I'm Thinking of Getting Back In - Dollar per gallon sale ends tmw

[Terefel]

Hi all!

I was thinking about setting my 24G Aquapod back up after 3 years of it being broken down, but now I could really use some advice. After pulling it out of storage I realized I no longer had my stand, pumps, heater and all the other miscellaneous - instead all I have is a 24G Aquapod, 70W Sunpod that needs a new bulb, a Koralia 1 and a 1/15 chiller (with hoses).

I had to think long and hard about it, but I think I've come to the conclusion that I wasn't happy enough with my old AIO setup to justify the money I would need to resurrect it, despite that clearly being the easier and cheaper option than starting anew with a bigger setup. I think as a beginner I just had a tough time with the minor fluctuations that are inherent in some of the nano-tanks, and my coral never got happy.

Nonetheless, I've been doing copious amounts of research into the time and components involved in setting up a 40B with a sump. It's pretty overwhelming but I feel like I've got a pretty good grasp of the pieces needed (though not the expense) of setting it up, with much thanks to the BulkReefSupply "Setting up a Saltwater Aqurium" youtube series.

The Petco sale ends tomorrow and they have a 40B and 20g in stock... I have no stand (and doubt my ability to build one) nor any of the other pieces, so that's a completely different issue, but I guess at this point what I'm really looking for are any thoughts (or therapy) available. (Talk about an open ended question, or not even being a question at all; sorry!)

[maddmaxx]

well a 40B is a sweet tank. and a 20 sump is good. If they have a 20Long that would be better. and as far as a stand/ canopy, im sure you have some friends that can help. very simple to build. there are 6 bulb T5 fixtures on e bay that are cheap. you don't always have to shoot for the moon on equipment, you can get jaboe wavemakers for cheap also, and so far they are really good pumps. gunna need a return pump, heater, and I would spend the most money on a good quality skimmer...

[Terefel]

Thank you maddmaxx! I've not looked into 20longs yet... I will look into those dimensions and plan accordingly; to be honest I hadn't even known there was a 20L; maybe I've been looking at them in these videos all along without knowing any differently.

Appreciate the guidance on slowly building the system too. I imagine that, while it may be slightly more expensive overtime, it definitely lessens wallet shock.

[dkeller_nc]

I will second the "get a 20 gallon long" thought with regards to a sump. In my opinion (and it's just an opinion), a 20 gallon high is unsuitable as a sump, though it does make a pretty nice nano display tank. The problem is that it's just too tall for its width, which leads to a really cramped space that's difficult to work on when it's at floor height.

As for stands, a 40 gallon breeder is a small enough tank that it's possible to use a sturdy piece of furniture as the stand. Note that when I say "sturdy", I mean an antique from the second-hand store that's actually made of wood rather than "termite barf" (pressboard).

[Roachant]

You can buy the tanks now and buy the other equipment as time goes on when you get more money. And while you wait you can look around for other deals, like eBay and such.
I did what you are proposing, it took me a year to find the time to get it done but I got each item as the year went by, most scond hand or on special and now my tank is set and cycling. The most expensive things I got were the led lights and wood for the stand I built.
Taking it slow will still get you there

[Terefel]

Guys; thanks so much for the great responses. I'm going to go tomorrow to pick up the 40B and the 20L and, as Roachant suggested, I'm going to take it very slowly and pick up quality pieces on special and second hand. Of course, that plan will likely be very difficult to follow once I get the tanks and a stand.

DKeller; thanks for the tips about the stand. My decor is rather modern, so I will likely end up having to enlist friends to help me build something more in that vein, but I'll still keep my eyes out for quality furniture pieces that might work! I had an idea of buying and then bracing one of the plainer/more modern bathroom vanities available at home depot. My research has shown me that a few people have done that with 40Bs, but other posts haven't been that favorable of the idea due to the presence of particle board being submitted to humidity. Lots more research to do.

Thanks again everyone!

[rcmania]

I concur! I had a 20 gallon long for a sump on my 65. It was perfect!

[Roachant]

By the way, I picked up another 40B for 40$ when I was in Maine a few weeks ago. The border guard didn't believe me when I told him how much I had paid for it and wanted to see the receipt.
Love that 1$ per gallon sale!

[JMurphy97]

Think about a 29 for the sump. Same footprint of a 20 long but taller. That works if you get a skimmer that needs a higher water level while still giving you tons of room incase the power goes out. I have one on my 40 breeder tank.

[Terefel]

Wow 20L or 29. OK, I hadn't thought about skimmer height requirements since I've never had a system with a skimmer before, nor did I think about the amount of overflow required... If you do 29g sump though, that really would cut down on the amount of room underneath for anything else, like mounting an ato reservoir right? (absent making the stand to be much wider that the 40B footprint or making it rather tall...)

Thanks again; I'm heading over in probably 4 hours so please feel free to let me know if anyone has additional feedback; otherwise the available supply at petco will dictate

[shamus]

Think about the height of your stand and if the 29 gallon will fit and still allow you to get your simmer in and out for maintenance. If you build a stand you can make it taller inside.

[spieszak]

Just an FYI, I know of two people who have been told at the register that my local petco's exclude the 40b from the $1 per gallon sale...both asked for a manager, and got the pricing though. So, if you go after the 40b, be prepared to "fight for it" if they give you the run around.

[Terefel]

Thanks! I'll fight the good fight for the 40.

Can someone please tell me how tall skimmers usually are and how much water depth most would need to work? That will help me calculate sump and stand size.

You guys have been awesome; really appreciate you welcoming me back into the fold

[Sun357]

Love my 40B. Skimmers generally are 8" in water give or take an inch or two. I went with a 29G just because I like to oversize but a 20L would be a great sump.

[Terefel]

Thanks Fred! If I was planning on running a refugium with live sand and macro in the sump does the 20L still cut it or would I need to go with the 29? I'm thinking that maybe I need more depth if I was going to do a DSB? (haven't researched those yet)

[tanzer16]

One year ago, I went through the exact same research that you are going through now, and I came away from the 1$/gallon sale with the 40B, 20L sump combo......(also a 10G for quarantine, which now serves as my ATO reservoir.....just bought a 20G regular as a replacement quarantine). i couldn't be happier with the combo, and I, too, would say go for the 20L for a sump, as it's plenty tall enough for a skimmer, yet easy to reach in and work on.

I followed a thread on here for sump baffle dimensions which were particular for the skimmer I bought (Reef Octopus NWB-110). I can forward that sump build thread for you if you are interested

I will also post a link to pictures of my stand and tank build so that you can see what the combo looks like. I would definitely recommend building your own stand if you can. The cost to custom build was not that much, and I am very happy with how it came out.

Good luck, and keep us posted on what you decide!

https://picasaweb.google.com/1168449...eat=directlink

[Terefel]

Tanzer - thank you! Perfect timing; I'm heading down to petco in an hour before they close. Your pictures are amazingly helpful, especially as they relate to the stand. I will definitely be in touch regarding the sump build thread. Thanks again!