Jake’s 40 Gal. To Freedom (mixed 40 breeder build)
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- Thread starter jk_s124
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revhtree
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My Aquarium Showcase
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Great build so far!
OP
OP
jk_s124
Valuable Member
Thanks Lazy! I still like the HDPE top on your stand better. Ran out of my budget for the fancy stuff though. Might incorporate that down the road.
OP
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jk_s124
Valuable Member
Thanks for checking it out Rev!
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jk_s124
Valuable Member
Thanks!Love that ATO container. Following so I can steal some good ideas for my 40 build
revhtree
Owner Administrator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Reef Squad
Partner Member 2024
Excellence Award
RGB
Photo of the Month
Article Contributor
R2R TV Featured
Hospitality Award
Article Administrator
Black Friday Sponsor
Partner Sponsor 2023
Industry Professional
My Aquarium Showcase
- Joined
- May 8, 2006
- Messages
- 47,897
- Reaction score
- 88,384
Cabinet looking great!
OP
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jk_s124
Valuable Member
Haven’t messed it up too bad yet! I’m pretty happy with how it’s turned out so far. If I had to do it again though, I would have made my dimensions a bit bigger.
OP
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jk_s124
Valuable Member
Saturday I finished the clear coat on my canopy, cleaned and plumbed my UV, and set up the breeder. I was up until about 2:30 in the morning tuning the overflow, finishing the aquascape, and filling up the tank. Everything turned out great!
Next morning I woke up early, like a kid at Christmas, to look everything over. That’s when I noticed it. A small amount of water on top of the bottom black rim. I dried it off with a towel quick and crossed my fingers. But the tank gods decided to test my resolve as the water beaded up on the border once again. My morning and afternoon (ment for reef watching and football watching) robbed before my eyes. By mid afternoon I had prevailed at tearing down everything I assembled the day (and night) before.
By evening I had located a local petco that had a 40 breeder in stock. I got out my polarized sunglasses and laptop and went tank shopping.
At last some luck. The breeder that petco had was not tempered! Bought it and brought it home.
Soooooo.......now I get to drill a tank! I’m actually kind of excited about it. Bought the drill bits and bulk heads. I should be able to salvage most of the plumbing that was already there, including the unions. And I’m also very happy the tank leaked right away instead of three years from now. Trying to look at this situation glass half full (or would that be tank half full....) ahhh I digress. It’s a hobby!! More projects is kind of the point right?
Next morning I woke up early, like a kid at Christmas, to look everything over. That’s when I noticed it. A small amount of water on top of the bottom black rim. I dried it off with a towel quick and crossed my fingers. But the tank gods decided to test my resolve as the water beaded up on the border once again. My morning and afternoon (ment for reef watching and football watching) robbed before my eyes. By mid afternoon I had prevailed at tearing down everything I assembled the day (and night) before.
By evening I had located a local petco that had a 40 breeder in stock. I got out my polarized sunglasses and laptop and went tank shopping.
At last some luck. The breeder that petco had was not tempered! Bought it and brought it home.
Soooooo.......now I get to drill a tank! I’m actually kind of excited about it. Bought the drill bits and bulk heads. I should be able to salvage most of the plumbing that was already there, including the unions. And I’m also very happy the tank leaked right away instead of three years from now. Trying to look at this situation glass half full (or would that be tank half full....) ahhh I digress. It’s a hobby!! More projects is kind of the point right?
Lazydayz
Valuable Member
Wow that is terrible news that you had to break that all back down. But I agree with you that it is a blessing that it happened now and you didn't have to scramble to save livestock! It did look really awesome and can't wait to see this new tank drilled and filled
OP
OP
jk_s124
Valuable Member
Thanks buddy! I appreciate it! It did look nice and will again.
OP
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jk_s124
Valuable Member
Welp....... attempt number two.... so I have been busy over the last few weeks. Lots of problems that needed fixing. Awesome! That’s why this is a hobby. If everything is going great then not much needs to be done ......right? Well that’s the attitude I’m trying to take here...and the attitude I’m ... trying...to selling to my loving, amazing and understanding wife. Who has been nothing but supportive through my many hours and many dollars invested in this seemingly simple endeavor. Sooooo!.....I successfully drilled holes into my brand new tank. Super simple!!!!! And super nerve racking!!!!!! My buddy had done it several times, and lent his expertise, and more importantly his glass drill press attachment! He would of course not touch my tank but instead offered his witt, wisdom, and steady drinking hand as invaluable helping aids. While watching me sweat it out and drill my newly purchased tank. Don’t know how that beer would have been consumed if not for his unprecedented skill......
Unfortunately I did not think to take any pictures during this exhibit of exceptional skill and execution. Ehhheemm..(throat clearing sound and subtle whisper) beers drinking skill....
But that beer drinking did leave its mark...as we drilled the holes on the new tank on the opposite side as the old tank. Big deal you say? Not so fast my friends. The plumbing had all been done... holes in the back of the stand drilled. Sooo... one problem solved and...several more created. One weekend down and on to the next. I called upon fellow reefer warriors such as @Rob.bucek [email protected].......for aid. Thanks Rob! Your super duper! He was awesome enough to let me snag a few feet of super classy forest green sched 80. I put it to use straight away.
Photos! Finally remembered to snap some picks of what I’m doing. Welp...these photos actually document many more hours than was probably necessary ....a few trips to menards and etc. So on to this weekend for the final stretch of operation “Fix It!”
Friday night.....
And today....
No leaks I. The tank or my plumbing!!!! Except my dang UV... next problem. Small leak at the bottom union. So I primed and cemented the seal and added some silicon. Going to let all that cure for one day and reattach tomorrow. Fingers crossed on that and the I’ll be in the clear. Phew!!!! Longest post ever!
Unfortunately I did not think to take any pictures during this exhibit of exceptional skill and execution. Ehhheemm..(throat clearing sound and subtle whisper) beers drinking skill....
But that beer drinking did leave its mark...as we drilled the holes on the new tank on the opposite side as the old tank. Big deal you say? Not so fast my friends. The plumbing had all been done... holes in the back of the stand drilled. Sooo... one problem solved and...several more created. One weekend down and on to the next. I called upon fellow reefer warriors such as @Rob.bucek [email protected].......for aid. Thanks Rob! Your super duper! He was awesome enough to let me snag a few feet of super classy forest green sched 80. I put it to use straight away.
Photos! Finally remembered to snap some picks of what I’m doing. Welp...these photos actually document many more hours than was probably necessary ....a few trips to menards and etc. So on to this weekend for the final stretch of operation “Fix It!”
Friday night.....
And today....
No leaks I. The tank or my plumbing!!!! Except my dang UV... next problem. Small leak at the bottom union. So I primed and cemented the seal and added some silicon. Going to let all that cure for one day and reattach tomorrow. Fingers crossed on that and the I’ll be in the clear. Phew!!!! Longest post ever!
Lazydayz
Valuable Member
Looks amazing!!! Really like how you put the gate value off to the side for easy adjustment, very smart!Welp....... attempt number two.... so I have been busy over the last few weeks. Lots of problems that needed fixing. Awesome! That’s why this is a hobby. If everything is going great then not much needs to be done ......right? Well that’s the attitude I’m trying to take here...and the attitude I’m ... trying...to selling to my loving, amazing and understanding wife. Who has been nothing but supportive through my many hours and many dollars invested in this seemingly simple endeavor. Sooooo!.....I successfully drilled holes into my brand new tank. Super simple!!!!! And super nerve racking!!!!!! My buddy had done it several times, and lent his expertise, and more importantly his glass drill press attachment! He would of course not touch my tank but instead offered his witt, wisdom, and steady drinking hand as invaluable helping aids. While watching me sweat it out and drill my newly purchased tank. Don’t know how that beer would have been consumed if not for his unprecedented skill......
Unfortunately I did not think to take any pictures during this exhibit of exceptional skill and execution. Ehhheemm..(throat clearing sound and subtle whisper) beers drinking skill....
But that beer drinking did leave its mark...as we drilled the holes on the new tank on the opposite side as the old tank. Big deal you say? Not so fast my friends. The plumbing had all been done... holes in the back of the stand drilled. Sooo... one problem solved and...several more created. One weekend down and on to the next. I called upon fellow reefer warriors such as @Rob.bucek [email protected].......for aid. Thanks Rob! Your super duper! He was awesome enough to let me snag a few feet of super classy forest green sched 80. I put it to use straight away.
Photos! Finally remembered to snap some picks of what I’m doing. Welp...these photos actually document many more hours than was probably necessary ....a few trips to menards and etc. So on to this weekend for the final stretch of operation “Fix It!”
Friday night.....
And today....
No leaks I. The tank or my plumbing!!!! Except my dang UV... next problem. Small leak at the bottom union. So I primed and cemented the seal and added some silicon. Going to let all that cure for one day and reattach tomorrow. Fingers crossed on that and the I’ll be in the clear. Phew!!!! Longest post ever!
OP
OP
jk_s124
Valuable Member
Thanks man! It’s how it was set up before. But it really works well. I have a panel on the canopy
That I can remove and look right at my overflow and while adjusting my valve. Sorry about the bad picture. My phone is dead and my tablet has no flash.
RobB'z Reef
2500 Club Member
Dude that is so awesome!! Looking great! You moved fast! Love to see it up close soon. Wish I would have been able to watch the drilling, I've never done it and it would have been perfect to try those beers during whatever it was that you were doing... Reefing something or other?Welp....... attempt number two.... so I have been busy over the last few weeks. Lots of problems that needed fixing. Awesome! That’s why this is a hobby. If everything is going great then not much needs to be done ......right? Well that’s the attitude I’m trying to take here...and the attitude I’m ... trying...to selling to my loving, amazing and understanding wife. Who has been nothing but supportive through my many hours and many dollars invested in this seemingly simple endeavor. Sooooo!.....I successfully drilled holes into my brand new tank. Super simple!!!!! And super nerve racking!!!!!! My buddy had done it several times, and lent his expertise, and more importantly his glass drill press attachment! He would of course not touch my tank but instead offered his witt, wisdom, and steady drinking hand as invaluable helping aids. While watching me sweat it out and drill my newly purchased tank. Don’t know how that beer would have been consumed if not for his unprecedented skill......
Unfortunately I did not think to take any pictures during this exhibit of exceptional skill and execution. Ehhheemm..(throat clearing sound and subtle whisper) beers drinking skill....
But that beer drinking did leave its mark...as we drilled the holes on the new tank on the opposite side as the old tank. Big deal you say? Not so fast my friends. The plumbing had all been done... holes in the back of the stand drilled. Sooo... one problem solved and...several more created. One weekend down and on to the next. I called upon fellow reefer warriors such as @Rob.bucek [email protected].......for aid. Thanks Rob! Your super duper! He was awesome enough to let me snag a few feet of super classy forest green sched 80. I put it to use straight away.
Photos! Finally remembered to snap some picks of what I’m doing. Welp...these photos actually document many more hours than was probably necessary ....a few trips to menards and etc. So on to this weekend for the final stretch of operation “Fix It!”
Friday night.....
And today....
No leaks I. The tank or my plumbing!!!! Except my dang UV... next problem. Small leak at the bottom union. So I primed and cemented the seal and added some silicon. Going to let all that cure for one day and reattach tomorrow. Fingers crossed on that and the I’ll be in the clear. Phew!!!! Longest post ever!
Congrats on the milestone!
OP
OP
jk_s124
Valuable Member
Thanks! Should have had you come over! We weren’t at it long, kids and all. But good fun non the less.
AnotherReefHobbyist
Well-Known Member
Updates? How’s it coming along?
OP
OP
jk_s124
Valuable Member
Thanks for reminding me that I haven’t updated in a while! It’s been s busy few months. This update unfortunately feels like deja vu. I had noticed a few weeks back a streak of salt creep on the back left panel six inches below my overflow and right at the edge of the glass. Kept an eye out for a week though see if any plumbing or seems were leaking. The streak kept appearing but the source continued to evade me. Then I noticed a line on the side edge of the back panel just where the salt creep kept appearing. I took a closer look from the front and found the SOB. Sure enough a crack was running from my overflow drain down and to the edge of the glass. So for the second time now. I have torn every thing down and placed back into my qt tank. I have purchased, again, another 40 b aqueon and will be drilling again, hopefully, on Sunday.
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