Mike C's Forty-B

[SB_805]

So here's the beginning of my 40 breeder journey. I'm upgrading from 28 JBJ cube, which has been a fun starter tank, but it's time to step up. It's gonna take a while to fully set this 40 up, but therein lies the fun of a new system! I won't bore you with a stocking list, cause we all know, that changes every time you step into a fish store. So far I've got the tank, (2) MP10w's, and the DIY stand (which is still last stages of completion). You can find the build in the DIY threads. So here goes, the official start of the Forty-B.

36x18x16
3/8" glass, black back panel
Center trapezoid overflow, drilled 1 1/2"
(2) 3/4" returns, left and right sides, 2" down, 4" in

I cut and smoothed down some egg crate, to fit the inside of the tank, so the rock work has a surface to grip. Havn't decided weather or not I'm going to use it, but I'll have it ready in case I do.

 

[Spinner]

Those make nice tanks good job with the overflow.

 

[Migs7]

Overflow looks like it came with the tank. Very Nice job. :beer:

 

[SB_805]

Haha thanks. I ordered the tank through my LFS, Aquatic Designs. I gave them my specs, and they had it built for me. So I can't take credit for building it, just the idea of it.

 

[SB_805]

Sump and skimmer! The sump is used, and just needs a little wipe down. The skimmer is a brand new SWC 120. Bought them off a good friend while down in Long Beach last night (SCRK meeting at AOA).

 

[BeanMachine]

Nice that will be cool.

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Beast skimmer for that size tank. Better get a ATO. That last chamber looks small and with water evap, the return pump will suck air quick.


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[SB_805]

Beast skimmer for that size tank. Better get a ATO. That last chamber looks small and with water evap, the return pump will suck air quick.


Sent from my iPhone

True...good advice, thanks!


Not much new on the build. Still focusing on the stand. Once the stand is complete, I'll move the tank to it's location, and start looking at plumbing. So meanwhile, I cleaned up, and am now leak testing the sump.

 

[SB_805]

Just in case I find some time to mess around with the plumbing this weekend, I picked up a few things from Aquaflo (local plumbing shop). Also bought 10' of both 3/4" and 1 1/2" schedule 40 PVC.

 

[SB_805]

Some pics of the DIY stand (if you havn't seen them on my build thread).

 

[SB_805]

After testing out the sump I was going to use, I came to the conclusion that it just wasn't built to the standards that I expect. With just the slightest pull of the walls, it creaks ands cracks, and wants to pull apart from the baffles. So I went and bought a 20 tall, to attempt a DIY sump. I've only got 25" of width under the stand, so a 20L is too wide at 30".

I also picked up some more plumbing supplies, and put together a Durso style overflow. This ended up being too big and didn't fit in the overflow. I may cut down the Tee, and the 90, to try and get it to fit.

So with the removal of the 90 street slip elbow, I'll have to settle with using the open end of the Tee as the intake. If it ends up being too loud, I'll look into maybe a straight pipe with some kind of muffler (if I can't modify the Tee and 90).

Also, since space is limited, and monies are low, I decided to go with a Rio 26HF submersible return pump.

 

[SB_805]

I used a hacksaw to cut a 1/2" off the 90, and a 1/2" off the Tee that it slips into. I gained enough room to fit the Durso into the overflow box!!!

I replaced the schedule 40 cap with a schedule 80. Purely for aesthetic reasons. I didn't have a cover made for the overflow box, so the dark grey schedule 80 doesn't stand out like the white schedule 40.

 

[SB_805]

Its not the prettiest way to keep the baffles in place, but it worked. Going to let it sit for a few days, then test it out. I had Ace cut some glass to size of the baffles, and picked up the silicone from my LFS. Simple sump.

 

[SB_805]

Here's how it came out...

 

[Justin]

Looks good!

 

[SB_805]

Looks good!

Thanks, Justin.
Checked the silicone when I got home today, and everything came out perfect! I'll water test it tomorrow evening, to see how it flows.

 

[SB_805]

Mocked up the plumbing a little. What do you guys think?

The 45 down, will go to the chiller, then back up to the left side return. The plan is to keep it simple. Will there be significant head loss with the Tee turned on it's side like this, and/or too much flow screaming out of the right side return? Or will the pressure be equal throughout the lines?

 

[SB_805]

Filled the 40 with water, to test the plumbing for leaks. Everything was flawless, except for some tiny amount of wetness around the overflow bulkhead. Just needs to be tightened with some channel locks, as I only hand tightened it. Seems to be lots of flow, though this may change when I tie in the chiller, but thats what my 2 MP10's are for. Heres a couple pics, and a vid.

Disregard the sock...lol, without it, the overflow DUMPS into the sump.

 

[Reefomeez]

Great build man. I love the 40 breeder tanks...so much space.

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Ditch those check valves. They break fast, and they usually have metal springs that rust. Just buy one union check valve and put it tight before the y that goes to the returns


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