Project 25

CONSTANTNE · 04-24-2008, 11:35 PM

I had a 40G breeder laying around and wanted something custom looking. So I took it apart and had a glass shop cut and bevel the edges for me. As of right now im working on the overflow. I plan on using a T5 fixture and a 10G tank as a sump. I have the tank but still up in there air with the design of the sump/refugium. Im in no rush to get this going so it will be a while. I can use everyones help as I never plumbed a tank before.

My Questions:
Would having a slip elbow connected to the drain in the overflow pointed down be any good?
What size pump and gph should I go for?
If I get a fast pump should I have the drain T off with a ball valve to a separate refugium section in the sump so I can keep the flow very slow though it?

Now for the pictures

40G breeder coming apart

Pieces cut and beveled

Back pane cut and painted. Thanks PYSCHOGRAPHIC!
Oh, and dont mind the reflection of my lights on my ceiling.

Overflow (6" pvc cut in half) - will be painted black later

Getting ready to silicone

Done!

First water test. I couldn’t fill it all the way since the drain was right there. I will when I install the overflow.

**Deepwater** · 04-24-2008, 11:43 PM

Nice work , Looks like it going to be a sweet 40 breeder

What size is the drain , If you have a 1" drain , then no more then 600gph . if you are going with a refuge , then a slower flow is better for more contact with the marco and skimmer .
If you are using a bulkhead , then a slip elbow is no prob, just make sure you can take off the bulkhead if you have too

thesaent14 · 04-24-2008, 11:50 PM

really really nice i am taging along on this one love diy stuff

CONSTANTNE · 04-25-2008, 12:39 AM

Ahhh i didnt clarify. I had the pieces cut down and its going to be a 25G rimless.

Dimensions 30 x 15 x 13

mheaven · 04-25-2008, 07:39 AM

Nice diy. cant wait to see this tank in action. look what you have done, i have a 40b in my basement. I could make it my new frag tank diy... i guess its back to the drawing board for me.

CONSTANTNE · 04-25-2008, 10:03 AM

Its funny because at first I was looking around for glass and then thought to myself why not use glass from another tank. I won't lie, it does take time getting all the silicon off.

Chong · 04-25-2008, 10:23 AM

Good luck with everything, keep the pics coming. Sweet start so far.

psychographic · 04-25-2008, 11:47 AM

Looks good Gus. Have you figure out your plumbing yet?

Do you plan to brace the top at all?

CONSTANTNE · 04-25-2008, 11:55 AM

Thanks chong

Psycho, plumbing is still in the air. I will post ideas soon. If it was acrylic I would definately brace it but I don't plan on it. Think I should?

Again, thanks for cutting those holes.

gsago1979 · 04-25-2008, 12:34 PM

Looking Very clean so far...keep up the good work...Looking forward to seeing this projects continue...

psychographic · 04-25-2008, 01:24 PM

I'm kind of up in the air if 25 gallons needs bracing or not. I'm sure the idea is to have a nice rimless look, maybe a set of small triangle shaped gussets in the corners.

CONSTANTNE · 04-27-2008, 12:20 PM

Started my overflow. I used the spaces on a piece of paper as a guide to determine the teeth size and spaces. My dremel crapped out on me halfway through and this is as far as I got.

daffydanny · 04-27-2008, 12:35 PM

very nice! cant wait to see the end product

McLovin · 04-27-2008, 01:59 PM

I'm sure you can find a friend locally with a table saw to help you cut those teeth. Mark the inside of the PVC with the correct depth. Lay it down, outside of the PVC on the table and make your cuts. 2 blade widths will put you approximately at 1/4" gaps for the teeth. You can also set the blade of the table saw to the correct depth and make the cuts sending the PVC over the blades standing upright. If not, there are better Dremmel bits for the job.
Just curious as to what kind of paint you are going to use on the PVC?
Love the dimensions of the tank and really nice work. Excellent use of old materials. Cool project.

psychographic · 04-27-2008, 02:05 PM

Gus, if I could make a suggestion. Drill a hole the width of your tooth at the bottom of each tooth, then cut the rest of the tooth out. I've found this is the easiest way to do it using simple hand tools.

CONSTANTNE · 04-27-2008, 02:16 PM

My father is a contractor and we have a tablesaw. I was actually thinking of doing it but felt I could be more precise with a dremel. I'm kinda scared of that thing too lol.

I'm gonna use krylon fusion spray paint for the overflow. Many people have been successful using it since it bonds to plasic.
Thanks for the help and comment.

Psycho, nice suggestion. I'll give it a try when I get a dremel.

McLovin · 04-29-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CONSTANTNE

My father is a contractor and we have a tablesaw. I was actually thinking of doing it but felt I could be more precise with a dremel. I'm kinda scared of that thing too lol.

You can be very precise with the table saw, and it will only take a few minutes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CONSTANTNE

I'm gonna use krylon fusion spray paint for the overflow. Many people have been successful using it since it bonds to plasic.
Thanks for the help and comment.

Thank you for that little piece of info. I've been wondering what kind of paint worked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CONSTANTNE

Psycho, nice suggestion. I'll give it a try when I get a dremel.

I like his suggestion too if you decide to stick with a dremmel.
Good luck with the project. Looks great. Thanks for the advice on the Krylon.

bschuerman · 04-30-2008, 11:52 AM

That back pane is glass? Looks sweet.

Reefer4life · 04-30-2008, 08:30 PM

Constantine, you just keep amazing me! When you run out of projects you can come over here, I'm sure we can find you some.lol

CONSTANTNE · 04-30-2008, 09:11 PM

Bschuerman, yup its glass. Looks Taped up the corners and spray painted the back of it. Needed a lot of coats so I wouldnt see light through it.

Thanks Reefer4life. Hoping to pick up a new dremel this week to finish and paint the overflow finally.