New Guy with a 40 breeder!

Hi, i just wanted to post a thread to let you guys know that i have recently began to get addicted to this marine hobby. i want to tell you about my equipment and plan for my project.
my equipment consist of:

- 40gal Breeder
- 15gal DIY sump/refugium
- DIY stand 2"x4" pine
- 36" 78W T6 HO Compact Light / 12000K and Actinic
- 65gal Coralife protein skimmer
- 300gal Overflow box
- Theo Heater 150W
- 480gal Via Aqua pump
- The Reef Aquarium DVD by Keith Behrle

now my plan is to have a reef tank, where i want to raise live rock, fish, corals, invertebrates and more... i already have my saltwater test kit, thermometers, hydrometers, mag-float, and more accesories to get started, i have not yet started to put live sand or water into my aquarium. now i will have the overflow box send water to my sump where i will have my protein skimmer, heater, refugium and pump to get it back up, i do plan to get a powerhead for more water movement, but any advice is appreciated.


I wanted to know if my lights are ok for my project or if i need moon lights? and if my refugium is going to be big enough? and advice is more than welcome,,, i have been reading an reading everything about this hobby and cant wait to start, but i would like to learn more before starting.. Thanks

 

Welcome! 40 breeders are GREAT tanks, no center brace!! I have a question on the lights, 36" PC, it should have two 96watt bulbs, unless you have something I am not aware of. The lights will grow softies and maybe a LPS or two at the halfway mark, but water quality and clarity will play a big part as to how deep you can put things and how well they will grow. I would look into a T5, check out Teks, they are relatively cheap and will DEFINETLY do the job, and they are made in the US.
Anyway, the sump/fuge should be fine, could be bigger but just about everything in life can!
Moonlights are optional, you do not need them!! You have a good start, keep us posted!

Good luck!

 

Couldn't have said it better myself, welcome to the site

 

thanks for your help, im really glad i joined this forum i have learned alot of new things! the lights are two 39W HO T6 bulbs one is a 12000K premium daytime the other one is an Actinic.. i read that the T6 are much better than the T5. now this was the first thing i bought so i really didnt know what i was looking for, now my 40 breeder is 16" tall, so i believe its not that tall for the light to reach the bottom.

 

T6 are technically better than T5 but still unproven and there isn't any major brand T6's yet, just Odyseea and some others, if you compare a cheap T6 2x39 to a quality 2x39 T5, the t5 will produce better results, as with all the fluorescent fixtures the reflectors and bulbs do more work than anything else

 

welcome to 3reef, looks like you are well on your way. Keep us posted on how it is coming along. We want pics.

 

to 3reef.

 

Welcome to 3Reef>>>> Sounds cool.. Show us some pics...

 

Welcome fellow 40Br reefer! Looks like you found yourself to the right place! GL!

 

thank you everyone, well i will post pictures on monday as i will start my nitrogen cycle! cant wait to start have a nice weekend