Stargirls 40 Breeder Build Yay!

[jwedll]

So this is me thread for everyone to tell me what I should have done differently. Mainly I feel that there was a few things I could have done differently on my 125 that I can hopefully avoid by throwing this build on the forum and getting some feedback. This is probably goin to be slow goin but here goes.

List so far:

Tank: 40 gal Breeder - Drilled in two locations with overflow
Stand: 40" tall x 36" long x 19" wide, red oak trim, 2x2 frame
Skimmer: Marineland 100 gal skimmer ( I realize this is barely goin to cut it)
Sump: Still looking for a good size
Lighting: Goin to be buying a 4 bulb 36" tek fixture no canopy

Here is the frame:
http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_0773.jpg

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_0777.jpg

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_0785.jpg

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_0790.jpg

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_0795.jpg

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_0796.jpg

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_0793.jpg

So far that is what I got. I have yet to make the doors. and sanding and staining with a deep red bombay mahagony.

[jwedll]

Alright so I actually got something done today, well I have been working lately on this stand however the doors took soo freaking long because I dont have the woodworking tools to do this properly. I had to borrow tools from my girl's dad and my own dad and then I bought the wrong hinges and then yada yada yada. So I spent almost my whole day off today working getting the whole thing sanded and getting the hinges mounted and the doors hung temporarily till I get the whole thing sanded again with 220 grit. soo here are a couple progress shots.

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_1032.jpg

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_1028.jpg

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_1033.jpg

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_1026.jpg

[Aberrix]

very nice!

[BeerNut]

Nice woodworking! Caulk the heck out of the interior joints and use waterproof/resistant paint inside.

[jwedll]

I siliconed the hell out of it then used kilz waterproof primer on the inside. hopefully that will contain any oversights in my plumbing.

[BeerNut]

I did the same on mine. Hate to say it but it's saved my butt once or twice.

[jwedll]

I hope I dont need it but better safe then sorry. however I am goin to try and find a sump that will fit the inside as close as possible so it may be pointless. if the water goes over the side it wont take long to overcome the 2x2 frame wood that makes the lip of the stand.

[jwedll]

New picture updates!!! We have the tank light and stand all set with all plumbing done water freshwater tested and now have rock sand on half full of water just waiting on the RO system to pump out some more.

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_1112.jpg

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_1116.jpg

[acharpenter]

Dude - NICE build!!!! Wish I would have known/researched enough to throw in egg crate and short PVC to hold my rock off the bottom.....ahhhhhhhh looking forward to my 120 build :beerchug:

[StarGirl]

Dude - NICE build!!!! Wish I would have known/researched enough to throw in egg crate and short PVC to hold my rock off the bottom.....ahhhhhhhh looking forward to my 120 build :beerchug:
yeah I got tired of the biuldup I get in the 125's sump.

didnt you just setup a new tank? now you are already thinkin of another?

[bkoppes]

Nice work on the build!!

[jwedll]

thanks

I was wondering what people thought about putting a Randall's Goby/Pistol Shrimp in this 40 with a Diamond Watchman Goby.

[acharpenter]

yeah I got tired of the biuldup I get in the 125's sump.

didnt you just setup a new tank? now you are already thinkin of another?

Yep - sure did - and already making plans for the AWESOME 120!!!

For those of you that dont know StarGirl and Jwedll are together and they keep posting under eachothers user names.....I was confused anyway so I wanted to make it clear to all, once I figured it out.....hee hee

Awesome build Star - and I look forward to meeting and chatting with you tomorrow!:greenguy:

Hey now - you two brought motorcycle mags for my soldier right??? I remember!!!! and he loves them!!!!! Thanks you two!

[jwedll]

yeah about the meeting........ I am not getting off work till like 8pm..... so ..... not sure if we are goin to make it.

Yeah sorry about the confusing posting. The laptop is set to go under her name and the main computer is set to auto login to my name.

[jwedll]

So I thought I should post some update photos before I go to bed.
So here is the crappy first water fill picture

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_1121.jpg

Here is the same picture one day later

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_1125.jpg

I think we are goin to throw one more piece of rock in the display but we really like the open look.
http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_1128.jpg

So that is the update so far we are watching and it looks like there is a small cycle goin on even though I took all the live rock from my 125 that I have been accumulating as well as close to 50lbs of live sand that went in there. So I think the clowns should be able to start their new home in there in a couple of days to a week. After the clowns go in and are doin fine I will throw in the Randalls Goby/Pistol Shrimp Pair that is living in the Qt. I dont know what else we want to put in there but it wont be a whole lot. I know she wants her purple LTA and a small hoodlum gang of Sexy Shrimp. but beyond that I am not sure. At some point I would like to get another Blue Dot Jawfish, but that will have to wait for a few months (finances need to replenish)

[StarGirl]

Yeah hoodlum gang of sexies! I cant wait!:biggrinbounce:

[jwedll]

So here is a short film on the wonders of Pistol Shrimp... enjoy

http://s638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/?action=view&current=P8240041.flv

[acharpenter]

So here is a short film on the wonders of Pistol Shrimp... enjoy

http://s638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/?action=view&current=P8240041.flv

I just love how hard they work! CUTE!! What ever are they doing when they nab snails like that? I think one of mine nabbed a small ric I had....

[jwedll]

actually what he grabbed was a small peice of brown algae that he had previously rolled up. he was stuffing the sides of the cave with it. wierd huh.

[Jager]

So here is a short film on the wonders of Pistol Shrimp... enjoy

http://s638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/?action=view&current=P8240041.flv

my pistol and watchman have been missing for months, but i was happy to hear him clicking in the tank yesterday, and today, i had to move some rock yesterday and today i was watching the tank and apparently one of the tangs got to close to him and i heard it again... very exciting :D

[jwedll]

I see our pair everyday. of course I kept the aquascape to a minimum in the 40 because I like the open water look and most of the corals are goin to be on the bottom.

As soon as we get some good pictures of the small sexy shrimp gang I will get them up

[jwedll]

I thought I should do some updated pics since I havent even posted on this thread since last year. So here is a few pictures from all angles and of course a FTS or two.

So here is the left side.
http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_2966.jpg

Here is the right side.
http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_2962.jpg

and a couple close ups.
http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_2964.jpg

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_2963.jpg

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_2961.jpg

And the FTS\
http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_2965.jpg

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu103/jwedll/IMG_2960.jpg

[coralreefer]

Wow, you've been busy :beerchug:

[Mike Bennett]

:beerchug::biggthumpup:
Had no idea it'd come this far so quickly.

[jwedll]

I know I have been so busy lately I havent had time to take the pictures and document it. Too bad, I wish I had more progression pictures.

[jwedll]

Although to be fair, the larger colonies came out of my 125 system when the lighting ballast fried. I have thought about putting things back in there but I kind of like how full the 40 looks now. Also I am still toying with the idea of turning the 125 into a fowlr.

[lizmomdad]

it looks pretty good

[Fragtastic Reef]

Amazing tank! That looks like a complete mature reef, been a while since I have seen one of those on here. ;)

125gal to FOWLR, na go all out and fill that sucker up! :beerchug:

[jwedll]

I know. There is soo many directions I could go with the 125. I think for right now I am goin to just hold on till I get a better budget to work with. Maintaining is the key at this point.

[acharpenter]

Thats it? J/K - I am setting up my 40 breeder right now and have been checking this thread for different idea's etc

Your bump could not have come at a better time for me!

Looking awesome dude!

[kv2wr1]

Very Nice! I hope mine looks like that or even close to it someday.

[Merkurfan]

Very Nice! I hope mine looks like that or even close to it someday.

Yours will, it just takes time. :) This hobby is good at teaching you to wait..

It's done wonders for me..

[Jeffro2331]

Yours will, it just takes time. :) This hobby is good at teaching you to wait..

It's done wonders for me..

Yeah im a have to have it now guy and it has help me alot and ive been in it only like 4 months lol