Bob's 80 Gallon upgrade

[bellis31]

So I have a build thread from a few years ago for my 40 breeder mixed reef. It was a rough learning experience but after 2 years (busy guy slow learner lol) I am ready to upgrade. Link to that build below!

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2089487

New tank 80G custom

I spoke to tons of tank builders and local shops about my new tank and ended up going with John over at YourReef and a Visio custom tank! The experience was very good and he really took care of me and knew how to address my needs for this build. While this build is not uncommon I was new to the process and he was very helpful!

The tank arrived home yesterday and I can say I am very happy with the build quality of the Visio tank, love the black silicone and semi minimal size on the overflow box. Here are a couple pics of the new tank!

I will be re-using most items from my 40B to bring this thing to life but I do plan to add some things mostly due to the larger size.

I will post more info as soon as I have gathered a few items over the next the month. I want to make sure I have everything I need for transfer day to the new tank!!

That's about it for now!

 

[JASON L.]

Tagging along

 

[Western_reefer]

What are the dimensions of the tank? I also got my tank custom made from John, your reef, visio with black silicone, love it!

 

[bellis31]

What are the dimensions of the tank? I also got my tank custom made from John, your reef, visio with black silicone, love it!

Your's must have been the tank on a stand that was in the store when I picked mine up..

So a little back story on the size I had made, when I started my 40b I wanted to put it on an over sized stand so I had a good amount of room for the sump and reactors and ATO. So when it came time to upgrade I simply had a tank built to take up that size and it comes out to 43L X 20W X 25T

I almost went 30 tall but 25 is fine! With the internal dimensions it comes out to 80G..

 

[Western_reefer]

Your's must have been the tank on a stand that was in the store when I picked mine up..

So a little back story on the size I had made, when I started my 40b I wanted to put it on an over sized stand so I had a good amount of room for the sump and reactors and ATO. So when it came time to upgrade I simply had a tank built to take up that size and it comes out to 43L X 20W X 25T

I almost went 30 tall but 25 is fine! With the internal dimensions it comes out to 80G..

Maybe.. lol

Very nice dimensions! My tank is 30"long x 24"wide x 24"high which turns out to 75 gallons lol

 

[Western_reefer]

Also, are you sure its 80 gallons? I checked your dimensions and it turns out to 93 gallons..

 

[bellis31]

Also, are you sure its 80 gallons? I checked your dimensions and it turns out to 93 gallons..

Oops your right, I forgot I made adjustments because my original design was rimless and this one has a rim top and bottom.

This tank is 42L X 19W X 25H outside dimensions not including trim. It comes out very close to 80G

 

[Saltwaternooby]

Nice looking tank.

 

[bellis31]

Nice looking tank.

Thank you, I should have all the parts needed to make my transfer over to this new tank in a couple months!

 

[bellis31]

Well I have a small update, things are moving along. I have new Live rock in another tank all cured and ready to go in the new 80g, I purchased new Radion LED lights and I have ordered my parts for the light rack I am building to hold them.

Next week I will be painting the 80g (backside) and putting on the bulkheads, once that's done I simply have to plan out moving day!!!

I'm pretty excited about this, I love my 40b but the new tank will be so much nicer.

 

[bellis31]

I'm testing out a new paint color for the back of the tank, I usually just use Krylon Fusion Black for all my tanks but this time I'm gonna try the Navy Blue, it's really dark when painted on well but lights up a little bluer when the lights are brighter in the tank. I'm painting the back of my quarantine tank to test it out..

I also finally built a respectable Skimmer stand out of PVC... so much better!!

Pics coming soon as I build the light rack for my Radions...

 

[scott3569]

Very nice Bob, your first tank looks as though you knew what you were doing!! very nice, I hope my tank can't look like that in two years

 

[bellis31]

Very nice Bob, your first tank looks as though you knew what you were doing!! very nice, I hope my tank can't look like that in two years

Thank you Scott, I have said many times I owe everything to these forums... there is so much to be learned here!

 

[scott3569]

Thank you Scott, I have said many times I owe everything to these forums... there is so much to be learned here!

yes there is the newbies such as my self need to be a bit open minded and sift through a few bad replies, but all in all there are some great people here!!

 

[bellis31]

Ok so I failed to take any images of me building my Radion light mount but here are pics of the finished project. It came out even better than I thought it would.

The mount is made using 80/20 inc aluminum extrusion, this stuff has endless possibilities!!

 

[mikid]

Fixture mount

Fixture mount

clean......:beer:

 

[Dragonvale]

That's one of the best DIY light mounts I've seen. Nice job.

 

[bellis31]

Here is a basic mock up I did to help visualize my idea. I then browsed the 80/20 catalog for parts I would use in the final result.

Thanks guys, I'm really happy with the way this came out, new tank goes up this weekend so I can't wait to see it all come together!

 

[Saltwaternooby]

My friend also used the 80/20 it looks awesome, adult erector set!

 

[Sharksfan94]

Where did you order the 80/20 from exactly? I've been looking for something like that for months!