New Build... I'm back

[AZBigJohn]

Hello!

After being absent for 3+ years, I was pleasantly surprised I still had an account here! I had a 210-gallon tank going for a few years (build thread here, although all the pictures have disappeared.

After the Great PETCO Disaster of 2021 (I bought a Sailfin Blenny and didn't quarantine it) which killed off all of my fish within a week. After that, reefing just wasn't any fun, and I broke the tank down. I still have it, but it hasn't had water in it in 3 years, and due to size it had to be in a back room where I rarely go.

The itch is back, and I was lucky to find a new 80-gallon tank at a great price from a local fish store. I also bought a used protein skimmer and a return pump. The tank is technically a frag tank, but I love the dimensions, and this tank will probably be more coral, with small fish. As usual, I forgot to take pictures during the first week, so here are a few pictures:

Tank in place:

One week later, tank with water, return pump and heater in place, Kessil mounts in place as well:

Beginnings of the sump/bottom area, lots of mounting/wire organization to go...

I will do my best to keep updating this thread, and being active on the board again!

 

[JohnL]

Welcome back

 

[griss]

Looks great and welcome back. Looking forward to following your progress.

 

[Reefing102]

Welcome back! And awesome. A 80 gallon low boy. You don’t see too many of them around my area or if you do they sell fast

 

[AZBigJohn]

Got the Kessils installed (sorry they are on blue... I work nights.)

Had a couple of setbacks. The used return pump I bought lasted all of a week, but the shop gave me full credit for it (they don't stock new pumps unless you order ahead) but it will help with fish and coral once I get to that point.
Since I needed a new return pump, I went all out and bought a new COR pump that works with the Apex.

The second problem is my "free sump" is just a hair too small, and I'm on the lookout for a bigger one. The LFS I have been working with has a storage area that they are going to comb through to see if they have a better-sized sump for me.

Also hung some "under cabinet lighting" that I have had forever and never used, that I can turn on and off easily, and the sump area lights up nicely.

Still need to work on my electrical wiring. That is a project that is also down the road a ways!

 

[Reefing102]

Coming along great!

 

[griss]

Great progress.

For the sump, you may want to check out Facebook Marketplace. There seems to be quite a bit of used aquarium equipment on there. I hate Facebook but, I've been on Marketplace looking for stuff.

 

[AZBigJohn]

Wow, it is going to be important I update this thread more than once every other month...

Tank is going well, I am well into the uglies right now. Skimmer is dialed in, and skimming well, Nitrites and Phos are higher than I would like, going to start dialing back on feeding.

Have some frags mounted and doing well so far. I have been doing 20% water changes every other week. I have been using Brightwell Aquatics salt mix, which seems to have numbers I would like to keep in the tank. Plan is for a softies/LPS mixed reef. Not planning on getting into Acros (or SPS in general) for a while. I'm sorry all of my pictures are in Blue; I get off at 2 am, and generally have the time to take pictures/post during those hours when the wife is sleeping.

Current Livestock list:
2 Clarki Clowns
2 Pajama Cardinals
1 Orange-barred goby
1 Blue Dartfish
1 Drawf Falme Angel
Oodles of snails of all varieties

Current Frags:
Orange Mushroom (basic, not fancy)
1 frag GSP (my wife loves that coral)
1 frag Clove Polyps (on an island... once again, my wife loves the color and movement)
2 frags of Hammer coral (one orange, one green)
1 large frag of green frogspawn
1 frag of candy cane (3 heads)
1 currently unknown leather (probably a cabbage, but still not sure)

Some pictures from tonight:

Tank and underneath - Bucket is my ATO holding - Yes, I know my electrical is still a mess

Some of my frags hanging out in the blue light:

I'll try and get some daylight pictures with everyone out and swimming!

 

[Reefing102]

Looking good!

 

[kfisc]

Very nice. I really like the rockwork and the wider instead of taller tank. Always wish I would have gone with one.

 

[AZBigJohn]

A daylight picture… everyone knows it’s feeding time (silver container on top is thawing food). I love that everyone comes out when I walk in the room with that container!

As I mentioned, currently in the ugly phase

 

[griss]

Looks great.