40B Build and BS Thread!

bigtank · 08/21/2020, 08:21 PM

I am in the process of moving into my new place here in the Denver area. After being totally out of the hobby for 10 years, I've been looking at options for a reef tank in the new place. I decided to go the popular route of a 40 breeder with a 20L sump. Yes, I know, how original, right?

Since there are probably thousands of people out there with a 40B and 20L sump, I'm sure there is an insane amount of information available. I've seen a lot so far on these tanks. So far I just have the 40B and the 20L, just picked them up today at Petco with the $1/gallon sale. The 40 was actually $50 which is still a pretty good deal. The Petco guy helped me load them into my car, then I humped them up to my 3rd floor condo in Aurora. The 40 was about the most I could handle alone, but I got that sucker up the stairs without too much trouble. My day job is a route sales rep/delivery driver so I'm used to handling heavy-ish boxes.

The goal is for a mixed reef tank with an assortment of soft corals, LPS, and SPS. Possibly an anemone (BTA probably) although I would almost want a dedicated smaller tank for that. I would like some opinions on my equipment thoughts:

1. I'm thinking of going with the Eclipse M overflow and some kind of Loc-Line return.
2. Not sure which return pump to get. Best one for a 40?
3. Not sure on the stand yet. Maybe the Imagitarium Brooklyn 40 stand, listed at $64 on Amazon? Or build one maybe? I'm not experienced at woodworking.
4. For the sump setup, I'm thinking of something like the Oceanbox Reef Reactive Sump Kit: https://oceanboxdesigns.com/product/...long-aquarium/
5. Skimmer, thinking maybe Reef Octopus Classic 110SSS. Or is there a better one in its class for the money?
6. For lighting, my thought for a 40 would be a Reef Breeders Photon 32 V2+. This is $590 at BRS.

bigtank · 08/21/2020, 08:28 PM

Here are the tanks in the dining room of the new place.

bigtank · 09/05/2020, 12:15 PM

The Eclipse M overflow just got here today. It looks very well made and even comes with the template and hole saw for the bulkhead. Last night I ordered most of the rest of my plumbing parts and another hole saw for the 3/4" return bulkhead.

The next step is to drill the tank and paint the back and bottom panels with Rust Oleum in black.

bigtank · 09/05/2020, 01:08 PM

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bigtank · 09/05/2020, 10:56 PM

I just drilled the hole for the overflow. It was actually pretty easy.

08/21/2020, 08:21 PM	#1
bigtank Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Arvada, Colorado Posts: 1,050	40B Build and BS Thread! I am in the process of moving into my new place here in the Denver area. After being totally out of the hobby for 10 years, I've been looking at options for a reef tank in the new place. I decided to go the popular route of a 40 breeder with a 20L sump. Yes, I know, how original, right? Since there are probably thousands of people out there with a 40B and 20L sump, I'm sure there is an insane amount of information available. I've seen a lot so far on these tanks. So far I just have the 40B and the 20L, just picked them up today at Petco with the $1/gallon sale. The 40 was actually $50 which is still a pretty good deal. The Petco guy helped me load them into my car, then I humped them up to my 3rd floor condo in Aurora. The 40 was about the most I could handle alone, but I got that sucker up the stairs without too much trouble. My day job is a route sales rep/delivery driver so I'm used to handling heavy-ish boxes. The goal is for a mixed reef tank with an assortment of soft corals, LPS, and SPS. Possibly an anemone (BTA probably) although I would almost want a dedicated smaller tank for that. I would like some opinions on my equipment thoughts: 1. I'm thinking of going with the Eclipse M overflow and some kind of Loc-Line return. 2. Not sure which return pump to get. Best one for a 40? 3. Not sure on the stand yet. Maybe the Imagitarium Brooklyn 40 stand, listed at $64 on Amazon? Or build one maybe? I'm not experienced at woodworking. 4. For the sump setup, I'm thinking of something like the Oceanbox Reef Reactive Sump Kit: https://oceanboxdesigns.com/product/...long-aquarium/ 5. Skimmer, thinking maybe Reef Octopus Classic 110SSS. Or is there a better one in its class for the money? 6. For lighting, my thought for a 40 would be a Reef Breeders Photon 32 V2+. This is $590 at BRS.

09/05/2020, 12:15 PM	#3
bigtank Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Arvada, Colorado Posts: 1,050	The Eclipse M overflow just got here today. It looks very well made and even comes with the template and hole saw for the bulkhead. Last night I ordered most of the rest of my plumbing parts and another hole saw for the 3/4" return bulkhead. The next step is to drill the tank and paint the back and bottom panels with Rust Oleum in black.

09/05/2020, 01:08 PM	#4
bigtank Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Arvada, Colorado Posts: 1,050	{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\cocoartf2512 \cocoatextscaling1\cocoaplatform1{\fonttbl\f0\fnil\fcharset0 TrebuchetMS;} {\colortbl;\red255\green255\blue255;\red252\green252\blue255;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\expandedcolortbl;;\cssrgb\c98824\c98824\c100000;\cssrgb\c0\c0\c0;} \deftab720 \pard\pardeftab720\partightenfactor0 \f0\fs26 \cf0 \cb2 \expnd0\expndtw0\kerning0 \outl0\strokewidth0 \strokec3 \ }

09/05/2020, 10:56 PM	#5
bigtank Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Arvada, Colorado Posts: 1,050	I just drilled the hole for the overflow. It was actually pretty easy.