New in California 40 breeder build

[cilyjr]

After I got a divorce last year I decided to have a midlife crisis and change my career and move across the country! I'm doing all of this I had to take down my 180 gallon in wall Reef that has been running since 2009. It's been almost a year and I'm ready to set up again. Going a lot smaller this time with a 40 breeder. Honestly I don't think I'd ever go that big again. Can't see myself in anything larger than a 100 gallon. For now, the 40 breeder will be just fine.
I saved most of my equipment and will be reusing my Apex pumps in lights that I had over a frag tank. I bought a new return pump and a new skimmer. My old skimmer would have been much too large for this tank.

Tank will be:
Standard 40b drilled with a eshopps overflow box.
20l sump.
2x ecotech mp40s (overkill I know but more to follow...)
Apex classic
2x hydra 26hd
1x sol blue (supplement)
Bubble magus curve 5 skimmer
Jecod dcs 4000 return
CA reactor to be added when ca demands exceed kalk dosing
I saved my carbon doser regulator!

I'll be building the stand and Cabinetry slowly over the next few weeks.
Thanks for checking this out!

 

[cilyjr]

Here's what I've done so far!

 

[cilyjr]

 

[High ICP]

Nice little basic setup

I had a couple with drilled overflows boxes

Ill try and remember name, they worked perfectly in that setup

 

[High ICP]

Nm

You already got it

 

[cilyjr]

I will likely start to skin stand next week. I'm trying to find a way that I can have a hood that can be raised and lowered via the gas shock or something. I want it to be able to sit right on top of the tank or have it elevated like a floating canopy should I desire that. If anyone has any great suggestions I'd love to see them!

 

[Reeferguy365]

Looks great so far! That stand is going to be sweet. I wish I built mine that clean. I love how you built a compartment for the electronics.

 

[KrisReef]

Welcome to California!
Nice new reef you are setting up there!

 

[cilyjr]

Welcome to California!
Nice new reef you are setting up there!

Ty.
I'm on the central coast. Can't beat sunny and 70 all year!

 

[cilyjr]

Looks great so far! That stand is going to be sweet. I wish I built mine that clean. I love how you built a compartment for the electronics.

I had an entire fish room before. My apartment is small and I won't have that for a while so it's really important for me to keep everything organized. The other thing is I know what I want out of this build so it's much easier to do that as opposed to my old build where I was always changing things

 

[cilyjr]

To raise and lower the canopy I'm thinking of using the bottom half of a cast iron bar clamp. I'll just space the tabs so they're accessible from the sides. And I will not use the actual clamping part. The only issue I see so far is that the bars will be exposed above the tank if the canopy is all the way down. I might be able to do something artistic with it. Not sure yet though

 

[cilyjr]

Cast iron bars will definitely rest. I wonder if there is a way to use the bar clamp clamping mechanism on something that is not cast iron.

Does anyone know if a gas shock can be used to raise and lower something vertically rather than a hinge the door?

 

[cilyjr]

Getting further along.

 

[First-time Reefer]

Really slick setup so far *thumbsup*. Subbed.

 

[AquaLifeStudio]

I love your wood work. You should show some closeups of the details.

 

[Hemmdog]

Looks great! Welcome to CA!

 

[cilyjr]

I love your wood work. You should show some closeups of the details.

If I did that you'd see how bad it really is...
It going to be painted so caulking will be my friend.

Thanks everyone else for stopping in!

 

[SammieT]

Pretty sleek design, i like it

welcome to R2R

and welcome to Cali!

 

[litenyaup]

Very clean setup!! Sorry to hear about the divorce, but tank looks good!!

 

[cilyjr]

Thanks all. Got some more done yesterday.