40 Gallon Tank Build with 20 Gallon sump

[JustTechWriter]

Hey folks, I will be using this thread as a chance to show new reefers (like myself) can accomplish alot with some research and patience.

I am planning a 40 gallon tank with 20 gallon sump. 40 gallons is the largest saltwater tank I have ever used. I have never used a sump and never skimmed anything.

I had a old aqueon 40 gallon tank that I had freshwater fish in for 8 years. And a 20 gallon long for the same. I got a wild hair up my you know what and I decided it was go big or go home (for me. I know lots of you folks have hundred gallon tanks and up. One day friends)

So first I had to figure out if I wanted to do an internal or external overflow. I wanted to try internal but that meant drilling some holes. Never drilled holes before. Decided that I wanted to do a 1 inch drain and so I I got a Figi cube overflow box that could handled up to 660 gph. Now there's some math that you are supposed to do here to figure out the exact flow appropriate for your overflow.... Just look up the info on the overflow box in relation to your tank and you will do fine. I could have gone with the 450 gph box but it had a 3/4" drain. If you want a 3/4" drain then do it!

The overflow box came with the diamond drill bit to attach to a drill and make the overflow box. So I went on BRS to figure out what size drill bit I needed for a 3/4s return hole that i could throw a bulkhead in. They have great info on there. With the 2 drill bits acquired it was time to prep and start drilling. Using the guides attached were a godsend.

 

[DDenny]

Looking good cant wait to see it filled with water and working.

 

[TX_REEF]

good luck on the build! Check out my build thread as well for some ideas on the DIY plumbing.

 

[JustTechWriter]

Next we added some paint.

 

[JustTechWriter]

good luck on the build! Check out my build thread as well for some ideas on the DIY plumbing.

Thanks so much I most definitely will!

 

[JustTechWriter]

Looking good cant wait to see it filled with water and working.

The thought of leak testing is nerve wracking.

 

[TX_REEF]

The thought of leak testing is nerve wracking.

do it outside or in the garage

 

[Crabs McJones]

Looking good so far! excited to see the progress, the 40b holds a special place in my heart as it's where I started

 

[JustTechWriter]

With holes drilled and paint dry it was time to come up with a plan. I knew that the overflow box had a 1 inch drain so I knew I needed some 1 in schedule 40 pipe (BRS for the orange). I also knew that for water to get from the overflow to the sump, that I will need some elbows. I got some 90s and 45s schedule 80 elbows. A kind person on manhattanreefs gave me some free dry rock from their taken down 90 gallon, as well as, 2 phosban media reactors ( I dont even know how to use these yet but dont worry I will!)

I also got a reef octopus skimmer. One of the smallest that I could find. Also used but clean.

 

[JustTechWriter]

do it outside or in the garage

I am in Brooklyn lol. Dont have one of those.

 

[JustTechWriter]

Looking good so far! excited to see the progress, the 40b holds a special place in my heart as it's where I started

Thanks so very much!

 

[JustTechWriter]

Here is what the setup looks like painted with the stand. The overflow box is installed and 2 3/4"s return bulkheads are installed.

 

[JustTechWriter]

Sump Planning Time. Never used a sump before, let alone silcone the baffles in. But oddly enough it was easy. First I went on eBay and found the sump kit that I wanted. Shout out to Jax Racks. Great product and super friendly customer service. Once the baffles came in, I started to dry plan everything out.

Also, got 2 Random Flow Generators for the returns. Just pop those in the bulkhead.

 

[shakacuz]

solid progress! i also went with a 40B and 20G long sump for my first SW build.

 

[kevgib67]

Coming together quickly, well done. I look forward to seeing some life in there.

 

[JustTechWriter]

solid progress! i also went with a 40B and 20G long sump for my first SW build.

And what do you have now?

 

[shakacuz]

And what do you have now?

same build. i do plan on transferring everything to a 60G cube. reusing most, if not all of my equipment

 

[JustTechWriter]

Update time! Water testing with tap water for a few days. The only leak I had was at the check valve on the return line. It leaked because I did not glue in the union piece to the barbed fitting. So far so good!
Overflow box was a bit noisy so I raised the pipe on the main drain in the box.

 

[JustTechWriter]

Just wanted to shout out that the stand cover is just a cover but still pretty freakin awesome. Brooklyn Custom Aquariums does a great job. Got the orange RFGs from ebay. I have a 3d printer but can only print in PLA.

 

[AnomMatty]

Looking good!