Blackthunda77's 80Gal Shallow Reef Build

[blackthunda77]

I started seeing levels go up indicating a cycle after about 4-5 days. But I think all situations would be different. Reason my cycle was short was because I just took my 55 gallon sump offline when I swapped tanks. Then when i was done a just activated the sump again which housed.my skimmer, pumps, macro algae and some live rock and about 45 gallons of aged seawater. That's why my cycle was so short. Did you keep your sump active while swapping tanks or did you start fresh with a new sump too?

 

[jonnyu]

Well started a new Sump. I did keep 100lbs of live rock with water and powerheads. Then just used my original sand that I also kept in water with powerhead. I did put 80 gallons of my original tank water in my new tank and the rest I put fresh ocean saltwater from Coral Kingdom. I think what might have help is my oversized skimmer. It was pulling a ton of stuff out. My concern is that 50lbs of Live rock was out of the water for a 2 days. Don't know how much that would affect it.

 

[rovster]

Nice progress. For me, I would add some rock to the mass by the overflow, and remove some from the front. Also, I think the clam just adds too much continuity where its at and just blends in with the scape. Don't get me wrong, it looks great, but those are things I see from the bleachers here. Please take my comments as constructive only. I really love your tank! Maybe a picture from further away would help

 

[blackthunda77]

no your absolutely right about the clam, he is actually in the "ravine" i was trying to create so i am on the same page with you. he is just so massive im not sure where to put him. lol. He is from jovany (bandomo)'s tank. really nice specimen.

I might place him back there i had him before, next to the small bommie in the front, or the back left recess below where the myster wrasse is in the first pic from last night.

 

[rovster]

I think I would try and put the clam either where thast brain is or in the back left where that open sand space is. Once those Bommies are loaded with branching SPS, it will look like a different tank. Keep the updates coming!

 

[blackthunda77]

I really do need to take some time to get my memory card back from my sister to start using my SLR camera again. In the mean time here are a few more camera shots.

 

[blackthunda77]

I basically just mounted all my frags that i have collected to far. (man did they seem like a lot more when i had them in my bucket!) and i moved my clam to open up that "valley" that i was trying to create in the middle of the tank.

 

[rovster]

Nice ravine, LOL! That brain is pretty big. Do those grow at all? How long have you had it. I've got a similar one in my nano that appears to have grown. When it swells up, it smothers all the corals in its vicinity. Its killed a couple of Zoas and a couple of ricordia. Needs more space. Nice progress!

 

[blackthunda77]

Thats pretty much the biggest he has expanded. I got him in may at the frag swap, so it hasnt grow too much since then, that i can tell. Nothing next to it that it can really hurt.

 

[blackthunda77]

Testing out a new app on my phone that does a very good job showing the truest possible colors with pictures in low light. Thought nights as well put some pics of the tank. Was only able to take 2 pics and edit them before my lights went out.

This is one of rogers tri color frags


And a pic of my blue spot, he was out and about today.


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[blackthunda77]

Here's one with just the atinics.

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[blackthunda77]

Question....

Do you guys think 1 MP40 would be enough in this tank? Im trying to keep as much "equipment" as possible out of the tank. Im contemplating finally shelling out the cash to get a vortech. Ive been saving up for a while and selling bits and pieces of equipment to help offset the cost.

So again, do you guys think 1 MP40 would be sufficient replacing my 2 koralias? I know gallons per hour it is more than sufficient but im thinking more in terms of flow patterns, etc. Ideally i would only like to have one on the glass adjacent to the wall since it is a peninsula style tank.

 

[blackthunda77]

Some coral shots.

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[blackthunda77]

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[blackthunda77]

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[blackthunda77]

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[blackthunda77]

Ok so some of you guys might know that I decided to sell off my Hamilton fixture and go back to my retro fitted 250 watt system. So I spent the 4th of July making my canopy. No BBQ for me

Created the framing. Keeping it open top to minimize heat and weight

Fitting it to make sure it's square

Also made a temporary border around the tank with 2x4 unroll I get the silestone from my dad.

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[blackthunda77]

There is the completed canopy floating with the lights installed and hanging with the suspension kit.

Baby scoly liking the new lights and eating dinner

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[blackthunda77]

This next group of pics I made a custom niche to hold my apex unit nice and flush in the canopy

Waiting for the wood filler to dry so I can sand and paint

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[milesofreefs]

Idk why but i can see you pics now... Awesome build! really like the dimensions of the tank and the lip on the stand.