40 gallon breeder build

[NewbsReef]

What's going on y'all? I'm going to try and keep this thread interesting and updated, I'll also be asking a lot of question as this build goes on. First off I've got into this hobby about a year and half ago. Started off with a bio cube 29 and now I have the itch for a bigger tank. So here I am building a tank. I'm open to all opinions and ideas as this build progresses. Thanks for having a look and hopefully y'all will stick around to the end!

Here's the tank and the Glassholes overflow/return kit I'm using. The kit was a little pricey but the quality is amazing and it literally comes with everything you need. So I have no complaints about it.

Here I have all the templates all centered and taped up and ready to drill. This was my first time drilling glass and it had me really nervous but over all everything worked out perfect and I didn't shatter the tank

2 perfect holes and got the back painted.

Got the glassholes overflow/return installed and everything fit perfect. The kit came with 2 hoses for the overflow/return. I've decided not to use the hoses, instead I'll do PVC pipe.

Now the fun part begins. Time to build the stand. Simple layout trying to get ideas.

Finished the frame and I'm happy how it turned out. It very study with extra support just in case. The sump is a 20 gal tall tank I had laying around and itll be easy to remove if it every needed to be.

This morning I had time before work (work nights) I had time to get the sides and back cut and mounted. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have the rest of the stand done. I'm using a blonde burch wood and thinking a nice light stain with a couple coats of gloss.

 

[NewbsReef]

Not really sure how the last picture got uploaded

 

[brett_schn]

Nice build. I’m building a 40b peninsula. I’m in south Florida. Nice skiff you have there lol.

 

[NewbsReef]

Nice build. I’m building a 40b peninsula. I’m in south Florida. Nice skiff you have there lol.

Thanks and thanks lol. skiffs for sale now Need something bigger and easy on the back haha

 

[brett_schn]

Thanks and thanks lol. skiffs for sale now Need something bigger and easy on the back haha

Haha. I’ll pm u and show u an awesome boat that is comfortable and fun. Just don’t think about taking it out into the ocean past 4fter unless u are super comfortable with the boat

 

[NewbsReef]

finished Laying the wood today. Think I'll actually be painting it instead of staining it. I'll put a door on later lol and all that's left is filling nail holes and sanding.

 

[TimKosel]

What's the width of a 40b? I have a 29r that I just built but the 40b has me interested if lighting equipment would transfer.

 

[brett_schn]

What's the width of a 40b? I have a 29r that I just built but the 40b has me interested if lighting equipment would transfer.

It’s 36.5”lx18wx16h

 

[TimKosel]

Anybody have experience running 24 inch T5s on a 40b. Is that too short for the tank or would you just be restricted on coral placement?

 

[brett_schn]

Anybody have experience running 24 inch T5s on a 40b. Is that too short for the tank or would you just be restricted on coral placement?

Just raise it up more then usually and it should by fine. How many bulbs?

 

[TimKosel]

Just raise it up more then usually and it should by fine. How many bulbs?

2 bulbs, but I have them spaced with a 24 inch Fluval Marine Pro LED strip in between.

Not a pretty hood but does the trick for now.

 

[Mike N]

Nice build, I will be doing something very similar soon.

 

[brett_schn]

2 bulbs, but I have them spaced with a 24 inch Fluval Marine Pro LED strip in between.

Not a pretty hood but does the trick for now.

I say u need more.

 

[NewbsReef]

I'm considering running t5s with with my Hydra 26 HD. Haven't figured out how I'm going to do it.

 

[TimKosel]

I'm excited to see this painted and what you do with lighting for the 40b.

I was only running LED, but my LFS was closing and I picked up the components to put together a dual T5 for 15 bucks....plus the ATI bulbs for $10 each (I stocked up).

The nice part is I can run the same ballest and ends for the next bulb size as well.

 

[NewbsReef]

I'm excited to see this painted and what you do with lighting for the 40b.

I was only running LED, but my LFS was closing and I picked up the components to put together a dual T5 for 15 bucks....plus the ATI bulbs for $10 each (I stocked up).

The nice part is I can run the same ballest and ends for the next bulb size as well.

I think I'll be painting it with a black lacquer and the lighting is still up in the air. Definitely keeping the Hydra 26.

 

[TimKosel]

I think I'll be painting it with a black lacquer and the lighting is still up in the air. Definitely keeping the Hydra 26.

I bet that will look amazing! I wonder if there is a way to build t5 at downward angles so the are in the outside of the hydra focused toward the bottom center of the tank? If I explained that in a way that makes sense....

 

[NewbsReef]

I bet that will look amazing! I wonder if there is a way to build t5 at downward angles so the are in the outside of the hydra focused toward the bottom center of the tank? If I explained that in a way that makes sense....

I kinda sorta get the idea that you are talking about lol it's going to be interesting. Im still trying to figure out how/where I'm going to mount the lights. Once the tank is in the house I'll get a better idea about this lighting situation.

 

[NewbsReef]

Well I've been slacking this past week. so far I got the stand sanded, and all the corners bondoed and nail holes filled. Still needs a final sand.

For those of you that have sumps, it's 51" from the bottom of my sump to the tank return. What pump would you recommend? Something on the quiet side but awesome flow.

 

[Mpierce]

I wouldn't get overly concerned with the flow rate from your return pump. As long as you are turning over your tanks water volume 3-4x an hour, that is plenty. With that being said I really like the sicce pumps, quiet and reliable. I run a Sicce syncra 2.0 on my 40 as a return.