Thinking of doing a 40 Breeder

[22engine]

Now that Petco has the sale I think I am going to upgrade my biocube to a 40 breeder. I have a AL Sol custom install in the cubes hood but think I am going to go with T5's this time. Should be able to sell the Sol And be able to get a nice HOB skimmer and light.

Looking for ideas on a skimmer. HOB as I am not going to do a sump. Might do a CPR hob fuge as well. Any ideas or advice I appreciate.

 

[STiTCH87]

Now that Petco has the sale I think I am going to upgrade my biocube to a 40 breeder. I have a AL Sol custom install in the cubes hood but think I am going to go with T5's this time. Should be able to sell the Sol And be able to get a nice HOB skimmer and light.

Looking for ideas on a skimmer. HOB as I am not going to do a sump. Might do a CPR hob fuge as well. Any ideas or advice I appreciate.

I have a 40breeder and I say go for it. A very attractive dimensions.

Here's my build thread:
http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?124701-STiTCH87-s-40g-Breeder-Starfire-Build

The photos are VERY out of date and it's got MUCH more corals and livestock now, but you get the general idea.

Without being nosey, can I ask why you don't want to run a sump?

As for a good HOB skimmer, I had an AquaMaxx HOB-1 that worked great. They're rated at 75 gallons too so it'd be fine for a 40g.
May have to clean often though since that's a decent amount of water volume for a HOB to process.

I personally boycott AquaC and CPR for my own reasons so I can't suggest either and sleep at night.

 

[22engine]

The stand I want won't accommodate a sump is the main reason.

 

[STiTCH87]

Are you positive? I did a minor tweak to my stand and crammed a 20 long in there. Can I ask which stand you like? Don't mean to pry i'm just making suggestions as one can only benefit from having a sump.

At minimum a 20 tall would fit into most stands easy. My 20 long I had to widen the stand opening a little but the door more than fully covers the hole still.

 

[22engine]

Ya the stand I saw and liked had no underneath it was like cubes for decorative stuff. Not 100% sold yet. Have the concern you did with the moisture and don't have room for a separate area for my plugs and such like you did. Need to sell my biocube to fund the upgrade but want all my corals and live rock so need to plan it all out. Hoping to get 350 for my whole setup with the inTank Media basket and fuge basket with the AL Sol blue light and controller. I could separate but I custom cut the hood for the sol so would like it to go as a package.

 

[STiTCH87]

My whole moisture concern ended up just being paranoia I realized as now that I have the stand,
even though all I have is two small opening in the back with no fans, there's virtually no moisture inside the stand.
No more than there is at the DT anyways. I was very surprised.

Plugs will be fine in there as long as you mount the power strip VERY securely somewhere away from the sump. Like as high up as possible for example.
Or you can splurge and get a GFCI surge protector and be worry-free: http://www.electricalcollectible.com/4580_page_1013468.htm

I'm sure you could pull $350 for that setup.

 

[22engine]

Well I went and looked at the tank yesterday and def decided it the route I am going to go. Also looked at some stands and petsmart had one I really like but 152 for it. Think I am going to try and build one first. I have all the 2x4's already so it shouldn't cost a ton. Have to decide on a light. I don't think one AL Sol will cut it so either I have to buy another one or sell it and go with a 4 bulb t5. Not in a huge rush.

 

[STiTCH87]

Yeah for that price you're better off building one because MDF stands are junk. And pre-made solid wood stands can be costly.
GC is cheap for them but its kinda foolish to have them build just a stand when their a tank company, lol.

I def vote build your own.

Lights there are SOOO many options. I actually had a top 10 list I made that would work a 40g breeder. I didn't even pick the #1 option as like 4 lights were tied so I just chose the R420R cuz it was new and sleek and I wanted to give it a try.
I do love my light though. But nothing wrong with a Radion or a OCReef unit.

Unless you want T5 in which case I absolutely vote ATI 6 bulb dimmable. That way you have the nice spread of a 6 bulb but don't have to worry if 6 bulbs are too bright for you.

 

[22engine]

I know there are so many light options. I like my AL Sol light so I may just stick with it. We will have to see I guess. Will get to working on the stand after the new year. Will probably start a thread