Ryan's 40g Tank

[rporter]

I started this 40 gallon breeder tank about a year ago (Summer 2024) and it has definitely been a roller coaster. Being on a very tight budget has meant that I've had to take things very slow.

Apologies for the green, I'm not sure why it looks like that.

In the lower left corner I have the beginnings of a little zoanthid garden; I'm not sure what the designer names of the frags I have are. There's also a duncan, and two GSP frags in the back (eventually to cover the back wall). For critters, I've got some trochus snails, a couple red-legged hermit crabs (the blue-legged ones have disappeared), a peppermint shrimp, and a conch. I've also got a plethora of pods, bristleworms, feather dusters, and aiptasia (yuck).

Next steps are to get my four chromis out of quarantine, build out the sump, and eventually fill in the rock with more corals.

Conkie the conch ^^

 

[PjFish]

Fyi that looks like a green killing machine UV?
I had one on a 20 gallon pop up qt tank which worked great for about 10 months! Upon adding some new green soft corals to monitor they all turned a dark reddish brown literally overnight ! I immediately moved the corals to another system..The UV impeller shaft was fine since in the past have been known to rust out. Upon opening the bulb housing dark red rust water was present and everything was completely rusted inside. The bulb was not cracked..The rust released by the UV probably dyed the soft corals which are still brown to this day even though they quadrupled in size lol. Maybe they need some green food coloring to turn them back Ha!
I switched to clear coated magnets also since the solid colors are hard to see pin holes and or if they start to rust..Just wish gyros & power heads were made with clear coated magnets! Plus+ one for closed loops!!
What HOB are you using? I’ve had an SeaChem Tidal 110 on a 40 breeder for the past 6 years no issues..Just don’t use any of the included sponges in your hang on back filters just cut filter floss to fit then toss out. Sponges can be a pita in Hob saltwater use in my 2¢
Best of luck!!

 

[rporter]

Fyi that looks like a green killing machine UV?
I had one on a 20 gallon pop up qt tank which worked great for about 10 months! Upon adding some new green soft corals to monitor they all turned a dark reddish brown literally overnight ! I immediately moved the corals to another system..The UV impeller shaft was fine since in the past have been known to rust out. Upon opening the bulb housing dark red rust water was present and everything was completely rusted inside. The bulb was not cracked..The rust released by the UV probably dyed the soft corals which are still brown to this day even though they quadrupled in size lol. Maybe they need some green food coloring to turn them back Ha!

Yep, that's exactly what I'm using. I should open it up and see what condition it's in.

What HOB are you using? I’ve had an SeaChem Tidal 110 on a 40 breeder for the past 6 years no issues..Just don’t use any of the included sponges in your hang on back filters just cut filter floss to fit then toss out. Sponges can be a pita in Hob saltwater use in my 2¢

I'm using a Fluval Aquaclear 110 HOB, and I've only got some ChemiPure and ceramic bio-rings in there right now; the only sponges are some pineapple sponges that have made themselves at home. It's acting as a miniature sump until I can get my actual 20-gallon sump put together.

Best of luck!!

Thanks!

 

[PjFish]

Yep, that's exactly what I'm using. I should open it up and see what condition it's in.

There actually sealed.. I used a small angle grinder lol.. They make you buy a whole sealed unit for replacements