Taylor's 40B Build

[thejuggernaut]

I recently setup a 40B system. I have had several tanks in the past. A 55, and a 120. I wanted to try this size, because it was small and I figured I could get back into it after being dormant for a few years. Because I haven't had a tank since I got married 3 years ago, my wife doesn't understand the whole "reef tank" thing and thinks a decent sized tank is insanely huge. It is my hope that she will get some experience with this one and be hooked like I am. Making it easier to get a 6' 300ish gallon tank in a year or so. Then this system would make an excellent QT fish tank. I started out by waiting till Petco had the $/gallon sale and picked up a 40B and a 20L Aqueon tank. I built the overflow myself (most everything on this tank I will build myself).

 

[thejuggernaut]

The next step was to water test the system, and when it started up quickly, ran quietly and didn't leak, I tore it back down and masked it off to paint the back of the tank with Krylon black. I am using as much stuff as I had laying around, so I used an Eheim 900 GPH return pump. It is pretty large for a system this large, at almost 20X turn over. Although it is silent, I think I will probably replace it with a smaller Sicce pump in the near future. That return line was makeshift, I have since built one with returns on both side, that have line-locs on them.

 

[thejuggernaut]

I drew out and laser cut a set of baffles for the 20L tank. It has a place for two drop-in filter socks. It was designed to hold the 4"x8" socks that everyone sales. I bought these at BRS, and they seem to work well. They don't clog as fast as the old ones I use to get. They claim they are 200 micron socks. The baffles have an adjustable height, so I can adjust it when dialing in skimmer. I glued some rings to the sock holders, so that the socks lay flat inside the holder. I didn't take any pictures of the adjustable baffle while installing, so the only one I have is with it up and running.

 

[thejuggernaut]

I have a Brute container full of live rock, but hadn't used it in years, and was sure it was full nasty stuff, so I wanted to clean it really well. I started out by first laying it all out and spraying off all of the loose debris. I then put it back in the brute and filled it half way with water. I poured a gallon of bleach in the container, and topped it off so that the rock was all covered. I put a few power heads in it, put the lid on, and left it over night. The next day I drained it all out, laid all the pieces off and sprayed them off to remove as much of the bleach as I could. The rock was markedly cleaner. The next step was to give them a soak in acid to dissolve off the top layer of rock. I put it all back in the container. Filled it half way with water again, poured 2 gallons of muriatic acid in the brute, then topped it off with water again. I was surprised how dirty the bubbles coming out were. It was dark brown. I was also surprised at how slowly the bubbling was. I figured it would be like those volcano science projects, but it just a slow bubbling. After about 10 minutes the bubbling had stopped. I figured the acid was spent, but I let it sit another 20 minutes, then poured it all off. Filled it up with water. Drained it off, and did this several more times. Finally, I got a 5 gallon bucket, filled it with baking soda and water. I took each rock and shook it off in the bucket to remove any remaining debris. I did about half the rock. Then cleaned the bucket, put another box of baking soda and fresh water in the bucket, and did the remaining bit of rock. I then laid it all out in the driveway to dry in the sunlight.

 

[Bogue Chitto]

Well it looks like you have a plan. You are doing a good job with everything, good luck on it all....

 

[thejuggernaut]

Well it looks like you have a plan. You are doing a good job with everything, good luck on it all....

Thanks, I have actually had the system up and running for about 8 weeks. I am just now taking the time to sit down and write it all up. It isn't completely finished, but honestly, they aren't ever finished.

 

[thejuggernaut]

I had originally thought about setting back up my 120 that I have had in storage for several years, but decided to go with the smaller tank because of space, and the WAF (Wife Approval Factor). I had started working on the aquascape, and wanted it to be minimalist, with large overhangs. Using a masonry bit, fiberglass rods and hydraulic cement, I built my original design. I eventually had to remove the right portion of the structure and the base in order add more rock to give my fish more places to hide. Here is what I originally came up with.

 

[jstephens24]

looks good. ready to see an updated pic

 

[thejuggernaut]

looks good. ready to see an updated pic

Here is what it looked like when cycling. It cleared up in about a week, and became crystal clear. The limited rock work really helps keep the bottom clean. Even without any powerheads at the moment. The skimmer is a Skimz SN143. It seems to do a good job. I am skimming a little wet right now because of the limited feeding and bio-load, but it produces pretty consistently. I cut out some silencer plates to fit inside the socks to quiet them down. They work surprisingly well, and made is completely silently.

 

[thejuggernaut]

Here is what it looks like today after re-arranging the rocks to give more hiding spaces. I have added a Blood Shrimp, Orchid Dottyback, and a Bangaii Cardinal. The cardinal didn't make it. He never ate very much and always hid in the corners. He eventually passed away earlier this week. I have several things now that I want to do to the tank to get it ready for corals. I need to make a list over the next day or so and get them knocked out so we can start putting some corals in this tank!

 

[thejuggernaut]

I have had the tank up and running for about 8 weeks, and everything seems stable. My immediate goal is to setup an ATO for the tank, and build a canopy for a MH fixture.

The return section is so small, that I am having to top it off every day. The problem is the open area in the stand isn't too large. The distance from the sump to the front of the tank is less than 4". I figure if I build one with an outer dimension of 30" x 3.5" x 10", it should give a decent supply of top off water (about 4 gallons), but not so much that it would overflow the sump if it malfunctioned and stuck in the on position.

Right now, I am just running a pair of twin T5 fixtures (4 bulbs total). I really want to run a 250 DE MH fixture, along with a few T5s that I have had since my 120 setup. For that to look good I need to build a canopy. I plan on building a temporary fixture, so I can adjust the height of the MH to see what an optimal height would be for best spread. Once I have that dialed in, I can get started on a building a canopy to match the tank. I also need to go ahead and hang the stand doors. I built them to match the cabinet doors in my kitchen, and have painted them, but just need to go ahead and mount them.

I need to get decent Alk and Cal test kits before I start adding corals. Which ones do you guys recommend. I use to just use Salifert, but the Red Sea Pro kits look pretty nice. Are the Hannah checkers really worth the little added expense? Also, I have a bulb that will work just to get the thing setup, but will need a new MH bulb. What 250 DE bulbs do you guys like? I want something as close to a Radium as possible. I love that crisp blue color. As far as flow goes, I want to get a smaller Sicce or Jebao to run as a return (approx 600 GPH), and a few of the small Jebao RW-8s to put on the back glass on either side of the overflow.

 

[Devaji108]

great job!
gotta love the foot print of the 40Bs
I like the clean look of your tank. amazing work on building everything.

I like the 1st aqua scape just a tad more both are amazing though....
from 1- 40 to the next happy reefing!

 

[thejuggernaut]

Thanks,

Yea, I preferred the other rock work, but after just adding 1 shrimp and 1 fish, I realized there wasn't any hiding spaces. This new one gives them more places to hide in, and the little cave in the middle looks kinda neat. I started building the canopy yesterday, and will paint it this week if the weather cooperates.

 

[Devaji108]

well I am sure It will be 1st class just like the rest of your build...
keep us posted.

 

[thejuggernaut]

I got the canopy mostly built. I still need to add the top and bottom trim to cover up the black tank trim. I'll probably make some shaker style doors to match the stand today or tomorrow. I put all the lighting in it to make sure everything fit and worked. Now I will take it all back apart and paint it. I realized that the front opening is going to be practically worthless, which is fine cause I can feed and do basic maintenance through the side doors. The tank is pretty small after all. I think I will probably go with a Phoenix 14,000K bulb and 2 True Actinic ATI bulbs. That old K4 powerhead is just in there till I decide what I want to do. Right now I am thinking I may just try out two of the small Jebao RW-4 pumps in each corner by the overflow, facing in towards the middle. They were incredibly small when I saw them in person. I think the display is going to be really clean looking once it is all finished. Please ignore the two extra holes in the top of the canopy. Measure twice and cut once right?!?!

 

[sahin]

Bump for update.

 

[br88dy]

^ Ya seriously! I love anything DIY and I've got a 40B waiting to be put to use. Love the DIY overflow and canopy.

 

[thejuggernaut]

I got rid of the dottyback. He was evil. He ate the shrimps guts out after he molted. The last one I had was no where near this insane. But the tank was allot bigger than this one. I got two fire fish and two false perks, and they have been living peacefully for over a month together. I figured it was time to start adding corals, so I got a few goodies in today. Test kits, kalk, Calc, Alk and Mag to do an initial adjustment, a new MH bulb to replace to 5 year old one I put over the tank, and some DI from Spectrapure. The bulb is a little yellow right now, but hopefully it will blue up a little once in burns in. It is extremely bright. I need to fire up the blue+ t5s that I have to supplement I think. All told, I am extremely pleased with the setup. I am bringing my salinity up to 1.026 over the next few days, then I will do a large water change, test, adjust, and start adding corals!

 

[Salty Pickle]

I am starting a 40B project as well, I will be following. The overflow box is insane, If you ever feel like making another one just like that I would be more than happy to purchase one.

 

[moondoggy4]

I also have a 40 breeder sitting in the wings Thanks for posting pictures of your overflow. That is what I need to do next.