My Big Beautiful Budget Breeder Build

[Retro Reefer]

Heater is in.. had planned on using two cobalt neotherm 75w heaters but that really didn’t fit into my budget build theme so opted for a ehiem 125w.. made in Germany, UL listed, 3 year warranty, shatter proof glass and can be calibrated.. what’s not to like for $27. Updated my totals to reflect the $120 savings

 

[grassy_noel]

Just make sure you calibrate the temperature. When I got mine a setting of 77 on the dial gave me 85 degree water. Or better yet use a temp controller.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Just make sure you calibrate the temperature. When I got mine a setting of 77 on the dial gave me 85 degree water. Or better yet use a temp controller.

Yeah.. I put it in a 5 gallon bucket for a couple hours set at 77 and it heated the water to 78.4, I just left it as is my controller will have a target temp of 78, it will turn heater on at 77 and off at 78, chiller on at 79 and off at 78.. if the controller fails in the heat on position the internal thermostat in the heater will shut it down at 78.4 so I have some fail safe redundancy.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Starting to get some algae sprouting up on my glass so I added a 15 piece clean up crew, an assortment of snails and hermit crabs.. think it’s back to lights out

 

[Retro Reefer]

One of my new Nassarius snails going for a late night stroll or trying to escape .. he’s supposed to be stirring up my sand bed :mad:

 

[Retro Reefer]

Installed my temp controller, it will probably be the only visible control panel as I plan to put everything else into a cabinet next to stand.. I want to be able to easily see temp at a glance without opening cabinet

 

[mmw64]

Installed my temp controller, it will probably be the only visible control panel as I plan to put everything else into a cabinet next to stand.. I want to be able to easily see temp at a glance without opening cabinet

following

 

[Retro Reefer]

following

Thanks for stopping by

 

[Retro Reefer]

Had to make a change in plans for my ATO because of lack of sump space.. In keeping with my budget build theme I found a Hydrofill ATO on sale for $21.00 off regular price

 

[Scott Ulrich]

Great build! Thanks for sharing and your help on my similar build

 

[Retro Reefer]

Great build! Thanks for sharing and your help on my similar build

Thanks for checking out my budget breeder build, I’m sure your going to enjoy yours

 

[Scott Ulrich]

Could you please let me know where you got your skimmer and overflow from? Always looking for a sale

 

[Dom]

I am a big fan of Aqueon tanks. They are well made. Never had a problem with them leaking... ever.

The only down side is that you can't drill them any size above 33 gallons because beyond 33 gallons, they use tempered glass. You have to buy their reef ready tank.

Good choice! Nice looking tank!!

 

[Retro Reefer]

Could you please let me know where you got your skimmer and overflow from? Always looking for a sale

Got them from dr. Foster&Smith.. they just had another sale on them last week but I see it’s over now, if you just keep a eye out they will probably feature them again soon.. they do have a current 10% off offer going but that’s not going to get you anywhere near what I paid

https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+30999&pcatid=30999

 

[Retro Reefer]

I am a big fan of Aqueon tanks. They are well made. Never had a problem with them leaking... ever.

The only down side is that you can't drill them any size above 33 gallons because beyond 33 gallons, they use tempered glass. You have to buy their reef ready tank.

Good choice! Nice looking tank!!

Thank you! I’m super excited to get it going after a few years with only small nanos.. You can drill the 40 breeder but they do say they may use tempered glass occasionally If that’s all that’s available, so I would test first.. supposedly the bottoms are never tempered according to their specification chart.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Grrrrrr..... looks like tank is leaking! Dang:mad::mad::mad:

 

[Retro Reefer]

It’s official, tank is coming down to be returned.. I seem to be having a run of bad luck lately

 

[najer]

That sucks!

 

[Retro Reefer]

Heading to petco now.. I’m going to just buy another tank and do the swap then return the defective one for refund. Will to need to paint the back before setting it up so that may take quite a few coats over a couple days to get it coverd good, just hope it doesn’t completely let go before I can do the change over

 

[Retro Reefer]

Here we go again..