My first tank build thread -- 40 breeder

[Toddrtrex]

Been a while since I set up a new tank, so I thought I would have a thread for this one. It is replacing my 33 cube (( I am keeping that tank, as I may set it up again some day )), but nothing is being transferred over.

Back around Labor day I picked up a 40 breeder, and just finally got around to setting it up. (( Granted, I had spinal fusion surgery in July, so now was about the earliest that I could do this )). I am using a 20 long for a sump, with a Tek 6 bulb T5 fixture. I was going to go with the elite, but production of those are on hold it seems. I though about the ATI fixture, but I couldn't hang the fixture where the tank is going so.... I am re-using my old skimmer (( ASM 1GX )) and return pump (( OR 2500 )), and some of the plumping. Also using 2 Vortex MP10ES's for flow.

So, a few pictures,

The end of the stand --- picked it up at an LFS -- they have a "guy" that makes them, and I am pretty happy with it.

The empty 20L with the skimmer body in it.

After screwing up a few times, I decided that a straight edge would make scoring the acrylic, for the baffles, a lot easier.

Even remembered to cut off the bottom corners of the baffles,

And this is the reason for it -- the bead of silicone on the bottom of the sump tank -- with the corner cut off, the baffle will sit better,

 

[Toddrtrex]

And this is the reason I am at home today, making this thread, instead of at work;

 

[blindskater02]

Good start so far! My parents live in Lombard. I heard it is horrible up there!

 

[blackx-runner]

Its a good day to stay inside and work on the tank.
I had a little drift in my drive, but I was able to shovel out and make it to work this morning where I had to shovel my way in.... Wish I could have stayed home LOL.

 

[greech]

Congrats on the new tank Todd. 40 breeders are a great size but I may be a bit biased. Will this tank have a haddoni?

 

[sjmantis]

Sweet build so far. That snow looks way to cold for my california blood :worried:

 

[Toddrtrex]

Thanks guys. Just got done clearing the driveway -- that is until they plow the street.

Speaking of my street....

Now, some more tank pictures.

Here is the tank in its final location, with some sand and the sump in place -- had to be dropped in before the tank was placed on the stand. The stand on the right is for the sump for my 75

A bit closer, and with the stand doors closed,

 

[Toddrtrex]

Congrats on the new tank Todd. 40 breeders are a great size but I may be a bit biased. Will this tank have a haddoni?

Not sure yet -- the girlfriend thinks she will get to pick stuff for this tank, well....

This is my first breeder, and really like the size of it.

 

[snorvich]

Nice thread and of course, great pictures. Of course I cannot wait for another fancy colored carpet anemone! So, I hope the girlfriend is pliable . . .

 

[Toddrtrex]

Nice thread and of course, great pictures. Of course I cannot wait for another fancy colored carpet anemone! So, I hope the girlfriend is pliable . . .

Thanks Steve -- I really hope that you are right.


A picture of the end of the stand -- I like the looks of it.

A close up of the corner,

Filled with sand -- I haven't decided if I am going to add more or not. Currently have 40 lbs in there, might add 15 more (( I think that is the small bag size )).

 

[meco65]

Lookin good.

 

[fishcraze_1]

Stand looks good, how much was it, picked up a 40 breeder myself, now just need the stand.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Stand looks good, how much was it, picked up a 40 breeder myself, now just need the stand.

Thanks. It was $250, so not too bad at all. And I had the inside made higher -- to fit my skimmer and so I wouldn't have to bend down as much to work on it.

Let there be light (( as least some of it. ))

Time to start filling -- I had planned ahead and had 5 5 gallon containers filled with RO/DI water. Normally I mix my salt water for 24 hours, but since there was no livestock, 2 hours was enough.

Even though I rinsed the sand, I still wanted to control the filling -- the cloudiness wasn't too bad.

A total of 48 hours later (( only ran my RO/DI in the evenings ))

 

[Catastrophi]

Tank looks great! What kind of rockscape are you planning on going with?

 

[Toddrtrex]

Thanks.

And since you asked....

On Sunday I went to a couple LFS's and picked up some rock

The one on the right is about 22 lbs

Picked up some for the sump too;

The other side of the sump;

Full shot of the sump

Door closed -- can see one of the Vortex controllers in the background;

 

[Toddrtrex]

Time for an update;

Finally got around to hooking up the phosban reactors (( yes plural, one for phosban and the other for carbon )) --- stupid me forgot to get the tubing when I got the reactors. Running them just like I did with the cube -- in parallel.

Set up dry -- making sure how much tubing I need.

The two connected;

Where the return is going;

Where the pump in going to be (( an MJ400 ))

Getting ready to start it up -- the paper towels are just in case I screwed up.

Plugging it in in front -- so if I have to unplug is really fast I will be ready (( normally is it will be plugged in behind the tank )) and yes, I wore jeans today

Bubbles coming out of the return line,

Everything running perfectly -- but I do need to top off.

 

[Toddrtrex]

And while I had the camera out, I was going to take some pictures of the tank itself -- was starting to clean the glass when....

Captain, there be pods here (( wonder if anyone will get that ))

 

[Virtuoso]

Todd, thank you for the build thread. I think you are one of the more knowledgeable and patient members of RC, so it is really interesting to see how you do it. I actually picked up a 40g breeder for my sump for my 90g. Question for you, though. Is the tank glass or acrylic? And it looks like the baffles you installed were acrylic? I thought it was a no-no to mix them up. Otherwise, I would love to know how you made the cuts as I would much rather do it myself than have a glass shop make me baffles.

Thanks again!

 

[Toddrtrex]

Todd, thank you for the build thread. I think you are one of the more knowledgeable and patient members of RC, so it is really interesting to see how you do it. I actually picked up a 40g breeder for my sump for my 90g. Question for you, though. Is the tank glass or acrylic? And it looks like the baffles you installed were acrylic? I thought it was a no-no to mix them up. Otherwise, I would love to know how you made the cuts as I would much rather do it myself than have a glass shop make me baffles.

Thanks again!

First, thanks for the kind words, really nice to hear (( read )).

The tank is glass and the baffles are 1/4 inch acrylic. All of my sumps are that way, and never had an issue -- my oldest one is about 8 years old now.

Funny enough, a local reefer was over last night (( picking up some old bulbs that I was giving away )) and he asked about the baffles too. The most important baffle is the first one (( the far right for my set up )) -- that is the one that is going to see the most pressure. So that is the one that you want to install first -- that way you can make sure that the silicone is on both sides of it. The next 2 baffles (( especially the middle one of an Over/under/Over design )) will have very little pressure on them. So, putting a bead of silicone on the glass first and then sliding the baffle in place will work. Just run your finger along the side that you can reach to smooth and push in the silicone. If you are using black silicone (( as I did )), use a glove, is a PITA to get the black off your fingers.

The last baffle (( for my set up, b/t the fuge and the return section )), is just as important as the 1st one -- but luckily enough, you can get to both sides of it, so it won't give you an issues.

HTH.

 

[greech]

Captain, there be pods here (( wonder if anyone will get that ))

Star Trek IV?

Looks like things are going well. Agree with Virtuoso comments. Really looking forward to seeing your progress. Any stocking plans yet (besides pods )?