Me again. 40B build. Again.

[Arizonah13]

Okay, I think I'm nearly fully decided that I will be getting a 40B (during the Petco sale) and using the 20L I have as a sump.

I have a $1,000 (max!) budget - if it ends up coming in lower, woo hoo.

40B - $50 (with tax)

Lights - $400? ish - I'm looking at the Reef Breeder units (I'd like it to be mainly an LPS/softie tank, but have the option for adding a clam or sps waaaaay down in the future) *suggestions welcome

Skimmer - I have no idea? *suggestions welcome

50# dry rock (probably from reef cleaners) $90

A few pounds of really really awesome live rock (I could use some from my cube, but I intend to make that my terror clowns/anemone tank, so probably not) $not sure.... $25-30?

Plumbing stuff - $ no idea

Baffle/sump-making stuff - $ dunno

Stuff to make a screen top - $ not sure.... $40?

Power head or two - $100 ?

Heater - $30 ?

That leaves me with about $250 for the skimmer, plumbing, sump fixins'....

What am I missing ?

Also, taking recommendations on pretty much all of the equipment above.

 

[Mwells]

For a skimmer I would recommend the Bubble Magus Curve 5. Used you can find them for 120 or so. And if you have a little more cash get the a vertex. Great design, quality skimmer. I believe the Vertex Omega 130 is about the size you would need.
And for lights I am a t5 person, tried and true. Ati has great units for around that price.

 

[evo.howard2010]

I have a reef octopus 110 but I would get the space saver size or something with the pump right under the skier! It will cost about $55 for silicon and glass and a glass cutting tool for the sump. Plying will run u around 65 bucks for glue and if u get cheap fittings.

 

[Dre59]

Return pump

 

[kjonulak]

I have a reef octopus 110 but I would get the space saver size or something with the pump right under the skier! It will cost about $55 for silicon and glass and a glass cutting tool for the sump. Plying will run u around 65 bucks for glue and if u get cheap fittings.

I have the reef octopus 110 space saver. Great skimmer and quiet. I have it on a 45 gallon cube with a modified Eshopps sump. I bought mine new online for $219 with free shipping. The document that comes with it is useless. It was a no brainier to put together by looking at the picture of the unit.

 

[Arizonah13]

For a skimmer I would recommend the Bubble Magus Curve 5. Used you can find them for 120 or so. And if you have a little more cash get the a vertex. Great design, quality skimmer. I believe the Vertex Omega 130 is about the size you would need.
And for lights I am a t5 person, tried and true. Ati has great units for around that price.

Thank you! I'll check those skimmers out!

I have a reef octopus 110 but I would get the space saver size or something with the pump right under the skier! It will cost about $55 for silicon and glass and a glass cutting tool for the sump. Plying will run u around 65 bucks for glue and if u get cheap fittings.

Return pump

oh yeah! return pumps.... silicon/glass... it all adds up so fast! Thank you!

I have the reef octopus 110 space saver. Great skimmer and quiet. I have it on a 45 gallon cube with a modified Eshopps sump. I bought mine new online for $219 with free shipping. The document that comes with it is useless. It was a no brainier to put together by looking at the picture of the unit.

I keep hearing about that Reef Octopus skimmer! I'm definitely putting it high on my list! I'd love to get a premade sump, but it really takes a chunk out of my budget.



And any pros/cons between a using a 20 high or 20 long for a sump?

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Dre59]

You focused on LEDS only? Also another thing in mind I have been seeing builds with smaller footprint fixtures.. Example you will need 36 inches but have seen tanks just using 24 inches fixtures. I can see this working unless you plan to cover the bottom part from corner to corner on sandbed..lol!

Just use the "search button" on 40B builds you will be amazed some of the threads I seen

Hope that helps but I personally think with $1k this build should be easy

 

[evo.howard2010]

Yeah I thought I was gonna only spend like 800 for my whole build! But it ended up costing 1500 just to get it up and running!

 

[dream54ing]

Okay, I think I'm nearly fully decided that I will be getting a 40B (during the Petco sale) and using the 20L I have as a sump.

I have a $1,000 (max!) budget - if it ends up coming in lower, woo hoo.
Plenty, if not including livestock

40B - $50 (with tax)
drilled or overflow box? recommend having the tank drilled. +$20-$40

Lights - $400? ish - I'm looking at the Reef Breeder units (I'd like it to be mainly an LPS/softie tank, but have the option for adding a clam or sps waaaaay down in the future) *suggestions welcome
Invest wisely, I personally would go with AI hydras or Radions or Maxspect.

Skimmer - I have no idea? *suggestions welcome
Also invest wisely...Many options, get it used for around $100-200. I personally like Reef octopus or ASM (bang for your buck) shop around

50# dry rock (probably from reef cleaners) $90
saltwater junkies has them for about $2/lb dry and you get to cherry pick pieces you want

A few pounds of really really awesome live rock (I could use some from my cube, but I intend to make that my terror clowns/anemone tank, so probably not) $not sure.... $25-30?

Plumbing stuff - $ no idea
Bulkhead(s), return hose/pvc, drain hose/pvc, return nozzle, valves, unions, $30-50

Baffle/sump-making stuff - $ dunno
get glass from any glass shop cut to size for about $20-30. silicone, get from Home Depot (GE Slicone I only)

Stuff to make a screen top - $ not sure.... $40?
I've seen some people make some really cool screen for $10-20

Power head or two - $100 ?
couple of koralias should be good @ $15-25ea used

Heater - $30 ?
should be able to get a decent one for $15-$20

That leaves me with about $250 for the skimmer, plumbing, sump fixins'....

What am I missing ?
Return pump. very important to get a reliable/efficient one, eg. sicce, ehiem tunze if you have extra $. if not, a new Rio HF (I've installed many, with regular maintenance they decent pumps)

Also, taking recommendations on pretty much all of the equipment above.
If you can get stuff used, I always recommend it, but there are thing you should get new (tank, lights, heaters, plumbing). Items such as skimmer, return pump (in most case) and powerheads, I prefer used. Always check condition rather than asking seller, as not everyone are honest

 

[Arizonah13]

You focused on LEDS only? Also another thing in mind I have been seeing builds with smaller footprint fixtures.. Example you will need 36 inches but have seen tanks just using 24 inches fixtures. I can see this working unless you plan to cover the bottom part from corner to corner on sandbed..lol!

Just use the "search button" on 40B builds you will be amazed some of the threads I seen

Hope that helps but I personally think with $1k this build should be easy

I am pretty set on LEDs. I love the LEDs I put in my biocube.. the temps are SO much more stable, plus energy savings.

I'm definitely going to keep searching through the other 40B builds.

Thanks!

Yeah I thought I was gonna only spend like 800 for my whole build! But it ended up costing 1500 just to get it up and running!

Yep. It's WAY too easy to go over on reef budgets Now that I'm building one from scratch (vs AIO), I definitely want to do it my way, get quality components, etc.... I'll keep my eyes open for sales/used deals, too.

 

[Arizonah13]

dream54ing I can't figure out how to tag you, but....


THANK YOU! That was very helpful! And good to know about buying new vs. used on certain items.

 

[evo.howard2010]

I am pretty set on LEDs. I love the LEDs I put in my biocube.. the temps are SO much more stable, plus energy savings.

I'm definitely going to keep searching through the other 40B builds.

Thanks!



Yep. It's WAY too easy to go over on reef budgets Now that I'm building one from scratch (vs AIO), I definitely want to do it my way, get quality components, etc.... I'll keep my eyes open for sales/used deals, too.

Even tho I went over budget I'm still not even finished 100% with my stand!

 

[Arizonah13]

Even tho I went over budget I'm still not even finished 100% with my stand!

ooooh neat! I can just envision it completed! Although you scare me with the budget info! lol
I already told my hubby the $1k doesn't include livestock (or stand mmwahaha). Thankfully, he enjoys building stuff. I think we may be going to Home Depot tomorrow to accumulate some wood.

Do you have a build thread somewhere? I'd love to follow it.

 

[evo.howard2010]

Yeah I actually have a couple cause I did not know what I was doing on here

 

[Kalen]

I would suggest that you take your time with your build this goes for anyone who is build a fowl or a reef tank. Do you research on equipment and live stock. But good quality equipment that has good reviews. You don't want to spend all your time and money buying and re buying everything cause something failed. Build a tank so you can enjoy as well as will be easy to maintain in the location you picked to have it.

Good luck.

 

[jmadison]

And any pros/cons between a using a 20 high or 20 long for a sump?

Thanks again everyone!

Looks like the removed my post...

Anyways. I was incorrect, it is a 29 gallon tank. I have it set up with the return pump in the center and a refugium on one side. I did this so that I could slow down the rate of flow through the sump. More soak time with the macro algae and you get a better polish of nutrients from the water column.

The skimmer is a Super Reef Octopus XP-1000sss.

http://www.saltycritter.com/coralvu...sro-xp1000sss-sump-saver-protein-skimmer.html This is oversized for a 40b/29g sump, but it does a phenomenal job keeping pristine water and you won't need to upgrade at a later date.

I'd take $250 for the skimmer and $30 for the sump. Both work great!

 

[Arizonah13]

Looks like the removed my post...

Anyways. I was incorrect, it is a 29 gallon tank. I have it set up with the return pump in the center and a refugium on one side. I did this so that I could slow down the rate of flow through the sump. More soak time with the macro algae and you get a better polish of nutrients from the water column.

The skimmer is a Super Reef Octopus XP-1000sss.

http://www.saltycritter.com/coralvu...sro-xp1000sss-sump-saver-protein-skimmer.html This is oversized for a 40b/29g sump, but it does a phenomenal job keeping pristine water and you won't need to upgrade at a later date.

I'd take $250 for the skimmer and $30 for the sump. Both work great!

Thank you for posting! That's a great deal, but I think I'd like for the refugium area to be wider - I'll bet someone else would snatch that deal up in a heartbeat!

 

[evo.howard2010]

This is how I did my sump its a 29 gal high I think! Its super easy to do.

 

[jmadison]

Thank you for posting! That's a great deal, but I think I'd like for the refugium area to be wider - I'll bet someone else would snatch that deal up in a heartbeat!

No problem at all! Just wanted to note for a standard 29 gallon, my refugium is as big as possible relative to the tanks overall length. Its' placement at the end of the tank allows it to be twice as deep because you can run a baffle nearly to the rim of the tank. I have double the water volume and can control how fast or slow the water turns over in the refugium separatly as compared to when you locate the refugium in the midle section. Just things to consider when you design your sump . Building them is fun!

 

[Arizonah13]

This is how I did my sump its a 29 gal high I think! Its super easy to do.

I like it! Is your skimmer one of those Octopus 100-something or other space savers?


Right now I'm researching overflow stuff.... I'd love to know how you did yours.