40 gallon breeder build thread/blog

[MrClownReef]

Hello fellow reefers!
I'm working on building my very own reef.

I had cichlids for years in a 40B and due to health reasons the tank pretty much crashed... My Jack Dempsey(who killed a lot of fish) is now located in my father's 75G freshwater.

Over the years I had purchased two more 40Bs, I went to get my first tank, that was the old cichlid tank and use it as my sump. Alas the tank somehow had been broken... So now I'm in the process of ripping that tank apart to use for glass in my other 40B that will be my sump. And the other 40B display.

Here are some of the photos of the derimming process.

The original crack

I am having trouble getting the panels apart how would I go about that?

Thanks for reading!

 

[MrClownReef]

Got the stand mostly built. Got to add center beams to add support.

 

[Isaacs55]

Sweet! I'm excited to see your build progress over time! You can check out my 40 breeder build if you'd like for info or mistakes I made a long the way lol I actually did the same thing by taking the panes off a 40 breeder I cracked and used them for my sump baffles. Check out my build here http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2500306
I used a good box cutter to separate the silicone from each pane. Just wedged it in the corners and cut along the edges. It's tuff but it comes off nicely.

 

[MrClownReef]

Sweet! I'm excited to see your build progress over time! You can check out my 40 breeder build if you'd like for info or mistakes I made a long the way lol I actually did the same thing by taking the panes off a 40 breeder I cracked and used them for my sump baffles. Check out my build here http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2500306
I used a good box cutter to separate the silicone from each pane. Just wedged it in the corners and cut along the edges. It's tuff but it comes off nicely.

I was able to get one side off with the box cutter. The other corners however are too narrow to get the box cutter to even start. Probably going to buy some glass today.

 

[MrClownReef]

Replaced the old socket with a GFCI outlet last night.

 

[MrClownReef]

Got the supports added.

 

[MrClownReef]

My brother has a radion that he is not using. So I will

I've been thinking of putting my dual T5 fixture in front of it angled inside the tank for better coral growth. What bulbs should I use?

36" bulbs 39W

 

[MrClownReef]

Went and got my RO/DI unit refurbished today. New membrane, and the other 3 canisters replaced and all new tubing.

 

[MrClownReef]

Got the top and bottom panel on

Got the last of the glass apart too

Put first coat of paint on as well. Will post pictures of it tomorrow.

 

[army446909]

Looks good so far. Tagging along

 

[MrClownReef]

Got the sump tank out, got the baffles cut and drew the lines to silicon the baffles in place today.

Photo of the stand done being painted.

 

[MrClownReef]

Baffles ready to be siliconed

 

[MrClownReef]

Accidentally broke 1 of the glass baffles, bought some black ABS sheet and cut it to size. 40 gallon breeder.

All baffles in place, now to let it cure for a couple of days.

 

[MrClownReef]

Drilling time!

And done!

 

[MrClownReef]

Bulkheads in place

Overflow box

 

[MrClownReef]

Overflow box siliconed in.

 

[brewman1987]

What are you doing for returns on yours? Over the top or drilled? I drilled my 40 for dual 3/4" returns

 

[MrClownReef]

Over the top lock line. 3/4" inner diameter 1" outer diameter clear vinyl tubing.

Both overflows are 3/4" one is just and emergency though.

 

[MrClownReef]

Got the tanks and stand in my room last night.

I'm still doing paneling to hide everything.

 

[MrClownReef]

Got the tank filled with RO/DI water and salinity to 1.025