Tank downgrade and redesign

[gbpackers]

Hi, I'm excited to be redesigning my current 40 breeder to a 20 gallon long with a 20 gallon sump. Just got all my equipment in finally and my sump is curing. I built the stand extra large with a removable front door so I can get to the sump easily. No more cramped space . This is my first tank with a sump so I'm excited to see how it goes. I tore apart an old tank and cut the glass for the baffles. I drilled the tank for the 700 gph overflow I got from glass holes.com.
I'm also excited about my new reef octopus 110 skimmer. I previously just had a hang on back one. I just have to put together the plumbing and I may have it up and running by the weekend. I'm hoping my unions are truly waterproof. I feel confident about the test of the PVC since I've done it before.
I'll post once it's up and running.

 

[lionfish300]

Look good what are you planning to keep?

 

[gbpackers]

Look good what are you planning to keep?

Thanks. I had to make a run to home Depot to finish my plumbing before everything closes.
I currently have green hammer, Duncan Coral, brain Coral and some non specific polyp corals. I have a pair of tank raised clowns, a peppermint shrimp and a red legged hermit. I want to have a sustainable reef if possible.
Painted the bottom of the tank black black tonight and hope to have it running by Sunday. There's nothing else to do right now [emoji1787]

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[lionfish300]

how is your plumbing turn out?

 

[gbpackers]

Well, that's an interesting question.
It was going great until I realized I nuked my tank by using silicone with mold preventer in it. It immediately killed my two clown fish that I had had for 8 years and most of my coral before I could even realize what was going on and try to save them. I had researched it but the posts I looked at must have been old saying the GE silicone caulk was fine (before they had mold suppressors in them).
Now I went back to my 40 breeder with a 20 gallon sump and re - did everything in the sump. Took me a while to remove all the old caulk and redo it.
Now it appears my tank is cycling as well since I killed everything off. Since I diluted everything by going back to the 40 breeder my ammonia is finally down to zero so maybe it was just a dilution thing.
Other than that I'm super happy with my plumbing and the stand I built. Tons of room for maintenance and access. Complete with a battery powered LED light for when I can't see at night underneath it. Nothing like a little stresswhen your fish tank is crashing and you can't figure it out after you just redesigned the whole thing.

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[vlangel]

O wow, that stinks about the mold resistant caulk. I admire your ability to continue so upbeat after that. Itlooks like you have a great plan.

 

[gbpackers]

Well, I was pretty down about it initially. My tank was not great despite it being 8 years old. I didn't have much coral and only the two clowns. So it's not like I lost a spectacular tank, but still...
I was redesigning it with a sump so I could make it better.
Now I kind of have to start over.

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[lionfish300]

Hey sorry to hear that. I killed all my fish overnight when I was up grade from a 150 to 180 gallons 10 years ago. But got to keep going

 

[gbpackers]

Yeah, thanks. I try to do things the right way and research everything. I feel responsiblity to give the fish and corals a safe environment, so obviously big fail there. I'm trying to have this tank be sustainable, ie tank raised fish and fragged corals only. I probably can't do it 100% but I'll try.

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