Dragonfish's 40B Build Log

[DragonFish]

Well, I'm far enough along now to start posting my log. I took down my 33 Oceanic cube recently (bought by a local reefer with a build thread in this forum!) and have been slowly working on my 40 Breeder. I don't have a lot of spare wall space and I wanted a shallow tank so the 40B seemed to be the ideal size. Basic specs are below, and I'll keep the chat to a minimum :D

40 gallon AGA Breeder
DIY stand inspired by several stands in the DIY forum
29 Gallon perma-sump (I'll explain later)
4 x 39w Tek T5HO
Drilled with center DIY Mailbox overflow
Rio Seio powerheads (to be replaced)
Rio HF10 return pump

Step one: Surface prep. Once requirement my wife had for setting up a new tank was to replace the old carpet. This is the result.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/100_3197.jpg

This is the basic frame of the stand, built using the DIY Stand Calculator in the DIY section.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/100_3473.jpg

And the finished stand. I love the way it turned out, and am especially happy with the access panel handles. :)
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/100_3511.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/100_3514.jpg

Tank on finished stand.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/100_3516.jpg

Last pic for now, holes!
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/100_3522.jpg

More pics tonight. Thanks for reading!

[Shane Hoffman]

The stand is beautiful...you dont often see folks go with white nowadays...I like it..

The floor looks good. Ver classy when combined with the white..your wife has an eye for decor...

[E.intheC]

looks great! I am starting a 40 breeder soon as well, so I'll be tagging along for sure

[Jeff]

Looks great! Why no hinges on the door?

[DragonFish]

I liked the functionality of a large access panel better than doors.

[DragonFish]

A few new pictures to add. Sorry for the crappy camera-phone pics, my camera battery died.

This is the perma-sump. Basically a perma-sump is one that is wedged so tightly into the stand that the only way it's coming out is in more than one piece :)
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/0623090743.jpg

Next the mailbox overflow. Sorry I didn't get any progress pics of this, but it was pretty easy.
Before:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21TceNeYovL._SS500_.jpg

After:
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/0623090746.jpg

Next up, the foam/rock wall. I'll get more pics of that, I promise!

[Toddrtrex]

Looking good. Glad that you didn't end up selling this tank, though I did think about it, but I already have one of yours. ;)

[DragonFish]

Now that you mention it, I have an old Eclipse 6 I could sell you :D Love the way the 33 turned out, have you had any trouble with that LTA walking? I had an RBTA that took a walk and stung the crap out of my blue candy cane :(

[Toddrtrex]

LOL If I am going to get another tank it is going to be bigger then that.

The other day I turned up the return pump a tiny bit, which caused the LTA to move to the other side of the rock cove -- a move of 3". But, other than that it hasn't moved since it settled into the tank. Though I am thinking about removing the LTA and putting one of my Haddonis in there, to see if the SI percs regain some of their black.

[DragonFish]

Got some work done on the rock wall last night, will post some updated pictures tonight.

[Sugar Magnolia]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15242785#post15242785 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DragonFish
I had an RBTA that took a walk and stung the crap out of my blue candy cane :( My rbta is on the move right now. :mad: Thankfully, no corals nearby.

This looks really good so far. Neat idea using the mailbox!

[E.intheC]

Do you forsee any chemical reactions with the mailbox? I'd be concerned about the saltwater corrosion.

[DragonFish]

Its polypropylene so it should be fine.

[DragonFish]

The rock wall is finally done! I used the standard recipe, egg crate, Great Stuff foam, resin and sand. Sorry for the crappy camera-phone pic, still haven't gotten a new battery.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/0708092359.jpg

[redfishsc]

Can I say "rock on"! Very cool work!

[spleify]

Nice job so far. Nice job on that stand.

Keep up the great work

[DragonFish]

We have water!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/100_3523.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/100_3524.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/100_3528.jpg

One thing I have to do, I used cheap Lowe's acrylic for the sump baffles and the last one bowed so much that the water on the return side was actually oscillating! So this weekend I'll have some nice 1/4" glass baffles cut, drain the sump and silicone them in.

[Snakebyt]

how tall is your stand? Im going to be setting up a 40 breeder soon as well

[DragonFish]

Right about 36".

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15462716#post15462716 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DragonFish
We have water!

One thing I have to do, I used cheap Lowe's acrylic for the sump baffles and the last one bowed so much that the water on the return side was actually oscillating! So this weekend I'll have some nice 1/4" glass baffles cut, drain the sump and silicone them in.

How think is the acrylic? I used 1/4" (( pretty sure that is the size )) acrylic baffles (( from Home Depot, sure it is very similar to the Lowes stuff )) on all my sumps, and haven't had any issues.

[DragonFish]

I'd say closer to 1/8". They feel pretty stiff but I wasn't expecting the kind of pressure they'd be under.

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15464289#post15464289 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DragonFish
I'd say closer to 1/8". They feel pretty stiff but I wasn't expecting the kind of pressure they'd be under.

The only time I have used 1/8" is for the middle baffle (( over, under over )), since the water pressure is the same on both sides. The main reason I use acrylic is because I don't trust my measuring, easier to bend acrylic if the baffle is slightly too big.

[DragonFish]

Couple pics of my clown and moonlights. Can anyone tell if she is a perc or ocelaris?

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/100_3534.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/100_3538.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/100_3539.jpg

[Toddrtrex]

Looks like an O to me.

While it isn't 100% accurate, the eye is a good starting off point. The ring for O's is cloudy, whereas it is clear in Percs.

Here is my Perc pair (( in your old tank :) )), can see the clear ring.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/33/SILTA2.jpg

[Jared J]

Any updates? Can you post some pics on how the door is held on?

[DragonFish]

Sure, I'll take some updated pics tonight.

[DragonFish]

I've added more liverock, a second clownfish and got my chaeto going. Tank looks spotless, but for some reason I can't get coraline to grow. CA, Alk and Mag are spot on...

Actinics only

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/100_3751.jpg

All lights on, I'd like to replace the coralife 10K with something bluer

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/100_3752.jpg

[DragonFish]

Oh, and I'm replacing the sand bed as soon as my order comes in from Premium Aquatics. I used ultra fine limestone sand and it gets blown all around. I'm switching to Tropic Eden miniflakes which are 2mm grain.

[upster]

I really like your stand. I am going to try to incorporate some of your finishing work into the look of mine.

I need to change my sand. I'd be very interested in your opinions when you get yours replaced.

[DragonFish]

I actually changed out the sandbed last week, what a PITA!! It was worth it though. I love the look of the Tropic Eden sand and now I can turn on my SEIO and not have a sandstorm. I also replaced my Odyssea PS-75 skimmer with a Vertex IN-80, and I have to say WOW! It's a lot bigger than I was expecting, barely fit in my sump. It hasn't finished breaking in yet, but I can already tell it's going to do a better job. I'll get some updated sandbed and sump pics tonight.

[DragonFish]

Pics as promised. Hopefully I'll get a camera with an adjustable white balance soon.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/100_3839.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/100_3840.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/100_3841.jpg

[Toddrtrex]

Liking the new sand. Any chance of getting a FTS with the new sand in?

[Pdubss]

Looks good. What do you plan on keeping under the four bulb T5?

[Pdubss]

[QUOTE=DragonFish;15977155]Pics as promised. Hopefully I'll get a camera with an adjustable white balance soon.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/100_3839.jpg

Is that a metal hose clamp on you return pump? It looks pretty close/maybe in the water, it eventually is going to rust.

[DragonFish]

The center rock structure will be all SPS. For the sandbed I'm planning an ausie elegance and a nice open brain coral. That is a metal hose clamp, I couldn't find plastic locally but I'm placing an order with Premium Aquatics in the next week or so and I'll get some then.

[DragonFish]

Some updated pics with my new Nikon S570 :D

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/BlueTort.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/GreenBirdsnest.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/OrangeDigi.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/PurpleMilli.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/RainbowMonti.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/Spongedodes.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/Lokani.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/UnknownAcro.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/FTS.jpg

The last acro pictured was totally brown when I got it two weeks ago. I can't tell if it is bleaching, or just changing color? It has great polyp extension.

[DragonFish]

Couple more :D

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/FTSLeft.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/FTSRight.jpg

[ludnix]

Tank look great! I look forward to watching it mature.

The last acro looks like it's bleaching, but it will probably regain color after it adjusts to your lighting. It might take a while but there shouldn't be any permanent damage.

[Rhizo]

I just noticed your build. Looks awesome! Any updates?

[OldNemo]

Yeah updates please.

How are the corals doing under the 4x39w Tek???

[DragonFish]

I'm getting great growth out of the staghorn and the rainbow monti! The Lokani browned out and hasn't grown at all, but I was told that it's a very light demanding coral so I'm not too surprised. Looking back at these pics, I'd say the staghorn has lost color too, it's not that purple anymore.

[OldNemo]

I'm getting great growth out of the staghorn and the rainbow monti! The Lokani browned out and hasn't grown at all, but I was told that it's a very light demanding coral so I'm not too surprised. Looking back at these pics, I'd say the staghorn has lost color too, it's not that purple anymore.


Do you think you have enough light for the SPS? Given how shallow the 40br is, I would think it would be fine.

[DragonFish]

My other SPS look great, it's just the two higher light demanding corals that are showing some color loss. I would think that if it was a water quality issue, I'd see all the SPS showing some stress. This is my first shot at SPS though, so I could be totally wrong.

[Wannabe29]

A few new pictures to add. Sorry for the crappy camera-phone pics, my camera battery died.

This is the perma-sump. Basically a perma-sump is one that is wedged so tightly into the stand that the only way it's coming out is in more than one piece :)
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/Dragonfish/0623090743.jpg

Very nice build. I'm working on a 40 breeder setup, myself. Just a suggestion to those following this build for their own tanks, you can get a larger sump in the stand if you use pocket screws instead of the additional uprights recommended in the DIY stand template thread here on RC. I followed the same template and the guy who started it suggested the screws. Just get the pocket screw jig and screws from lowes.

By doing that, I can fit a 29 gallon sump under my stand with plenty of room to move it in and out and accomodate hoses, fittings, etc.

Nice build, though! Seems like a lot of people are starting 40 breeder tanks. We should form a club and post all of our projects.

[footballdude2k3]

love the tank

[abfleck]

Very Nice!