Ashevillian's 40b Build

Hey 3reeferheads!

Been on and off these forums the past fews years... to be honest, there is no need to post general questions. This site has grown so much over the years that the search engine is a real powerful tool!

The other week I posted about some issues with my Biocube 29g. Members asked me to fill out a "tps report" I finished most of it but was too guilty to post it since my test kit is nearly expired(Hagens) and I dont have anything to test for Alk or Mg. What I think was happening was that, I didnt do water changes frequently enough and I was not dosing.

Either way, the Biocube was my first SW tank. It's great for newbies, but realistically you need to gut the entire thing. I replaced the pump, removed bioballs, added a DIY Overflow courtesy of 3reef's Mobalized.

It's time to upgrade that chinese plastic cube to something nicer. My fish have really grown the past few years and I want more room for my Flametail Blenny and my tank-bred Orchid Dottyback to explore. I plan to run skimmerless and dose with B-Ionic 2part & BA's Magnesion

Siamese Approved 40b




Tabby Approved CoralVue 250 w/ 14k Double-ended MH Bulb


Planning the overflow is giving me a headache. My idea as of now is to drill two 1.5" holes on one side for a Bean style overflow and a 1.25" hole for a 3/4" return line using Loc-Line. I just have never done an overflow or return this way since I have never had a tank with holes in the back. But even with all the videos and threads available, it's still a headache and confusing. So I'm not sure yet how I will do the overflow.

 

I plan on using my Biocube as a sump, fuge... It has the extra chambers in the back for all of my equiptment, and the display will make a perfect area for a DSB and some macro's.

Here is the current setup(a bit outdated):


More recent FTS:


I still plan on using my Panorama Pro's for actinic supplement. These things are badass and it's all thanks to @Matt_Rogers and the rest of the 3reef community for voting my sweater as the ugliest of 2011. My only real problem is trying to find a way to mount them along side the 250w MH. Since there are 3 LED strips, I was going to try to place one on either side of the MH and the third in front of the MH.
It's funny looking back at these pictures, my hair is considerably longer!




Ideas for mounting these would be appreciated! Also questioning the height at which I should hang my MH. The guy I bought it from said to start about 3.5" above my tank, and then slowly lower it over time

 

A few color strips from the hardware store to decide on a background color. They are all kinda weird imo, might just stick with black.


Also debating the eggcrate idea as a base for my liverock. I would cut four to six 1" pvc to place underneath to allow fauna to move freely through the sandbed, but to be honest I have never really had a problem with avalanches, all my rock is really large and stable so I might veto this idea

 

You must post pics when your done with the whole thing!

 

Definitely! Right now I have been on the hunt for a good stand that isn't going to break the bank. Ideally, Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity will have something. Its just a matter of checking every other day since those items come and go quickly. If I can't find anything in the next month I will just make my own. Which is very easy to do, but I have had problems getting my stands perfectly level, otherwise I would just build another.

 

Making the stand by yourself is a lot cheaper as well. Its very east to do, you just have to get the measurements right and you'll be good to go! I made my stand by myself as well.

 

+1 ~That's what I'll do. I can add a side door, wheels, and design to my specs.

 

I look forward to watching this tank build. Is it a 40 breeder?
Thanks for posting that ugly sweater again.

 

Well I already gave you karma for the cat infestation. So Well Done is all I got for you for the ugly sweater.

:thumb_up:

I agree go with the black for the back, you know you'll not regret that later. You can always paint the stand a unique blue.

 

Slip or threaded for my ball, check, and gate valves?

It's a 40breeder, and it was hilarious finding that picture still on 3reef!

This is probably what I will go with for an overflow box minus the dual return.

*Image courtesy of a post by Grim

Or maybe something like this? Looks a little loud, but this is my first time doing an overflow so just weighing some options



What size holes should I drill?