Another 40B build.

[CrazyEyes]

Hey everyone. A few weeks back I picked up a drilled 40B from another user on the board. Progress has been a little slow because of the holidays but I've gotten as much done as possible. Still have quite a bit of work to do but I am so far happy with the progress. I also have a few questions and wanted some input. For the overflow, I've seen alot of people using a T so some of the water bypasses the skimmer, any reason for doing this? Also, the tank is drilled for dual returns, I really don't want to run both returns so, I was thinking of either just capping the second hole or, adding a backup drain incase the main overflow gets clogged for whatever reason the backup drain will handle the flow. Any suggestions? Thanks everyone. More to come as progress continues.

The night I got it.

Picked up an older EuroReef RS-80 from a guy off Craigslist for $60.00

Did a quick mock up for the return, nothing is glued yet. I need to also add a ball valve.

I then picked up a Tunze Silence 1703.02, Thanks Travis and hard plumbed the return. Will also be implementing a check valve to help prevent back siphoning.

 

[rogergolf66]

So u have an extra drain hole? Do google search on herbie method and use that drain setup instead. U will love it I promise. Also carfule with the check valves it will faile in salt water over time so just make sure u have enough room in the sump either way. They tend to last about a year in salt water tanks. Looks like u have a good project on your hands enjoy.

Roger

 

[MrHarvard]

+1 on the herbie style that's how I'm running my 40 breeder. Also just run a few test and mark off your max fill In order to leave enough room for back siphoning from a power outage and you won't have to worry about a faulty check valvue like roger said. Also do you plan on painting the back black so that you don't see the plumbing? What are your plans for the sump?

 

[CrazyEyes]

The tank has 3 holes drilled in it. The center hole which is the main overflow which has an overflow box. Then each corner has a return hole. I have one plumbed already and I don't want to use the other one as a return. So I was just going to plug it up. But I figured I might aswell utilize it as a backup drain instead of just plugging it up. And as far as the check valve, BRS sells check valves with unions so you can just replace the check valve section without cutting the pipe. The sump will absolutely have enough room in it to handle the extra water when/if a power outage occurs. For the sump I am just going to run a skimmer section, a refugium with LR and Chaeto and then a section for the return pump. The sump is just a mess now because I removed the baffles in it to redo them.

 

[CrazyEyes]

Oh I forgot, the back will be painted black. It was originally blue so I removed it so I could paint it black.

 

[poormansreef]

Very Nice, I like it already!

 

[Vpham97]

Wow, such a handy dandy person.

 

[CrazyEyes]

Well since the holidays are finally over with I can start moving forward. I haven't really done anything with it in some time, only thing I've done is removed the top trim and painted the back. Finished the overflow plumbing, added a check valve and got it all glued up. I also redid the return a little bit. I added a check valve and realized that it absolutely restricted the flow too much for my liking. So, I'll just add a siphon break and leave enough room in the sump for whatever water might make it back into the sump.

 

[MrHarvard]

Looking great! I was thinking about removing my trim and euro bracing the top. Are you adding bracing? Just make sure you water test it outside cause mine bows in the front. This is going to be a nice set up when you get it going. Tagging along!

 

[CrazyEyes]

I thought about euro bracing it. I'd have to clean all the old silicone up. I originally took the trim off to paint the back. If you look at the other pictures you'll see this white stuff on the back between the glass and the trim, this would have drove me crazy. But, maybe I will eurobrace it.

 

[MrHarvard]

Trust me I was planning on taking my rim off 100% then at the last minute I said no. Now that I see how much it bows there is no way I would do it without euro bracing..you may not have the same issue though...I hope u don't cause rimless looks so much better in my opinion just sucks when ur cleaning....let me know how it turns out.

 

[CrazyEyes]

I worded that wrong, Im either going to euro brace it or put the trim back on.

 

[MrHarvard]

Lol...I didn't mean to sound like the tank police I just wanted to let u know what my experience is like. They do look sweet euro braced though. I searched the pics on line several times when I was thinking of going rimless.

 

[CrazyEyes]

Oh no, you didn't come off that way. Quick question though. You said your still bows a little bit with the trim on it? Also, does your trim have a center brace? When I was taking mine off I actually broke it so I need to buy a new one anyways. I found two different sources one company has the trim but there is no center brace, the other company has the trim with a center brace. And the price difference is only like $1 so maybe I'll go with the trim with the center brace.

 

[bwhit1406]

I like the size cant wait to see what you do with it

 

[CrazyEyes]

Thanks man. I think I am just going to stick with Zoas and softies for now. I had an idea to do Sps but not sure if I'm up to the challenge yet. Might try some lps though.

 

[Vpham97]

PM me the day before if you need 50 gallon of RO/DI to start up your new venture, going to change the media soon. I am in Largo too, near the Acropol restauraunt.

 

[CrazyEyes]

That's very generous of you. Mind if I ask how much per gallon?

 

[Vpham97]

Oh careful one, it's free ro di to start up your 40 with a day or two of notice. Going to find a store tomorrow that can sell and help to install the float switch into my new 44g Rubbermaid trash can I just got from Home Depot.

 

[CrazyEyes]

Oh man, that really is awesome! I would honestly even buy ro water off you until I get my own ro unit. It would sure beat driving to St Pete every weekend to buy water plus my water is included with my rent so I might aswell take advantage of it while I can.