Geeks never finishing reef build 40 gal Breeder

[geekengineer]

Well here is where I think I put the saltwater mixing station in my basement. I think I'm going to get new pump that has better head capability so I can pump saltwater to the tank upstairs. I had an old one but it is a flow pump.

 

[Goodair]

Have you tried a python water change hose?

 

[geekengineer]

I did it last time and it was kinda a pain running the hose around and I still have one. In the case of the new location of my tank I have to hook it up to the kitchen sink which the wife probably won't like that idea. lol

 

[Goodair]

lol, a pain is a understatement! Wish I was able to run hard pipe from basement to the tank. Atm, I need to run the hose from the tank to my basement laundry sink. Mix the salt water there, then and connect the hose to a pump to bring it back up. Once I move, I hope to do something similar but have hard pvc running along the basement ceiling and through the floor to the tank instead of winding/unwinding the python hose. That way i can just turn some valves for water changes.

 

[geekengineer]

I want to gather up some of the old plumbing supplies I had laying around to see if I can make use of those first before I go out and buy more.. Needless to say I'm feeling lazy tonight and don't want to do it. lol Maybe I will get motivated here later. ;Sorry

 

[geekengineer]

So hopefully I didn't jump too far ahead but I put 20lbs of reef sand in my tank and setup the rock by sort of just winging it. I might change it as I go later on and take them out when I working on the plumbing. I wasn't sure how much reef sand I should have for a 40 breeder but would less or more be better?

 

[Goodair]

The depth of the sandbed is whats important. I've read alot of forums when looking into this and the general agreement is:
-roughly 1 1/2 to 2 inches for a shallow bed (more preferred)
-over 3 inches for a deep bed but it requires animals to maintain it.

Here is one of the videos, there are plenty of others.

 

[geekengineer]

I think I go ahead and put 40 pounds in then that will be a good compromise. I forgot I got to paint the back of the aquarium as well. So I have to get some drop cloth so I don't paint everything else..

 

[Goodair]

You can always use your wife's good cloths. I'm sure she will be OK with it.

 

[count krunk]

i have always used the $1 spray paint from home depot to paint my tanks black (always black, no exceptions) and it works very well. excellent coverage, very durable.

for your lights, 2x150w mh is plenty on its own. I'm going to run 1x175w mogul mh with 4x t5. you could easily get away w/2x t5. VHO is super old school. i bet that fixture you have is 15 years old or older.

 

[geekengineer]

Well I got some potentially bad news that I probably should be holding off on until I know for sure. I might have to shut down the reef project for a bit.

 

[geekengineer]

OK well its official I'm looking for a new job.. So I debating on if I should at least get the setup to the point where I can let it cycle for a while in hopes that it doesn't take me too long to find a new job. I guess life throws you curve balls.

 

[Goodair]

Sorry to hear that. I would definitely start cycling and ghost feeding until something comes up. You don't have to run lights or your pump, just a heater and have something like a air stone or wave maker to break the surface.

 

[geekengineer]

So I finished painting black on the back of the tank. I think I may try to finish it to the point where I can cycle it. I may have to stop if it starts costing too much.

 

[geekengineer]

Well so far the plumbing supplies I picked up were only about $100 so not too bad. Hopefully it won't cost too much then to finish it enough to start cycling it.

 

[count krunk]

after plumbing the system, you should be close or ready to start the cycle

 

[Hemmdog]

I’m doing a 40b build too! Any suggestions for the drilling? I’m a little nervous lol.

 

[count krunk]

I bought the overflow from fijicube.com. Very happy with it. It comes with a guide, other than that I used plumbers putty, drill bit (also included with the overflow), and water.

Took about 2 mins per hole.

 

[geekengineer]

Well I was nervous too and I prefer not to have to do drilling too often lol. I used one of those Drill guides which I think helped a bit. I also ended up clamping a wood board behind the glass to keep the amount of chip out minimal when the drill goes through. Also if your drilling for the eshoppe eclipse overflow make sure you get the hole in the right spot and don't put it too low. Everyone also told me to do it as slow as you can let the weight of the drill push down onto the glass and don't' try to force it especially at the end.

EDIT: yes I used plumbers putty in a circle under the drill guide so when I put the water in it would stay in a puddle where your drilling the hole.

 

[count krunk]

Yup I taped the backside of the hole and placed a towel underneath it just in case. Go slowly and it will drill thru. The noise is the worst part