chillwill007
New member
Very nice can u get some pics of ur lighting set up please
40 Gallon Breeder reef tank build...
- Thread starter mmittlesteadt
- Start date
mmittlesteadt
New member
I have three Aquatop 24" LED fixtures. Two are Actinic Blue and one is a Daylight 7000k/10,000k combo.
I went with 24" on my 36" tank because I did not want excessive light towards the outer edges of the rockwork.
My reason for using the Aquatops is because where I work (Ace Hardware with a huge pet department) they are running these three fixtures over their reef (soft corals) tanks and those corals are thriving/growing and look beautiful. Plus I get them for cost.
I know there are better and more expensive options out there, but I know these work for what I want to keep given real world results in these other tanks.
I can take photos of them...but these are just the Aquatop 24" sitting right on my glass top.
mmittlesteadt
New member
Someone asked how I made the rocks. I took some pics of the progress, but once I really started getting into it, I forgot to keep taking photos. Below is kind of a sequence into the construction.
I bought a bunch of interestingly shaped rocks knowing I was going to use them as the base, or break them apart.
I started off with really four basic shapes, the foundation of it, if you will. These four main rocks were sawed flat on the bottom with my table saw and a masonry blade. It would have been easier if I could have kept them wet, but it was cold out in my garage and it did the job.
I found one interesting mushroom shaped rock that caught my attention and I knew it would be perfect for the standalone rock form on the left. You can see it "pinned" in place by a fiberglass rod (a little bit of the orange rod showing...driveway marker rods). There is no cement in place yet...just propped and supported by the rod only.
On the right, the two main base foundation rocks were cut flat on the bottom and cut a bit only where they meet in the middle so they fit flush to each other. These two rock were not going to be cemented to one another but "leaning into" each other, because they stand upright on their own. If they would happen to tip (very difficult to do, they can only tip into each other but only with A LOT of force).
In the next pic, the yellow outlines are where the rock shelves were added, using the myriad of leftover pieces that I had cut into flat slabs or small chiseled pieces. I tried to use ones that were not flat on both sides so they had a more natural appearance.
In the finished pic, the large rock structure on the right is actually 3 separate freestanding rock structures I made that are just set together to look like one large "island".
I bought a bunch of interestingly shaped rocks knowing I was going to use them as the base, or break them apart.
I started off with really four basic shapes, the foundation of it, if you will. These four main rocks were sawed flat on the bottom with my table saw and a masonry blade. It would have been easier if I could have kept them wet, but it was cold out in my garage and it did the job.
I found one interesting mushroom shaped rock that caught my attention and I knew it would be perfect for the standalone rock form on the left. You can see it "pinned" in place by a fiberglass rod (a little bit of the orange rod showing...driveway marker rods). There is no cement in place yet...just propped and supported by the rod only.
On the right, the two main base foundation rocks were cut flat on the bottom and cut a bit only where they meet in the middle so they fit flush to each other. These two rock were not going to be cemented to one another but "leaning into" each other, because they stand upright on their own. If they would happen to tip (very difficult to do, they can only tip into each other but only with A LOT of force).
In the next pic, the yellow outlines are where the rock shelves were added, using the myriad of leftover pieces that I had cut into flat slabs or small chiseled pieces. I tried to use ones that were not flat on both sides so they had a more natural appearance.
In the finished pic, the large rock structure on the right is actually 3 separate freestanding rock structures I made that are just set together to look like one large "island".
mmittlesteadt
New member
I have decided to use my unused 65 gallon tank as a sump for my 40 gallon breeder display tank. I have my 40 gallon sitting in my living room that was newly remodeled with new paint and carpeting. The more I thought about it, the more I like the idea of not having to top off my display tank or do water changes in my living room.
There was no room under my display tank in the stand for even a smaller sump that would leave me any room to work. However, my 65 gallon tank will sit in the basement right underneath my display tank in the living room. I can run lines from my RODI storage container for an ATO in the sump, as well as a siphon clean tube to my utility sink in the basement only a few feet away.
I have a friend that has the tools to drill my 40 gallon breeder for bulkhead fittings.
I'm new to sumps and I've been reading up on them, but any help about sumps would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
There was no room under my display tank in the stand for even a smaller sump that would leave me any room to work. However, my 65 gallon tank will sit in the basement right underneath my display tank in the living room. I can run lines from my RODI storage container for an ATO in the sump, as well as a siphon clean tube to my utility sink in the basement only a few feet away.
I have a friend that has the tools to drill my 40 gallon breeder for bulkhead fittings.
I'm new to sumps and I've been reading up on them, but any help about sumps would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
mmittlesteadt
New member
Never used my Eshopps PSK-100 HOB skimmer, so I'm boxing it up and trading it for the PSK-100 In-Sump one instead. That will allow me to not have to have a taller inlet chamber. There are benefits to being patient and planning things out well in advance.
LeRenard
New member
Doh, commented about skipping a sump. That'll teach me not to check how many pages there are. I just did my 36 with all HOB gear and now I'm switching it all out for a sump in my basement just like you. You won't regret it- all that stuff really clutters up the tank really quick. Enough that my wife was calling it a science experiment.
mmittlesteadt
New member
Well, I originally went with all HOB...but after we cleared out the basement and redid our living room with new paint and carpet...I got to thinking (I know...that leads to trouble...LOL).
I really like the idea of having very little mechanical clutter in the tank, and to not have to top off or do water changes in the living room is REALLY appealing! Not to mention all the other benefits. My 65 gallon tank will never be used for anything as I HATE tall tanks for display tanks now.
mmittlesteadt
New member
Well, I'm taking two steps back to take one step forward. But in the long run it will be well worth it.
I took out all my rock aquascaping and all the sand. Because tomorrow a friend is drilling out my tank for two drains and a return, so I can use my 65 gallon sump in my basement. Yeah baby...a 40 gallon breeder display with a 65 gallon sump for it!
Built a new stand for the 65 gallon sump with a solid shelf below it for a QT tank. Hanging above my sump will be my RODI gravity fed ATO. Lots of things still in the planning stages. I'm working out the details of my plumbing and trying to decide details for my sump...like just how big can I go for my refugium?
.
Meanwhile, I just keep on reading and planning, and reading and planning some more.
I took out all my rock aquascaping and all the sand. Because tomorrow a friend is drilling out my tank for two drains and a return, so I can use my 65 gallon sump in my basement. Yeah baby...a 40 gallon breeder display with a 65 gallon sump for it!
Built a new stand for the 65 gallon sump with a solid shelf below it for a QT tank. Hanging above my sump will be my RODI gravity fed ATO. Lots of things still in the planning stages. I'm working out the details of my plumbing and trying to decide details for my sump...like just how big can I go for my refugium?
. Meanwhile, I just keep on reading and planning, and reading and planning some more.
mmittlesteadt
New member
Putting a 65 gallon sump in the basement below my display tank will work out perfectly. It will only be 6 feet away from my utility sink. My RODI unit will be mounted over the sink on the wall.
I'm going to use my Python hose and connect it to my faucet (when needed) with a drain line permanently sitting in my sump. To do water changes will simply be a matter of connecting the python to faucet and turning the water on and run it until it empties my sump down to a predetermined water-change water line mark.
Then to fill it, I will have a container of pre-mixed saltwater right next to my sump. To fill the tank with fresh saltwater for the water change, I will only have to connect the fill hose (also mounted to my sump) onto the pump (that is already sitting in the saltwater container for stirring) and pump the new water back into the sump, back up to the normal water level mark.
A container of pure RODI water will be above my salt mix container and I will use a gravity fed RODI ATO. My RODI unit will have it's pure water return line going to my RODI container.
Very little work to maintain perfect water conditions. And all of this will be in my "lab" where I have a recliner next to my sump and bookshelf. No more bucket hauling for this guy!
This is turning into my dream fish room, but my display tank will be upstairs in the living room requiring very little disturbance to the inhabitants as i will only need to basically scrape algae and feed.
I'm going to use my Python hose and connect it to my faucet (when needed) with a drain line permanently sitting in my sump. To do water changes will simply be a matter of connecting the python to faucet and turning the water on and run it until it empties my sump down to a predetermined water-change water line mark.
Then to fill it, I will have a container of pre-mixed saltwater right next to my sump. To fill the tank with fresh saltwater for the water change, I will only have to connect the fill hose (also mounted to my sump) onto the pump (that is already sitting in the saltwater container for stirring) and pump the new water back into the sump, back up to the normal water level mark.
A container of pure RODI water will be above my salt mix container and I will use a gravity fed RODI ATO. My RODI unit will have it's pure water return line going to my RODI container.
Very little work to maintain perfect water conditions. And all of this will be in my "lab" where I have a recliner next to my sump and bookshelf. No more bucket hauling for this guy!
This is turning into my dream fish room, but my display tank will be upstairs in the living room requiring very little disturbance to the inhabitants as i will only need to basically scrape algae and feed.
65 gallon sump!? That is awesome, so much more added water volume.
I've had my 40breeder setup for almost 2 months now and love it. Still have to finish the stand, just haven't found the time. It is located in my bedroom, I was afraid of the added weight/flooding up here so I went sumpless.
I've had my 40breeder setup for almost 2 months now and love it. Still have to finish the stand, just haven't found the time. It is located in my bedroom, I was afraid of the added weight/flooding up here so I went sumpless.
mmittlesteadt
New member
Yes a 65 gallon sump in my basement for my 40 gallon breeder display tank upstairs in my living room! Not only more water volume, more live rock, more sand and a huge refugium. I'll also have automated top off in the sump, almost automated water changes (again in the sump).
Just drilled the holes in the floor of my living room (right next to the edge of the walls (very little carpet moved for the holes) and ran my 1" PVC down to my tank. The drain and return pipes almost line up perfect with my sump. Return line will need two 45 degree elbows (below floor) as it's just off center a bit (had to get around a cold air return in the basement ceiling). And I will also use flexible tubing from the tank fittings to the PVC as well as from the PVC downstairs to the sump.
Another side benefit of having my sump in the basement is the "built-in" chiller. My basement is about 10 to 20 degrees cooler than my living room, which will make it easy to keep the tank temps where they need to be during hot summer months. Of course, in the winter, I may need to insulate the tank and pipes in the basement, but that's easy enough to do if it's even needed. The room has a furnace vent in it so it is heated and controllable.
SpikeDangles
New member
Amazing rock work! I'm in the planning stage for my 40b right now as well. I'm going to build an extra wide and extra tall stand to accommodate a 20L sump and small shelves for reactors/dosing components as well as some type of ATO tank. Intrigued by the gravity fed method your using, I'll have to read up on it.
I'm blown away by that rock work though! I was planning on cutting my rock with a chop saw with a masonary blade, how difficult was it to use a tablesaw?
Are you planning to cure your rock through "cooking" it? I was informed about this by a local reefer who told me that dry rock can leach phosphates like a mother.
Awesome build and I will definitely be following along!
I'm blown away by that rock work though! I was planning on cutting my rock with a chop saw with a masonary blade, how difficult was it to use a tablesaw?
Are you planning to cure your rock through "cooking" it? I was informed about this by a local reefer who told me that dry rock can leach phosphates like a mother.
Awesome build and I will definitely be following along!
mmittlesteadt
New member
Thanks! My table saw cut through the rock fairly well with a masonry blade, but I was dry cutting it...lots of dust and harder to cut, than when wet. Just didn't want to deal with water too.
Dry rock can leach phosphates, yes. How much? Depends. I'm not too concerned as I'm in no rush to fill my tank full of fish and creatures anyway. I"ll just keep testing the phosphates and do water changes. The water changes will be easy once I get all my equipment for my sump in order.
I'm just taking my time and getting everything in order. I should be getting my tank drilled for my drain and return lines this Sunday. After that's done I can start planning my DIY overflow box (which I will cover with some kind of rockwork to make it look like an overhanging rock shelf instead of an acrylic box). Especially now that all my equipment is in my sump and not in the tank.
I'll post things as I go along. Send me a link to your build thread as you go along...I like to see how others do their tanks.
mmittlesteadt
New member
Borrowed my friend's diamond hole cutter and drilled out the holes for my bulkheads. Made a template out of 1/4" acrylic and used plumber's putty to make a dam around the hole area and the acrylic just sticks right over it. I kept overflowing the hole in the acrylic with cold water and the dam held the water in place while I drilled. I taped the backsides of the holes.
Very easy to do and very clean cutting. Right now I have a coat of black paint drying on the back.
Also got my RO/DI unit from Bulk Reef Supply today! I'll be adding two filters in front of it. A 10 micron household Carbon filter and then a 5 micron one which will go in front of the 1 micron one which is the first stage of the BRS unit.
Getting closer. Now that the bulkhead holes are drilled I can now get my plumbing finished up and run to my sump. Then it's on to the sump work.
Very easy to do and very clean cutting. Right now I have a coat of black paint drying on the back.
Also got my RO/DI unit from Bulk Reef Supply today! I'll be adding two filters in front of it. A 10 micron household Carbon filter and then a 5 micron one which will go in front of the 1 micron one which is the first stage of the BRS unit.
Getting closer. Now that the bulkhead holes are drilled I can now get my plumbing finished up and run to my sump. Then it's on to the sump work.
mmittlesteadt
New member
I'll be siliconing in my corner overflow tonight...just one piece of glass at an angle in the left back corner. Then I'm going to make a false rockwork cover with a few ledges to mimic my other rockwork, to hide it.
chillwill007
New member
That should look nice
mmittlesteadt
New member
Now that my tank is drilled and the overflow is siliconed in place, I decided to create a false rockwork that goes in front of my corner overflow (to hide that), but instead of just rectangle to cover the overflow, it will arch over (all along the top back) to the other corner where it will arch back down the right side a little bit, which will also hide my return bulkhead.
With the back of the tank painted black, some 3D ledges on it will give the appearance of the back going into a cave, while also providing hiding places for fish and invertebrates, yet a couple of ledges for even more coral.
With the back of the tank painted black, some 3D ledges on it will give the appearance of the back going into a cave, while also providing hiding places for fish and invertebrates, yet a couple of ledges for even more coral.
mmittlesteadt
New member
Thanks. I did not have room for a sump under my stand and fortunately that was a blessing as I have it in my newly carpeted living room, and I had a 65 gallon tank unused in my basement. As it turns out I have space in my basement right under my 40 gallon display tank in the living room.
So, the 65 gallon sump will be in the basement. Long ago when I hatched this idea of having a reef tank, it was going to just be a 40 gallon display tank with everything hanging off the back. It just grew from there.
Got a build thread yet?
So, the 65 gallon sump will be in the basement. Long ago when I hatched this idea of having a reef tank, it was going to just be a 40 gallon display tank with everything hanging off the back. It just grew from there.
Got a build thread yet?
mmittlesteadt
New member
I'm going to do some further aquascaping with a rock wall to cover my overflow and my return. BUT...this is not going to be a full back wall. This is going to be an arch spanning from my overflow to the other corner on the other side to make it look like a cave (back glass is painted black). It will also have ledges and overhangs that create great visual line flow as well as enhancing water flow throughout the back of the tank.