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View Full Version : Is it possible to keep SPS in a 40 gallons tank?


GSMclowns
12/10/2014, 03:31 PM
Hello Everyone,

I have many tanks from 10 to 120 gallons tanks over the last 10 years. However I never keep SPS in a small tank before. I got a big SPS tank now but somehow the idea got stuck in my head that I want a nano sps tank. Anyway, I have been looking at the IM Nuno Fusion 40 gallons. This link here: http://www.marinedepot.com/Innovative_Marine_40_Gallon_NUVO_Fusion_40_Aquarium_%28Tank_Only%29_Nano_Cube_Aquariums_Tanks_Over_4 0_Gallons-Innovative_Marine-0I10444-FIAQNCNTOF-vi.html

So is it possible to have SPS growing and COLORING UP in a small AIO tank like that?
These are the equipments that I am thinking of using.
Light: ATI 4 x 24Watts.
Flow: 2 x MP10s
Water Change: 1 gallons a day
GFO and Carbon as needed.
No Skimmer and no sump.
Dosing: Cal and Alk by BRS dosing pumps

What do you guys think?
Idea and suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks.

JB NY
12/10/2014, 03:50 PM
One of my friends keeps SPS in a AGA 40 gallon breeder. Some fantastic SPS come out of that tank. It absolutely cane be done.

tang daddy
12/10/2014, 04:20 PM
I started a tank in early October from the same manufacture as the one you're thinking of setting up, it's a nuvo 38. I added 2 sets of cheap coralife fixtures basically 4x24w and also 2 12" strips of ecoexotic panorama blue led.

Over the last few months I've been slowly adding sps and they're all encrusting and growing well. Don't have a doser as I sold off most of the equiptment when I shut down my 75g. I am however running a tunze 9004 which fits in the back overflow compartment with 3mm of space. Currently doing 5g WC per week and dosing manually 3x a week.

So to answer your question it's definitely possible, although I would strongly suggest running it barebottom as it's a lot easier to suck out the detritous and fish poop and have minimum waste build up. Good luck!

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o227/tangdaddy/image-40.jpg (http://s121.photobucket.com/user/tangdaddy/media/image-40.jpg.html)

tmantaylor18
12/10/2014, 05:12 PM
One of the most epic SPS tanks I've seen here was a 40 gallon breeder. Wish I could remember the guys name. Think he was running really powerful metal halides over it. All I remember is his profile picture was a green skull or something. :lolspin:

Maybe someone with better memory can chime in with a name or some pics. The thing was packed to the brim with big colonies.

tmantaylor18
12/10/2014, 05:28 PM
Found it! Guess my memory isn't so bad after all. Therman was the name I was looking for.

https://web.archive.org/web/20040413050805/http://www.reefcentral.com/totm/2001-10/index.php

Piper27
12/10/2014, 06:11 PM
His tank was nice, I have a 40 breeder with pics in the thread called I love wild acros, but I have a lot of water volume behind it. You should be fine with the basic easy sps as long as the tank is mature.

GSMclowns
12/10/2014, 10:04 PM
Thanks for all the replies.
I am more worry about the small volume. I won't have any sump or any other tanks tie to it. Just the AIO tank only. I know that the SPS will live and will grow well. But would the 40 gallons provide enough stability for them to thrive and color up?.
Another point is not having any skimmer. Not having a skimmer and only rely on water change. Not sure how good the water quality will be.

larcat
12/10/2014, 10:23 PM
AIO's are a pain in the butt, IMHO. If possible, try and go sumped. The dual-40b setups look really easy to work with and nice :)

Thanks for all the replies.
I am more worry about the small volume. I won't have any sump or any other tanks tie to it. Just the AIO tank only. I know that the SPS will live and will grow well. But would the 40 gallons provide enough stability for them to thrive and color up?.
Another point is not having any skimmer. Not having a skimmer and only rely on water change. Not sure how good the water quality will be.

itche_scratche
12/10/2014, 10:44 PM
I had a 10 & 28 gallon nano SPS dominate before. Change water regularly small amount at a time should do it :).

twon8
12/10/2014, 10:47 PM
It's possible but it would be much easier with a sump. You really will need am auto topoff/ alk supplement with an full tank of sps.

larcat
12/10/2014, 11:29 PM
This. Our "upgrade" didn't add much display, but it did let us add dosers and, importantly, a bigger skimmer and a fuge. Since the upgrade, SPS has been *much* easier.

It's possible but it would be much easier with a sump. You really will need am auto topoff/ alk supplement with an full tank of sps.

Reefvet
12/11/2014, 01:06 AM
37 gal, 25 actual water volume. No sump, HOB skimmer, no GAC or GFO. 1 MP10, Kessil LED. GHL dosing pump is the key. Alk is stable, SPS growing like weeds.

http://merithost.net/37nano81014C.jpg

rovster
12/11/2014, 06:12 AM
Absolutely!

Bobf216
12/11/2014, 09:15 AM
This is my 40 breeder I run just a 20 gallon sump and an oversized skimmer.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk2/rfiala/dbccc7c7-dc51-4a48-8741-e8311c1486c0.jpg (http://s276.photobucket.com/user/rfiala/media/dbccc7c7-dc51-4a48-8741-e8311c1486c0.jpg.html)

jedheuer
12/11/2014, 11:30 AM
I ran a 40 SPS breeder for a while. The SPS did very well. The two problems that come witht the smaller volume, were stable temps and dosing. Temps were a problem in summer when it would easily heat up to 86 with the lights on. For the hottest days I left the lights off. Never lost any SPS though, nothing i was keeping was super sensitive. And dosign CA and alk amounts were so small they had to be done by hand. So not really a problem just more maintenance.

tang daddy
12/11/2014, 05:15 PM
I hope this person doesn't mind but I was reading in the led thread and found his tank, quite nice for a simple tank running skimmerless!

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2287628

knukles55
12/11/2014, 07:24 PM
Here's my 30 rimless

Wazzel
12/11/2014, 08:29 PM
40 should be no problem. My tank is a 60.

YoungREEFA
12/11/2014, 08:37 PM
This is my 40 breeder I run just a 20 gallon sump and an oversized skimmer.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk2/rfiala/dbccc7c7-dc51-4a48-8741-e8311c1486c0.jpg (http://s276.photobucket.com/user/rfiala/media/dbccc7c7-dc51-4a48-8741-e8311c1486c0.jpg.html)

I know you have a build thread right. right?:bounce1:

jhowerton
12/13/2014, 07:50 AM
Following, I have a 40b that just finished cycling about two weeks ago. Going to pick up the first coral for it today.

tripdad
12/13/2014, 12:06 PM
No problem, just watch your numbers and maintain them. I would add though that you can use more light, I have a 4X36w now and am upgrading to a 6 or 8x36w soon as some just won't color up outside the "sweet"spot.