A 40 Gallon Breeder Build! (New Pics 27.02.2011)

[rstar]

28.02.2011: Got new skimmer and some new fishes, pics added.
19.12.2010: Pictures of tank after establishing itself
30.9.2010: Picture on page 2 of tank fully cleared under chosen lighting. Details in post.
09.18.10: Pictures of finished stand added to bottom!

Hey everyone, fall is fast approaching and i am getting the itch again. I knew it would come! For those that don't know I sold my 120g this spring because i didn't have time for a big tank as well as needed the space for my 13 month old daughter (toys take up lots of space!) Here is a link to that build thread for anyone who is curious; http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=51449

This time around i decided to go for a simple system. I am taking my time with it and just enjoying the ride. I have a 33g Breeder I am using and a Sunsystems Tek Light (4 bulb to light it) Haven't decided if I am going to go full reef or not. Not sure if i am going to run a skimmer or not.

I spent the last 4 nights working on a stand for it. I decided to build it only 24" tall so that I can see right into it when I am sitting on my couch. As well my 13 month old daughter can see into it standing up. I've used all leftover scraps of wood to construct the stand. It has 4X4 legs (totally over kill, I know but it's what I had.)

I got the tank and lights for free from my father inlaw (was just wasting away at his house as he lost intrest in the hobby) and as i mentioned i used leftover wood scraps for the stand. The total i've invested so far on this build is $15 for some extra birch wood to finish skinning the stand. I still have to fill some gaps, sand and stain the stand as well as paint the back of the tank. Here are a few pictures!

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/IMG_4216.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/IMG_4217.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/IMG_4218.jpg

[lastlight]

Welcome back...it's hard to stay away!

That stand will weigh more than the tank even when it's full. I always approve of a beefy stand lol.

[Slick Fork]

I did the same thing... sold my big tank and set up a 33! The build is almost more fun than having it all stocked and going!

Have fun

[Leah]

Glad to see you back. Can't wait to see pictures of the new tank up and running. And maybe the odd one of the little angel too. :biggrin:

[rstar]

Glad to see you back. Can't wait to see pictures of the new tank up and running. And maybe the odd one of the little angel too. :biggrin:

Thanks Leah! She is growing way too fast! Started walking last week! Here are a few pictures from the end of August!

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/IMG_2819copycopy.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/untitled-1.jpg

[rstar]

Just a quick question. The tank i have had one the those backgrounds you buy, it was attached with that background adhesive (oily stuff) Is there any type of solvent that is safe to use on the back of the aquarium to remove it so i can paint it? Or what would anyone recommend i use to remove it?

[rstar]

Hey everyone, just a quick update! Finished the stand and cleaning the tank out today. Finally moved it into the house and put it in its final resting place.
Didn't take an pictures of me in the process of finishing it, but here are a few of it finished! Im going to purchase the filter/pumps this week and hopefully fill it next week!

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/IMG_4284.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/IMG_4285.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/IMG_4286.jpg

[Leah]

Tank is looking great. :biggrin: :angel: She is a sweatheart for sure...makes me wish my daughter was sweet and innocent again, well almost. :wink:

Although I saw the cost of diapers in Walmart yesterday and couldn't believe it. YIKES! :lol:

[rstar]

So i got my filter/pump on Friday, and filled the tank on Saturday! Picked up some LR from a member of this site today! Here is the token shot of the cloudy tank with cloudy aquascaping! Ill take a new picture when the tank clears! So far i like the aquascape, i've always subscribed to the less is more school of thought! Let me know what you all think!

Tanks specs to date are; 40 Gal Breeder, 4bulb 36" Tek fixture, AC110, Koralia evolution 3. AC70 heater 30lbs LR

Ill take a picture of the aquascaping with the water cleared after work today!

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/IMG_4351.jpg

[rstar]

Here are a couple pics of the aquascape in cleared water! Let me know what you all think. Also is a picture of the tank with auto white balance and a pic of the tank with corrected white balance. To the naked eye it is more like a combo between the two. I personally find the tank way to blue for my liking. I m currently running two new gen coral lights and two aqua blues. I may just run 4 new gens.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/IMG_4370.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/IMG_4367.jpg

[rstar]

Last night I decided to take the two aquablues out of my fixture, as I felt it was way too blue. I added one other new gen coral light and a fiji purple. The order is now (from front to back) new gen, fiji, new gen new gen. So far i am very happy with it, especially now that the tank has completely cleared. Here is a pic! The colors are very true to real life. To the naked eye I would say it is only slightly bluer than the picture! I have been debating with myself about wether to add 10 more punds of rock, but I quite like the open look!

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/IMG_4384Stitch2.jpg

[jphong]

That rock looks nice! You did something similar to mine with that overhead rock but your rock for that part looks way cooler (like it was meant for it).

Open concept looks nice plus less places for the fish to hide like they do in mine :(

[rstar]

Have'nt updated in a while because there hasn't been much worth updating... Tank has been running now for three months, rock has had some time to color up and cycle the tank. I added my first coral and a clean up crew about a month ago. Here are some pics of the progress...

Full Tank (it's a little dark because i had to turn the exposure down the sand is too blinding and washes everything out)

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/fulltank.jpg

Closeup of Mushrooms.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/mush.jpg

Blennie.

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/blenn.jpg

An excellent hitchiker on the live rock!!

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/monti.jpg

[rstar]

Got a new Remora skimmer last week and love it! For a hob skimmer it quiet and efficient! Also stopped in at Red Coral Edmonton last week on my through and picked up a couple fishes. Here are a couple new pics of the tank. Don't mind the caulerpa, its been an ongoing battle picking it out but i believe i am gaining the upper hand!

Full Tank:

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/fulltank-1.jpg

Fungia (lost all its color when i bought it, but it comming back):

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/fungia.jpg

One of my leathers:

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r302/rstar26/bleather.jpg

[Fishy!]

Tagging along.
Edit: Lol just saw the date on last post.