40 Breeder build. Very slow build at that.

I just picked up a 40b and a 20l for a sump, sometime next week im gonna get the 40b drilled at my LFS 1 drain 1 return 1.5" drain .75" return (per lfs suggestion) and a mag (LFS suggested a mag7) for a return pump, gonna order a stand too.

No pictures yet, unless you just want the tanks sitting in my garage lol.

I started this to bounce some idea's off members and get some feedback on my plans.

Im prob going to order a 4x36w tek 5 light, unsure of what skimmer, and am open to suggestions on how to turn the 20L into a sump.

Gonna be a mixed reef, unsure of the livestock atm too, Once its established a mandarian goby for sure.

 

For the photo junkies

 

You will want a skimmer rated for a 80 gallon tank. Most ratings are for lightly stocked tanks. Once you have the skimmer you can then figure out how it will fit in the sump and then install baffles to keep a steady water level in the skimmer area. You will want the water from the tank to empty in the skimmer area. You will need a return pump that is rated about 200 gph at 4 foot head. 5 to 10 times the volume of the sump is the recommended range to help keep micro bubbles from getting to the display tank.

On the bulbs get 2 ATI Blue pus, 1 ATI Purple Plus or KZ Fiji Purple and 1 ATI Aquablue Special. You will be able to keep any animal you want in the tank at whatever level you wish. SPS and clams should stay under the reflectors. You could place the fixture about 8 inches above the water with no problems.

 

Im thinking about getting the same skimmer matt rodgers is using, the bubble magus nac6 ~160 dollars

going to order 50lbs of rock from reefcleaners

suggestions for substrate? I think I want a normal sand bed, not deep.