Planning a New Build - Would love some input

icedearth15324

icedearth15324

TeamCR
So I started with a 5 gallon fluval spec v in november, I then swapped to a JBJ Nanocube 12gal in the beginning of february. Well my choices of livestock are going to be requiring me to upgrade at some point, so I figured I'd start planning and saving up now.

I'm looking to get a custom 40 gallon tank built, with a sump. This will be my first sumped system, so I definitely could use some advice on equipment.

I'm planning on getting a 40 gallon tank built by Glasscages.com, they have nice looking tanks, for reasonable prices, and they have a shipping fee of $66 to Chicago.

The tank I want is http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=OrderForm&sProdID=AQ_40Long

I plan on getting it Reef-ready, which comes with a glass wall overflow, and 2 holes drilled for the plumbing. I then plan on adding the starphire glass on the front panel. The location the tank will be going in, I don't think the sides being starphire is really necessary, but if you think I should just say screw it, and pay the extra $25, I will.

I'll probably also add the black acrylic cover for the overflow, because I'm not sure if I like the clear glass for it. What do you think?

Should I pay the $30 for them to include the bulkheads? Or are they generally cheap enough that I could probably get them on my own?

I then also intend on getting their custom 15gal long acrylic sump for $182. http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=CustomPageSumpTanks
Would there be any better recommendations instead? I've never used a sump before.

Ok, now for the equipment.

Protein Skimmer, I was looking at the Reef Octopus NWB110 4" Pinwheel in sump skimmer. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-nwb110-4-pinwheel-in-sump-protein-skimmer.html

Is this a good skimmer? Any other advice?

Then for the pump, I was looking at the Eheim 1260 pump, anyone have any experience with this pump? It says it is rated for 640gph, should I get a more powerful pump?

The main thing is I am looking for equipment that will stay relatively quiet, since the tank will be in my bedroom.

For lighting, I'm still looking into it. I'm either going to DIY my own LEDs, or buy one of the Reefbreeders LED sets.

I also intend on building my own stand for it.

Any advice would be appreciated, I'm definitely going to be taking my time with this build.
 
Congrats on the new build. A little more info is needed to be able to answer some of your questions. What bioload are you planning on? What corals will you be keeping, sps, lps, softies?
 
Ah yes, I was mainly looking for info on the sump system, but I can add in the rest.

Current list of fish will be: pair of clowns, sixline wrasse, lawnmower blenny, possibly a clown goby, and not sure if anything else yet.

And for corals, a little bit of everything. In my 12 gallon I have primarily LPS, but I also have a single birdsnest, and a few softies. I also have a deresa clam. So it's definitely going to be a mixed reef.

I just haven't determined if I will get more fish besides what I have in my two tanks currently.
 
Should I pay the $30 for them to include the bulkheads? Or are they generally cheap enough that I could probably get them on my own?

- Bulkheads are $5-$20 depending on thickness and size, plus shipping. It might be a wash.



I then also intend on getting their custom 15gal long acrylic sump for $182. http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=CustomPageSumpTanks
Would there be any better recommendations instead? I've never used a sump before.

- Sumps are easy enough to build if you are a DIYer. There are many, many threads on how it’s done. If you wait for the $1/gal sale at LFS it’ll probably be significantly cheaper to DIY. This will also give you the option to customize the chambers and water level for your equipment.



Then for the pump, I was looking at the Eheim 1260 pump, anyone have any experience with this pump? It says it is rated for 640gph, should I get a more powerful pump?

- It’ll depend on head pressure. If you have 4 foot or less, 1260 will have more than 500gph which should be good for a mixed reef sump setup. You’ll need additional powerheads for DT flow.



The main thing is I am looking for equipment that will stay relatively quiet, since the tank will be in my bedroom.

- Submersible pump will help keep it quiet, you may want to look into a herbie (2 pipe) or beananimal (3 pipe) overflow to quiet down your drains.



Any advice would be appreciated, I'm definitely going to be taking my time with this build.

- Great plan, take your time and think about what future failures might happen as well as allowing for future equipment upgrades.
 
From what I have read, glasscages has a history of less quality workmanship, but most reviews pre-date 2010, that's a lot of time where they could have gotten better.

If anyone else has suggestions of a place for a custom tank, I'd appreciate it. I am primarily looking at custom because after buying a 40 breeder, and drilling it, and the cost of an overflow, it gets close to the same price of a custom.
 
I was all about glasscages, until I found the mega monster tank I wanted, on craigslist, with a euro brace that failed after the warranty was up. Smaller tanks might be Ok.
 
icedearth15324 said:
From what I have read, glasscages has a history of less quality workmanship, but most reviews pre-date 2010, that's a lot of time where they could have gotten better.

If anyone else has suggestions of a place for a custom tank, I'd appreciate it. I am primarily looking at custom because after buying a 40 breeder, and drilling it, and the cost of an overflow, it gets close to the same price of a custom.
Click to expand...

miracles in glass, reef savvy
 
icedearth15324 said:
From what I have read, glasscages has a history of less quality workmanship, but most reviews pre-date 2010, that's a lot of time where they could have gotten better.

If anyone else has suggestions of a place for a custom tank, I'd appreciate it. I am primarily looking at custom because after buying a 40 breeder, and drilling it, and the cost of an overflow, it gets close to the same price of a custom.
Click to expand...

Petco runs a $1 per gallon sale a few times a year.
 
icedearth15324 said:
From what I have read, glasscages has a history of less quality workmanship, but most reviews pre-date 2010, that's a lot of time where they could have gotten better.

If anyone else has suggestions of a place for a custom tank, I'd appreciate it. I am primarily looking at custom because after buying a 40 breeder, and drilling it, and the cost of an overflow, it gets close to the same price of a custom.
Click to expand...

For price... U won't find anything similar on glass tank...

There are more pricey options... But that may not be an option for u
Miracles and reef savvy are options. Also coast to coast out of NJ. But all pricey...

If acrylic is an option... advanced acrylics is my goto place. Getting a shipment from them next week. Quality second to none and prices shipped beat local.
 
rosko23 said:
For price... U won't find anything similar on glass tank...

There are more pricey options... But that may not be an option for u
Miracles and reef savvy are options. Also coast to coast out of NJ. But all pricey...

If acrylic is an option... advanced acrylics is my goto place. Getting a shipment from them next week. Quality second to none and prices shipped beat local.
Click to expand...

I submitted quote requests to Reef Savvy, haven't done Miracles yet. Going to submit a quote request to Advanced Acrylics.

Thanks for the suggestions.
 
I would say definitely a DIY sump... Easy enough to do and you can tune it in exactly how ya like it depending on the skimmer you choose and the return pump.
 
Hmm, I'll definitely look into a DIY sump.

What would be the recommended equipment to have in a sump? Again, I've never ran one before. I know obviously it's used to store like probes and heaters, etc. But how should I divide it? What should I put in it? I'm not sure if I'd do a refugium or not, but I'd like to know my options.
 
Odyssey said:
For the price your going to spend on a cutom 40 have you thought about a reef ready 65 or 75?
Click to expand...

My main issue is I'm not sure if the floors can support the weight. I'm currently looking at possibly putting the tank in my bedroom, which is on the second floor. I still need to find out if the floors will even support that kind of weight.

My other option, which might not work, is to put it in our family room. Not sure if the family would like that too much though. If I can put it in the family room, then a reef ready 65/75 would be considered.
 
icedearth15324 said:
I submitted quote requests to Reef Savvy, haven't done Miracles yet. Going to submit a quote request to Advanced Acrylics.

Thanks for the suggestions.
Click to expand...

Karl if u call advanced tell John I recommended u (Jorge)... I'm gonna shoot him a text. He will hook u up.

Also let reef savvy (Felix) know I referred u as well. I'll shoot him text as well. I have tanks from both... And I was just talking to John from AA this morning.
 
Thanks for the references Rosko.


I tried greatlakesaquariums, and I originally looked at the prices of the kits, which were too much for me. Maybe I'll try getting a price of just a tank again.
 
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