddyD1992]

Sorry for the bright picture, a lot of light in the kitchen!

Got the leak test going today and started breaking in the protein skimmer! So far no leaks!!! (Knock on wood) Im using vinegar water to help clean everything out. Going to let it do this for about 24hours then start getting it filled up! Hopefully if all still goes good, we will have it up and running on monday night.

Corn Fed Iowa Bred

 

[BigDaddyD1992]

Ok guys its offical! The 40 is up and running!!!! It cleared up pretty quickly too. Currently still breaking in skimmer, will be doing ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate test every few days and will keep you guys posted. All the equipment ive bought is installed besides the brs mini reactor, any suggestions on how i should mount it in the stand. I was thinking about having it going in and out of the return area.

Corn Fed Iowa Bred

 

[BigDaddyD1992]

Probably going to be messing with the aquascape over the next few days.

Corn Fed Iowa Bred

 

[BigDaddyD1992]

So i decided to test the tank today as it has been up for 3 weeks now, and it's officially cycled! 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrite, and 15ppm nitrate, ill be doing a 100% water change sometime this week. I get paid on wednesday(3days from now) so stay tuned for whats up next!!

Corn Fed Iowa Bred

 

[Ou8me2]

So i decided to test the tank today as it has been up for 3 weeks now, and it's officially cycled! 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrite, and 15ppm nitrate, ill be doing a 100% water change sometime this week. I get paid on wednesday(3days from now) so stay tuned for whats up next!!

Corn Fed Iowa Bred

I sure hope you meant a 10% and not 100%. You'll surely be removing some good stuff out of the tank with 100% water change as not all the bacteria, pods etc live in live rock.

 

[BigDaddyD1992]

Well i actually the bacteria is the only think living in the tank besides a clownfish(i started with dead rock from Fiji) and ive heard from a lot of people to do a 100 water change once youre done cycling the tank to start off with 0 nitrates before i actually start stocking the tank. What are other peoples thoughts on this?

Corn Fed Iowa Bred

 

[BigDaddyD1992]

Got a shipment of some CUC stuff from Inland Aquatics, the Mysid/Gammarus Starter Kit, some hair worms, and 4 mini brittle starfish. Kinda mixed it between the display and refugium. Also picked up some caulerpa and a par38 refugium bulb and a goose neck from RapidLed for my refugium. The gooseneck was a little bigger than i had expected so i had to mount it a little different than i wanted to but it works just fine. Next paycheck i should be getting a light for my display and then its coral time!! Here are some pics for you guys!

Corn Fed Iowa Bred