Its been a while!

[xcountryx]

Well it's been about 4 years since I moved and tore down my tanks. Sold the 100 gallon and the 30 is just a freshwater with my daughters fair gold fish.
But I'm back! Here we go!

40 breeder build.
20 long sump
Reef octopus 150 (proly overkill)
Reef keeper controller
Some type of return lol (I'll have to look)
2x hydor powerheads
1 jeabo micro powerhead for random flow
And the light is a black box led

Just bought drill bits to drill for overflow. This will be my first drill. But the kit didnt come with the 45mm instead a 50mm. So not sure if I should just drill the overflow for two 3/4 bulkheads and a 1/2 return. Anyone have ideas on this?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Well it's been about 4 years since I moved and tore down my tanks. Sold the 100 gallon and the 30 is just a freshwater with my daughters fair gold fish.
But I'm back! Here we go!

40 breeder build.
20 long sump
Reef octopus 150 (proly overkill)
Reef keeper controller
Some type of return lol (I'll have to look)
2x hydor powerheads
1 jeabo micro powerhead for random flow
And the light is a black box led

Just bought drill bits to drill for overflow. This will be my first drill. But the kit didnt come with the 45mm instead a 50mm. So not sure if I should just drill the overflow for two 3/4 bulkheads and a 1/2 return. Anyone have ideas on this?

3/4” with A 1/2” return is fine BUT assure the return pump has adequate hog output to pump water as fast as it’s coming into sump or you’re going to have high water level in tank and sump

 

[xcountryx]

I could just make the return 3/4 also!

 

[xcountryx]

Sump is done. Stand is put together. Although I wouldnt recommend this stand for reef keeping. It was my wife only request. There is only 1 door that's right in the middle and 12 inches. It will work but not ideal. You could always turn it around and put doors on the back. Its pretty much wide open.

Anyways I'm not sure if I want to use the heater. I might get a smaller one. It will be ran by the reef keeper so not worried there. I'm just not sure if it's good to lay it on the rock in the sump.

I ordered the bulkheads. I went with 3/4 for overflow and return. My thinking is that I will be doing a turf scrubber and will just T off the return line for it. Otherwise here some pics. Any ideas or options are always welcome. Again it's been about 4 years since I've done this. Thanks

 

[xcountryx]

 

[tbrown3589]

Sump is done. Stand is put together. Although I wouldnt recommend this stand for reef keeping. It was my wife only request. There is only 1 door that's right in the middle and 12 inches. It will work but not ideal. You could always turn it around and put doors on the back. Its pretty much wide open.

Anyways I'm not sure if I want to use the heater. I might get a smaller one. It will be ran by the reef keeper so not worried there. I'm just not sure if it's good to lay it on the rock in the sump.

I ordered the bulkheads. I went with 3/4 for overflow and return. My thinking is that I will be doing a turf scrubber and will just T off the return line for it. Otherwise here some pics. Any ideas or options are always welcome. Again it's been about 4 years since I've done this. Thanks

I noticed that several pieces of your rubble in the sump have frag holes in them. You should keep them on the top of the pile in case you want to use them for a garden of some sort.

 

[xcountryx]

Yeah there are a few in there that were made for frags and I wasnt sure where to put them yet but will make sure they are near the top so I can get to them easily. I also have a rack to use too. I still have a bunch of totes to go through and see what else I can use. It's like Christmas when I find something I dont remember having lol

 

[xcountryx]

I have these branches that I realy like but not sure where to add them. The wife says they look like male things lol

 

[xcountryx]

Received my bulkheads yesterday. Will be drilling the return this weekend. Have to wait to do overflow since I don't have a box or weir yet. Still trying to figure that out. But baby steps

 

[xcountryx]

Is there a paint I can use for a diy internal overflow box made out of plexiglass?

 

[tbrown3589]

Best aquarium safe paint for inside and outside your tank

Choosing the wrong paint for your aquarium can be a deadly mistake - dead fish! Use these safe for aquarium paints instead!

fishlab.com

 

[xcountryx]

Thanks! I have the plasti dip I was gona use for the back. But i still don't know if I'm completely sold on using anything inside the tank. Just looking at options atm

 

[xcountryx]

I'm thinking of just scuffing the plexiglass to give it a frosted look instead of taking any chances

 

[tbrown3589]

Thanks! I have the plasti dip I was gona use for the back. But i still don't know if I'm completely sold on using anything inside the tank. Just looking at options atm

We used craft paint for the back. It's easily removed if you want to change the color ever.

 

[xcountryx]

Well here's the overflow I made. Decided to just buy the black acrylic sheets.

 

[tbrown3589]

Well here's the overflow I made. Decided to just buy the black acrylic sheets.

View attachment 2506541View attachment 2506542

Did you drill the back of the tank or the base?

 

[xcountryx]

I drilled the back

 

[xcountryx]

Now just letting the tank dry so I can paint the back, install bulkheads and silicone the overflow on.

 

[tbrown3589]

Now just letting the tank dry so I can paint the back, install bulkheads and silicone the overflow on.

Just remember that once the overflow is attached you won't be able to adjust the height. Where the water level sits is going to have to be adjusted by adjusting the return pump flow.

 

[xcountryx]

Just remember that once the overflow is attached you won't be able to adjust the height. Where the water level sits is going to have to be adjusted by adjusting the return pump flow.

Thanks! I cut the weir combs to right at the bottom of the black brace hoping to keep water level just above it. Would that be right?