DIY - YodaReefer build

[YodaReefer]

Hey guys and gals-
I've decided to take the plunge and upgrade from my BIO cube 14 to a 40B with a 20G sump. This will be mostly a DIY project. Drilling, building of the sump, plumbing and stand will all be done by myself. I figured I might as well document my experience
Here is what I was thinking of using for the set up:
Lighting: 2 Kessil A150W P
Pump: Eheim Compact+ 3000 Pump (792GPH)
Overflow: Thinking using the bean specs, maybe C2C
Wavemaker: Hydor Koralia Smartwave Kit w/ Hydor Koralia Evolution Powerheads - 850 GPH
skimmer: Bubble Magus BM-NAC3+

I'll be posting pictures as I make progess.
If anyone has any input I would greatly appreciate it

 

[SynDen]

Good, glad to see you decided to go with the sump for the tank. Should make for a more stable system. You are going to have alot of flow in that tank with that pump and the wavemakers.
What are you planning on for stock list?

 

[Balz3352]

Excited for progress!

 

[YodaReefer]

Corals:
Mainly a Zoa dominated tank
a few SPS (bought my first yesterday, a birdsnest)
maybe an anemome

Fish:
Watchman goby (from cube)
Black Perc (from cube)
I am up for suggestions

CUC: Normal crew... snails, hermits and a Tuxedo urchin

 

[YodaReefer]

Syn -
Would you recommend something a little less for the flow? From what I was researching (it was hard to get a solid answer) 700-800GPH was a good flow. Is there a good website to check ?

 

[zombie]

You should be fine on flow since you are actually somewhere around 700 gph after losses for both powerheads (since they alternate) and about 500 gph for your pump afyer losses. That puts you at between 20-30 times turnover per hour depending on rock volume and ideal range is 20-30 times turnover per hour. If you can have the fuge flow different than the skimmer section, I have had better results in macro growth at 5-10 times turnover per hour through the fuge section.

 

[SynDen]

Ya you should be good with that flow, It is a bit more then I would put in, as I would recommend flow be around 10x your total water volume. Once you add sump and stuff you will only be a bit over that which only means that likely the sump will be flowing fairly quick, which may make it hard for some macros, but should be good for corals and stuff, especially sps

 

[CRW Reef]

Are you going to use 2 - hydor Evolution 850's on the 14 cube? If so those are pretty good sized powerheads and I might suggest you look to something smaller like the hydor nanos or even a Jebao WP-10. Im ok with a ton of flow if your sand bed can take it but I really think those evolution will be a bit big in both size and water movement.


http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hydor-koralia-evolution-1.html

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hydor-koralia-nano-powerhead.html

http://www.amazon.com/Jebao-WP-10-A...id=1404757864&sr=8-1&keywords=jebao+pump+wp10

 

[Balz3352]

Are you going to use 2 - hydor Evolution 850's on the 14 cube? If so those are pretty good sized powerheads and I might suggest you look to something smaller like the hydor nanos or even a Jebao WP-10. Im ok with a ton of flow if your sand bed can take it but I really think those evolution will be a bit big in both size and water movement.


http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hydor-koralia-evolution-1.html

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hydor-koralia-nano-powerhead.html

http://www.amazon.com/Jebao-WP-10-A...id=1404757864&sr=8-1&keywords=jebao+pump+wp10

I think he's gonna put it on a 40 breeder.. Otherwise I would totally agree with you but look at the wps anyway!

 

[CRW Reef]

wow apparently I had no regard for reading the first posts word for word before I comment :lostit:

Sorry about that, carry on as planned - the Hydor evolutions are great pumps and I used them exclusively until i switched to vortechs.

 

[zombie]

Have you bought the pumps yet? 2 jebao rw-8 will cost roughly the same and will give you way more features.

 

[YodaReefer]

Have you bought the pumps yet? 2 jebao rw-8 will cost roughly the same and will give you way more features.

I have not bought the pumps yet, I'll look into the Jebao rw-8, thank you for the suggestion, Zombie.

 

[sethsolomon]

I have not bought the pumps yet, I'll look into the Jebao rw-8, thank you for the suggestion, Zombie.

RW-4's should be coming out in the next 2-4 weeks, might be another option for you.


On a side note: if you need to drill your tank let me know, I have the bits and such you can use.

 

[YodaReefer]

RW-4's should be coming out in the next 2-4 weeks, might be another option for you.


On a side note: if you need to drill your tank let me know, I have the bits and such you can use.

That would be great, sethsolomon! I am going to be working on my sump today. Hopefully I'll be able to post some pics.

 

[Shaunv]

I just set up a 40 breeder with 20 long for sump. I went with a glass-holes overflow, a Sicce 3.0 pump, and 1 mp40 powerhead. Working good so far.

 

[YodaReefer]

Sump completed

[attachment=67235:name]Completed my sump yesterday I attempted to post this yesterday but apparently it didn't not go through. I decided to go with a HOB overflow as the chance of my tank breaking while drilling is pretty high. I ended up buying a MAG 7 return pump as well.

 

[SynDen]

Lookin good. You likely can drill your tank, but will have to drill the sides instead of the bottom

 

[zombie]

Just take it to great white to be drilled. They know how to check it its tempered and wont drill it if it is. Plus they have probably drilled hundreds of these, so the chance that it will break is so low I wouldnt even worry about it.

 

[YodaReefer]

Got the hook up from flyfish! A skimmer and some beautiful corals! Thanks again man.

More pics to come

 

[zombie]

Keep an eye out on those palys. Their sting isnt very powerful, but is strong enough to irritate sps pretty bad. They spread like wildfire, so keep them fragged several inches from any delicate coral.