40 Gallon Breeder reef tank build...

[mmittlesteadt]

But aren't they manual switches? So you set the intensity at a particular level and that's how it runs whenever it is turned on by the timer. I like the idea of being able to adjust the intensity throughout the day automatically, to simulate sunrise/sunset and all that fun stuff. To do that, I would "need" a controller for the Kessils... "need" truly being more of a "want" in this case.

I also haven't seen the Kessils in person and after discussing with my husband, chose the less expensive option that I think will do what I need AND what I want. Besides, since I haven't seen them in person, I am not sure I would like the shimmer. (I realize this may make me sound delusional. I'm okay with that. I have to justify this decision somehow. LOL) It also gives me another $500-800 that I'm not spending on lights/controller for inhabitants. This is a VERY GOOD thing. :lol2:

Yes they are manual switches and a dimmer control on the fixture itself. I do believe they will also work with a controller though. Not 100% on that.

Once I saw the Kessils on the 220 gallon tank where I work, I was drooling for them. Yeah, they are expensive. But that shimmer effect is so real that I almost want them just for that alone as it makes the tank so gorgeous even without anything but water in it.

But there are so many options with LED's these days that just didn't exist not all that long ago, so you really can't go wrong unless it's the cheapest LED's meant for freshwater tanks. I'm just using three Aquatop 24" strip LED lights (as that's what is over the coral tanks where I work and the corals are gorgeous and growing). I have one full daylight and two actinics and it is almost too bright for the living room (of course that's with an empty tank).

By the way, I don't work at a LFS. I run the frame shop and gallery at an Ace Hardware that has a HUGE pet department so I get everything at cost. I can get a $320 Kessil for $170. But that's still $170 I don't have.

I've already spent about $1000 (at cost) on my setup. The wife would kill me if I upgraded to Kessils right now. She keeps calling it my "fish tank" (in a sarcastic, not too happy way), but its really for the whole family and it's a reef tank that will have a few fish. LOL.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

From what I've read, the Kessils work with controllers. But I don't have one and haven't planned to get one. At least not unless there is a "need".

How much would a $320 Kessil at cost for $170 cost to ship? (Kidding!!). [emoji1]

I quit checking my total spent when I exceeded $2500. [emoji15]

 

[mmittlesteadt]

From what I've read, the Kessils work with controllers. But I don't have one and haven't planned to get one. At least not unless there is a "need".

How much would a $320 Kessil at cost for $170 cost to ship? (Kidding!!). [emoji1]

I quit checking my total spent when I exceeded $2500. [emoji15]

Yeah, I'm at about $2000 retail prices, but I also already had a lot leftover from my freshwater days, like the 65 gallon aquarium for a sump, some powerheads, lights, heaters, etc. At some point you almost have to stop checking how much you spent or you'll wonder if you've gone totally insane for spending that much money on a "fish tank". LOL.

I wish I could get discounts for other people, but my employer would kind of frown on that.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Tank is being filled with RO/DI water as I type this!!!

What a long time of planning, building and modding things to get to this point. I got the tank and started thinking about how to go about it on March 6th (though I've been researching having one for about a year).

Wow, I know how slow RO/DI units are but watching my sump getting filled with water is like trying to fill an aquarium with a squirt gun! Time to think about other things for a day. LOL.

I'm filling my 65 gallon sump (in the basement) all the way to the top and then using my return pump to fill the display tank upstairs in my living room.

 

[Kyle461]

How big is your return section of the sump? You only be able to drain up to the DT in that specific increment.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

How big is your return section of the sump? You only be able to drain up to the DT in that specific increment.

The return section of my sump is 7.7 gallons, but there will be about 28 gallons of water in my sump above the return baffle (the shortest one) with the sump full of water.

So I basically can pump about 33 gallons up to my display tank before the sump needs a few more gallons to top off my 40 gallon display tank (taking into account about 5 gallons of displacement with rockwork) and have the water levels where they should be for the sump and display tank.

 

[Kyle461]

The return section of my sump is 7.7 gallons, but there will be about 28 gallons of water in my sump above the return baffle (the shortest one) with the sump full of water.

So I basically can pump about 33 gallons up to my display tank before the sump needs a few more gallons to top off my 40 gallon display tank (taking into account about 5 gallons of displacement with rockwork) and have the water levels where they should be for the sump and display tank.

Nice. I didn't think to calculate excess above the return baffles. Need to do that with my sump to know limitations.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Nice. I didn't think to calculate excess above the return baffles. Need to do that with my sump to know limitations.

Yes, I took all that into account when I decided to use my 65 gallon for a sump in my basement. Most people have larger display tanks than their sumps. I'm lucky in that I have huge drain and return sections, a 27 gallon refugium and even with all that I could still almost drain my display tank without flooding my sump (even though I'd only lose about 3 gallons in my display into my sump before the siphon would break).

 

[Clownfish Chris]

I have just read this thread, and I am pressed by the whole thing. The self control, the research, and the methodical approach has paid off greatly. Cant wait for more! Subscribed.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Thank you. It has been quite a long journey. Patience? I have none, but this reefkeeping adventure has taught me a lot about patience. And this is coming from a 53 year old guy with four kids! LOL.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Display tank is full, Sump is full to where it needs to be. Now I'm just toying with the valves to balance drain and return with my Herbie.

Note to self... spend a little cash and get a damned gate valve! God, the ball valves are really touchy to dial in slightly. I can get them close but they are not real good about fine tuning.

All systems are a go however. My system is totally dead silent, both in my display tank in my living room and my sump in the basement. Good flow through it. Angling my baffles just a tad really helped the water trickle down the glass instead of crashing over into the next chamber. My pump in my sump (Dr. Seuss?) can barely be heard either.

This is a MAJOR advancement in my reefkeeping! 3 long planning months and it is fabulous to have water flowing through my system!

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Yeah!!! Celebrating with you.

Definitely get the gate valve for your main drain. That was the one item for my plumbing I had to order online. Seriously irritated me to have to wait to put that together but glad I did. Especially as I have that manifold. No way I could have dialed that in with a ball valve.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Yeah!!! Celebrating with you.

Definitely get the gate valve for your main drain. That was the one item for my plumbing I had to order online. Seriously irritated me to have to wait to put that together but glad I did. Especially as I have that manifold. No way I could have dialed that in with a ball valve.

Thanks!

I got it pretty tweaked right now. I have barely a trickle of water entering my emergency siphon...like just a dribble and it is staying consistent.

But yeah...ball valves are hard to fine tune. Just when you think you moved it j-u-s-t far enough, click! and it's too far. :uzi:

Pretty good right now. Everything is totally silent. I have to check that everything is running...including the water flow.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Hard to get a good pic of the whole tank, stand and canopy but here it is, all filled and waiting to be cycled.

Closer view of the tank. See? It really does have water in it.

And my operational sump. I don't have my ATO or float hooked up yet as I waiting for a day to make sure the water levels remain constant. So far, so good.

 

[ed102475]

I skipped ahead and see you added the sump / refugium great. I llike the color of your stand and canopy. Your aquascape leaves room for great flow and lots of coral placement. Great job. Here are a few pics of my 40 breeder.

 

[ed102475]

 

[mmittlesteadt]

I skipped ahead and see you added the sump / refugium great. I llike the color of your stand and canopy. Your aquascape leaves room for great flow and lots of coral placement. Great job. Here are a few pics of my 40 breeder.

Very Cool. I especially love the Microsoft Windows Overflow.

I see you have the Eshopps Skimmer. Which one is that? I have the PSK-100. How long has yours been running?

I think 40 gallon breeder tanks are the best compromise between volume, size, and shape. Not too large, but a great footprint for aquascaping and obviously easier to stock (on the budget especially) and yet still are large enough to be impressive.

 

[ed102475]

Very Cool. I especially love the Microsoft Windows Overflow.

I see you have the Eshopps Skimmer. Which one is that? I have the PSK-100. How long has yours been running?

I think 40 gallon breeder tanks are the best compromise between volume, size, and shape. Not too large, but a great footprint for aquascaping and obviously easier to stock (on the budget especially) and yet still are large enough to be impressive.

It is the eshopps s-120 cone skimmer. The tank and skimmer have been up and running 8 months. It took time to break it in and is touchy after a water change. It is a good skimmer just takes time to dial in and balance out .

 

[mmittlesteadt]

I plan on keeping mostly soft corals. I'm still researching what I'm going to put into my tank regarding fish.

I know for certain that one of the first fish I will get is a Diamond Watchman Goby. I love their behavior and look. I really love that they are sand sifters. At some point later on I will get a Lawnmower Blenny. Another cool fish with interesting behavior.

That should take care of the lawn and garden staff. Before I put anything else in it, I am going to have to hire some others for maintenance duty...i.e.- the clean up crew. Once they are all established and I've added some coral to the scene, I'll think about some others to inhabit my reef.

My short list (which is still really in research mode) is...

firefish
clownfish (not sure on species yet)
Royal Gramma
Cardinal (Banghai or Pajama)

And while I know they aren't ideal in a reef, I'm still considering a dwarf angel...Flame? Coral Beauty? Lemon Peel? Maybe not a dwarf angel, but I'd really love to have one larger specimen that is the "featured attraction" so to speak.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

It is the eshopps s-120 cone skimmer. The tank and skimmer have been up and running 8 months. It took time to break it in and is touchy after a water change. It is a good skimmer just takes time to dial in and balance out .

We carry Eshopps where I work. I run the custom frame shop at an Ace Hardware and we have a huge pet department. All of the tanks have Eshopps skimmers on them and they seem to work very well.