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Author Topic: 40 gal w/sump  (Read 5346 times)

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Offline KYLE.801

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40 gal w/sump
« on: September 27, 2009, 06:16:08 PM »
I'm excited to say that I am going to be putting together a 40 gal with a sump.  I like this 40 gal because of its dimensions, it isnt very tall and it has a lot of dept kind of like the "cube" style aquariums.  Im looking forward to having more sand space and not having to have all the LR stacked against the back wall.  Im getting the tank drilled with over flow and stand for 270.  I'm excited to get this going because I will be putting it together how I want unlike the 29 gal that I already have that was given to me, dont get me wrong though I love my tank  :).  I'm also really looking forward to having a sump instead of this crap hob filter that has done nothing but produce micro bubbles(I did a few more test and im 100 percent sure it is the filter).   I am however going to take this slow!!  This is going to be a step by step and well because of $$$ I cant rush anything and I want it done right too.  Once I get the tank and sump set up I will transfer everything from my 29 into it.  Everyone who gets into this hobby seems to always want something bigger and I am guilty of it.  But for now where I live (in apartments) I want to keep things cool but simple so thats why I decided to start this project and upgrade.  Hopefully down the road in a few years, we can get something bigger going like a 75 or 90 gal! thanks for reading and as always thanks for helping me with my past and many many future questions! 
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Offline Bergy

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Re: 40 gal w/sump
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2009, 09:30:25 PM »
sounds like a perfect upgrade... and yea, seems different now that you know some  stuff and can design and expect something yhou will like... from the get go...

but, yea,i think you see that this hobby is a definite addiction...

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Offline Just_Greg

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Re: 40 gal w/sump
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2009, 09:44:18 AM »
cool!  IMHO, most peeps' first setup is usually a stepping stone.  it kinda takes one shot at it to begin learning what you really want/what works for you.  my first 55 gal FO SW setup was like that.  can't wait to see pix!

Quote
but, yea,i think you see that this hobby is a definite addiction...


gee, is THAT why we have so many tanx up and running?   ???

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Offline KYLE.801

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Re: 40 gal w/sump
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2009, 01:42:19 PM »


but, yea,i think you see that this hobby is a definite addiction...


[/quote]

no kidding! 

    Hope to have some pics in a couple weeks of just the tank, wont be for another month or so before I actually change everthing over.  I'm really glad I got this tank I have now because it finally got me to get into saltwater tanks and like you said Greg, it has given me a better idea of what I want in my tank!

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if at first you dont suceed, try try, oh hell, just shoot the some woof woof!!!!!!! -Bill

Offline psykokid

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Re: 40 gal w/sump
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2009, 06:43:39 PM »
Quote from: shady drug dealer type LFS owner
hey kid, you want a salt water fish tank? i'll give you your first tank for free..

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well I dont think it would be nice to refer to you as the ahole that started this site   :o

Offline KYLE.801

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Re: 40 gal w/sump
« Reply #5 on: September 29, 2009, 08:19:48 AM »
And then you are addicted and its hard to quit reefing! hahaha
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Offline pinkorchid

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Re: 40 gal w/sump
« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2009, 05:41:26 PM »
Cool. Good luck with the new set-up! I'll be watching for updates :)
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Offline KYLE.801

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Re: 40 gal w/sump
« Reply #7 on: October 05, 2009, 11:29:16 AM »
So I'm still waiting for my tank to get drilled and the overflow put in.  In the meanwhile the store where im getting the tank does a lot of commercial so they have a lot of used stuff laying around so my buddy there is going to hook me up with a 20 gal sump for like 10 bucks and a return pump for cheap and all that.  Only two things left to figure out is what im going to do for lighting and where in my house is the tank going to go?. :-\.....  for the lighting maybe i could build a canopy and put some vho lights in?  I could probably rig so my lights right now on my 29 to fit the 40 breeder but Ill probably want something better since the lights i have now are one 65 watt actinic and one 65 watt white... the 40 gal is 36 inches long and this fixture is only 32.  What do you all think? 
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Offline RandyFolds

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Re: 40 gal w/sump
« Reply #8 on: October 05, 2009, 02:31:25 PM »
I wouldn't go with VHO...they are bulky, hard to find bulbs for, and hot as all hell. Go with a MH or 36" T5HO setup (or both). You can probably pick up a cheap retrofit kit for the T5s. Bill preaches the T5 a lot because there are so many bulb types for them that you are sure to find a nice mix for your tastes. Now that I have some more experience with them, I have to agree.

A MH/T5 combo is the nicest lighting you can get on your tank IMO. Check craigslist...there is always people selling aquarium and hydroponics gear. I would slap a 12K 250w MH and 2x36" T5s on it if you can afford it.
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Offline Bergy

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Re: 40 gal w/sump
« Reply #9 on: October 05, 2009, 02:35:14 PM »
+1


Quote from: RandyFolds on October 05, 2009, 02:31:25 PM
I wouldn't go with VHO...they are bulky, hard to find bulbs for, and hot as all hell. Go with a MH or 36" T5HO setup (or both). You can probably pick up a cheap retrofit kit for the T5s. Bill preaches the T5 a lot because there are so many bulb types for them that you are sure to find a nice mix for your tastes. Now that I have some more experience with them, I have to agree.

A MH/T5 combo is the nicest lighting you can get on your tank IMO. Check craigslist...there is always people selling aquarium and hydroponics gear. I would slap a 12K 250w MH and 2x36" T5s on it if you can afford it.

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Offline RandyFolds

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Re: 40 gal w/sump
« Reply #10 on: October 05, 2009, 03:04:41 PM »
I just had to replace some 6' (yes, six foot) VHO bulbs on one of my client's tanks. It sucked to find them, transport them, and install them. I just am not a fan.
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Offline KYLE.801

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Re: 40 gal w/sump
« Reply #11 on: October 05, 2009, 03:10:22 PM »
And let the looking begin! hehehe thanks guys! 
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Offline psykokid

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Re: 40 gal w/sump
« Reply #12 on: October 05, 2009, 04:32:11 PM »
i've got pretty much what lanny has suggested over my 36" long tank at the moment. I have 14K 250W Metal Halide with 2 39W 36" t5's (well, one t5 atm due to waiting for my bulbs to arrive and being impatient) If you read my take on budget reefing i have a minimal amount sunk into the halides and the t5's (which were replacing 96W power compacts) i have about 90 bucks total into them with ballast, end caps, and 5 bulbs (Current 460nm, 2 ATI blue plus, 1 ATI Aquablue, and 1 Fiji Purple). The 14K halide made everything look real nice, much better than the 10K i had before. With the single 460NM blue bulb everything looks real nice, colours fluoresce a bit more and have some more pop. I may try putting a 10K halide bulb back in after i get the other t5 installed to see how everything responds. The 10K halide with the 2 ATI Blue + may work nice.. We shall see..

 
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Quote from: KYLEJ
well I dont think it would be nice to refer to you as the ahole that started this site   :o

Offline KYLE.801

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Re: 40 gal w/sump
« Reply #13 on: October 05, 2009, 06:53:17 PM »
Well I hate being such a newb and only understanding half of what you said  ??? lol but I was looking around and even went over to the lfs to see what they had and got a few ideas there.  I did find on ebay a 36" 2x96W Current USA PowerCompact Orbit Fixture for 240.00 its pretty much what i have now but instead of 65 watt lights it supports 95.  Im doing some more searches on t5 set ups.  Thanks for your help!  psykokid do you have a pic of your lights? 
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Offline RandyFolds

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Re: 40 gal w/sump
« Reply #14 on: October 05, 2009, 07:02:39 PM »
Man, I would stray away from the 96W Power Compacts. Look for a 6x39W T5 fixture if you aren't down with the metal halide option.
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