40G Breeder Build

[Broog]

I thought I would start a build thread on my tank...I will be setting up a 40g breeder reef ready, with a 20g long sump, herbie style overflow closed loop, got the tank this last Sunday at Petco's $1 a gallon sale....already have the 20g long sump built, (sorry should of done a build thread on it)..so I will be starting off by drilling 4 holes in the tank

Two 1" Bulkheads for the Overflow and Two 3/4" Bulkheads for return lines...I have built my own overflow box out of acrylic and Im hoping it will work as intended...I tried to drill my original 40g breeder a couple weeks ago and cracked it on the first hole even after being prepared and taking my time..tank was older so not sure I slipped up somewhere or it was the tank, so im a little drill shy, but here we go..



First two holes drilled for overflow, just need the last two for returns....

http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc437/Tnscoot/134.jpg



Last two holes drilled :dance:

http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc437/Tnscoot/137.jpg


My homemade overflow box that I will be installing next and painting the back of the tank black

http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc437/Tnscoot/138.jpg


Sump with Skimmer, Skimmer is a Reef Octopus 110


http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc437/Tnscoot/140.jpg


This will be a work in progress so bare with me as updates may be slow, but ill get there..any questions ask, any suggestions or comments are welcome :fun2:

[techdiver]

Hey, our first build thread. Keep us updated on your progress. I'm sure others have thought about going this route but may be drill shy too.

[SNAKEMANVET]

Looking great so far.Keep us updated.

[Broog]

Okay, got the back of the tank painted today, always liked the look of a tank with a black background...cut teeth into my overflow was a little harder than I thought it would be, i cut the teeth freehand with a dremel, did not come out as clean as I hoped, but it should work as intended.

I used tape place across lengthwise for a depth guage and then marks on the tape for teeth spacing...but the cutting bit liked to jump a bit, a metal template would of been nice, but it would work. Wont have any updates for a week or so, go back to work tomorrow for 7days :( , the next week im off I hope to get the return pump and plumbing done and the overflow box mounted...and maybe even a water test....will see!




http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc437/Tnscoot/Fishtank001.jpg


http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc437/Tnscoot/Fishtank002.jpg


http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc437/Tnscoot/Fishtank008.jpg



My one concern so far is that I did not leave enough volume in my sump for backflow during a power outage being a closed loop, but that was the largest sump I could use with my existing stand..so I during my watertest stage If I find out that there indeed is not enough volume, ill be building a new stand with a bigger sump. :rollface:

[maynardjames]

looks good so far:)

[Broog]

Okay, So got the overflow mounted and the plumbing done and did my first water test...the teeth on the overflow were restricting to much flow so I eliminated the teeth, and will just use some eggcrate to keep bigger critters out. I got my Eheim 1260 pump from Bruce in Lexington and it worked out nice....could of probably gone with the 1262, but this will give a good turnover rate on the 40....I am having some issues with my siphon restarting after poweroutage test so I need to do some more tinkering... but here are some photos, I will take some dry photos of the plumbing when I drain the tank...plus I need to paint the return plumbing parts black and the drains as well.



The back side
http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc437/Tnscoot/Fishtank003.jpg




Overflow mounted will be painting the returns black and adding nozzles
http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc437/Tnscoot/Fishtank009.jpg



Sump area plumbing, I will be changing this a bit, I need to cut both drains shorter and will be moving the emergency drain over to the skimmer area
http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc437/Tnscoot/Fishtank017.jpg


Eheim 1260 doing its thing

http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc437/Tnscoot/Fishtank014.jpg



Overflow box with turned down elbow for main drain and upturned elbow for emergency drain.
http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/cc437/Tnscoot/Fishtank007.jpg

[Broog]

Thats all for this week, next I need to get a Ro/Di Unit, Ill probably get that from BRS, then my sand , heater and I would like to get a a DJ strip for my equipment.

[mistya55]

Nice build there. What is a dj strip?

[techdiver]

Cool. It is turning out pretty nice.

[Broog]

Nice build there. What is a dj strip?

Its just basically a power strip with power buttons for each individual receptacle

[SNAKEMANVET]

Looking good,The part about your siphon not starting right,you may need to drill a small hole in the caps.

[byrdman81]

Looking good so far. What type of lighting is that?

[Broog]

Looking good,The part about your siphon not starting right,you may need to drill a small hole in the caps.

Thanks Dave, yeah, I was actually playing around with letting air in thru the threads, I will probably just drill holes in the caps..

[Broog]

Looking good so far. What type of lighting is that?

Thanks, it is a Current Outer Orbit fixture, 150w MH, with 2x96w powercompacts.