Help me build a budget 40g breeder!

[Sniperhank]

Truth. Winning the algae battle though.

 

[dustinfeint]

So...a little bit of an update. I have my tank up and running! I have about 25-30 pounds of live rock in my tank now. Well...10 pounds of dry Fiji rock and 10-15 pounds of live rock. I got the background on. It is a dark blue. Has anyone used the sea-view aquarium background sealant? I would NOT recommend it, at all. It does not live up to my expectations of what it should do, that's for sure.
Right now my tank is officially cycling and I am proud of that for sure! I did a lot of research about getting a cup or a bowl of sand from your LFS to seed the tank for microorganisms. I have been told that even in some cases, the tiny life that makes up the minimal phases and basics of a reef is what some people like looking at more than the reef itself? Is this true? Anyways, I got 3lbs of sand from one LFS. I drive to another one and they wouldn't give me any....So I got a hold of one of my reef buddies and drove to his house. For 25 dollars I got 5lbs of good, established fiji-rock. I got sand out of his 75 gallon display tank and some of his water. I added it last night and I have already noticed a decent sized Cauliflower Coral growing on one of the rocks. Asterina Starfish, Worms, Red-bristled feather dusters/ tube worms, Corraline Algae, and this is only the next morning. What else can I expect to see in the micro-life category??
My salinity is at 1.024-25. I am fine with that. My temp is at 78. I am only running a HOB filter with Carbon in it as of now. I plan on getting a skimmer and powerheads whilst the tank cycles.

 

[dustinfeint]

Saw a TINY bristle star this morning

 

[Kimlafeiet]

You'll be amazed at all the creatures you will find in the tank. I have baby brittle stars as well, and they are pretty cool. I don't see them often, ususally just a leg every now and then.
Get a flashlight, and go look in the tank about an hour after the lights turn off. Its pretty cool what you find roaming the tank at night. I used to sit in the dark and just stare at it. Lol

 

[dustinfeint]

You'll be amazed at all the creatures you will find in the tank. I have baby brittle stars as well, and they are pretty cool. I don't see them often, ususally just a leg every now and then.
Get a flashlight, and go look in the tank about an hour after the lights turn off. Its pretty cool what you find roaming the tank at night. I used to sit in the dark and just stare at it. Lol

Can you elaborate at the tiny things you have seen so I know what to expect? What happens at dark?

 

[dustinfeint]

 

[dustinfeint]

Got some updates on my tank finally! Would anyone care to identify the two pics that have hitchhikers on them? Are those zoas and feather dusters? Anyway, I just took this and this is day twelve of my cycle. Still no diatom bloom. Wonder why?

 

[dustinfeint]

feather duster?

 

[dustinfeint]

what could this be, hiding in the rock? This was a base rock that now has some type of life on it. You can see its white mouth in the center of the disk.

 

[dustinfeint]

M

 

[dustinfeint]

That's my ammonia as of day twelve

 

[dustinfeint]

So I just thought that I would post a couple updates on my 40 breeder. Day 20. Here we go. Halides have been added. green mushroom I got on a piece of live rock.