EvolutionZ's Shallow reef build.

evolutionZ

evolutionZ

New member
i've been reefing for about 5 - 6 months now with a small 1ft cube and the poison got me and i upgraded to a tank 8 times larger.

Tank size : 120x60x36cm (12mm rimless)
Sump tank : 35x50x45cm (6mm)
Skimmer : Deltec MCE 600
Lighting : Maxspect G2 170W (26 white, 22 RB, 8 Violet)
Return pump : Eheim 1260
Chiller : Teco TR15
Substrate : CaribSea Special Grade reef sand (40lb)
Wavemaker : Jebao WP-40

filtration :
30kg Live Rocks, Rowaphos (with TLF reactor), biopellets and chaeto

Planned corals :
Mixed reef (softies and LPS mainly)


Hectic morning, went to buy Live rocks and few packs of NSW. Tank haven't arrive yet.


started scaping. using 2 main big rocks and afew other smaller rocks. total 30kg used. should be settled for this




Tank arrived hours after settling for the scape. loving the shallow look!


Sump tank, due to cabinet's not meant for sump (reuse cabinet from freshwater set up), have to customise an empty tank to be my sump. using overflow box to send water down.


first time having a big rimless tank!


lights are hanged.


Right now waiting for silicon to fully cure, before testing tank with water. will then start scaping the rocks on monday (2 days later) and filling with salt mix and start cycling!

old tank!


Thanks for viewing!
 
Some updates.. filled the tank and sump with DI water straight to test for leak and to test out my overflow box..

previous owner mentioned he use 2400l/hr pump for the box. However my 1260 (2400l/hr) was too strong for the overflow box to handle. i'll be sourcing for a ball valve to restrict the flow of the 1260.. Reading online suggest that using ball valve on centrifugal pump like 1260 would not damage/overheat the pump, but instead, improve the pump life span since its gonna work less. Anyone know where to find ball valve to fit a 25/34mm pipe?

overflow and return..
the U-pipe in the overflow box is 1" diameter so it should be able to handle 2400l/hr pump.. no idea why it cant.. the return flow feels really strong though!


testing out the wp-40.. great waves at w1! but worried it may splash out..




Sump tank.. hopefully still got space for some chaeto


live rock still in pails.. each pail have a powerhead circulating the water.
 
Looks great, but I'd drill it now before your too invested in the build. Love rimless shallow tanks. Will be following.....
 
Mixed salt with existing DI water in tank and 25kg of rocks went in.. no idea how to scape it so i just placed it as per previous planned scape.. seems like its totally different.. probably will have to play around for the moment.



 
Update:

new corals addition.. corals and fishes are doing very well.. been doing Microbe-lift Nite-out II daily and also Red Sea Reef Energy A & B (2.5ml daily). probably will give grotech line a try after my red sea finishes.

Some corals pics :

pink tip elegance.


zoas


green Brain coral.. this particular piece had become everyone's favorite coral with its bright luminous color! getting a red one soon!


New addition added just one hour after placing in tank.. Yellow Lobo.. adds a spark of yellow to my tank!


GSP glued to overflow box.. hopefully will spread fast and cover the whole box!


Got this birdnest from a kind reefer when i bought his elegance, he fragged most part away so trying my luck with the remaining ones. doing pretty well with nice PE.. hopefully its color will retain..


top view


Livestock!

Banggai Cardinal..


my mandarin from my old 34L.. much more pods for him!


Got 2 of this lovely tuxedo urchins! superb at eating brown algae (which is currently blooming in my tank) however its been attaching to some of my zoas frag and carrying them around..
 
My sump tank.. Deltec MCE 600 (great skimmer) on the left, eheim 1260, Rio pump (chiller and 2 TLF 150 reactor feeder pump). Currently only running rowaphos.. will be running biopellets once more livestocks go in.. chaeto in a breeder's net but im thinking of DIY-ing a partition using eggcrates.


FTS. added a SunSun 3000l/hr wavemaker blowing at the back.. thinking of changing to 5000l/hr model instead.. still waiting for my universal laptop adapter to come so i can run W1 or ELSE mode on my wp40 at lower flow..


angle view


Light is currently 10" above water level.. running 9 hours but mainly the blues and some white. rest of the whites only comes on for 2 hours a day now.. worried my corals may bleach.


simply switch on feed mode on my wp40 and enjoy the top view..


Thanks for viewing!
 
Jus opting for a little lesson Gate valves are your friend. They cost a bit more than a ball valve. Something i wish i had picked up in the begining. Damn I am still a learn while doing.
 
Monkeyfish said:
Nice set-up! Isn't the WP40 a bit much considering all of the softies and lps?
Click to expand...

Thanks! indeed its overpowered but im currently running on L mode only.. still can push a hell load of current right to the other end though.. this monster sure is powerful! im waiting for my universal adapter to come so i can run it at a lower voltage. will be adding SPS after a few months too.

jm23 said:
I love shallow tanks. Looking forward to see this thing grown in.
Click to expand...


frgarcia said:
Shallow tanks always look better IMO. Great start! Very impressive.
Click to expand...



Thanks! i've been admiring shallow tank for a long time before setting this up.


codyreed29 said:
Jus opting for a little lesson Gate valves are your friend. They cost a bit more than a ball valve. Something i wish i had picked up in the begining. Damn I am still a learn while doing.
Click to expand...

the ball valve i got was original eheim so i guess it should be fine..

greech said:
Really great start. Love the carpet lobo!

What lighting is that?
Click to expand...
i love the lobo too! have never seen a yellow one..or i should say i've yet to come across any bright yellow LPS.

Its a maxspect g2 170w (26 CW, 22 RB, 8 violets). my friend will be passing me his Razor 27" next month and will be using that instead.. will have to hang high to cover the 48" length.
 
agree with u bro!


updates on water parameters :

SG 1.025 ( Refractometer)

Taken with API :

Ammonia : 0
Nitrite : 0
pH : 8.2

taken with Salifert :

nitrate : 1ppm ( low range reading method)
Phosphate : 0
Calcium : 400
mg : 1400
Alk : 7.8


few days ago nitrate was around 2.5.. after adding Chaeto and running reserve lighting cycle.. seems like it helped to reduce my nitrate..

Ca and Alk seems a little low.. got to start dosing 2 parts.
 
Very nice looking tank! Like the look of shallow tanks as well.

DO you have a link for the adapter your getting for the WP-40?
 
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