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....

Last two holes drilled :dance:

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

Sump with Skimmer, Skimmer is a Reef Octopus 110

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!

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

Overflow mounted will be painting the returns black and adding nozzles

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

Eheim 1260 doing its thing

Overflow box with turned down elbow for main drain and upturned elbow for emergency drain.

 

[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.