40G Breeder w/ Custom Stand

[njreefer]

Hi,

This is a few pics of what I've been working on the last 2 or 3 months. Don't have much time on the weekends to work on my aquarium but I think this is a hobby where the slower you go the better off you are. Anyways, here are a few pics of the build. The stand is overbuilt so if I get the itch to upgrade again, I can go up to a 100gallons. It's built out of 4x4, 2x4, and 3/4 plywood. Its caulked on the inside for leak protection. Mostly happy with it except for the doors which are a little crooked. Will have to revisit that. Going to use a 15 gallon sump, protein skimmer, refugium, and lighting will be from a 250 watt Aquamedic pendant. Would really like to make custom hanging kit for it but don't have the tools to bend metal. Anyone out there who can help me with that?

I know 40 gallon isn't that big, but my current tank is the fluval edge tank below so its a big upgrade for my fish :knockedou

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/tank-threads/110272-nj-fluval-edge-12-gallon.html

 

[xxxAngeloxxx]

nice stand buddy but i have a quick question....how come you didn't make the stand the same dimension as the 40B?

 

[njreefer]

I started off wanting a 90 gallon but then the wife saw the potential bills haha.

Two reasons 1) wanted to put a hanging light kit arch on the side for a cool modern look. 2) in a year I might upgrade again to a 4 ft long tank.

The top is 3/4 in plywood so I'm not worried about the weight distribution.

 

[twan]

Very nice!

 

[fishman1069]

Looks really good! Nice job!

 

[MikeC]

stand look great congrats!!!

 

[thirty6]

Very nice, is that one big rock o left Side?

I like the idea of tank off set a bit, looks sharp

 

[njreefer]

its one really big rock and two small ones wrapped around base... pukani rock is a good deal from BRS. I only ordered 40# and it was enough for tank and sump.

 

[jamesonwhiskey]

awesome work! tagging along to see it when it's finished

 

[kenconnect]

Nice job i just finish my stand my self as well.. Good luck

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

This is a very nice build.

 

[STHILL]

Very nice, wanna see more pics

 

[Tonyscoots84]

looking good so far keep up the good work

 

[twan]

I like the clean look of the white painted surfaces on the inside of the stand.
What kinda sump design is that?

 

[njreefer]

Its the standard sump, 3 bubble trap baffles, refugium in center, and return on the side. I bought it off another member but the baffles were done incorrectly, they are too wide and a little high. My sump is almost at the rim when the pump is turned off and there is a lot of splashing going on. Don't want to redo the whole thing so I'll try some creative solutions.

 

[njreefer]

Got some updates finally after a 8 week cycle!!! Added some new custom ordered doors to make up for my crappy diy attempt. Mounted a HQI pendant with a hanging kit from the ceiling. I wanted to do a metal arm but couldn't get one long enough. I think it still looks good and leaves me room on the side for my wife's decor. Nitrates at 20-30ppm and going down, but added some damsels in meantime. If all good in a few weeks, I'll add my Clarkii and firefish from nano tank. Will also add a 14K bulb instead of the 10K I have currently, tank is a little too yellow for me.

 

[twan]

I like the future expand ability of the stand
and the fact that you went off center in the meantime.

 

[njreefer]

i was also thinking the stand if i ever got out of the hobby again could easily be converted to a nice bar