Dave's Patchwork 40 Breeder

[dhboiler]

So I am laid up from sinus surgery right now, so what better time to start a thread for my tank upgrade? Quick history. I used to have a 90 gallon, but for the past 3.5 years I have been bouncing from house to house having to downgrade at every step. My current tank is an Innovative Marine 25 gallon, but my fiance is on board with stepping it up a notch. I wanted this to be an 80 gallon shallow reef, but just don't have the space. Like I'm sure most of youdo , I have a large pile of tanks and equipment that for one reason or other, were taken out of service, upgraded, or never used as plans changed. So I went through all of my stuff and pieced together the parts for this thing.

The plan is to keep going with a mixed reef of mostly softies and lps. I may try some SPS along the way, but I prefer movement. Most of the corals will come from my 25 gallon to begin with anyway.

Filtration will be basic, at least at first. Big skimmer, large chaeto section in the sump, and some reactors.

The tank equipment is:

-40 gallon breeder drilled with a glass holes 1500 gallon overflow.

-20 gallon breeder sump that will be set up: fuge/return/skimmer section.

-Skimmer: Aquac ev-180. I've had this thing since the beginning, i know it is overkill, but it's a great skimmer and I can run it externally, which is great for the small footprint of the sump.

-Lighting: 2 kessil a160we with spectril control. Refugium light is a par 38 plant bulb I got off amazon.

-Return pump: Reef octo DC-3500.

-Flow: Not sure, I have a maxspect gyre 150, but it needs all new rotors and bearings since it has been in storage for too long. Plus I have fears that it will be too big. Suggestions welcome on this, but have mostly been trying to piece this together with parts I already had.

-At least 1-2 reactors that will be driven by a manifold. I have one TLF reactor now, will likely add another.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R!

#WelcometoR2R
Looks like a pretty good list so far. For pumps I would recommend the Vortech MP10's I have a pair on my 40 breeder and love them
Make sure to take lots of pictures, we love pictures

 

[dhboiler]

So to start with, I needed to build a stand. I copied the idea from a guy on another forum. Here are some of the build pics.

I started with a heavy duty 2x4 frame. This thing is overkill, but I don't have to worry about taking chances at least. Some of the equipment has been placed to help me size it up.

I added 1x material and hobby glued sheets for the outer skin because i preferred that look to plywood.

 

[dhboiler]

Still need doors, but here is the stand with the finish on it. I still need to finish the top and covers that will hide the rear plumbing.

You can see the plumbing down to the tank. The kit starts with 2 1.5" drains which is overkill for what I need, and takes up more space than I wanted, so I reduced it to 1". I used a union valve on the refugium side to give me some control of the flow to the fuge. I wanted unions before the reducers to give me access in case detritus gets caught in the lip of the reducers. I haven't plumbed in the return yet and manifold yet, but will add pictures of that when I do.

 

[dhboiler]

Welcome to R2R!

#WelcometoR2R
Looks like a pretty good list so far. For pumps I would recommend the Vortech MP10's I have a pair on my 40 breeder and love them
Make sure to take lots of pictures, we love pictures

Thanks. Long time lurker, first time posting.
Pictures are coming. It will unfortunately be a few weeks before much more progress happens due to doctor restrictions. I love the ecotechs, but probably a little rich for my blood right now as I am making most of this from stuff I already had. Only reason for the Kessils is I found a local reefer with one of those deals that was too good to pass up.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Looks like a great start. Welcome to R2R!

 

[dhboiler]

Ok, so I am recovered enough for light activity, so I spent yesterday working on my plumbing. I have the manifold done and a part of the return plumbing. I couldn't decide whether I should go with 3-or 4 manifold outlets, finally 4 being just a little tight for my space. I plan to run at least carbon and GFO reactors. There is a third outlet being left if I decide to add biopellets, or some other toy. I also added the 3 way tee leading to the manifold for water changes. I expect to add at least one more union to the other sided of the elbow that heads down. I am trying to make this thing as modular as possible.

 

[dhboiler]

Getting close. Light brackets are bent and painted. The equipment is in place. Just waiting on a few parts to show up and it will be ready for water.

 

[dhboiler]

Lot of work got done this weekend. Lights are hung, doors are mounted, and saltwater and sand are in. Hoping to add my rock and coral tonight. My only fish is going into quarantine since he is the lone survivor of a mysterious die off of all his tank mates. Gonna run fishless for awhile to hopefully purge the tank of any disease.

 

[dhboiler]

Well, its been a long time since I updated this. I guess a giveaway is as good a time as any.
I recently revamped the filtration. I switched out my sump with a new 20 breeder. The sump kit is from Exotic Marine. I really liked the kit. It fairly simple to assemble. The chambers have remained water tight, and handles the higher flow well. I added a Simplicity 120 DC, and it has been working out really well for me. I liked it enough to give one of their pumps a try. Some new pics included below.