Building a 40 Breeder display with a 20 long sump

[WindBorne]

Long time lurker first time poster. Over the years I kept seeing all these amazing build threads on this site and others. Now, I too want take an empty glass box, and miraculously cause a mini reef of my own to appear. So join me now as I try my hand at this type reef wizardry, lets get started.

Equipment and Supplies

What I have:

40 breeder display
20 long sump
1 Neptune Apex
1 Vertex omega 180 skimmer
1 AI Hydra 26
1 Jaebo Dosser
1 dosser reservoir
1 ATO System and reservoir
2 Ecotech Marine mp10 power heads
1 Ecotech Marine M1 return pump
2 Phosban 55o DIY chaetomorpha reactors
2 Elflight LED Strip Lights (5M/16.4ft)
1 Phosban 150 NPX Reactor
1 Sicce synchra 1.5 (357 gph)
1 Ghost Overflow Box
12 Milk Crates
1 40 breeder stand
1 Glass 40 breeder lid
2 Sheets of 5 ply maple

What I need:

Heater(s)

Work order.

Whats done:

Measure, cut and seal wood planking for tank stand.
Assemble tank stand.

Needs to be done:

Drill 40 breeder
Plumb 40 breeder
Build out the 20 long DIY sump compartments
Install all water return and drain lines
Place all gear and reactors
Wire up the tank
Aquascape and cycle tank
Stock tank

I will update this tank journal as I progress.

 

[WindBorne]

 

[Lowefx]

I'm waiting on parts for a Cheato reactor like yours. Was the build easy? Does it work Well? Have you noticed any difference?

 

[WindBorne]

Yeah, I was actually really surprised. I had just broken down a 20 gallon mixed reef and had some of the CuC die off without me noticing. The chaeto started off golf ball size and proceed to grow to fill the whole 550 in about a week's time. Since then the growth has slowed way down, I had done some water changes and got my nutrients under control though, I assume the growth has slowed due to lack of nutrients.

They are essentially plug and play, very simple to set up. You simply wrap the led strip around the 550 tightly, you could use zip ties to hold them in place but I found it was not needed.

Just make sure the led strip you get includes a power supply otherwise you will have to do some minor electrical work.

All and all I really like them so far, it will be interesting to see what they do on the new system I'm working on.

 

[croberts17]

do you think the hydra 26 is enough for a 40? reason i ask is im planning my own and still trying to figure an optimum light for a 40B

 

[timrocks311]

Following this thread. You're off to a good start with some nice equipment. I'll be interested to see your build. I'm trying to get a 40 breeder together too. My first tank in a long time. I have some old equipment still new in the box that I bought a long time ago and never used. So I'm trying to piece most of mine together with that and then upgrade slowly. Plus the wife is keeping an eye on my expenses. I'm building the stand now. Hoping to finish that up soon, then I have to modify my sump with baffles and get everything set up.

For comparison, I'm planning a mixed reef with LPS, zoas and shrooms. Equipment I have so far:
40B
29 sump
Old Euroreef skimmer (still in box)
4 bulb 2ft T5 fixture (still in box) - ideally I'd like a 3ft 6-8 bulb, but this will do for now.
Mag7 return pump (upgrade later)
Heaters
2 Tunze nanostream pumps (not the controllable type) (want to upgrade to MP10s)

I'm planning an in sump fuge and a chaeto reactor as well. Still need/want to buy an Apex controller, ATO, EShoppes overflow.