Finally back with a 40 breeder build

koz04m3

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A little background to start with is always good. I've been addicted to reefing for about 5 years now and have had two successful tanks. My first was a 60 gallon which started off with no sump, a canister filter, and a ton of headaches. After a few months of learning, I started upgrading it and had some real success. So much in fact that I needed to upgrade. I traded the 60 in for a 125 gallon setup that was my pride and joy for 4 years. But over this past summer my wife and I got some incredible news that we were expecting twins! Being as you can't exactly have twins share a bedroom with an acrylic box full of fish and coral, a water mixing station, a mini fridge full of supplements and fish food and a hospital tank, I had to do the responsible thing and put the babies first. Sold all my equipment and figured I'd put my hobby on hold for a few years. Unfortunately, about 12 weeks into the pregnancy we got news that the babies did not make it through the first trimester. After a bit of the healing process, I decided to help keep my mind off of things by getting another tank going. This will be the official build thread that will follow the progress of my new 40 breeder build.
 
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koz04m3

koz04m3

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My goals for this tank are: to have a nice mixed reef consisting of mainly SPS and LPS, plan ahead and make tank maintenance easier than my past tanks, save money by buying some used equipment and also do so DIY projects, and make this tank as beautiful as possible to keep my wife happy because it's going in her living room lol. As far as equipment most everything is open for suggestion of whatever I can find a deal on. My only must have is a Tunze Osmolator ATO system to make life easier on me. I haven't had a top off system before and it was very tasking to constantly fill up a bucket and add water to the sump. So far I'm off to a good start with saving money. I picked up a gently used BRS 4 stage RODI unit and today I scored the main component, the 40 breeder and stand.

IMG_20160305_222708946.jpg
 
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koz04m3

koz04m3

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So sorry to hear about your loss. Glad you have such a wonderful hobby to fall back on.

And welcome to r2r!
Thank you Alex. I'm a firm believer in everything happening for a reason so it's made things a little easier. This hobby is definitely something positive that my family and I can rally around and enjoy.
 
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koz04m3

koz04m3

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First question I have for everyone. What is the quietest return pump you have used? This tank is in my living room about 5 feet from the couch so I need something silent. I'm thinking a Sicce or a Quiet One.
 

badstorm48

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I have a rio+ 1100 on my 40 breeder for return. It is really quiet. I have the tank in my bedroom and my girlfriend is a really light sleeper and she has never had a problem with the sound of the pump. The tank is real close to the bed as well. I really like it and does a great job.
 
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koz04m3

koz04m3

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I have a rio+ 1100 on my 40 breeder for return. It is really quiet. I have the tank in my bedroom and my girlfriend is a really light sleeper and she has never had a problem with the sound of the pump. The tank is real close to the bed as well. I really like it and does a great job.
Do you find it to be a sufficient turn over rate? I was thinking that a 40 gallon would need something in the 500gph range.
 

Salty1962

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Sorry for you and your wife's loss. I recently lost my daughter and my tank has been my release. Good luck!
 

badstorm48

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For my tank it works really well. I have that and a jabaeo rw 8 for a power head and my corals and fish are doing great
 

smh254

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I run a jebao DC6000 on my 40b and have it set on the3rd of 6 settings. I also have an SCA 301 skimmer that works great for the price. Both pumps have been running for 20 months now with no problems.
 
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koz04m3

koz04m3

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Sorry for you and your wife's loss. I recently lost my daughter and my tank has been my release. Good luck!
I'm sorry for your loss as well. This hobby is definitely something positive and and relaxing that helps ease things.
 
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koz04m3

koz04m3

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I run a jebao DC6000 on my 40b and have it set on the3rd of 6 settings. I also have an SCA 301 skimmer that works great for the price. Both pumps have been running for 20 months now with no problems.

I'm thinking that SCA 301 is the skimmer I'm going to go with as well, you can't beat the price and I see a lot of good reviews on it.
 
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koz04m3

koz04m3

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Well, I'm slowly trucking along in this build. I recently decided to build a DIY wooden stand because the metal stand seems a bit wobbly. I have the stand built, just need to add the trim and doors. I also ordered my glass-holes overflow and returns.

IMG_20160318_191451381.jpg
 

PaReeferJ

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A
Well, I'm slowly trucking along in this build. I recently decided to build a DIY wooden stand because the metal stand seems a bit wobbly. I have the stand built, just need to add the trim and doors. I also ordered my glass-holes overflow and returns.

IMG_20160318_191451381.jpg
looks good! I also have a 40B
 
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koz04m3

koz04m3

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Wish I would have drilled mine instead of hang on overflow
It's never too late. The 60 gallon I started with a few years back wasn't drilled at first either. When I decided to drill it, I took everything out of the tank including the rock, water, and sand. I drilled it, plumbed it, and put everything back in the tank that day. I had no issues. It was a lot of work and took up a whole Saturday but it was worth it.
 
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koz04m3

koz04m3

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Guess what came in today!?

Pic 1: the glass-holes overflow kit with 1/2" returns

Pic 2: mocked up hole locations

Pic 3: started drilling with template in place to cut an accurate groove

Pic 4: removed template once it was no longer needed

Pic 5: plumbers putty to build a dam around the hole to fill with water to keep cutting bit cool

Pic 6: the dam, any dam questions? Lol

Pic 7: all 3 holes cut

Pic 8: overflow box and bulkheads mocked up.

Finished product pic coming soon after I paint the back glass.

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