blackthunda77
New member
Sweet tank. A bonsai-esk mangrove island would be sweet.
Hey if you decide to go T5s I know someone selling a nice ATI fixture.
Is he interested in trading for Metal Halides?
Blackthunda77's 80Gal Shallow Reef Build
- Thread starter blackthunda77
- Start date
Is he interested in trading for Metal Halides?
blackthunda77
New member
I have a question. Since i wasnt able to sell my hamilton fixture on here last month, do you guys think a dual 150MH unit with dual t5s would be sufficient for this tank? It will be a mixed reef with select softies, LPS and also SPS like acros, montis, etc. Based on my experience i think on a tank this shallow if should be sufficient right?
blackthunda77
New member
Update!
Update!
Did some work on the tank tonight after work. Mostly a picture update.
Extended the stand to accommodate the wider footprint. I have to say, this tank is easy to work with. the 48x24 footprint lends itself to easy set up. used a standard 2x6 to extend the stand 6 inches since my original tank was 18 inches wide.
Wider angle shot with the extension completed and shimmed
Installed all the bulkheads, still need to find tubing that will accommodate the bulk heads. Homedepot didn't have the right sizes. Let there be water....trickle trickle trickle, drip drip drip. Might be full by the time of the swap tomorrow, lol
egg crate installed. again due to the footprint, almost an exact fit. minor trimming.
Well thats about all she wrote for now. Thanks to everyone who helped me sell my items, thanks jonnyu for the hand cart, the 90 is now downstairs, FINALLY!
Time to start making the mesh top, at least all the heavy lifting is done. :dance:
Update!
Did some work on the tank tonight after work. Mostly a picture update.
Extended the stand to accommodate the wider footprint. I have to say, this tank is easy to work with. the 48x24 footprint lends itself to easy set up. used a standard 2x6 to extend the stand 6 inches since my original tank was 18 inches wide.
Wider angle shot with the extension completed and shimmed
Installed all the bulkheads, still need to find tubing that will accommodate the bulk heads. Homedepot didn't have the right sizes. Let there be water....trickle trickle trickle, drip drip drip. Might be full by the time of the swap tomorrow, lol
egg crate installed. again due to the footprint, almost an exact fit. minor trimming.
Well thats about all she wrote for now. Thanks to everyone who helped me sell my items, thanks jonnyu for the hand cart, the 90 is now downstairs, FINALLY!
Time to start making the mesh top, at least all the heavy lifting is done. :dance:
shiladitya1991
New member
I think dual 150watts plus 2 VHOs will be sufficient for growing all the types of corals you need.. Personally I like MH over T5 lighting..The tank looks great 
Hey John, congrats on your new tank! Great move getting the 80 gallon vs the 60. Here's a couple things to take note of that I experience with my Deep Blue...
1. The overflow is going to be extremely loud. Main reason is because of the 2 nuts behind the overflow that allows you to raise/lower your water level. I have to use filter floss behind the inlets of the overflow and the standpipe in order to keep the overflow quite. Once the water passes through the overflow and hits these 2 plastic nuts, the water starts to drip to the very bottom vs running down the wall of the overflow. I'm thinking the only way to avoid this situation is to cut off the 2 nuts (which is on my to do list) and allow the water to continuously flow down the wall of the overflow.
2. Have fun removing the Beep Blue sticker
Its totally the worse sticker I've ever had to remove. Get yourself a metal blade and plenty of GooGone. Make sure you stretch out before you begin, you gonna be there for awhile
I used the spa hose from home depot for the overflow, worked out great.
1. The overflow is going to be extremely loud. Main reason is because of the 2 nuts behind the overflow that allows you to raise/lower your water level. I have to use filter floss behind the inlets of the overflow and the standpipe in order to keep the overflow quite. Once the water passes through the overflow and hits these 2 plastic nuts, the water starts to drip to the very bottom vs running down the wall of the overflow. I'm thinking the only way to avoid this situation is to cut off the 2 nuts (which is on my to do list) and allow the water to continuously flow down the wall of the overflow.
2. Have fun removing the Beep Blue sticker
Its totally the worse sticker I've ever had to remove. Get yourself a metal blade and plenty of GooGone. Make sure you stretch out before you begin, you gonna be there for awhile
I used the spa hose from home depot for the overflow, worked out great.
blackthunda77
New member
Update!
Update!
Time for another update. Things are finally starting to move a little quicker and most of the brunt work is done.
Jovany, this ones for you...lol. in record speed, took me 2 minutes to get that sticker off with spray stipper.
Heres a pic of how i hooked up the drain and return. Not even a drip! :bounce1:
test fitting the lighting
All the fish are now transferred. Spent all last night adjusting the salinity, spot on 36ppt.
Here is a shot of the screen top i made. added little clear bumpers to raise the frame of the tank to not detract from the rimless look. still waiting on the screen from one of the members. crossing my fingers for no casualties till then.
And here are some of the new arrivals from the swap yesterday...waiting for their new abode!
these are all scolys right?
Update!
Time for another update. Things are finally starting to move a little quicker and most of the brunt work is done.
Jovany, this ones for you...lol. in record speed, took me 2 minutes to get that sticker off with spray stipper.
Heres a pic of how i hooked up the drain and return. Not even a drip! :bounce1:
test fitting the lighting
All the fish are now transferred. Spent all last night adjusting the salinity, spot on 36ppt.
Here is a shot of the screen top i made. added little clear bumpers to raise the frame of the tank to not detract from the rimless look. still waiting on the screen from one of the members. crossing my fingers for no casualties till then.
And here are some of the new arrivals from the swap yesterday...waiting for their new abode!
these are all scolys right?
blackthunda77
New member
I need dry sand and dry rock if anyone has some or knows where i can get it. don't want live rock or live sand. I called CRF yesterday to see if they had corapet sand and they said they don't carry it anymore. 
Crawfish00
New member
The mh alone would be enough..I'd personally go t5 or LEDs for that tank.. If it were me I'd run 2-3 kessil ocean blues on it..
Crawfish00
New member
Sorry didn't see the 2nd page...looks good
blackthunda77
New member
Has it been used? How much of it do you have?
I have about 40lbs, it was dried for a long time. It's been cooking for maybe 2 months now. Your welcome to come and look at them. Just send me a text.
Hate to be a debbie downer...
From your first pic of the tank it looks to be a deep blue tank. I'd watch out and in fact change out the tank for a different brand. They leak. It is pretty common if you do some searches. Also I used to work in a LFS up north that sold them and people would have problems, especially with the bigger sizes.
Its an easier fix now then when its full of expensive coral and fish and its leaking.
From your first pic of the tank it looks to be a deep blue tank. I'd watch out and in fact change out the tank for a different brand. They leak. It is pretty common if you do some searches. Also I used to work in a LFS up north that sold them and people would have problems, especially with the bigger sizes.
Its an easier fix now then when its full of expensive coral and fish and its leaking.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2118917&highlight=deep+blue+leak
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2157930&highlight=deep+blue+leak
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2104977&highlight=deep+blue+leak
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2004614&highlight=deep+blue+leak
Their pumps don't pump, their lights don't light, and their tanks don't tank... When I worked at a LFS one of my co-workers bought two 3 foot six bulb T5 fixtures. I told him don't do it, but he was on a budget. Next day they were both back in the store because bulbs were going out and wouldn't light up (not the bulbs fault). Also I would have to go to clients houses to replace their pumps. The pumps would stop working within a few months. Just a bad brand.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2157930&highlight=deep+blue+leak
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2104977&highlight=deep+blue+leak
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2004614&highlight=deep+blue+leak
Their pumps don't pump, their lights don't light, and their tanks don't tank... When I worked at a LFS one of my co-workers bought two 3 foot six bulb T5 fixtures. I told him don't do it, but he was on a budget. Next day they were both back in the store because bulbs were going out and wouldn't light up (not the bulbs fault). Also I would have to go to clients houses to replace their pumps. The pumps would stop working within a few months. Just a bad brand.
blackthunda77
New member
Thanks, I guess. Lol. Ill keep that in mind.
blackthunda77
New member
Update!
Update!
No things are finally starting to look in order again. I found some nice pieces of dry rock at beverlys today, they actually had a decent about of rock, must have gotten shipment. Its called paradise reef rock but is basically just like any other marco rock or limestone based rock. I also found some seaflor reef grade sand about which i posted on another their earlier. I was going to get another bag though live aquaria to use the coupon they gave us but i think the 1 40lb bag i got is plenty.
here it is after adding the more coarse seaflor sand. MUCH better than the first layer of the caribsea reef sand, MUUUCH happier with this substrate. Still a little cloudy but its exponentially better already in a matter of an hour.
most of the rock i picked up...
and here it is with one side of the tank aquascaped.
depending on how fast the water clears up i might actually start adding the coral back in tonight and finally get them out of the rubbermaid bins. :bounce1:
Update!
No things are finally starting to look in order again. I found some nice pieces of dry rock at beverlys today, they actually had a decent about of rock, must have gotten shipment. Its called paradise reef rock but is basically just like any other marco rock or limestone based rock. I also found some seaflor reef grade sand about which i posted on another their earlier. I was going to get another bag though live aquaria to use the coupon they gave us but i think the 1 40lb bag i got is plenty.
here it is after adding the more coarse seaflor sand. MUCH better than the first layer of the caribsea reef sand, MUUUCH happier with this substrate. Still a little cloudy but its exponentially better already in a matter of an hour.
most of the rock i picked up...
and here it is with one side of the tank aquascaped.
depending on how fast the water clears up i might actually start adding the coral back in tonight and finally get them out of the rubbermaid bins. :bounce1:
blackthunda77
New member
since this is a peninsula tank I'm trying my best to have it as pleasing to the eye from all 3 angles.
shiladitya1991
New member
Are those cardinals swimming in the tank??...
blackthunda77
New member
I sure hope they are swimming! Lol. But yes, they are cardinals.
