WIP - 40 Breeder

[Bennettp]

Thanks, that's a pretty cool site. Good shipping prices too. I sold my Imac so I should have enough to pay off my credit card and play with the rest lol. I'm just trying to decide if I actually need anything. I want a refugium and I keep eyeballing rimless glass tanks and that SWC 60 watt dimmable led lighting system. I also love wood working, so I may start playing around with building a stand.

 

[dsmhero]

Thanks, that's a pretty cool site. Good shipping prices too. I sold my Imac so I should have enough to pay off my credit card and play with the rest lol. I'm just trying to decide if I actually need anything. I want a refugium and I keep eyeballing rimless glass tanks and that SWC 60 watt dimmable led lighting system. I also love wood working, so I may start playing around with building a stand.

Does that mean you have wood working tools? lol

 

[Bennettp]

I wish. I do have a nice new radial saw and a good collection of hand tools and small power tools. On my list to get is a finishing nail gun, a table saw, and a plainer to be complete though. Every time I go to harbor freight, I just about freak out because everything there is so cheap. Someday I'll just a paycheck there on one of there good sale days and load up on tools.

 

[dsmhero]

It can be hit or miss with some of the harbor freight tools. All my tools are for working on cars so I will probably have to hit up my parents tool shed to start building this stand, plus my landlord would have a hissy fit if he saw I was cutting wood.

 

[dawgwe1]

Lights are for sure going to be LEDS.

Are you purchasing a fixture or do it yourself?

 

[dsmhero]

Are you purchasing a fixture or do it yourself?

DIY with an arduino controller more than likely unless I decide to spend the cash for an Apex

 

[sarmo]

i know somebody who has an apex that he won't be using soon

 

[Bennettp]

I've been eyeballing those apex units. I would buy it if the price is right. I'm still in love with Vortechs as well though, I think having a wave through your tank is one of the coolest things you can do in this hobby. I just bought two eliminator E-107 power strips to clean up my aquarium cords. They are just like the American DJ power strips but cheaper and of higher quality. I love the fact that each power outlet has a power switch. I like to turn off my return pump when I'm feeding, or turn of my skimmer when I'm dosing. Now I can do it all with the flip of a switch instead of digging under my cabinet and guessing which cord is the right one.

 

[dsmhero]

i know somebody who has an apex that he won't be using soon

LOL, if I have the extra cash at that time I will be all over that.

I've been eyeballing those apex units. I would buy it if the price is right. I'm still in love with Vortechs as well though, I think having a wave through your tank is one of the coolest things you can do in this hobby. I just bought two eliminator E-107 power strips to clean up my aquarium cords. They are just like the American DJ power strips but cheaper and of higher quality. I love the fact that each power outlet has a power switch. I like to turn off my return pump when I'm feeding, or turn of my skimmer when I'm dosing. Now I can do it all with the flip of a switch instead of digging under my cabinet and guessing which cord is the right one.

Everything I have seen regarding the vortechs just makes me want them more, the wave function is quite unbelievable. I need to get Dan to program his so we can see it in action. I hate unplugging my cords just to feed, I may have to look into those power strips and see if they have one I can use for my 12g. I am definitely getting one for the 40b.

 

[Bennettp]

Ya ive been bugging dan about them since he ordered it. I came in the day he got it and watched him try to get it going but I guess he asked devon about it and found out it was missing a part. I wonder if he ordered the piece he needed or not. The mp10 is the best deal for the money. They call it nano, but the thing can make a huge wave through a 55 without even trying. I guess vortech regulates the price and the lowest they can sell the mp10 is $220. I found one on the web for $175 but the price got fixed before I could order one. I just wish they offered a longer warranty on the pumps. 1 year is not much to me.

 

[Bennettp]

Montana glass cuts holes for 10 bucks a hole. I haven't decided if I will have them do it or not.

I need to drill my ADA tank. I'm debating whether to it myself or ask Montana glass to do it. I just want to make sure this tank is done right. Its too pretty and too new to break it now

 

[dsmhero]

Well finally some updates!!

Got started on the building the stand before it got too cold. This is seriously one overbuilt stand for a 40 but I dont mind. Let me know what you think. All are 2x4.

All cut and ready for assembly

Base and top almost complete

Simpson ties installed

Size reference

Currently where it sits in my home, it takes up too much room right now if I position it like its suppose to be. Also has a 20 long as a sump for now.

 

[Bennettp]

Wow, great job. That thing could hold a mac truck! Great minds must think a like. I spent all day and almost all night finishing my tank setup. I'm super super happy with everything. I'll update my thread tomorrow when I'm not so tired. Looking forward to getting together sometime. I need help figuring out this apex system lol. I can remotely turn things on and off with my ipad but that is about as far as I have gotten.

 

[Bennettp]

By the way, I have a 1 3/4" holes saw from glass-holes if you would like to borrow it and save a few bucks drilling your tank. I'm pretty good at it now after drilling two holes in my tank. I made a wood template to get the hole started then took my time at medium speed apply on the weight of the drill and my holes turned out great. The only hard part was holding the drill perfectly upright.

 

[dsmhero]

That would be wonderful! I think I am going to run the beanAnimal overflow design but I want to do a bit more research first. Yeah we need to get together soon and throw some ideas around.

 

[Bennettp]

Ya, I think the bean animal is the way to go as far as noise goes. I think 3 holes is overkill like some do. 2 holes gives me plenty of flow on my system with zero noise and I'm not worried about flooding since my second hole only has a trickle flowing through it.

 

[dsmhero]

Here is the design for the plumbing at the moment. Its 1" schedule 40. Comments and critiques encouraged.

 

[CarlaW]

1" will be plenty of drain. Ok, maybe I missed something, but what are ya using for flow in the tank itself. When I had my 40 gallon breeder set up as a frag tank, I was using Korallias, can't remember which one, but holy crap, they about blew the lips off of my frags, had to reposition and if I remember correctly, drop down a size on the pumps.

 

[dsmhero]

Ok, so flow through sump I am looking at around 400 gph and the main flow for the tank will be either an MP10w or MP40w on the overflow wall, I am not sure which one to use since it has the length of the tank to run.

Also, the return is going to run along the top of the tank and dispense at the far end of the tank.

 

[CarlaW]

The MP40 will blow out the other side of the tank, plus it is really pricey. I personally would look into some of the Korallia pumps, they are cheaper and do just as good. What are you gonna have in here?