40B Build/Test Tank

kv69 · Dec 30, 2015

Wondering if this will be available soon... I would be interested..

TaylorPilot · Dec 30, 2015

If what is? The overflow or sump kit?

kv69 · Dec 30, 2015

The overflow kit, sorry i didn't specify.

TaylorPilot · Dec 30, 2015

Yea, I have them on my website, just click the logo at the footer at the bottom of my posts. If you have any questions let me know. It's the "24" Overflow Kit".

TaylorPilot · Jan 3, 2016

I got around to building the canopy this weekend, and it is mostly complete. Just need to finish the bottom/top trim. I went ahead and mounted the lights to make sure everything fitted before I start painting it. Don't want to do that twice, I hate painting! I made it out of furniture grade knotless pine, using a Kreg Jig. It was pretty simple. Just need to make straight cuts and it screws together really easily.

TaylorPilot · Jan 3, 2016

I'm still trying to decide which direction I want to go with bulb selection. I am thinking maybe a Phoenix 14000k bulb or Ushio 20000k (what is in there now). I liked the look of 2 blue bulbs and 2 actinic bulbs, but this tank isn't large enough to run 4 bulbs. I think I may just try actinic at first to see if it gives more pop. Hopefully it will be blue enough for my taste.

TaylorPilot · Jan 5, 2016

I cut out and started assembling a small ATO. I made the top, bottom, back, and lid out of black, and the front/sides out of clear.

TaylorPilot · Jan 7, 2016

I finished up the ATO yesterday, and it fit the spot on the sump like a glove. 1/4" spacing around the entire thing. I need to get a John Guest fitting for the tubing to go in the hole I cut in the top euro-brace. It holds about 3.5 gallons, so should last awhile before refilling.

TaylorPilot · Jan 7, 2016

I also started making the doors for the canopy today. I need to glue it all together and sand them to get ready to paint.

TaylorPilot · Mar 9, 2016

It has been awhile since I setup the tank, and have just been letting it run on autopilot for awhile getting matured. I traded in the dotty back I had purchased. He actually ate the shrimp when he molted and was soft shelled. He was a terror. Much more than my last one, although this is a much smaller tank. I got two small false percs and two basic firefish. These 4 fish have been living in harmony for about 6 weeks. I figured it was time to start adding corals, so I just got in some goodies in preparation. Pertinent test kits, a new MH bulb, kalk kit and two new spectrapure DI resins (not shown). I haven't tried the megachrome bulbs before, but I didn't find anything bad out there, and they are $25 more than the others, so they must be good! LOL

I am bringing my salt up about 3 PPT over the next few days, then will do a large water change, test the levels for Calc, Mg, and Alk, tweak, then add some corals! Stay tuned.

TaylorPilot · Mar 9, 2016

Oh, and the doors are finished, properly laying along the walls of my garage. LOL One day I will install them. My wife hates it, but I like being able to see me equipment working!

benapilot · Mar 9, 2016

Is that a two-part set or just Kalk and Mg?

I'm running Kalk ATO on my 46 right now, but going for direct RODI top off for my new 75. I'm considering either a Kalk stirrer or going with 2 part... leaning towards 2 part as I got a smokin' deal on a couple Digital Aquatics dosing pumps that will plug right into my Archon.

TaylorPilot · Mar 9, 2016

Long and short is that it includes kalk to maintain levels, while having individual calcium and alk additives to do major adjustments to your tank and water change saltwater. Spend an hour and watch all these videos, it has allot of overlap but you'd have a pretty good understanding. Long and short is to use kalk until your evaporation won't keep up with the needed dosing levels. I would probably start out with kalk and only add 2 part when it is necessary.

hybridazn · Mar 9, 2016

Everything looks great! I'm going to build a canopy for my 40b frag tank soon. Can't wait to see yours done

Wiz · Mar 10, 2016

Looks good :-) sry bout your dottyback.

TaylorPilot · Mar 10, 2016

Oh I am sure he is fine. Off somewhere terrorizing someone else's unsuspecting fish....LOL

TaylorPilot · Apr 26, 2016

So time for a little update. I have added a few fish, a royal gramma and a very small yellow tang (plan on upgrading to a 210 by the end of the summer, so should be fine till then). I bought a few corals to start out with, a torch and a neat little mushroom, although I think I cooked him for a day or so before I realized it and put him in the shade. It has been 3 weeks and while he doesn't have much color back, he is still alive. He let go of his rock, so I put him in a Tupperware container today on top of a rock, so the water current doesn't blow around, and hopefully he will attach. I also got a RBTA. He is the kind I like. No bubbles and long tentacles. Hopefully he stays that way. He has been in the display at my LFS for a few months and looks nice and healthy, just needs to grow. I took these tonight with only the blue T5 bulbs on, so it is super blue.

TaylorPilot · Apr 26, 2016

hybridazn · Apr 27, 2016

Looking good! I see you use a Canon as well lol :p

About time you did an update hahaha

TaylorPilot · Apr 27, 2016

I need to get a macro lens and do some readings. Those blues really mess up the white balance. I tried using the dropper in camera raw and it ran it all the way to the stops. I need to talk to a pro like @d2mini to see where his settings usually sit. I know you can't compare because he is using a 5K rig, but doesn't mean I shouldn't get nice colors.