65 replies to this topic

[mhart032]

well im starting to piece together my 40g build, its gonna be a 40g custom 100% starphire, dimensions are pretty standard of a breeder 36x18x16 with center overflow. gonna run a 40-55g sump and a remote 30g fuge will post pics of the tank when i get it in the house . Its heavy. so far i have tank, materials to build my stand the controller and 1 mp10. the stand will be 44x24x3foot, (perfect to drop in a DSA Neo 90 if i choose to upgrade down the road) i will be running the new apex full version, 2 mp10s an aquac calcium rx, and a kalk in my ATO and a 250w MH pendent with led supplementals for actinics sunrise and sunset .. still looking for skimmer (probably bubble king or Tunze) and pumps im undecided on what i want to go with. its tough cause there are so many good pumps but i want the tank dead silent!. will update more when i have it.
Matt

[lrssix]

Im interested in your build. I will be keeping up with it. I like how your sump will have more water volume than your DT. I have thought about doing that and wondered how the quality of the water would be with so much dilution.

[mhart032]

I had talked about a small display and a large sump for a bigger body of water for a wile now. i think it would be the best of both worlds.i think it being small under the lights and larger not under lights would keep the heat down too. even with the 250 over my 34g it gets hot. so i figured it would help as well. we all know how smaller bodies of water every change is drastic and vice versa for the larger tanks. ive had large tanks and small tanks now and decided to take the best of both and meet in the middle and see what i end up with. it will be fun thats for sure.
Matt

[mhart032]

Just an update. building the stand next Saturday, solid cherry wood. my buddy got the delivery to his cabinet shop last Tuesday so were in business. still looking for a sump. got a return pump for the sump went with an iwaki MD30RLT 960gph gonna have to turn it down i know. but i dont want to add anything later if i decide to upgrade down the road. here are some pics of the tank its 1/2 100% starphire, im really impressed with the build quality. (sorry its on its back due to bulkheads being installed and glued.

[Michael Rodriguez]

Wow, the tank looks great!

How did they finish off the edges of the glass? Who did you order it from?

[Will]

where did you get the tank built?

[mhart032]

Thanks, The edges are beveled. i bought it from a guy on masst. the tank had water in it to leak test it. but never used. im not sure who did the tank, but it is great build quality.
Matt

[Mindflux]

Looks great!

[mhart032]

Ok so yesterday me and a buddy got the stand done. my buddy ricky owns a cabinet shop is Shertz tx so we banged this thing out in 4 hrs. and darn this guy is good at what he does. here are some build pictures. stand is made out of solid cabinet cherry. i love it. the dimentions ended up being 44X23 1/2 X 3 foot. with a cut out in the front for the apex. quick disconnect hindges so all the door can be taken off in about 2 secs. All lumber was bought from Roddis Lumber & Hardwoods in San Antonio and the hinges are from Dakota Hardwoods (previously Austin Hardwoods) in San Antonio

here is what we started with 42 board foot of solid cherry lumber.

the framing being done. Thats the wood migician Ricky ( one of the most well known and elite cabinet builders in south Texas)




This is all framed out and Good loard the sanding! sheesh. even going through all the sanding machines i still had to hand sand for like an hr and 1/2. Ricky is a perfectionest so he made me work. ( he said " ricky doesnt sand" lol)




I was to busy making doors and sanding to take any more pics here is the finished product, just needs stain and sealed and the back of the stand still needs to be cut.




Thanks for looking
Matt

[Mindflux]

Looking nice. What's the little cutout in front for?

[mhart032]

The cut out is so i can recess my Apex aquacontroller so it can be displayed on the outside of the stand..

[JamesL]

Smart idea! And the stand looks great. Love all the doors

[mhart032]

Thanks, i love the hinges the fact that i can remove the doors with just a press of a button is great. makes it easy to work on. and its big enough and strong enough to hold a DSA neo 90g if i ever want to upgrade.

[mhart032]

Just pulled the trigger on the SWC 150 BKM for my skimmer, it was 195.00 shipped free. not a bad deal i think. does anyone have any ideas about sump return pumps? i was thinking ehiem 1262 cause it quiet. bet then was thinking about maybe a blue line or Iwaki external. something i can use later in case of an upgrade. if i do upgrade i was to just have to upgrade the tank not a bunch of equipment as well. i dont keep a heavy stocked tank. thought my old 90g with 4 fish was plenty of fish for that size. so ill just have the 2 clowns and the blenny in this 40g with 95 or so percent SPS.
Matt

[mhart032]

Ive decided to go with a sicce silent 3.0 for my return, the price is good and the pump has no noise. i think it was a good choice. the reviews are stellar. and the size is good and the wattage was excellent not to mention the head pressure was great for what i need it to do.
Matt

[mhart032]

here is an update. Finally got all the3 holes drilled and cut for fans one pushing fresh air is and one for exhaust in the back using silentx 120mm rubber fans at 9bd loud and 1500rpms should throw some air into the stand. finally got the hole cut out for the plumbing because the 3/4 inch bulkhead was glued in i was able to put the tank on the stand till now. heres some pics of it. stain and poly will go one tomorrow and the next couple days. going to put 1 coat of stain and 3 coats of poly for a durable shine and more water resistant. then will silicone the seams in the bottom of the stand in case of spills.

[mhart032]

Just an update, i received my swc skimmer and its a pretty nice skimmer good build quality. i stained the cabinet yesterday and just applied the first of 3 coats of poly on it. heres some quick pics of what it looks like as of now.

[mhart032]

Well ran into my first problem, and its kinda a big one. was test fitting thew 40g sump and well its to wide. i wont be able to fit my calcium rx in the stand with the sump. duh! i knew during the build of the stand it had to be wider but i think maybe i forgot. here is the pic. it mite just make it but its very tight!

[wa1tx]

Stand is beautiful. You did an awesome job on it.

[atxmandarin]

looks like you may have enough height to elevate the reactor on a shelf of sorts, that sump fits in there nice and snug though, glad to see it getting used