Postal's 40 Breeder / 25 Cube / 40 Breeder build

Postal · 06/13/2010, 08:12 PM

Ok, so first things first. This will be a slow process. So you have been warned.

I have a 9ft long wall in the house that has been just been begging for a tank. I didn't have the funds to purchase the 8' x 2' x 2' system that I initially wanted so I transformed that desire to this relatively unique (I think) idea.

The system will consist a 3 tanks plumbed together and running as one system. I will have a 40 Breeder on each side of a 25g cube. Each tank will have it's own distinct livestock that might not prosper as well if they were all in one tank.

The first 40 breeder will contain all zoas, palys, and LPS. A starry blenny, possum wrasse, and leopard wrasse that I currently have will call this tank home along with another small fish or two. Lighting for this tank will consist of 4 t5's in a retrofit kit.

The 25 cube will contain azoo corals only. I have a couple nice sun corals and a dendro currently and will hopefully find some other nice non-photosynthetic corals to add to the tank. The only fish in this tank will be 3-4 shrimpfish or some pipefish/seahorses. Lighting will be provided by 2-3 Stunner LED strips. By using the Stunner strips I am hoping to provide enough light to make the tank visually appealing, but not provide enough PAR for algae to grow.

The final 40 Breeder will contain my current pair of GSM clowns with a nice large carpet anemone when I can find one. The tank will also be filled with all types of macro algae to give it a planted tank feel while providing some nutrient export. No other livestock will be in this tank so it should act as a bit of a refugium as well.

So that is the plan. Please feel free to offer any tips, suggestions, or critiques.

Thanks

Postal · 06/13/2010, 08:22 PM

Before I started on the stand I purchased a Kreg jig. This thing is great. It really adds stability and strength to the stand.

It only takes moments to drill pocket holes after to set the jig to the correct measurements.

Here are the 3 stands joined together and sealed.

And no comments about all the junk in the background!! We are building the stand in my dad's garage since he has more room than I do. Our dogs have free rein of our garage and yard during the day and I didn't want to leave the stand to the tender mercies of a young dog and teething puppy.

Here it is with the 1/4" oak plywood that will cover the stand. We were marking the holes for the doors in preparation of cutting them out.

The stand will be stained a nice dark walnut and then be protected with a Waterlox finish.

Postal · 06/15/2010, 06:02 PM

The doors from www.cabinetdoorsandhardware were delivered today.
I must say that I was pleasantly surprised with the quality considering the phenomenally good pricing that I received.
Anyone buying doors from anywhere else is crazy.

MCCOOL · 06/15/2010, 06:52 PM

Wow, those doors are cheap. So you're happy with the quality? Can we get pics? I might be placing an order soon.

Postal · 06/15/2010, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCCOOL

Wow, those doors are cheap. So you're happy with the quality? Can we get pics? I might be placing an order soon.

They are not as good as some of the doors I looked at that were $60 each, but they are a 1/4 of the price. I got them unfinished so that I could stain to match and they will be perfect for that. They are definitely good solid oak doors.
I will get some pics up later tonight or tomorrow night.

MCCOOL · 06/15/2010, 07:07 PM

Sweet good to hear, thanks. The stand is looking great, I love the idea of the 3 seperate tanks.

blindskater02 · 06/15/2010, 07:21 PM

Looks great so far Lee!

greech · 06/15/2010, 07:23 PM

Very cool idea!

Postal · 06/15/2010, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blindskater02

Looks great so far Lee!

Thanks, Rob.
It would going better if I had a nice red haddoni waiting in my frag tank for the finished build.

Postal · 06/15/2010, 08:31 PM

Here are a couple pics about the doors.
Again I can't say enough good things about the purchase. I called them up, gave the size of the holes that I needed covered, and they gave me a list of doors and hinges that would work. Ordered on a Friday and delivered the next Tuesday.

Postal · 06/19/2010, 10:58 PM

Finally spent a little time on the stand today. The front and one side are now skinned in 1/4 oak plywood. Here are a couple pics with the doors laid on the front to show how they will look once mounted. I had to stand on a step stool so the angle is a little strange.
Now I only need to skin the other end, and stain and protect the base before it can be moved to my house to start the plumbing.

CMcNeil · 06/21/2010, 08:56 PM

This is going to be a really cool setup Lee

Pnoytoitz · 06/21/2010, 09:03 PM

Looks like you are going POSTAL with this built.

Postal · 06/21/2010, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMcNeil

This is going to be a really cool setup Lee

Thanks, Chris.

It will be interesting to see if I can turn the vision in my head into reality.
So far the stand has turned out WAY better than I expected considering I have no idea what the hell I am doing.

bagged87blayzer · 06/21/2010, 09:29 PM

I am going to follow this thread. This looks like it is going to be AWESOME!

GlassReef · 06/22/2010, 06:33 AM

Looks great, Lee! I must say, you are quite the cabinet maker. Very impressive. I'm subscribed.

chimmike · 06/22/2010, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Postal

So far the stand has turned out WAY better than I expected considering I have no idea what the hell I am doing.

Hahaha nice!

CMcNeil · 06/22/2010, 07:26 PM

Well for not knowing what your doing,it's coming out sweet.and you can't beat those doors for price/quality.

reefrubble · 06/22/2010, 10:19 PM

Very nice job Lee. I can hardly wait to see it finished . keep posting up dates .

Ted

Postal · 06/25/2010, 08:36 PM

Here are a few pics of the stand after being stained with Minwax Dark Walnut stain.
After a few days to dry completely, I will finish it off with several coats of Waterlox to protect the finish.
I still need to stain the doors and add all the trim. Then it is on to the canopies which are currently just frames.

At least when the stand if finished, I can move it to my house and start setting up the plumbing and so forth.

Lariviere · 07/03/2010, 06:56 PM

love it! any updates? thanks for sharing.

Postal · 07/03/2010, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lariviere

love it! any updates? thanks for sharing.

I spent a couple weeknights covering the stand with 3 coats of Waterlox. I love some of the properties of this stuff, but you better have some GOOD ventilation if you use it!

The stand will be making the move to my house on Monday or next weekend. Then the real work starts...

Oh, I did pick up a nice purple gorgonian for the NPS tank while at the LFS today.

Dave VG · 07/04/2010, 06:49 AM

Nice any pics of your current tank?

Postal · 07/04/2010, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave VG

Nice any pics of your current tank?

I don't really have a current tank. My 75g is up for sale and only consists of LR and the few fish that will make the move. All of my corals have been moved to a 20L frag tank and a 30g spare tank.

Pallobi · 07/04/2010, 07:18 AM

i really like your idea for your build.. i'm a huge fan of 40b's and so far i like what you got goin... kudo's my friend

06/13/2010, 08:12 PM	#1
Postal Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL Posts: 2,707	Postal's 40 Breeder / 25 Cube / 40 Breeder build Ok, so first things first. This will be a slow process. So you have been warned. I have a 9ft long wall in the house that has been just been begging for a tank. I didn't have the funds to purchase the 8' x 2' x 2' system that I initially wanted so I transformed that desire to this relatively unique (I think) idea. The system will consist a 3 tanks plumbed together and running as one system. I will have a 40 Breeder on each side of a 25g cube. Each tank will have it's own distinct livestock that might not prosper as well if they were all in one tank. The first 40 breeder will contain all zoas, palys, and LPS. A starry blenny, possum wrasse, and leopard wrasse that I currently have will call this tank home along with another small fish or two. Lighting for this tank will consist of 4 t5's in a retrofit kit. The 25 cube will contain azoo corals only. I have a couple nice sun corals and a dendro currently and will hopefully find some other nice non-photosynthetic corals to add to the tank. The only fish in this tank will be 3-4 shrimpfish or some pipefish/seahorses. Lighting will be provided by 2-3 Stunner LED strips. By using the Stunner strips I am hoping to provide enough light to make the tank visually appealing, but not provide enough PAR for algae to grow. The final 40 Breeder will contain my current pair of GSM clowns with a nice large carpet anemone when I can find one. The tank will also be filled with all types of macro algae to give it a planted tank feel while providing some nutrient export. No other livestock will be in this tank so it should act as a bit of a refugium as well. So that is the plan. Please feel free to offer any tips, suggestions, or critiques. Thanks

06/15/2010, 07:23 PM	#8
greech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 3,133	Very cool idea! __________________ ~Graham Current Tank Info: Tank: 40 breeder; 20H sump w/SWC 120; Sicce 3.0 return; Vortech MP-10; Sundial T5, DIY Actinic LED (3W Cree). Livestock: Pair of Black & Whites; Midas Blenny; Firefish; Yasha/pistol; Black Leopard Wrasse; LPS and SPS

06/21/2010, 09:03 PM	#13
Pnoytoitz Force is strong in me !!! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Elk Grove, California Posts: 685	Looks like you are going POSTAL with this built. __________________ Ferdie Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes Current Tank Info: 225 Leemar Tank

06/22/2010, 06:33 AM	#16
GlassReef Got Reef Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Weeki Wachee, Florida Posts: 2,501	Looks great, Lee! I must say, you are quite the cabinet maker. Very impressive. I'm subscribed. __________________ Tom No matter how much you try to push the envelope, it remains stationary.

06/22/2010, 10:19 PM	#19
reefrubble Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fort Myers , Fl. Posts: 5,718	Very nice job Lee. I can hardly wait to see it finished . keep posting up dates . Ted __________________ Ted Proud member of SHARK (Spring Hill Area Reef Keepers ) Proud member of TBRC (Tampa Bay Reef Club ) Save the reefs , Grow your own Current Tank Info: Marineland 300 DD Tank Custom metal stand , and canopy DIY LED lighting I-Tech Super Beast skimmer . I do not have a tank at this time . I sold the 300 Gal. system

06/13/2010, 08:22 PM	#2
Postal Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL Posts: 2,707	Before I started on the stand I purchased a Kreg jig. This thing is great. It really adds stability and strength to the stand. It only takes moments to drill pocket holes after to set the jig to the correct measurements. Here are the 3 stands joined together and sealed. And no comments about all the junk in the background!! We are building the stand in my dad's garage since he has more room than I do. Our dogs have free rein of our garage and yard during the day and I didn't want to leave the stand to the tender mercies of a young dog and teething puppy. Here it is with the 1/4" oak plywood that will cover the stand. We were marking the holes for the doors in preparation of cutting them out. The stand will be stained a nice dark walnut and then be protected with a Waterlox finish.

06/15/2010, 06:02 PM	#3
Postal Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL Posts: 2,707	The doors from www.cabinetdoorsandhardware were delivered today. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised with the quality considering the phenomenally good pricing that I received. Anyone buying doors from anywhere else is crazy.

06/15/2010, 06:52 PM	#4
MCCOOL Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,135	Wow, those doors are cheap. So you're happy with the quality? Can we get pics? I might be placing an order soon.

06/15/2010, 07:07 PM	#6
MCCOOL Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,135	Sweet good to hear, thanks. The stand is looking great, I love the idea of the 3 seperate tanks.

06/15/2010, 07:21 PM	#7
blindskater02 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: St.Pete, Florida Posts: 740	Looks great so far Lee!

06/15/2010, 08:31 PM	#10
Postal Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL Posts: 2,707	Here are a couple pics about the doors. Again I can't say enough good things about the purchase. I called them up, gave the size of the holes that I needed covered, and they gave me a list of doors and hinges that would work. Ordered on a Friday and delivered the next Tuesday.

06/19/2010, 10:58 PM	#11
Postal Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL Posts: 2,707	Finally spent a little time on the stand today. The front and one side are now skinned in 1/4 oak plywood. Here are a couple pics with the doors laid on the front to show how they will look once mounted. I had to stand on a step stool so the angle is a little strange. Now I only need to skin the other end, and stain and protect the base before it can be moved to my house to start the plumbing.

06/21/2010, 08:56 PM	#12
CMcNeil Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: St.Petersburg,Florida Posts: 7,368	This is going to be a really cool setup Lee

06/21/2010, 09:29 PM	#15
bagged87blayzer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 918	I am going to follow this thread. This looks like it is going to be AWESOME!

06/22/2010, 07:26 PM	#18
CMcNeil Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: St.Petersburg,Florida Posts: 7,368	Well for not knowing what your doing,it's coming out sweet.and you can't beat those doors for price/quality.

06/25/2010, 08:36 PM	#20
Postal Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL Posts: 2,707	Here are a few pics of the stand after being stained with Minwax Dark Walnut stain. After a few days to dry completely, I will finish it off with several coats of Waterlox to protect the finish. I still need to stain the doors and add all the trim. Then it is on to the canopies which are currently just frames. At least when the stand if finished, I can move it to my house and start setting up the plumbing and so forth.

07/03/2010, 06:56 PM	#21
Lariviere Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 111	love it! any updates? thanks for sharing.

07/04/2010, 06:49 AM	#23
Dave VG Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northeast, Pa Posts: 3,129	Nice any pics of your current tank? __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 40B Display, 40B sump/fuge

07/04/2010, 07:18 AM	#25
Pallobi CTARS, BRS & OSRAS Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 7,001	i really like your idea for your build.. i'm a huge fan of 40b's and so far i like what you got goin... kudo's my friend __________________ Zoas & Palys

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
My new baby: 40 Gallon Rimless Cube	Jboulerice	Florida Marine Aquarium Society (FMAS) - Miami/Ft. Lauderdale	45	10/10/2011 12:42 PM
upster's 40 breeder	upster	Reef Discussion	13	02/01/2010 11:33 PM
WTB: 40 Breeder	phyzy	Chicagoland Marine Aquarium Society (CMAS)	1	11/13/2009 09:33 PM
My 40 Breeder after 7 months	Chris3323	Photography	19	11/11/2009 01:11 AM
My new 40 Gallon Rimless Cube	Jboulerice	Nano Reefs	4	11/07/2009 06:19 PM