Nate's 40 breeder build!

[nate21887]

Alright the beginning may be a little slow as I'm still acquiring equipment but the main component has been purchased, so the thread begins!

The plan:

40 breeder display
20 long sump
Reef octopus 4" needle wheel protein skimmer
Mag 5 return pump
Glass holes 700GPH overflow kit
Dual bulb T5 HO (temporary)
LED's (still deciding fixture)

I'm still researching a stock list for this tank but list will soon be posted!

[aquatic mouse]

Fun! I'm looking forward to watching your progress.

[marinelife]

Will be a fun build!!

[nate21887]

I'm really excited about it!
Stocking list so far is:
Picasso or black clown (pair)
Halfrichi firefish
Yellow watchman or yasha haze goby
Blue/green chromis (3)
Banghia cardinal (3) undecided yet
Pistol shrimp
Skunk cleaner shrimp
Fromia starfish (blue)
Emerald crab
General clean up crew

[chromiumlux]

This is gonna be a great build!!.........following along on this.

[ghurlag]

Awesome!

[nate21887]

So lighting is gonna be my biggest issue apparently. I was planning on using the PAR38 lamps but it will be difficult to conceal them in a canopy so a new route is gonna be needed. I'm defenetly going LED but trying to stay on budget. My next consideration is the fixtures like at coral ranch as these would be approximately the same in price and easier to conceal. So I'm considering if I'm gonna need one or two of them? Or other recommendations?

[nate21887]

http://I1227.Photobucket.com/albums/ee430/nate21887/IMAG0359.jpg

The tank thus far, still going to build my own stand but its a start...hopefuly gonna run the first leak test this weekend

[chromiumlux]

Looks like a good start.

[The Staffords]

+1 on a good start. What types of coral are you going to keep?

[starfishprime]

Looking nice man

[nate21887]

Thanks guys! buying a lot used is saving me tons so this is going a little quicker than expected, which is awesome! As far as coral its gonna be mostly LPS and SPS dominated, I'm still learning names but I'm really liking a lot of LPS I'm finding.

[nate21887]

So I been doing my homework on my coral and I have a small planned list thus far...

Pink birdsnest
Ricordia
Hammer (option 1)
Trumpet (option 2)
Torch (option 3)
Zoas
Acans (tons of these)
Acros (eventually)
Candy Cane Coral
Brain Coral, Favites
Chalice (eventually)

[nate21887]

So I made a little progress this morning...got the initial leak test accomplished this morning...
Is this tank half empty or half full...
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee430/nate21887/IMAG0366.jpg
Got her filled and all seemed well
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee430/nate21887/IMAG0367.jpg

Hopefuly getting to order my overflow kit this weekend...hopefuly

[aquatic mouse]

Half full. You were adding water. If you removed water, it would have been half empty. :P

[chromiumlux]

So I been doing my homework on my coral and I have a small planned list thus far...

Pink birdsnest
Ricordia
Hammer (option 1)
Trumpet (option 2)
Torch (option 3)
Zoas
Acans (tons of these)
Acros (eventually)
Candy Cane Coral
Brain Coral, Favites
Chalice (eventually)

Nate, I have some good books on corals that you can use if you would like to further your research. Dont forget, we have a library available to our members.

[nate21887]

Awesome Andy I would love that, I was still unsure how the library functioned as far as who to contact, but if I could get ahold of a book that would be great. I still need to read up on coral placement in conjunction with other coral.

[nate21887]

So just a small update: The stand was built around the sump tank trapping it in, so that had to be taken apart. Glad I had to do it though because the stand was built pretty poorly, probably avoided a big disaster there. Next step is gonna be leak testing and cleaning the sump sometime this week as well as ordering my overflow/return kits online.

[nate21887]

Update: I traded my 120 gallon this weekend for this...

http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee430/nate21887/IMAG0372.jpg
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee430/nate21887/IMAG0373.jpg

Here is a picture of the rock scape for the moment
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee430/nate21887/IMAG0374.jpg

So this is a temporary home for everything until the 40 is up and running. In with the trade I also got a ASM G2 skimmer and a ATO system, so that is gonna be for the 40 too.
Caught a great deal at the LFS, it had a building shut down sale and marked everything half off so picked up the rest of the equipment that could be bought locally. So now to order the overflow kit, build the stand, and order the glass for the sump. Anyone got advice on how to accurately measure the inside tank dimensions for the glass dividers in a 20L?

[chromiumlux]

Very nice Nate! Is that nano the HQI version? Great trades.

[nate21887]

Yea I thought it worked out well on both ends, its a CFi model retro fitted with three bulbs instead of one.

[ghurlag]

...Anyone got advice on how to accurately measure the inside tank dimensions for the glass dividers in a 20L?
With a 20g tank, I would recommend taking it to the glass shop and having them measure it. I measured mine with a tape measure, and my pieces are a smidge small, but I think I can work out some "silicone forgiveness".

[nate21887]

Good looking out Brian! I didn't think about actually just taking the tank with me, after all its a small tank wouldn't be a very big hassle.

[ghurlag]

yeah, I hemmed and hawed about it, but when it came down to it, I was on the phone for 5 minutes, and for my pieces, it cost me less than $40!

[nate21887]

Nice! I think I've asked before but where did you get your glass? Also read around on the internet lately and read some people using automotive silicone (RTV) as it has no mildew resistant properties, anyone tried or heard of this?

[ghurlag]

I bought mine from a shop in Middletown called Discount Glass. As far as silicone, what I have heard most is people going to Lowe's and Home Depot and buying the GE silicone (100%) that has no mildew fighters.

[nate21887]

Cool need to acquire some of that today hopefuly...taking down the rest of the stand that was for the 120g to get started on the stand for the 40. Discount glass...is that over by the Madison inn

[ghurlag]

Discount Glass is on Crawford St. You are thinking of Banks Glass

[nate21887]

Oh ok, I knew there was a glass shop over there but wasn't sure

[nate21887]

Ok so I received my overflow kit and most of the return kit today, still awaiting 2 more bulkheads and the loc-line nozzle. Tomorrow I'm toting the 20L to home depot to get glass cut for the sump so hopefuly next week 5is bad boy will be wet.

[chromiumlux]

you order loc line yet? I have some in my box-o-crap. nozzles and line and tees.

[nate21887]

It came with the return kit, 6 piece links with flare nozzles. I still need a y piece though for the vinyl tubing to connect the returns. Now I need to research plumbing for this thing, I'm using 3/4 vinyl tubing for the return but still unsure for the overflow...I know its pvc pipe but how to support the weight of the pipe and such is still a mystery for me.

[nate21887]

Ok so picked up the glass for my baffles, anybody have tips or tricks to hold them in place to silicone them. Also getting ready to go get plumbing supplies for it and need advice on how to connect the pump to the vinyl tubing, is there a fitting I need or just put the line on the threads with a hose clamp?

[jsuter]

I used cd cases for spacing them and tape/a hammer to hold them in place lol.

[jsuter]

\...is there a fitting I need or just put the line on the threads with a hose clamp?

They sell hose barb fittings for the pvc side, you should have a hose barb fitting already for the pump side. I looked everywhere for nylon clamps and never found any. I tried Stainless Steel and they just rusted. In the end I used some heavy duty zip ties to clamp the tubing to the hose barbs. Works great so far.

[nate21887]

I like your style Jason lol looks like about what I'm gonna have to do. My pump didn't come with a fitting...I'm about to make a trip to home depot hoping they might have fitting for it.

[nate21887]

So I got my glass cut and all materials to build the sump. Went to home depot to get plumbing supplies for the return and go figure they didn't have a single piece I need. So looking like I may have to order my miscellaneous pieces online. Hopefuly have the sump built later tonight, pics to follow...

[ghurlag]

Yeah, plumbing can be a challenge sometimes... my build has slowed down because I just don't have any free time right now. I think you may beat me to the punch :) Looking forward to seeing what you come up with, though!

[nate21887]

I'm hoping to be running next weekend...hoping. I'm waiting on a couple more packages to complete the return kit but worst case scenario it should at least be drilled next weekend.

[nate21887]

Well weather has slowed this build, waiting on a nice day to get outside and drill this thing. So I have ran into a once the overflow is drilled and placed does the pvc just hang from the over flow? Or is there some kind of other support I'm missing?

[chromiumlux]

Usually the return piping comes straight down to the sump. Not sure on this but addind supports to the plumbing may create more noise via vibration.

[nate21887]

That's how I thought it was done, just seems like quite a bit of weight to be supported by that thin of glass...

[chromiumlux]

Where has Nate been hiding? Nate!! Any updates on your tank?

[nate21887]

I'm still here! Unfortunately the tank has inadvertently been pushed on to the back burner. Life has been ridiculously busy, Devon had surgery, car repairs, family events, and holidays have made my schedule very lacking in spare time. Its looking like the next couple weekends may not be so busy so hoping to get a little more progress made.

[ghurlag]

I feel you, man. I am having the same issue with my 40g build. It's "the curse" :)

[nate21887]

Yea I'm feeling it, I only need a few plumbing supplies and build the stand then its getting put up. Got the feeling I'm gonna need to just dedicate one day on a weekend to make thia happen

[chromiumlux]

Yeah, I am in line with the "busyness" part here lately myself. I have dedicated Memorial day to getting my cured rock in the tank. Should have a scape by evening.

[marinelife]

How are we coming with this? Any updates?

[nate21887]

Sorry guys...no updates. I am working two jobs now and working on the side as well so my schedule has been packed. A few weeks ago we did spring cleaning and the tank has taken up residence in a closet now. The project hasn't left my mind just finding time to make it a reality seems to be next to impossible.

[ghurlag]

Nate, don't get discouraged. It seems the winter months work out better for massive tank work for me. As you know, I am scarce around here right now as well. Same thing happened last year, but I'm working hard to stay a little involved.

[nate21887]

I'm fearful that's gonna about when his project gets back under way. The nano is running well for now but having trouble finding time just to keep that maintained. Trying to stay involved around here just haven't had a whole lot going in the way of fishy stuff right now.

[ghurlag]

Just do what you can and enjoy what you have. It will all be here/there when you come back :)

[sammy]

This tank is a nice little project, have you been able to work on it?

[nate21887]

Hey everybody! Sorry to be such a stranger lately life has been insanely busy. But any matter on to what matters...the tanks. The nano has been still been up and running but weather is changing and interesting are to, so the 40B project is finally getting resumed...updates to follow soon!

[marinelife]

Nice welcome back!!

[chromiumlux]

Welcome back Nate! I look forward to the build.

[aquatic mouse]

I look forward to seeing the updates! Glad to see you back!

[nate21887]

Thanks guys! Switched shifts, so I'm off through the week now which can afford more time. Now I need to make the decision to build or buy a stand...

[chromiumlux]

Well, we all look forward to seeing what you are gonna do with the 40. Build a custom stand.

[nate21887]

That's what I'm thinking with the stand, I'm researching how gonna build right now, can't decide on 2x4 or 1x4 framing boards

[chromiumlux]

Have you reached a conclusion on your stand build yet Nate?

[nate21887]

I've found a couple stands I like on nanoreef built out of 1x4, so looking like I'm gonna try to run that route. Unfortunately it may be some time again before I have funds again...the water pump in the van went out yesterday and my school books this quarter were over $500. I wanna build it might just be cheaper and easier to buy one for temporary use until I move...

[chromiumlux]

School is very important. Post up when you can man! We miss ya here. Keep checking here for others updates. Never too busy to learn about everything you can.

[nate21887]

I intend on staying active as I can, might not be much between working and school but I will stay in touch as much as possible

[nate21887]

Small Update: School load has been huge, way more than expected, so stand is gonna be a purchase deal for the moment as no time for construction. Hoping to get around to finishing the sump sometime next week. Also hoping to acquire enough time to drill this thing in the near future. Once that happens just some small plumbing purchases then it should be wet...hopefuly

[marinelife]

Sounds great can not wait to see this come together :)

[nate21887]

me either! its long over due...needing a stand now to really get the ball rolling.

[ghurlag]

We're neck and neck, Nate!

[nate21887]

I know I've been absent for a while but I am curious if any member with sump building experience would be interested in helping me assemble mine. I have the glass cut and some baffles in place but not satisfied with it. This could be soon or after the holidays, just when ever convenient. The 40 is gonna be being erected soon as we move into a new house, which will be several months away but would really like to have all pieces of the puzzle ready to go together.

[nate21887]

Well I've had this project going for a while now but have a large speed bump in life come up :banghead: so looks like I might have to abandon this project. If any is interested in the tank, 20L sump, Protein skimmer, pumps, or overflow just shoot me a pm and we can work out a deal. :(

[ghurlag]

Awe, man! Speed bump sounds ominous... You're keeping the Biocube(Nanocube, whichever), right? If things are going to get tougher before they get better, you are probably wise to scale back for now, before you have the tank up. If someone doesn't snatch this up, I may be interested in a couple months. Like you, Nate, I have a lot going on. If you need any help, man, just let me know. I'm not that far away.

[nate21887]

Thanks Brian and yes the nano isn't going anywhere. It will be easier to just focus on making that nice for a while. It doesn't really need much to make it better, some small equipment, then just focus on maintaining a nice tank for a while. With this big expense that has risen, school coming back up, and working full time I think it will be better to work on an established tank and not worry about a complete new setup.

[nate21887]

For sale is:
40B tank
20L sump
2x hydor koralia 1050 powerheads
ASM G2 skimmer
Supreme 500 GPH pump (new in the box)
Complete glassholes 700 GPH overflow kit with 2x 3/4 returns (new in the box)
36" T5 2 bulb current USA light