40 breeder fowler/semi reef build

So I got a 40 breeder from the $1 a gallon sale and my mind is buzzing. I originally wanted just a fowlr, then a fowlr with a few shrooms to a reef. In reality I just wish to start with a few shrooms and not have to upgrade a bunch of stuff later.

So, empty 40 in my living room floor



I'm hoping this light will be ok for almost anything I want to grow, even if the hard corals need to be placed higher up, what do y'all think? :

Fixture will be 36" like the tank.

I'm thinking a 4" sand bed ( 106 lbs ) of sand brought back from Florida when my parents get back from vacation. Is that cool? Ill be taking this slow and adding equipment over time so with the free sand ( if I can use it ). I know I need, salt water from lfs for $1 a gallon, and I'm going to put a hob filter from a old 20 long just to move the water a little until I'm ready to move on. Should I feed the " live sand "?

Further plans will be 2 power heads on either side of my pile of live rock. I'm thinking 400 gph each, is that cool?

What's a good type of live rock? Or just any lfs rock? Should I do 1/2 lb per gallon? And add a little base rock?

I plan on using a protein skimmer rated for 100 gallons, sound good?

I have a heater for a 20 gal I will re-use along with buying another for a 20 just incase something goes wrong.

Ill also pick up a refractometer during one of the trips to the store.


Ah - the list.

2 clowns eventually an anemone ( bubble tip?)

Yellow watchman goby and a tiger shrimp

Star fish - eventually

Some type of fire fish maybe

Jaw fish maybe ( still need to research more )

That's all I've thought of so far. I'm taking opinions gladly!!

I'm not into six lines, just FYI.

Would like other gobies/shrimps that could fit in

Not picky on snails

Oh! I forgot to mention I will most likely build my own stand.

Hope to see y'all around and hear some opinions!

Edit : that's blu and Fonda's better half in the pic. I had just gotten home and they were excited

Well, I've torn the drywall out of the closet ( backside of the wall the display tank will go through) so I could get a good look at the studs to figure out what ill need to cut and move. I am going to have to move my a/c thermostat as well as a gfI plug. Neither are big deals. The ac is sliding around a corner and the gfI will move inside the closet to be my power source. I realized I could probably use my 20 long as a sump and I'm probably about to look up prefilters since all this sump stuff is still confusing no matter how much I read and the guy I talked to that builds them wanted $1400. Ill post some pics of the torn up closet after they upload just for fun

 

Just built a 10 gallon sump for my 20 gallon tall reef tank today the kit with all the acrylic pieces I needed was $40 on ebay probably spent $90 all together with silicone,bulk heads, and a bag to go on the input and a return pump. The hob overflow cost me $45 and is rated at 200gph so about $135 not including the plumbing. That light fixture looks like it would work fine and a general rule of thumb the most water circulation you would need would be for hard corals and that's a 30x turn over rate I have about an 80x turn over rate in my 20 gallon tall and that's overkill

 

So you drilled yours? Or did you have it done? Or you used a hob thing? I'm still a little confused. Worried the pump will send too much water back into the tank. Dunno what kinna pump to buy. Can I see a pic of your baffles?

 

I bought a hob overflow so no need to drill. I matched my return pump to my over flow boxes gph rating my hob overflow box is rated at 200gph and the pump I ordered is rated at 190gph couldnt find a 200gph pump for under $50 so I got a 190 for $20.I don't have my sump up and running yet still have to plumb it in

 

Would this work? I plan on drilling. Just want those little things on the inside of tank instead of overflow box hob.



Meant to post that

 

That should work you can put more equipment in there if you wanted to like maybe a pellet reactor,a chiller its all up to you and what you want to spend but that will work for a basic sump

 

So how bad does the overflow box show in the tank?

 

Overflow bix is probably 5" h x 3 1/2" wide and about 1" thick that's the size of the box that goes in the tank the outside box is bigger

 

Pic on tank?

 

HI Mer-max,
The plan looks good so far. The light fixture should be ok for just about anything, save for the highest demand SPS maybe.

With your sump design - you probably don't need the bubble trap before the skimmer. I would run the feed pipe deeper into the water, and just have one piece of baffling in there (the first piece) so that the water flows into the bottom of the skimmer section. Too, if you haven't already built the sump, make sure your skimmer is going to fit! Skimmers tend to have a large foot print, so make sure it fits first, even sacrifice some of the return/live rock section if you have to.

 

How full does a pre filter let you fill your tank? Can anyone recommend one? I've Been looking at this :

I'm worried about not being able to fill my tank very high if I drill a 1 3/4" hole for a 1" bulk head. If I did drill my drain line could I just have PVC come over the back of the tank and dump the water back in?

Hey thanks Ryan. I haven't started building the sump yet, and I won't until I buy the skimmer. I think I will just drill the tank instead of using a pre filter . Less money and looks better IMO. What size pipe would be appropriate for my 40 breeder and 20 long sump?

Edit : at the moment I'm tearing down the wall it will go in and building the frame. Have to get some 2x4s and a buddy sometime this weekend.

 

Do you know what skimmer you're going to get?

Once you know the skimmer, you'll know it's flow rate, then try and match that to a return pump. AI'm for around 5 - 10x flow through the sump.

For example, in my setup (66G display):
My skimmer (Tunze 9011) is about 320GPH
My return pump (Eheim 2000+) is 264-530GPH, I have it set at about 320GPH
Thus my flow through the sump is 320/66 = 4.8x [close enough to 5x ]

So now that I know my flow rates, I had to make sure my plumbing and overflow could handle it. I can't remember the site I used to calculate the linear overflow rate, but if you google "linear overflow calculator", you should be able to find something.

I then used this site to determine plumbing
I have 1.5" standpipe that reduces into 1" under the tank - massive overkill, but I went on the premise that if the pipes start to close up with gunk, they should still be able to handle the flow.

 

No, I haven't found the skimmer yet. From what I read taller is better? I'm not too smart on picking out skinners seeing how this is the first one ill be buying, lol. Any recommendations?

Side note - I'm really enjoying all this planning. Especially since mounting it in the wall is cheaper than a Stand : ). Minus paint. We are actually going to chaulk board paint the bottom of the wall so my daughter can draw on it, as well as see HER fish. I love the building part.

Edit - so a skimmer with 250 gph and a pump of 250 will be cool?

 

Should be ok. Was wondering when ryan would chime in hes helped me alot

 

Yes, I'd agree, you should be fine with 250GPH through the sump and skimmer.

As for skimmers, depends on your budget. I like the Tunze, but the Reef Octopus are excellent value for money too. Yes, height plays a part. There is a belief that the taller the skimmer, the bigger the area for bubbles to form, thus trapping more DOCs.

But remember, you need to be able to service the skimmer in the cabinet (be able to remove the cup). Some manufacturers list the minimum cabinet height in the manual (which can usually be downloaded from their site)

 

Awesome. Ill get to looking up skimmers. What kind of " pump " is used for the return? It's not a normal power head, is it?

 

Yep, just regular powerhead/pumps
Just check it is designed for marine.

 

Ok, awesome. Thanks for all y'all's help. For some reasons sumps were really confusing for me until it clicked one night. I plan to finish the frame in the wall and then buy all the equipment and build the sump, test with tap water and then go get my salt water / live rock from the lfs and start cycling. I will be cutting my hours back at work since I'm starting school again so I'm really going to be bargain hunting but I feel great so far knowing the tank was only $40, I had the 20 long for my sump just lying around and I have an old tank lying around to practice drilling my hole on first.

Do you think my line draining into the sump could be drilled right against the top plastic frame? That way my tank can be as full as possible? I don't like seeing water lines lol.

 

Sounds like a decent plan.

With drilling, I'm not sure how close to the edge you can go. That'd be a question for a glazier or aquarium builder. Have you thought about drilling the bottom of the tank? Then using standpipes you could adjust the height of the water.....

All I know about drilling is that you gotta be patient, and keep the bit square.

 

I just want the bulk head at the top. So that's as low as my water can get.

 

So how bad does the overflow box show in the tank?

Ugly! I'm doing the same as you... 40breeder from the sale and already have a 20 so gonna transfer everything over when I get it done....
BTW good luck on that sand I was at the gulf and brought some back and 20hrs after I got it from the beach the conch I had in there died and killed everything including the live sand and it stained the bucket like the orange turned black that's how toxic the bacteria is when it dies... The dude at my LFS said if one thing dies it'll kill everything else on ocean return trips....
But one good thing you can do after is bleach it then rinse which I wish I had known before I threw it out.... Cause I threw out 30lbs of sand Lol
Here's a pic of mine I drilled the holes like this dude I'm half modeling mine off of on YouTube. $18 diamond hole saw from Home Depot and water and time and your good for a much much cleaner safer look than a hob....

Here's dudes video that I'm modeling off of I almost have all my pipe pieces necessary to get it rolling....

 

What's the third pipe for in the video? ( can't watch from phone ). Also, why is the hole with the white bulk head so low?

 

What's the third pipe for in the video? ( can't watch from phone ). Also, why is the hole with the white bulk head so low?

If you watch the video you'll understand but basically the two outside holes in the inside 90 up then 90 together then u have a pipe in between with a slit down it that's called a skimmer bar it takes top water off... My water level will be up around the black border tho... Then the center is input water... I'm very anal about things being symetrical so I think this looks super clean...

 

It loaded up. Looks like a cool design and I think ill be going with this one.

Just to clear it up - one drain should go to skimmer and one to live rock, right?

 

It loaded up. Looks like a cool design and I think ill be going with this one.

Just to clear it up - one drain should go to skimmer and one to live rock, right?

ya! Good design I'll take pics of it all when I get home that I've done so far... That is how he did it I'm going to as well I believe...

 

Yeah, it looks good and beats a pre filter hanging on my tank. Especially since I'm building mine in the wall. I will really be beefing up the wall since I live in a manufactured home. Someone just came by and bought one of our puppies so ill probably start the framing next weekend or during the week if I can. Wondering where I can find black PVC that small tho, and what kinna check valves are local

I believe ill go with 3 3/4" bulkheads slip by slip and use some 3/4" PVC I have laying around for my out of tank plumbing. Ill have to get some black pipe for the inside. Going to paint the back and sides of tank blue. Maybe the back blue and the sides black. Unsure so far

 

I believe ill go with 3 3/4" bulkheads slip by slip and use some 3/4" PVC I have laying around for my out of tank plumbing. Ill have to get some black pipe for the inside. Going to paint the back and sides of tank blue. Maybe the back blue and the sides black. Unsure so far

Good luck finding a diamond hole saw... The only one in general stores I could find was 1" that's why I went with it but I'm sure you could order the bit online.... Ya I believe I'm going with blue background so I'm going to have to paint as well I think... Gotta find some aquarium safe none water based paint lol

 

I found one online. Not worried about aquarium safe since I'm painting it on the outside and it will be dry long before I put water in it. Probably gunna go black back and blue sides or vice versa.

Just a little update. I got some lumber from work that we used for a project for free and its gunna work great for the part of my stand that the tank sits on. Going to pick up some extra work these next two days and hopefully get some puppies sold and ill get the stand done and tank plumbed and get onto buying equipment. I guess since lights are the highest ill get them last. I don't really have any real blueprints on the stand, since it will be in the closet I'm not worried about looks, just strength and purpose so it'll just be bare 2x4s and 4x4s for the rear legs given they give clearance for my sump.

Well, I ordered my bulkheads, drill bit and flex tubing for my return line. I'm going to stop and get some 2x4s after work and a 4x4 for the rear legs. I also picked up some 3/4 conduit from work for my surface skimmer, ill have to get some 90s when I get my lumber.

Simple update - I got the top part the tank sits on rebuilt, I didn't like the way I originally had it. As soon as my batteries charge up ill finish screwing in the extra studs I put in to sure up the wall. I got my back legs cut and ready to go on, ended up using two 4ft 2x4s screwed together because I ruined my only 4x4 trying to get a straight cut and it was unlevel lol. My mom did bring me back two 5 gallon buckets of sand from Florida and I will most likely use that if I like the look of it. Hopefully Monday evening I will have the tank drilled and up in the wall for a test run with fresh water.

Edit : here's a pic, still have to do midway bracing and cut my drywall out/ frame the outside but I hung off the stand and tried to shake it and she ain't moving. Oh and I had literally zero clearance getting the tank in the closet, the sump will be the same I'm sure lol

 

Very nice! I just got my stand today! Put her together and its perfect size!!! Can't wait for my pump to arrive! The eheim my buddy gave me was broke so had to buy one so that'll push the skimmer back a bit... I'll take pica when I get home I keep forgetting and I got called into work unsuspected tonight...
Looks like a great start! That's how I was gonna doit with the 2x4s but a good deal came up so we pulled the trigger! Keep the updates coming bro!

 

I went with the wall mount for the price. So far I'm $44 in lol. About $60 for bulkheads, drill bit and flex tube and $40 for the tank so I'm pleased so far

So I finished my stand. I've got two small 2x4 pieces to screw in and the header is done, then I have to cut the dry wall out, and find my trim pieces I want. Monday my bulkheads will be here and ill drill the tank and plumb it in, pics in a bit

Ok, well I cut my drywall hole and cut my two top trim pieces, have to get some finishing nails before I can trim the edges but I took some pics, I know the edges look rough but the trim hides it all.

My drill bit and bulkheads will be here tomorrow and ill be drilling the tank and then setting up my plumbing. I'm excited!!!

 

Very nice! Here's mine.... I still need to make a thread so I quit thread jacking yours!

 

It's cool. Post more! Do you used two 90s and a pup for your surface skimmer, I was going to try just one 90 on each side.

 

I'm assuming you just measured a equal amount down for the drilling location? Also - why blue pipe? And why so large? I'm using 3/4 grey conduit

 

It's cool. Post more! Do you used two 90s and a pup for your surface skimmer, I was going to try just one 90 on each side.

Ya you have to use 2 90s to make it meet in the middle BC you can't drill to close to the top of the glass or it'll break they say.... And I'm just going to drill holes in the top for it to drain into... Still have to do that...

I'm assuming you just measured a equal amount down for the drilling location? Also - why blue pipe? And why so large? I'm using 3/4 grey conduit

Ya I put the whole inside together then found where I would get the most water in my tank aka highest point and used a highlighter and drew a circle around the connector then measured it out on the other side and drew a circle over there then held it up in place to make sure it looked level and correct then drilled the holes...
And I actually spray painted the conduit blue to match the blue backing that's going on the back of the tank so its not an eye sore... It should blend right into the water and the backing... I used 1" BC that's what size bit I could find at HD... And I always want there to be plenty of drainage area BC it can only drain as much as the pump pushes now... I won't have to worry about making sure I don't have the pump turned up to high...

 

What kind of blue paint is safe?

Well, I got the tank drilled. Talk about a stressful situation. The drill kept wanting to walk on me so I thought I would list my advice
1) use your drill on high, it had less time to walk and on the third hole I didn't even scratch the surrounding area
2) use a good bit of pressure until you get a ring your bit won't walk out of and then just let the weight of the drill do the work
3) use lots of water. It makes a white blob of stuff.

Anyway, I also painted the back and sides of the tank safety blue as well as my pipe.

I also tacked my trim into place.

 

Very nice! Coming together well!!! I used rustoleum spray paint... The type that's meant for outdoors so I figured it should be fine.... And as long as you run fw thru it all for a while before you put your sw in it should get rid of any toxins plus rinsing it before of course...

 

I used the same paint lol

Tonight ill do a second coat and try to plumb it all as well as measure for baffles, hind sight- do I even need baffels with a skimmer?

Ok so I got it in and mostly plumbed. I have to figure out how to hook up my 3/4 flex line to my 3/4 bulk head for my return in the middle. Hoping to go get all my pumps/skimmers on Sunday as well as some water. Anyway - a few pics.
Right side return


My recliner view


My overflow blue paint matched perfectly


Left drain to sump



Tonight I will glue my plumbing, make the slit for my surface skimmer and get ready for a fw test

 

Well I tried a test run with my 160 gph power head I use in my 55 and it would only push it halfway up the tube to the DT. How do I know what size I need to get to be efficient? My test run is on hold until then

 

With pumps there should be a gph and a maximum lift number. The higher the lift the lower the gph. I believe you can find some charts if you search online for it. Your going to need to find a pump that will move 160gph at X lift height.

 

I believe I'm going with a mag 7