If You Had a 40B...

[Ambition]

So I'm going to be setting up a 40B SPS soon, and wanted to see what all the SPS addicts out there would do if they had to set up a 40B SPS tank. Mainly since I haven't worked with a smaller tank (under 100 gallons) in a couple of years). Something to keep in mind is that this will be stocked with a couple pairs of fish (L. carambi and D. excisus), and maybe a dwarf angel (C. venusta if I find a healthy specimen).

So given that what would you do for:

-sump size and layout/design
-skimmer
-reactors (if any)
-form of nutrient removal (biopellets, vodka dosing, fuge, etc.)
-return pump
-method of keeping Ca and Alk in balance (kalk, reactor, 2-part)
-flow
-lighting (open to everything but manufactured LED systems, but DIY set up would be okay)
-any misc. items


Thanks in advance for your advice! Also feel free to share pictures of your 40B SPS tanks if you have them!

 

[gypsyboy38]

My breeder has the following:

-20 gallon high sump, mainly for space reasons. It's setup with two chambers. A 9" wide skimmer chamber that is separated from the return by one under/over baffle. The water level is ~9".

-I have an swc120 skimmer. Previously I used an RO SSS1000, but the impeller broke.

-I use an RO MF-1000 media reactor. I use carbon and gfo in separate bags in the same reactor (for ease of cleaning).

-About a 2/3 months ago I added an RO BR-70 biopellet reactor. Not sure it was necessary, but I'm a tinkerer.

-The return pump is some rio that is rated at 4-500 gph at its head pressure. The overflow I use from glass holes is rated at 700gph.

-Dosing is accomplished with Randy's three part and BRS dosers.

-Lighting is a 6x39w ati sunpower.

-Flow in the tank is achieved with 2 MP10s and an MP40.

I'm on my phone, so no pics, but my build thread can be found here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2168256

 

[Ambition]

Thanks for posting! Your tank looks spectacular to say the least!

Did you try using Kalk before doing Randy's three part? If so, was your consumption of Ca, Mg, and Alk too much for kalk to keep up with?

 

[Andyf30]

My breeder has:
cheap little acrylic sump that is getting replaced soon by a custom 28"x14"x14" sump with a fuge.

6 bulb tek light t5. ati giesseman bulbs

reef dynamics ins80 skimmer. the thing is a beast, but a little pricey. got it wholesale through work

brs gfo reactor, and media bags of carbon in the sump

dosing is with esv b ionic 2 part calc and alk. mag is esv as well, I just use it way less often. no dosing pumps yet

i forget my return brand. something i found used in my shop, but its pumps like an animal. external return

HOB overflow that I hate. I'm upgrading to a 50 gallon deep blue soon. Same foot print as the breeder, just taller, and reef ready.

 

[gypsyboy38]

Thanks for posting! Your tank looks spectacular to say the least!

Did you try using Kalk before doing Randy's three part? If so, was your consumption of Ca, Mg, and Alk too much for kalk to keep up with?

Thanks! I've never dosed kalk. It always seemed like more of a hassle than three part.