Well I have my 13 year old step son hooked on the hobby. Started with a 10gal to see if he would like it or not, well guess he loved it. We aquired a 40 breeder (freebie)Â and he said he wanted to make it a reef tank so now we are in the process for building his 40 reef tank. I would already like to thank sdf beanhead, ljinks , and tinkerreef for their help and resources. We have a lot of DIY projects planned including retro fitting t5's, an ATO, and maybe a reactor. Also have a wavemaker idea that I want to try with the system. Going to get started on the caninet and canopy as soon as I can get the time to do so. He also just aquired a 20 long that we are going to use as a sump and ref. Â
Oh wow that looks really awesome! Let us know if there's anything we can do to help out or if there's anything y'all need.  Are y'all going to the meeting this weekend?Â
wow what a good Idea using big PVC pipe and rain gutter guard to make an over flow your self. Thanks for the tip guys. What did you glue the rain guard with? Thanks Glen If tanner needs some green star polyps or branching hammer after tank is cycled let me know I have a piece of each he can have. Live in Cabot too.
It's in Searcy at the fish store there. And like Mike said if you can't make it Tanner's welcome to go with us. I'm dragging my kiddo along as well.Â
The gutter guard was guled using 100% silicone caulk. Works great as a glue and its safe once cured. Thanks guys we may go, looks like I wont have to work this weekend. The rotifers are going in the fridge for the weekend. If we are not building his cabinet for the tank we will plan on going. Also thanks for the coral offers, he loves GSP and hammers.
Have to get some pics up soon. Its coming along... Working on the lighting right now, have to wire some stuff and get some blue LEDs for the moon lights. Got the doors glued and have to work on the sump and ref some (Cracked the ref tank so have to get another). Going to rewire the MH's and put them on a timer as well as the PC lights. Think I have everything for the plumbing and most of the wire. Up next is getting live rock and sand for the tank.
Lighting will be two 175 watt MH's and two 96 watt PC's and led moon lights. The return pump is going to be a Mag7 through a modded SCWD and skimming with a coralife 65 skimmer. His sump is a 20 long and the ref is a 5 gal thats drilled to drain into the sump via durso stand. Its been a work in progress... we hope to load it with 80-90 pounds of rock and 40-50 pounds of substrate.
Tanner applying the stain  Back in the room  20 long sump and 5 gal ref installed, its a tight fit but it goes in  Ref light installed and going. Â
I am a slacker , but I am working on the lights today. Need to pick up some LED's and some new fans. Also going to retro some fans for the MH Ballasts and new timers for the MH and PC lights. Finish up plumbing and get some water in it.