Smith_nikolas
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2020
- Messages
- 20
- Reaction score
- 7
- What state or country do you live in
- Texas
So after being in the hobby previously running 20 gallon and smaller nano tanks I took a break for a few years from reefing. The only tank still currently running in my home is a small planted nano tank. I decided to take the plunge back into reefing and wow things have really changed a ton! For this build I decided to go for a modest 40 gallon breeder set up with the typical 20 long sump etc. Being the DIY guy that I am, I like to tinker and try to make the things I need before buying off the shelf, for one to save money and two it gives a better sense of accomplishment.
With that being said I went ahead with the petco $1 per gallon sale and picked up my 40B and 20 long and set out to build my stand.
THE STAND:
I went with the typical 2x4 wood framed and 3/4” plywood stand with two cabinet doors, and one shelf. I know it’s not going to look exactly like those smooth pre-made wooden stands but it’s functional and built to last. Ileft a cutout in the back to run my plumbing for the sump/electrical etc.
THE SUMP:
For my 20 long sump I went with the diy acrylic baffle option. I went to Lowe’s and purchased a sheet of 1/4” acrylic and got to work on the proper dimensions and what chambers I’m planning to run. I’m going with a standard 3 chamber sump Sec.1-Skimmer/intake Sec.2 refugium Sec.3. Return/ATO.
I got my baffles cut to size and siliconed them in place making sure to use tools to help maintain proper 90 degree angles while the silicone sets. For the silicone I used the GE 100% silicone from Lowe’s. My baffle height was initially determined by my first skimmer chamber due to the recommended water height for the skimmer I’m using which I will go over later.
Plumbing/overflow:
For my overflow bow I didn’t care to be too crazy I just wanted something cost effective and functional. With my smaller nano tanks in the past I never used a sump or overflow which Made this all very new to me. So after research about flow rates and GPH and all that madness I ended up ordering an internal overflow kit from reefcreators. I went with the 700gph kit which was plenty for this tank size. The best part was it came with the overflow, the bulk head AND!! The hole saw to drill my 40B. This was a big plus for me because just the hole saw brand new at the big box stores cost double of what this entire kit was together, shipped to my front door. I do a lot of woodworking and projects in my spare time so drilling this tank for me was a breeze. I got my overflow box siliconed in got my bulkhead put in, I also went with the same size bulkhead for my return line, now I’m ready to do the plumbing. I went with 3/4” intake pipes and return lines and got everything ran nice and easy down to my sump. Also got the recommended air breather drilled into the top 90 degrees elbow to cut down on overflow “gurgle”
Proposed equipment:
Keep in mind I know there are tons of options out there and everyone has good and bad experiences with all types of equipment high end and low end. The equipment I want to use is based solely on my research and knowledge with budget in mind.
As of now I have a Jebao DC-4000 controllable return pump in the sump and had that hard plumbed in with my return. It has a disconnect at the pump if and when I need to disconnect for cleaning etc.
To get my tank up and running initially I will be going with the following,
-Eheim 150 or 200w Heater with an ink bird heater controller
-SCA-301 skimmer
-2x Jebao SW4 wave makers
-coral box A100 dual sensor ATO
I have read and seen a ton of reviews and personally used Jebao equipment and have had great success to this point and will continue to use them on this build (again functionality and cost savings for me is pretty key)
In the future I will be wanting to go for an SPS dominant tank, so once dosing becomes necessary I have been looking at the Jebao Dp-3 or Dp-4 dosing pumps.
NOW - for the highly debatable lighting question....
I have ran a variety of lighting fixtures in the past from eBay Chinese black boxes to Kessils. On this build I want to try something different. I know the rave is all about Ecotechs Radions and Ai’s primes and hydras, but I’m very much interested in the bigger picture of reef keeping and really getting down to the basics of the effects of lighting spectrums on coral growth. I’ve done months of research on T5s and MH VS Led and now the T5/led hybrids. There are so many options it’s over whelming! This prices can reach thousands of dollars for fixtures when to me this hobby and these corals have been kept and grown in home aquariums for a very long time and it seems that we’ve gotten more hyped over brand names versus what is actually needed. I have actually lost sleep over this topic trying to figure out what I am going to light this SPS dominant tank with. I personally like that a lot of fixtures can be timed and programmed on the fixture itself. The WIFI and Bluetooth options are nice but I’m weary of the mysterious lost connection between mobile devices and internet service which I’ve delt with at home with everyday items like computers, TVs tablets etc. what happens when I lose control of thousands of dollars of reef life due to a fried tank?
Anyways I’m intrigued by options such as the
-Noopsyche K7 pro ii
-Reefbreeder photon series
-Rapid Led
Just to name a few, I know I could drop a ton of money go with the famous brands such Ecotech or aqua illumination but I’m curious to see if these other brands can work just as well if not better!
Next steps in my build will be my aqua scape and getting my tank cycled.
Finally I will be using the RO buddie 4 stage RODI unit and creating a storage station using brute containers.
Thanks for reading! I look forward to updating as I move along.
With that being said I went ahead with the petco $1 per gallon sale and picked up my 40B and 20 long and set out to build my stand.
THE STAND:
I went with the typical 2x4 wood framed and 3/4” plywood stand with two cabinet doors, and one shelf. I know it’s not going to look exactly like those smooth pre-made wooden stands but it’s functional and built to last. Ileft a cutout in the back to run my plumbing for the sump/electrical etc.
THE SUMP:
For my 20 long sump I went with the diy acrylic baffle option. I went to Lowe’s and purchased a sheet of 1/4” acrylic and got to work on the proper dimensions and what chambers I’m planning to run. I’m going with a standard 3 chamber sump Sec.1-Skimmer/intake Sec.2 refugium Sec.3. Return/ATO.
I got my baffles cut to size and siliconed them in place making sure to use tools to help maintain proper 90 degree angles while the silicone sets. For the silicone I used the GE 100% silicone from Lowe’s. My baffle height was initially determined by my first skimmer chamber due to the recommended water height for the skimmer I’m using which I will go over later.
Plumbing/overflow:
For my overflow bow I didn’t care to be too crazy I just wanted something cost effective and functional. With my smaller nano tanks in the past I never used a sump or overflow which Made this all very new to me. So after research about flow rates and GPH and all that madness I ended up ordering an internal overflow kit from reefcreators. I went with the 700gph kit which was plenty for this tank size. The best part was it came with the overflow, the bulk head AND!! The hole saw to drill my 40B. This was a big plus for me because just the hole saw brand new at the big box stores cost double of what this entire kit was together, shipped to my front door. I do a lot of woodworking and projects in my spare time so drilling this tank for me was a breeze. I got my overflow box siliconed in got my bulkhead put in, I also went with the same size bulkhead for my return line, now I’m ready to do the plumbing. I went with 3/4” intake pipes and return lines and got everything ran nice and easy down to my sump. Also got the recommended air breather drilled into the top 90 degrees elbow to cut down on overflow “gurgle”
Proposed equipment:
Keep in mind I know there are tons of options out there and everyone has good and bad experiences with all types of equipment high end and low end. The equipment I want to use is based solely on my research and knowledge with budget in mind.
As of now I have a Jebao DC-4000 controllable return pump in the sump and had that hard plumbed in with my return. It has a disconnect at the pump if and when I need to disconnect for cleaning etc.
To get my tank up and running initially I will be going with the following,
-Eheim 150 or 200w Heater with an ink bird heater controller
-SCA-301 skimmer
-2x Jebao SW4 wave makers
-coral box A100 dual sensor ATO
I have read and seen a ton of reviews and personally used Jebao equipment and have had great success to this point and will continue to use them on this build (again functionality and cost savings for me is pretty key)
In the future I will be wanting to go for an SPS dominant tank, so once dosing becomes necessary I have been looking at the Jebao Dp-3 or Dp-4 dosing pumps.
NOW - for the highly debatable lighting question....
I have ran a variety of lighting fixtures in the past from eBay Chinese black boxes to Kessils. On this build I want to try something different. I know the rave is all about Ecotechs Radions and Ai’s primes and hydras, but I’m very much interested in the bigger picture of reef keeping and really getting down to the basics of the effects of lighting spectrums on coral growth. I’ve done months of research on T5s and MH VS Led and now the T5/led hybrids. There are so many options it’s over whelming! This prices can reach thousands of dollars for fixtures when to me this hobby and these corals have been kept and grown in home aquariums for a very long time and it seems that we’ve gotten more hyped over brand names versus what is actually needed. I have actually lost sleep over this topic trying to figure out what I am going to light this SPS dominant tank with. I personally like that a lot of fixtures can be timed and programmed on the fixture itself. The WIFI and Bluetooth options are nice but I’m weary of the mysterious lost connection between mobile devices and internet service which I’ve delt with at home with everyday items like computers, TVs tablets etc. what happens when I lose control of thousands of dollars of reef life due to a fried tank?
Anyways I’m intrigued by options such as the
-Noopsyche K7 pro ii
-Reefbreeder photon series
-Rapid Led
Just to name a few, I know I could drop a ton of money go with the famous brands such Ecotech or aqua illumination but I’m curious to see if these other brands can work just as well if not better!
Next steps in my build will be my aqua scape and getting my tank cycled.
Finally I will be using the RO buddie 4 stage RODI unit and creating a storage station using brute containers.
Thanks for reading! I look forward to updating as I move along.
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