Dragonfish's 40B Build Log

DragonFish · 06/22/2009, 03:14 PM

Well, I'm far enough along now to start posting my log. I took down my 33 Oceanic cube recently (bought by a local reefer with a build thread in this forum!) and have been slowly working on my 40 Breeder. I don't have a lot of spare wall space and I wanted a shallow tank so the 40B seemed to be the ideal size. Basic specs are below, and I'll keep the chat to a minimum

40 gallon AGA Breeder
DIY stand inspired by several stands in the DIY forum
29 Gallon perma-sump (I'll explain later)
4 x 39w Tek T5HO
Drilled with center DIY Mailbox overflow
Rio Seio powerheads (to be replaced)
Rio HF10 return pump

Step one: Surface prep. Once requirement my wife had for setting up a new tank was to replace the old carpet. This is the result.

This is the basic frame of the stand, built using the DIY Stand Calculator in the DIY section.

And the finished stand. I love the way it turned out, and am especially happy with the access panel handles.

Tank on finished stand.

Last pic for now, holes!

More pics tonight. Thanks for reading!

Shane Hoffman · 06/22/2009, 03:29 PM

The stand is beautiful...you dont often see folks go with white nowadays...I like it..

The floor looks good. Ver classy when combined with the white..your wife has an eye for decor...

E.intheC · 06/22/2009, 03:58 PM

looks great! I am starting a 40 breeder soon as well, so I'll be tagging along for sure

Jeff · 06/22/2009, 05:05 PM

Looks great! Why no hinges on the door?

DragonFish · 06/22/2009, 07:33 PM

I liked the functionality of a large access panel better than doors.

DragonFish · 06/23/2009, 08:46 AM

A few new pictures to add. Sorry for the crappy camera-phone pics, my camera battery died.

This is the perma-sump. Basically a perma-sump is one that is wedged so tightly into the stand that the only way it's coming out is in more than one piece

Next the mailbox overflow. Sorry I didn't get any progress pics of this, but it was pretty easy.
Before:

After:

Next up, the foam/rock wall. I'll get more pics of that, I promise!

Toddrtrex · 06/23/2009, 08:59 AM

Looking good. Glad that you didn't end up selling this tank, though I did think about it, but I already have one of yours.

DragonFish · 06/23/2009, 09:04 AM

Now that you mention it, I have an old Eclipse 6 I could sell you

Love the way the 33 turned out, have you had any trouble with that LTA walking? I had an RBTA that took a walk and stung the crap out of my blue candy cane

Toddrtrex · 06/23/2009, 09:10 AM

LOL If I am going to get another tank it is going to be bigger then that.

The other day I turned up the return pump a tiny bit, which caused the LTA to move to the other side of the rock cove -- a move of 3". But, other than that it hasn't moved since it settled into the tank. Though I am thinking about removing the LTA and putting one of my Haddonis in there, to see if the SI percs regain some of their black.

DragonFish · 06/25/2009, 08:21 AM

Got some work done on the rock wall last night, will post some updated pictures tonight.

Sugar Magnolia · 06/25/2009, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DragonFish
I had an RBTA that took a walk and stung the crap out of my blue candy cane

My rbta is on the move right now.

Thankfully, no corals nearby.

This looks really good so far. Neat idea using the mailbox!

E.intheC · 06/25/2009, 09:08 AM

Do you forsee any chemical reactions with the mailbox? I'd be concerned about the saltwater corrosion.

DragonFish · 06/25/2009, 09:36 AM

Its polypropylene so it should be fine.

DragonFish · 07/08/2009, 11:16 PM

The rock wall is finally done! I used the standard recipe, egg crate, Great Stuff foam, resin and sand. Sorry for the crappy camera-phone pic, still haven't gotten a new battery.

redfishsc · 07/09/2009, 03:55 AM

Can I say "rock on"! Very cool work!

spleify · 07/09/2009, 07:26 AM

Nice job so far. Nice job on that stand.

Keep up the great work

DragonFish · 08/02/2009, 10:26 PM

We have water!

One thing I have to do, I used cheap Lowe's acrylic for the sump baffles and the last one bowed so much that the water on the return side was actually oscillating! So this weekend I'll have some nice 1/4" glass baffles cut, drain the sump and silicone them in.

Snakebyt · 08/02/2009, 10:39 PM

how tall is your stand? Im going to be setting up a 40 breeder soon as well

DragonFish · 08/02/2009, 10:43 PM

Right about 36".

Toddrtrex · 08/03/2009, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DragonFish
We have water!

One thing I have to do, I used cheap Lowe's acrylic for the sump baffles and the last one bowed so much that the water on the return side was actually oscillating! So this weekend I'll have some nice 1/4" glass baffles cut, drain the sump and silicone them in.

How think is the acrylic? I used 1/4" (( pretty sure that is the size )) acrylic baffles (( from Home Depot, sure it is very similar to the Lowes stuff )) on all my sumps, and haven't had any issues.

DragonFish · 08/03/2009, 09:32 AM

I'd say closer to 1/8". They feel pretty stiff but I wasn't expecting the kind of pressure they'd be under.

Toddrtrex · 08/03/2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DragonFish
I'd say closer to 1/8". They feel pretty stiff but I wasn't expecting the kind of pressure they'd be under.

The only time I have used 1/8" is for the middle baffle (( over, under over )), since the water pressure is the same on both sides. The main reason I use acrylic is because I don't trust my measuring, easier to bend acrylic if the baffle is slightly too big.

DragonFish · 08/07/2009, 02:38 PM

Couple pics of my clown and moonlights. Can anyone tell if she is a perc or ocelaris?

Toddrtrex · 08/07/2009, 03:18 PM

Looks like an O to me.

While it isn't 100% accurate, the eye is a good starting off point. The ring for O's is cloudy, whereas it is clear in Percs.

Here is my Perc pair (( in your old tank

)), can see the clear ring.

Jared J · 10/22/2009, 08:23 PM

Any updates? Can you post some pics on how the door is held on?

06/22/2009, 03:14 PM	#1
DragonFish Unregistered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI Posts: 1,988	Dragonfish's 40B Build Log Well, I'm far enough along now to start posting my log. I took down my 33 Oceanic cube recently (bought by a local reefer with a build thread in this forum!) and have been slowly working on my 40 Breeder. I don't have a lot of spare wall space and I wanted a shallow tank so the 40B seemed to be the ideal size. Basic specs are below, and I'll keep the chat to a minimum 40 gallon AGA Breeder DIY stand inspired by several stands in the DIY forum 29 Gallon perma-sump (I'll explain later) 4 x 39w Tek T5HO Drilled with center DIY Mailbox overflow Rio Seio powerheads (to be replaced) Rio HF10 return pump Step one: Surface prep. Once requirement my wife had for setting up a new tank was to replace the old carpet. This is the result. This is the basic frame of the stand, built using the DIY Stand Calculator in the DIY section. And the finished stand. I love the way it turned out, and am especially happy with the access panel handles. Tank on finished stand. Last pic for now, holes! More pics tonight. Thanks for reading!

06/22/2009, 03:29 PM	#2
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	The stand is beautiful...you dont often see folks go with white nowadays...I like it.. The floor looks good. Ver classy when combined with the white..your wife has an eye for decor... __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef

06/22/2009, 03:58 PM	#3
E.intheC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,373	looks great! I am starting a 40 breeder soon as well, so I'll be tagging along for sure __________________ -Eric

06/22/2009, 05:05 PM	#4
Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 11,907	Looks great! Why no hinges on the door? __________________ Always remember.... any time you reef, you also reef with every reefer that reefer has reefed with. Mitch 2/18/10 IWNFT343F Current Tank Info: Innovative Marine 20

06/23/2009, 08:59 AM	#7
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Looking good. Glad that you didn't end up selling this tank, though I did think about it, but I already have one of yours. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

06/22/2009, 07:33 PM	#5
DragonFish Unregistered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI Posts: 1,988	I liked the functionality of a large access panel better than doors.

06/23/2009, 08:46 AM	#6
DragonFish Unregistered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI Posts: 1,988	A few new pictures to add. Sorry for the crappy camera-phone pics, my camera battery died. This is the perma-sump. Basically a perma-sump is one that is wedged so tightly into the stand that the only way it's coming out is in more than one piece Next the mailbox overflow. Sorry I didn't get any progress pics of this, but it was pretty easy. Before: After: Next up, the foam/rock wall. I'll get more pics of that, I promise!

06/23/2009, 09:04 AM	#8
DragonFish Unregistered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI Posts: 1,988	Now that you mention it, I have an old Eclipse 6 I could sell you Love the way the 33 turned out, have you had any trouble with that LTA walking? I had an RBTA that took a walk and stung the crap out of my blue candy cane

06/23/2009, 09:10 AM	#9
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	LOL If I am going to get another tank it is going to be bigger then that. The other day I turned up the return pump a tiny bit, which caused the LTA to move to the other side of the rock cove -- a move of 3". But, other than that it hasn't moved since it settled into the tank. Though I am thinking about removing the LTA and putting one of my Haddonis in there, to see if the SI percs regain some of their black. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

06/25/2009, 08:21 AM	#10
DragonFish Unregistered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI Posts: 1,988	Got some work done on the rock wall last night, will post some updated pictures tonight.

06/25/2009, 09:08 AM	#12
E.intheC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,373	Do you forsee any chemical reactions with the mailbox? I'd be concerned about the saltwater corrosion. __________________ -Eric

06/25/2009, 09:36 AM	#13
DragonFish Unregistered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI Posts: 1,988	Its polypropylene so it should be fine.

07/08/2009, 11:16 PM	#14
DragonFish Unregistered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI Posts: 1,988	The rock wall is finally done! I used the standard recipe, egg crate, Great Stuff foam, resin and sand. Sorry for the crappy camera-phone pic, still haven't gotten a new battery.

07/09/2009, 03:55 AM	#15
redfishsc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 3,696	Can I say "rock on"! Very cool work! __________________ "The measure of a life is not its duration but its donation." Corrie Ten Boom “The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins” -- Søren Kierkegaard Current Tank Info: ghetto grad school reef.....11g rimless tank, 36X9X9, lit by Cree and Rebels scobbled together. Stocked mostly with free stuff I got from panhandling my fellow reefers.

07/09/2009, 07:26 AM	#16
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	Nice job so far. Nice job on that stand. Keep up the great work __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

08/02/2009, 10:26 PM	#17
DragonFish Unregistered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI Posts: 1,988	We have water! One thing I have to do, I used cheap Lowe's acrylic for the sump baffles and the last one bowed so much that the water on the return side was actually oscillating! So this weekend I'll have some nice 1/4" glass baffles cut, drain the sump and silicone them in.

08/02/2009, 10:39 PM	#18
Snakebyt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Lubbock Tx Posts: 2,141	how tall is your stand? Im going to be setting up a 40 breeder soon as well

08/02/2009, 10:43 PM	#19
DragonFish Unregistered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI Posts: 1,988	Right about 36".

08/03/2009, 09:32 AM	#21
DragonFish Unregistered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI Posts: 1,988	I'd say closer to 1/8". They feel pretty stiff but I wasn't expecting the kind of pressure they'd be under.

08/07/2009, 02:38 PM	#23
DragonFish Unregistered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pleasant Prairie, WI Posts: 1,988	Couple pics of my clown and moonlights. Can anyone tell if she is a perc or ocelaris?

08/07/2009, 03:18 PM	#24
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Looks like an O to me. While it isn't 100% accurate, the eye is a good starting off point. The ring for O's is cloudy, whereas it is clear in Percs. Here is my Perc pair (( in your old tank )), can see the clear ring. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

10/22/2009, 08:23 PM	#25
Jared J Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 431	Any updates? Can you post some pics on how the door is held on?