woot my first build thread (update) hard plumbling installed for drain

ok, soo ive been wanting to start a reef tank for some time (since i got my own house and got my first salt water fish only tank)

so the other day i walk into petco to get some food for my other pets and low and behold they have the dollar per gallon sale well what better way than to buy a 40 gallon breeder tank.

and as you can see the stand its 21 years old it is 34 1/2 inch long by 24 1/2 inch tall and 23 1/2 deep and held a huge tube tv long ago i build it with my dad when i was about 5 or so and they wanted to toss it i said hell no i want it so i saved it, and its been in my garage since i bought my own house back in 2010. it need clean up i know .the drawers on it i plan on taking out and posting them to another board and using it as a door i have a few selfs that cam with it and those are just right to become a door. most the drilling it done has to good sized holes (used for cables when it was a tv stand) the board on the inside which is 23 1/2 inches long by 21 1/2 inch tall i plan on cutting out 20 inch long by 18 inch tall chunk out of it. i have a spare 20 gallon long tank i plan on turning into a sump with glass baffles a skimmer plan on a eshops psk75 for in it and make another hiding place for a 10-20 gallons water storage container for my ATO. plan on going LED lighting most likely from rapid LEP.

i figure this is a good way to take something from my childhood and turn it into a lasting memory.

this build thread will take a long time to finish, since i work a full time job at Publix super market and going to school full time for respiratory therapy so as you can imagine money will have to be saved unless i hit the lotto i wish.

and always any and all imput is welcomed since like i said this is my first reef tank.

and just fyi i got most my info on how to do this tank from here http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/whats-important-successful-tank-108699.html
ik it says no impulse buying but i was not going to pass up a 40 gallon for 40 bucks hehehehe

 

Awesome deal, Can't wait to see what unfolds.

 

after much research and such the list of what im putting in on this are

reefbreeders for led
a RKL with PH prop, temp prop, and the float switch for it
for wave makers 2x these Amazon.com: Hydor Koralia Evolution 750 Aquarium Circulation Pump, 750 gph: Pet Supplies using the RFL controller for it (if you think 750 is to low let me know plz)
Hampton Water Gardens 75 GPH Pond Statuary Pump,Water Pump,Pond Pump,Aquarium Pump,Hampton Pump,Hampton Water Gardens for my pump from reservoir to sump (the reservoir will have my kalk replacement in at a 1/4 of what is what is needed).

is a carbon reactor im going to use a hang on back power filter i had left over from when i broke down my fresh water tank its a Tetra Whisper EX Filtration System for 40-75 gallons, i have 2 of them but i was going to make the other a hang on back refuge to compliment the refuge i plan on build into my sump just afraid my 20 gallon long tank wont have room for a refuge in it to tell truth. (you think to much filtration?)

i already have my return pump and such here they were cheap from a friend from a company named via aqua and odyssea (never heard of either but hey they were free and they work till i can get a a good named one if need be)

and as for the kalk anyone have any suggestion on companies to go with or what not. im assuming kalk and calcium are on in the same.
i plan on using the instant ocean reef mix for my tank (i use plain mix for my fish only tank and have no complaints so sticking with a company i trust)

it will take me a few months to order all the stuff i need to build this so bare with me and ill keep updates flowing in

 

yes i painted the back is dark blue with metalic flakes in it i did it mainly to be different then the other blues and blacks you see

im making live rock right now my mix is
2parts argonite 1part perlite 1.5parts white cement
my main leds are now working with a mix of 10 blue and 10 white all from rapid. i plan on adding in 2 cyan/green led's, 2 uv leds, maybe 1 or 2 red/orange ones. i bought cheapo moonlight ones off ebay.

i got my ro/di system now need to by the booster pump and a water drinking kit (ik unrelated lol)

 

I like the background color, good choice! keep us updated!

 

i made the choice since its dark and will reflect and i figure the metallic flakes will also shine back into it and kinda add a night sky feel to it. that another thing i love to do in the just sit outside by a fire with my wife and stargaze, there have been many times we fell asleep and woke up the next morning lol

 

That's cute!

Can't do that here... If I fell asleep outside, I'd wake up 3 miles from home in a field cause the mosquitos carried me off. lol.

Please post pics of how your rock turns out!

 

the paint looks great could I get a a exact make on the paint I might have to steal the color

 

sure its rust-oleum cobalt blue metallic, i just love the color of it

 

Nice start. I have 40b myself. Really nice size to start with.
My sump is a 20l DIY and refuge portion is about 5 gal water volume. It works fine for me.
You shouldn't worry about the kalk from the get go. Regular waterchanges should keep your water parameters in check in the beginning.
I might have missed it but are you planing on a skimmer of any kind? Also check into media reactors for carbon and eventually GFO as they will give you more flexability in flow control and bettepr use of your media.
GL with your build.