Double 30 Breeder Build

[Tadashi]

So i was randomly looking on SD Cragslist and i found a guy selling a 30 breeder drilled with bulkhead for $40, i was like hmmm? that sounds pretty cool, i called him and he told me he had 2. So i bought them both and a Mag 5 pump all new for $112.75

36x18x12


so my first project was to build the stands.. went to home depo and bought some 2x4's and 2x6's

the stand isnt finished yet.. im going to raise the bottom tank up 6 inches and fill in all of the holes with nicer wood




my plans are to get a halide on the top tank and use it as a frag/Clownfish tank and i havent decided what i will do for the second tank.

I think im going to have the first tank overflow into the second and the second one will go into the sump then from the sump back into the top



i believe that i will have a ballast for the halide soon, but i need to get a reflector if anyone has one lying around.



So basically this is what i have done so far if anyone has any input id like to hear some suggestions

 

[Nick_kun]

Wow, that looks preety cool. Did you take the trim off yourself?

 

[goth2o]

nice Tadashi, keep us up dated on your build

 

[EyeReef]

awesome...make sure you post pix once you have everything set up..
so many possibilities with the second tank....how bout a mantis, or sea horse?

 

[Tadashi]

Thanks MikeEe, Goth2o and Nick

so many possibilities on the second tank... i will have to think about it some more

ya i took off the trim with a razor blade, wes helped me out too... he has been helping me out with my build.

i in the process of plumbing my system, i decided to drain the first tank into the second, then the second into the sump,

i ran into a probem with my second tank overflow, it is draining to slowly and loud, i think its because the drain pipe isnt straight down it bends up and over the sump


i got this skimmer and ballast and bulbs from wes

heres some pics of the plumbing so far

overflow from top tank

drain into the second tank/overflow to sump

mag 7 return pump.. i traded wes my 5 for his 7

once i get everything working properly im going to need to get live rock/sand and obviously 70 Gallons of water, i do not have a ro/di and the LFS water is wayy to expensive for me, so if anyone could help me out with a solution i would appreciate it

 

[jessesoto33]

Nice looking, keep us updated.

 

[Wes]

Can't wait to see this setup running! maybe after we go fishing this week we can work on it a bit more...

 

[Tadashi]

GIRGLE PROBLEMS HELP!!!! i drilled the top piece of the elbow in the third picture and put an airline tube in it to let the air out, but it didnt seem to help much

 

[shapermike]

it would be better to us like 1 1/2" pvc for your over flow. it should get rid of your noise and you might be able to get a little more flow though your system. and put a t right at the the bulk head if you can.

 

[Tadashi]

Mike, do you mean a t instead of the elbow so one end is open?

 

[LotsaFishies]

Mike, do you mean a t instead of the elbow so one end is open?

A "T" would be a lot quieter than your current elbow.

Neat setup!

 

[Tadashi]

alright a T its going to be.. i will try it when i get back from school today

 

[Tadashi]

i think i know what my problem is, i think there is too much flow into the tank, there is more water coming in than going out, my water level is like 1/2" above the drain pipe and its creating a loud vortex, or is the water height normal?

 

[Wes]

did you get the t installed? maybe the mag-5 might be better for your setup after all. LMK if you want to trade back down--I know a few guys who wanted to trade 5 for 7.

 

[shapermike]

Mike, do you mean a t instead of the elbow so one end is open?

yes. most reefers use this on skimmers and I have used it on over flows as well when you dont have an over flow box


The elbow will not let the air out with out making a gurgling noise. for a frag system use what you have with lower flow and use maxi jet with mods to put more flow in your tank and the power coast will be low as well.

 

[Tadashi]

I bought a ball valve to conteol the return pump flow and it helped a lot with the noise, also i threw the T to replace the elbow joint, this also reduced the noise, but its still noisy..

should the pipe going to the sump be straight down or at an aggle or does it not matter?

 

[Tadashi]

I bought a ball valve to conteol the return pump flow and it helped a lot with the noise, also i threw the T to replace the elbow joint, this also reduced the noise, but its still noisy..

should the pipe going to the sump be straight down or at an aggle or does it not matter?

 

[Tadashi]

just got everything up and running... i still have to add more rock and make everything look better...

i have lots of micro bubbles going into the second tank so i added some temporary diffusers and it helped a little bit but the bubbles have been very noticeable

VV heres the plumbing from the first tank to the second VV

the T piece is capped of at the top

i added the two pvc pipes and drilled holes in them and connected them in elbows


i have read about bubbletraps but i dont know how i can apply it to this without restricting any flow
if anyone can help me with the bubbles or a redesign or the plumbing id appreciate it