[Chi-Reefer]

Hello Everyone,

I am starting a 40 gallon breeder reef tank and want to share the build with you. I have been inspired by so many tank builds here on TRT...that I needed to join in on the fun. :banana:

I wanted to start a large nano reef, and I am a big fan of the size of the 40 gallon breeder, 36"x18"17". I plan on keeping only nano sized fish in the tank to keep the bio-load low but allow the tank to still look lively. Any suggestions would be appreciated...

Fish List:

- Clownfish
- Banghai Cardinalfish
- Six-Line Wrasse
- Gobies
- Chromis
-???

Corals:

-Zoas
-Shrooms
-???

 

[Chi-Reefer]

Equipment List

40 Gallon - 36"x18"x17"

Sump:
20 Gallon Long - 30"x12"x12"

Lighting:
4x36" T5 (2xActinic, 2xWhite) - Coralife
21 LED Refugium light

Protein Skimmer:
Reef Octopus - NWB 110

Water Movement:
Vortech MP10ES
500GPH Return Pump
600GPH Glass-Holes Overflow box

Heater:
200W Heater

Rock and Sand:
50lbs of dry rock & 40lbs of live sand

 

[Chi-Reefer]

Build:

I purchased a slightly used oak stand and 40 breeder for sale from a fellow reefer. After a water test, the tank turned out to be leaky....but the stand was usable.

Here is the stand in its original state:

After some serious sanding, a couple coats of primer, some black paint and door handles....we got a brand new looking stand!

 

[Chi-Reefer]

Here is my current sump setup. In the first compartment I have the protein skimmer and the heater. Water then flows through some glass baffles into a refugium filled with rock rubble. Final compartment contains the ATO and the return pump...

I finally added water into the tank on 9/1/2012....and it was a slow process. Took almost 2 days. I added 55lbs of live rock and 40lbs of live sand....

That is how the tank looks currently....I am now playing the waiting game as the tank cycles. Still playing around with different aquascapes, I will share any updates with TRT.

But now it's time for bed....G'Nite TRT!

 

[tdf2011]

nice stand

 

[Cutlass]

looking good, thinking about doing a 30G Breeder but rimless, how you like the dimensions?

 

[Nate_Bro]

That looks good man, I love my 40g breeder, the dimensions are great!

 

[Chi-Reefer]

looking good, thinking about doing a 30G Breeder but rimless, how you like the dimensions?

I'm a fan of the 30G breeder. I like the 36"x18" footprint because it gives you enough depth in the tank to open up more aquascaping options. The 12" height makes it look long and has the nice shallow-tank feel.

Good Luck to you!

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Looking great so far! I will be tagging along to see future progress!

 

[Chi-Reefer]

Thanks Guys!

I've been patiently awaiting for the end of the cycling and that's difficult for me to do. However, I have learned (the hard way of course) that nothing great happens immediately in a reef tank.

In the mean time....I finalized my aquascape. I'd like to hear what you guys think...

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

The aquascape looks good to me! Pretty open which will allow water movement throughout! Waiting for a tank to cycle is the worst part of this hobby!

 

[marc2912]

Looking good so far. How are you cycling the tank? Dead shrimp? Cycle with fish? Other?

 

[Chi-Reefer]

Looking good so far. How are you cycling the tank? Dead shrimp? Cycle with fish? Other?

Used only fish food to cycle the tank and has worked well so far. Was planning on using shrimp, just never remembered to pick it up when I was grocery shopping :doh:.

I am against using fish to cycle a tank, I find it too cruel and causes unnecessary stress to the fish.

 

[marc2912]

I am against using fish to cycle a tank, I find it too cruel and causes unnecessary stress to the fish.

Agreed

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Agreed

X2!

 

[Chi-Reefer]

Boom. Just did a water test and ammonia/nitrite/nitrate came back 0. Ordered a cleaning crew of mostly snails (cerith) and will be putting in a pair of clownfish soon. Don't have much else to report, will have more after I get some fish and a few corals.

 

[jerdrb]

Sounds pretty awesome man. What kind of tank will this be? Fowlr, LPS, SPS?

 

[Chi-Reefer]

I was planning on having mostly Zoos, Shrooms, and LPS. Don't know if SPS would be able to thrive with my current lighting setup, however if I do upgrade to LED lighting then I might rethink my plan.

 

[nano man]

The tank looks great, I'll definitely be watching as it progresses, best of luck!

 

[chillwill007]

Yea man any updates. I just picked up a 40 breeder and looking for inspiration. Where did u get ur rock and sand from? I like the sscape u got some nice solid pieces there.