40g Breeder Reef Build/ 20L Sump!

[LennyD4]

After being out of the hobby for about 4 years I am starting on a new build albeit smaller than my last tank. I started the hobby with a 65g /20l sump that I had to break down back in 2013. I would like to go bigger with this one but the fiancee has the last word of course. So here are my plans:

I will cycle this tank properly but also use Dr. Tims One and Only just because I used it on my first tank as a buffer and it worked very well. After the tank is cycled I will slowly start adding Fish and of course a CuC . I won't get into coral until probably the 6th month mark or so. This so far is my equipment list:

Display-
1. 40B Tank . Looking for a drilled tank for Herbie Overflow with 1 return. All 3/4 fittings? Maybe 2 Returns?
2. (2) PP-4 Jebao Powerheads ( Would love 2- MP10s but I can't see myself spending that much money just on the flow)
3. 40 lbs of BRS Reef Saver Dry Rock
4. 10 lbs of BRS Shelf rock
5. 30lbs of "live sand"
6. ReefBuilder Photon V2 24" LED

As for my stand, I will build one DIY. Probably all 2x4s and cover the exterior with stained pieces of wood from pallets made out of maple. ( Have seen some pretty sweet ones on the interwebs.)

Sump-
1. 20 long with three chambers
a. First chamber will be for the Drain/ Emergency and Protein Skimmer ( Possibly filter sock if space allows). For the Skimmer I think I will be going with the Reef Octopus 150SSS for space reasons. First chamber will be followed by 3 baffles for " bubble trap."
b. Second chamber will be a refugium with some left over rock and a ball of Chaeto. Still have yet to decide what kind of light I will use to grow the Chaeto but that will come later anyway once I get the aquarium established.
c. Third chamber will be a Sicce Syncra 3.0 Return pump plumbed wil flex tube into the return/returns. Should I maybe T this pump off to send some flow back into the refugium for tumbling?
2. Heater in the refuge. Haven't decided on which one yet.
3. Tunze Osmolator ATO ( hopefully I can find a space to fit atleast a 5 gallon bucket of RO/DI water

Extra equipment:

1. Spectra Pure 90G RO/DI
2. (2) 5 gallon jugs for RO/DI and Salt mix
3. Heater for mixing
4. Hydor Koralia nano for mixing

Please give me all advice / criticisms you can think of!

 

[mcgyvr]

Sounds like a good plan...enjoy..have fun..

 

[LennyD4]

Sounds like a good plan...enjoy..have fun..

Thanks ! Im still trying to research what to do with the plumbing. Not sure if I should go with 1 or 2 returns and also how exactly to plumb with the internal overflow and holes through the back. My last tank had bottom drilled holes and just two stand pipes, one drain and one emergency.

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[Turbomark]

This is almost exactly to a tee what I did. My best advice is to plan your stand to be able to remove the sump easily. I made my stand using the standard 2x4 frame and the only way I could get the 20l sump into it was by lowering it in from the top. The only way it's coming out without breaking down the entire display is by literally breaking it.

I used the modular Marine ghost overflow with a bean animal drain. Was the best choice of made on this tank, I absolutely love it and endorse it wholeheartedly. I'm also running the same light as you, I'd consider moving up to the 32" fixture if you can swing it. The light coverage drops off significantly towards the sides of my tank with the 24. You can check out my par map attached.

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[LennyD4]

This is almost exactly to a tee what I did. My best advice is to plan your stand to be able to remove the sump easily. I made my stand using the standard 2x4 frame and the only way I could get the 20l sump into it was by lowering it in from the top. The only way it's coming out without breaking down the entire display is by literally breaking it.

I used the modular Marine ghost overflow with a bean animal drain. Was the best choice of made on this tank, I absolutely love it and endorse it wholeheartedly. I'm also running the same light as you, I'd consider moving up to the 32" fixture if you can swing it. The light coverage drops off significantly towards the sides of my tank with the 24. You can check out my par map attached.

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Thanks for the info. Did you build your stand to the exact dimensioms of the 40B? Im waiting to get both tanks because I thought of that issue with the sump because that's what happened on my last tank which was a 65 I could barely even access the sump down below

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[Turbomark]

I built to the exact width but not the exact depth, I could remove it from the side but unfortunately no doors on the side. Attached is a better shot if my under tank mess. I was able to fit dosing containers and top off water in above the sump. However, if you can I'd suggest keeping that stuff outside the stand, it's jam packed in there for me. Also a shot of how I did my stand

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[LennyD4]

I built to the exact width but not the exact depth, I could remove it from the side but unfortunately no doors on the side. Attached is a better shot if my under tank mess. I was able to fit dosing containers and top off water in above the sump. However, if you can I'd suggest keeping that stuff outside the stand, it's jam packed in there for me. Also a shot of how I did my stand

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That looks awesome. I plan to have a little access hatch on one of the sides to slide the sump out if need be. I probably will not have a canopy because I kind of like the look of a nice Sleek LED whether I hang it or just have legs that go on to the tank. I will definitely have those same issues with where to put the top off and such. Do you happen to have any pictures of the plumbing in the back of the display or sump?

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[Turbomark]

That looks awesome. I plan to have a little access hatch on one of the sides to slide the sump out if need be. I probably will not have a canopy because I kind of like the look of a nice Sleek LED whether I hang it or just have legs that go on to the tank. I will definitely have those same issues with where to put the top off and such. Do you happen to have any pictures of the plumbing in the back of the display or sump?

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Unfortunately I don't have any good pics from when I put it all together. There are three pipes for drain plumbing all 1inch pvc (siphon, open channel, and emergency) all have unions so they can be disconnected if you needed also to swivel a bit. My return plumbing is one inch pvc from the sump which splits into two 3/4 inch returns that go over the back of the tank and end in loc line flares.

I'll try to get a few pics when I get home later.

I decided to use a hood for this tank to get a more of a finished all in one type look. Also I was tired of having my living room lit up by all the light spill.

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[LennyD4]

Unfortunately I don't have any good pics from when I put it all together. There are three pipes for drain plumbing all 1inch pvc (siphon, open channel, and emergency) all have unions so they can be disconnected if you needed also to swivel a bit. My return plumbing is one inch pvc from the sump which splits into two 3/4 inch returns that go over the back of the tank and end in loc line flares.

I'll try to get a few pics when I get home later.

I decided to use a hood for this tank to get a more of a finished all in one type look. Also I was tired of having my living room lit up by all the light spill.

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Oh so with the Overflow that you purchased it's actually over the back? As well as the returns? I will have to look into that.

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[Turbomark]

No through the back actually.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/201999242586

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[LennyD4]

No through the back actually.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/201999242586

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Just checked out the ebay posting. So it has only two holes drilled and the boxis connected through those two holes. Im gping to have to look into the Bean Animal design.

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[Turbomark]

A couple more pics of how I did my plumbing. It would have been easier to go with a single return but the lack of symmetry hurt my brain.

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[LennyD4]

A couple more pics of how I did my plumbing. It would have been easier to go with a single return but the lack of symmetry hurt my brain.

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What return pump did you go with ? Seems like you wpuld have to way oversize it if you created a manifold going to other places such as reactors.

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[Turbomark]

No reactors in my system. I'm running a jebao dcp 5000 for return so plenty of power. I'm dosing esv two part as well as acropower and am set up for vinegar dosing as well but not using it right now. Manifold is only to split the lines for the two returns.

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[LennyD4]

No reactors in my system. I'm running a jebao dcp 5000 for return so plenty of power. I'm dosing esv two part as well as acropower and am set up for vinegar dosing as well but not using it right now. Manifold is only to split the lines for the two returns.

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Is that Jebao a 5000L /H or 1320 GPH? Thats a ton. Might have to look into those pumps as well. How quiet is it?

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[Turbomark]

Box says 1450 GPH but that's probably at no head height. I only have it running at about 80% but it puts out quite a bit of flow. I can turn off everything else in the tank and I cannot hear it running, it's dead silent. At $90 it can't be beat.

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[LennyD4]

Box says 1450 GPH but that's probably at no head height. I only have it running at about 80% but it puts out quite a bit of flow. I can turn off everything else in the tank and I cannot hear it running, it's dead silent. At $90 it can't be beat.

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Awesome. Thanks for the info. Going to have to do some research on the bean animal and also find these two tanks. Im sure i wont get lucky enough for the $1 per gallon sale soon.

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[Underwood]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kz76fsrmef4vffg/Photo%20Sep%2006%2C%207%2018%2053%20PM.jpg

Pardon the quick cell pic...

I have the same setup w/ a DIY stand. The main supports for the stand are 2x4s, but I built the outer veneer with a wide opening in the front + door openings on the sides. The divider between the cabinet doors on the front is held in place with magnets that I embedded in the frame + divider board, so I can pop it in and out of place for more access underneath the stand.

If I needed to, I could pull my sump no problem. I have so much access from the front that I almost never use the doors on the sides.

 

[LennyD4]

Thats awesome, I definitely plan on making the sump accesible.

 

[Jon0807]

I went with this for my overflow http://synergyreef.com/product/16-shadow-overflow/ and did 2x1/2" returns. My return pump is so powerful I don't even really need powerheads. I just use one to circulate behind my aquascape but the returns handle the rest.