The 40B Build-it-yourself Upgrade!

[LiveRockDaddy]

Go 3/4”!

1/2” is just painfully restrictive… it leaves you less room for future updates, too!

As they say; “better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!”

I want to split it and put moveable heads on it

 

[UncommonSense]

I want to split it and put moveable heads on it

Then here’s the perfect kit for that!

VCA Flex Series - Ultimate Return Line Upgrade Kit - Dual 1/2 Flex-Series RFG - Vivid Creative

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

 

[69cam]

What brand of overflow did you go with?

 

[Scott chilton]

Nice start! Everything looks clean. I'll be following along with this build. I'll probally steal some ideas because i'll be starting my 60 breeder build when my modualr marine overflow gets delivered in a few days.

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

What brand of overflow did you go with?

Eshopps Eclipse M

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Cool! Following!

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

Played around with rocks over the last few days. Used the cardboard display with 1” less each side and cut to height at water level. Just applied the E-Marco-400. I used reef safe superglue and a couple fiberglass rods to hold things in place. In a few hours it will transfer to the tank.

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

I want to split it and put moveable heads on it

Then here’s the perfect kit for that!

VCA Flex Series - Ultimate Return Line Upgrade Kit - Dual 1/2 Flex-Series RFG - Vivid Creative

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

This would be perfect for achieving surface agitation. Just need to figure out how it would connect to my 90 elbow.


In other news. I’ve been placing to the rocks different ways to see how I feel about it.

Sand comes tomorrow.

My thought was to fill the system up with RODI water and start getting it heated, add the salt until I reach my salinity level, then carefully placing the live sand in, as well as some pieces of rock from my current set up.

Here’s how we sit. Tomorrow I’m going to trim out the stand. Maybe.

 

[UncommonSense]

Just need to figure out how it would connect to my 90 elbow.

Either use an off the shelf 3/4” female NPT to slip straight pipe adapter, or replace that slip/slip 90 elbow with a female NPT to slip adapter 90 elbow!

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

Stand is cased in, now ready for doors.

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

Looking to paint the top of my return. I've been seeing Krylon is acceptable if you let it cure properly. Any other recommendations?

OR

Let coraline algae do its thing?

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

Turns out my overflow box is leaking, internally.

Water level is below the weir, but water is seeping in. I’m going to assume it’s the internal seal between the weir box and glass. There is no leak on the exterior of the tank. Water is slowly accumulating and dripping into the rear chamber.

While it’s not a major concern right now, my issue would be if there is a prolonged power outage.

Guess I’m taking water out to re-seat the gasket.

Fun.

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

ITS ALIVE!

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

I seeded the tank with a couple pieces of live rock from my nano in the sump. Today I’ll add a couple more larger pieces to the display.

Today’s test results.



Also added my ATO. I used a 32cup capacity cereal storage container. Drilled a couple holes to run the power and tubing. Now I’m in the fine tuning stage.

I’ll also add a little more sand. I have some left over from my nano that I’ll rinse.

Lastly, I’ll need to fine tune my overflow as it’s a bit noisy. Finding that sweet spot is hard .

I’ll have an updated post later on with the hardware used.

PS - I’ll move my heater soon.

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

All settled in!

Parts list:
Tank
Marineland 40g Breeder
Eshopps Eclipse M overflow
40lbs Caribsea Fiji Pink Arag Alive sand
50 lbs(?) of mixed dry/live rock
Hygger HG042 powerhead
AI Prime 16HD light (another coming soon)

Sump
10 Gal with Jax Racks kit
Hygger 300w heater
Inkbird ITC-306
Jebao DCP-4000 return pump
F-Zone ATO

I probably missed something.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask!

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

Hooray! Uglies!

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

Today’s testing using Salifert and API (ammonia/nitrite)

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

Stocking update:

Added some turbo snails. I ordered 3, 2 of them are giants. *sigh*

Also got a pink Kenya tree and a devils hand.

New lid is on order, although I do love the window screen on my tank. Gives it the redneck flare.

Second AI prime HD16 came in. Needs a new lense, but waiting on the arm to come in. Ordered a fan for it as well, JIC.

 

[Scott chilton]

Stocking update:

Added some turbo snails. I ordered 3, 2 of them are giants. *sigh*

Also got a pink Kenya tree and a devils hand.

New lid is on order, although I do love the window screen on my tank. Gives it the redneck flare.

Second AI prime HD16 came in. Needs a new lense, but waiting on the arm to come in. Ordered a fan for it as well, JIC.

comin right along!. Everything looks great

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

Got the second light mounted. Devils hand it looking beautiful. My Kenya is overly dramatic.

Pics and parameters.