40g Breeder (planning stages)

[Silvergryphon]

I'm currently in the planning stages for setting up a 40g breeder reef tank. I have the tank now, and I'm picking up parts and pieces as I go along the planning stage. I am planning on building an oversized stand (for supply storage space) along with a 20g or 29g sump and refugium underneath the main tank. I have my rough copy design of my sump that if someone could make some suggestions to I would really appreciate it.

Starting at the top I plan on picking up a 200 gph overflow from glass-holes.com Link

I plan on running the pvc down to enter in the side of the sump tank, with a ball valve probably just below the overflow for maintenance. Also if I can manage to pull it off, I want a T off that line for the sump to set up a drip/trickle post for acclimation purposes, most likely in a small 5g or 10g QT tank sitting next to the sump. I'll put a ball joint in to keep it off most of the time, and to allow setting the drip/trickle speed for acclimation.

Inside the sump I will have a skimmer section with my Instant Ocean SeaClone 100 Protein Skimmer (which may change as I've heard bad things about this one, but it came with the tank) and my heater. From there the water will flow into the refugium. For the refugium I'm planning on no sand, live rock and macro-algae / Chaeto. From there it'll go into the bubble trap, which the first 2 panes will have eggcrate to help keep the macro-algae/chaeto in the refugium. From there it'll flow into my return portion where I'm planning on getting a 250-300gph pump for the return.

Once going I should have about 10x turnover inside the sump. While it is more than my skimmer needs, it'll help keep temperature steady inside the main tank. I plan to have two power heads inside the main tank for circulation and flow. Below is my horribly inaccurate, definately not to scale mspaint initial design. Again, any tips, advice, etc is appreciated!

 

[~RuSh~]

Looks good. I'm in the planning stages of having a 40 breeder set up as well. DIY stand and glass holes overflow too. So will you be drilling the sump then too? I personally am opting for a larger overflow, probably the 700 gph and a magdrive 7 for my pump. I don't want to be short on flow and with head loss I'll probably be looking at 500 gph max.

Is there a reason the baffle between the live rock and skimmer is raised? It's really not serving much purpose there. I would move the bubble trap over inbetween the skimmer section and the fuge. The top few inches of the last baffle could then be eggcrate to keep chaeto from getting to the return section.

 

[kriv4o]

200gph overflow won't be enough on tank that size. I have a 700 gph kit on my 40b with two 3/4 returns ran by a Mag 7 return pump.

 

[kclewis]

If you are going with an oversize stand use another 40b as your sump/fuge!!! You'll love the extra space and water volume. JMO

 

[StevieD]

I just did a 40B, built my own stand, and used a 29 as my sump...Your drain section should be minimal, just enough room for your drain and skimmer...make your fuge as big as you can...I put a 2 piece bubble trap after my drain and before my return...Im flowing around 750 gallons through mine i think...Oh and lose the ball valves and buy a couple gate valves, easier to adjust flow with a gate valve...also, you may want to forget the nano stuff and pick up the 700 kit from them and do a herbie setup...youll need the emergency drain also...any questions dont hesitate to ask

 

[kclewis]

I just did a 40B, built my own stand, and used a 29 as my sump...Your drain section should be minimal, just enough room for your drain and skimmer...make your fuge as big as you can...I put a 2 piece bubble trap after my drain and before my return...Im flowing around 750 gallons through mine i think...Oh and lose the ball valves and buy a couple gate valves, easier to adjust flow with a gate valve...also, you may want to forget the nano stuff and pick up the 700 kit from them and do a herbie setup...youll need the emergency drain also...any questions dont hesitate to ask

GREAT advice on the gate valves. Well worth the extra cash.

 

[Silvergryphon]

I had gone with the 200gph overflow and pump plan because I was reading you didn't want fast turn over inside the sump and fuge. I plan on having power heads inside the DT to handle the turn over in there.

 

[Silvergryphon]

Ok, so while looking up the Herbie set up I discovered BeanAnimal's set up, and I'm liking it. Link

So I think I'm going to try that set up, I'll have to bump up to the 1500gph overflow model on Glass-holes.com, or make my own.

 

[Silvergryphon]

Ok on second thought, BeanAnimal's setup is overkill for this small of a tank. In order to fit all three standpipes in, I'd need a 1500gph overflow. Looks like I'll just go with the Herbie set up instead.

 

[gatorlover]

I just did a 40B, built my own stand, and used a 29 as my sump...Your drain section should be minimal, just enough room for your drain and skimmer...make your fuge as big as you can...I put a 2 piece bubble trap after my drain and before my return...Im flowing around 750 gallons through mine i think...Oh and lose the ball valves and buy a couple gate valves, easier to adjust flow with a gate valve...also, you may want to forget the nano stuff and pick up the 700 kit from them and do a herbie setup...youll need the emergency drain also...any questions dont hesitate to ask

I'm also getting ready to set up a 40 breeder. I just picked up the 700g/h kit with 2 3/4" returns. I like the idea of the herbie as well. Can you advise the best way to add the emergency drain using the kit described?

 

[Silvergryphon]

From what I've been reading, you'll have your main siphon standpipe's weir turned so it is open towards the bottom of the overflow, and your emergency overflow standpipe's weir turned upward.

 

[kclewis]

I run the herbie style on my nano and 90. I don't turn the main drain down. I do cover it with a PVC drain cover.

 

[Silvergryphon]

So this is rough draft # 2 now!

 

[StevieD]

The last one looks good to me...I would add 1 more piece of glass to the front of the sump, (another bubble trap never hurts) or move one down to the drain end of the sump...I used 1" for my drain and emergency and only one 3/4" return. I had drilled two holes for two 3/4" returns and didnt like the flow, so I plugged one and use one 3/4" return...plenty of flow now and I only need one powerhead in the tank as opposed to two

 

[gatorlover]

So this is rough draft # 2 now!

Are you using the overflow kit from glass holes for this design? I have the 700 gal one and I'm trying to figure out how to add the second drain to it since it is designed for a single drain.

 

[StevieD]

Are you using the overflow kit from glass holes for this design? I have the 700 gal one and I'm trying to figure out how to add the second drain to it since it is designed for a single drain.

What I did for mine was used a hole saw for a 1" bulkhead and made a second hole

 

[Silvergryphon]

I will probably not be using the glass-holes.com kit, their 1.5" drainpipe is right in the middle of the box making it hard to try to squeeze another pipe in to either side. I'm going to look around and see what else I can find.

 

[Reefmedic79]

I'm using the same glass-holes.com kit you have linked with an Eheim 1260 on my 40B without any issues.

Not to hijack this thread, but what is the need for an emergency drain?

 

[Silvergryphon]

For in case the main siphon would happen to get clogged. I'd rather play it safe and have the E-drain personally.

 

[tanzer16]

I used 700 overflow kit on my 40B......plumbed using PVC ultra flex into sump.....one 3/4 inch return with maxijet1800 pump.....no valves at all.....just run it wide open, and flow seems good