40 gallon breeder

well i think im just going to go with a 40 gallon breeder tank For my first reef tank … I plan on doing a 20-29 gallon long sump ( what ever fits under the stand ) I started doing some “research” but I am more of a visual learner so I need to find some plans on building the sump this will be my first salt water tank and I am taking this slow.....suggestion on anything is apreciaited, pump brands, out put, over flow box, media thank you ....i am really enjoying reading and learning so far

here is one of the nicest 40 breeder builds I have ever seen. http://centralcoastreefkeepers.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=4839

thanks coryg link is is going to be very helpfull

if you're talking about making your own sump, I really like this link. it explains hoe they work (animation and all) then for ideas for sumps, you can look on the left of that page ( under "varied sumps") and see a variety of different ones.

Man who knew this would be so hard ......should I do a overflow box or look for a drilled tank with a built in over flow

It would be pretty easy I would drill it and set up a bean style overflow. Talk to dwolson2 he is an overflow guru.

I was just reading about the bean .... I think that's the way I'm going to go

yea thats how I am going to set up my next tank. I would take your time read read read, and dont rush.

I'm in no hurry ....I'm really enjoying just reading and learning as much as I can right now

Drilled tank. Its overwhelming at first, but its really not as bad as you would think. I am a big fan of the "bean animal" design, although its harder to fit everything in a smaller tank like that, it is possible(and I have a nice implementation of it)

Whatever you do, DO NOT do an overflow box. A lot of people(myself included) have flooded their living room/kitchen/tank area with those boxes. Some boxes don't regain siphon, other do, but if they get clogged(which does happen) they overflow. Also, you have to match the overflow box to your return pump.

the more i talk to people the more they tell me to avoid using an overflow box ....looks like drilled tanks are a way to go i think i might just have my drilled to make rrom for the bean still over flow

This is the link I was thinking about for your tank. Very low profile, yet still a bean animal style:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20433153&postcount=4909

From left to right, Siphon, Wet, Dry

derrick what is that a picture of? is it an overflow box?

Its an overflow box. this is a way of getting around using elbows in the overflow box so you can make the box more narrow.

so this would cover the whole back of the tank?

It could, to look like a false wall. Its not necessay, but very possible. I thnk it would look cleaner that way.

ya that would look pretty cool!

this would make the tank look very nice ....really good idea with all the benefits of a bean animal.....would the holes be at the bottom of the tank?

yes

No, they would be on the back of the tank, about 2/3 of the way down(from the top).

Since the water has longer distance to travel would that make it more loud ....one of the reasons I like the typical design being so quiet

Are there any local places I can have my tank drilled?

Your back yard...lol. No, its really easy to drill tanks, just go slowly and don't push down on the bit. There is a video on here of sister and I drilling a tank.

As for where you put he holes, you can modify it as you need it, so put the holes a little higher if you want to, but I think that if you set the overflow itself up right, it should be fairly quiet. IE, put a round over edge on the ABS before you install it, so the water clings better to the acrylic(smoother transition) also, the piece that runs right to left will help with making it quieter. All said though, you won't really know till you try it. To my knowledge this is the best way to do a bean animal on a small tank outside of an external overflow;drill 4 holes in the back, put in a small overflow in the tank, then a larger one in the back of the tank.

I have a old 55 that cracked so I think I might use that as a practice tank

I think I might swing by lowes Tomorrow after work

you might have to order the bit off of ebay(if not its the cheapest) and the acrylic for the back wall, I would suggest calling American plastics in Camarillo, we(a lot of us) have gotten stuff from them and their prices are really good. I wouldn't get glass for the back wall as unless you get smoked glass, you will see all the plumbing. That and I like working with acrylic better.

Have you had any problems with the silicone and acrylic

I'm going to take some measurements and draw something up run it by you guys for input ...... Quick question if given the choice of a 3 foot 40 gallon or a 5 foot 120 gallon what would you guys prefer as a starter tank .....(I have both in my garage) New to salt water but 10 years in freshwater ?

Honestly, it depends on 2 things, how much and how deep you want to go.

A 120 is going to be easier to keep stable, but is going to cost more in start up. So if your willing to commit to it, it may be better in the long run. Also, you will not(probably) want to upgrade within a few months.

I was fine with silicon'ing glass and acrylic.

I would go with the 120 if you can afford it. Most people say go as big as you can afford. The more water volume the more stable the parameters.

I guess upgrades always happen even with fresh water I stated with a 10 gallon and now I have a 120 and a 90 galllon freshwater running.

Thanks again to all you guys really appreciate it .... It can be scary sometimes being a newbie

No problem. Feel free to stop by, I am a bit far but it always helps to look at other peoples set up. I am one of the few that have the guts to run an overflow box and In the 3 years I have been running it I never had a syphon stop. That bieing said, I wouldnt do it again they are ugly.

Thanks for the invite Coryg .... I'm definitely a visual leaner so looking at set up will help me learn ..... I hope I can attend some meeting if you guys don't mind sounds like they are lots of fun.

yea the next meeting is at my house on December 10th

yay I dont have to drive far at all for the meeting I have had an overflow box for years and with no problems. I built my sump much cheaper that way. If I were your i would do the 120 gallon and use the 40 as your sump.

jeffmw12 wrote:If I were your i would do the 120 gallon and use the 40 as your sump.

Couldn't agree more. A 120 with a 40 gal sump is very similar to what many reefers end up with. My 135 is basically a tall 120. Its big enough to have fun, without costing a complete arm and a leg. Its also fairly stable. If you can source a descent skimmer(and I know of a few cheapies) and some lighting(LED/Metal Halide/T5) as well as a few powerheads(maybe a few maxijets for starters) and you would have a good start up tank.

I am very PRO-LED, although, many people are not. If I were you, and you plan to stay in the hobby, I would look into Multi chip LED's. I just ordered 2, and they are a little cleaner than 3w arrays(which I have as well) If you do go the 3w route, or can keep under 48v for forward voltage, I know of a fairly cheap way to drive the LED's.

I'm not trying to get you by with the cheapest stuff possible, but if you go for high end stuff off the bat, you can look to spend about 2-3K$ even though you already have your tank.

T5s all the way! unless you can afford radions.

coryg wrote:unless you can afford radions.

DIY radions, two for the price of one! Plus I learned how to drive all of my LED's for about 120$ Each channel would have its own control too.

eeehhh still not the same plus after you factor in an apex and time to build might as well go for the radion

coryg wrote:eeehhh still not the same plus after you factor in an apex and time to build might as well go for the radion

Not trying to derail the guy's thread, but you don't need an apex. You can use an Arduino. Thats part of the 120$. I will start a thread later so you guys can see what I am talking about.

Sorry for threadjacking Garcia!

we didnt really derail the thread we are talking out loud about lighting this may help him

any input helps me......most of the time i just read others peoples threads. most questions i have im sure have been asked before

Have you decided what you want type of coral you want to grow yet?

dwolson2 wrote:Have you decided what you want type of coral you want to grow yet?

i was thinking lps , zoas , mushrooms , anemonies and polyps