How to set up a low maintenance 40 breeder...

niqiri · 03/06/2012, 04:41 AM

I want to set up a 40 gallon breeder tank that will be low maintenance. I would like to have fire shrimp, LPS, SPS, and maybe a few inverts. I do not, however, want fish. Quarantining and the pollution that feeding causes means that I have to spend more time than I have on my tank. What equipment would I need to get a nice 40 breeder going strong with corals and a few inverts? Would a sump be absolutely necessary? Protein skimmer? How often would I have to feed? I plan on using LED lights, so hopefully corals will get all they need from those. Thanks.

username in use · 03/06/2012, 06:09 AM

If you want low maintenance, you need the sump. Get a decent skimmer, get a controller to handle auto top off and dosing of a 2 part and you should be good. Once a week fill the auto top off and refill the 2 part containers.

Nanighan · 03/06/2012, 06:28 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFza0...W4pggOpSMsh2KB

You could go with 2-3 par 38 bulbs. I have 4, but 3 in the vid. Video is old, but i dont have a sump or skimmer. I do a lot of water changes though and dose kalk because of fish and corals. I recommend at least 1 small fish just to add fish poop to the mix. NO fish less water changes, but you have to dose due to corals.

Sugar Magnolia · 03/06/2012, 08:20 AM

I have no sump on my 40B. Hang on filter, hang on refugium. Manual top off daily. Yeah, I'm a lazy reefer. I like the simplicity.

jango · 03/06/2012, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by username in use

if you want low maintenance, you need the sump. Get a decent skimmer, get a controller to handle auto top off and dosing of a 2 part and you should be good. Once a week fill the auto top off and refill the 2 part containers.

+1

RocketEngineer · 03/06/2012, 11:34 AM

Sump vs. No Sump isn't really a big factor in ease of maintenance. However a sump does make the skimmer a little more fail safe if you use an in-sump version because an overflowing skimmer drains back into the sump rather than onto the floor. Also, an ATO pump doesn't have to push water so far with a sump.

I prefer a sump setup due to its clean looks. However, as Sugar Magnolia demonstrates, its very possible to go sumpless and still have a nice tank.

I would look into a couple worker fish. An algae blenny and a wrasse can do wonders for biological control of algae and other pests. Also, a little movement will look better than just the static look of corals. Given what these two fish eat (cyclopese, brine shrimp) what the corals would also eat, they can be introduced together and no other fish need be added unless one passes on. After that they get fed from what the corals miss.

A little bit of automation goes a long way.

RocketEngineer

RocketEngineer · 03/06/2012, 11:34 AM

Sump vs. No Sump isn't really a big factor in ease of maintenance. However a sump does make the skimmer a little more fail safe if you use an in-sump version because an overflowing skimmer drains back into the sump rather than onto the floor. Also, an ATO pump doesn't have to push water so far with a sump.

I prefer a sump setup due to its clean looks. However, as Sugar Magnolia demonstrates, its very possible to go sumpless and still have a nice tank.

I would look into a couple worker fish. An algae blenny and a wrasse can do wonders for biological control of algae and other pests. Also, a little movement will look better than just the static look of corals. Given what these two fish eat (cyclopese, brine shrimp) what the corals would also eat, they can be introduced together and no other fish need be added unless one passes on. After that they get fed from what the corals miss.

A little bit of automation goes a long way.

RocketEngineer

KafudaFish · 03/06/2012, 11:58 AM

Probably the best example of a simple yet elegant 40.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1506957

On the last page and his last entry there is another link to it that has other details.

niqiri · 03/12/2012, 09:38 AM

So what kind of equipment do I need? I was thinking maybe the 4g led fixture from eshine, some macro algae for the rear of the tank (assuming it's sumpless), hob filter, low profile powerhead(s), what else?

niqiri · 03/13/2012, 12:49 AM

Anybody have their own ideas of how to set it up?

d-man · 03/13/2012, 07:10 AM

I just set mine up.
Rubbermaid bin as sump, live rock and skimmer, some gac in a canister. Dose nightly 2 part. 5gal water changes very week or so. It only takes 3-5 for a wc. Easy for sure. Just set up so it's cycling more or less. Have some algae due to no cuc yet. Just put some snails in.

03/06/2012, 04:41 AM	#1
niqiri Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 346	How to set up a low maintenance 40 breeder... I want to set up a 40 gallon breeder tank that will be low maintenance. I would like to have fire shrimp, LPS, SPS, and maybe a few inverts. I do not, however, want fish. Quarantining and the pollution that feeding causes means that I have to spend more time than I have on my tank. What equipment would I need to get a nice 40 breeder going strong with corals and a few inverts? Would a sump be absolutely necessary? Protein skimmer? How often would I have to feed? I plan on using LED lights, so hopefully corals will get all they need from those. Thanks.

03/06/2012, 06:09 AM	#2
username in use Sciencing Daily Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6,560	If you want low maintenance, you need the sump. Get a decent skimmer, get a controller to handle auto top off and dosing of a 2 part and you should be good. Once a week fill the auto top off and refill the 2 part containers. __________________ Joshua "With fronds like these, who needs anemones?" - Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: multiple nano's sprinkled around the house

03/06/2012, 06:28 AM	#3
Nanighan Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 521	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFza0...W4pggOpSMsh2KB You could go with 2-3 par 38 bulbs. I have 4, but 3 in the vid. Video is old, but i dont have a sump or skimmer. I do a lot of water changes though and dose kalk because of fish and corals. I recommend at least 1 small fish just to add fish poop to the mix. NO fish less water changes, but you have to dose due to corals. __________________ Ron

03/06/2012, 08:20 AM	#4
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	I have no sump on my 40B. Hang on filter, hang on refugium. Manual top off daily. Yeah, I'm a lazy reefer. I like the simplicity. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

03/06/2012, 11:34 AM	#6
RocketEngineer Space is big. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Maryland Eastern Shore Posts: 3,226	Sump vs. No Sump isn't really a big factor in ease of maintenance. However a sump does make the skimmer a little more fail safe if you use an in-sump version because an overflowing skimmer drains back into the sump rather than onto the floor. Also, an ATO pump doesn't have to push water so far with a sump. I prefer a sump setup due to its clean looks. However, as Sugar Magnolia demonstrates, its very possible to go sumpless and still have a nice tank. I would look into a couple worker fish. An algae blenny and a wrasse can do wonders for biological control of algae and other pests. Also, a little movement will look better than just the static look of corals. Given what these two fish eat (cyclopese, brine shrimp) what the corals would also eat, they can be introduced together and no other fish need be added unless one passes on. After that they get fed from what the corals miss. A little bit of automation goes a long way. RocketEngineer __________________ -RocketEngineer "Knowledge is what you get when you read the directions, experience is what you get when you don't." - Unknown Current Tank Info: None Currently

03/06/2012, 11:58 AM	#8
KafudaFish Cyprinius carpio Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,496	Probably the best example of a simple yet elegant 40. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1506957 On the last page and his last entry there is another link to it that has other details.

03/12/2012, 09:38 AM	#9
niqiri Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 346	So what kind of equipment do I need? I was thinking maybe the 4g led fixture from eshine, some macro algae for the rear of the tank (assuming it's sumpless), hob filter, low profile powerhead(s), what else?

03/13/2012, 12:49 AM	#10
niqiri Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 346	Anybody have their own ideas of how to set it up?

03/13/2012, 07:10 AM	#11
d-man Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: San Diego, ca Posts: 2,732	I just set mine up. Rubbermaid bin as sump, live rock and skimmer, some gac in a canister. Dose nightly 2 part. 5gal water changes very week or so. It only takes 3-5 for a wc. Easy for sure. Just set up so it's cycling more or less. Have some algae due to no cuc yet. Just put some snails in.