80 Gallon Shallow Reef SPS BUILD!!

[Matthew varble]

August 13 I started building my new(used set up). I ended up taking my 450 gallon reef tank that was acrylic down. I wanted more of a sps specific tank and definitely glass lol. I had a friend selling his 80 gallon tank. I bought the used tank and only ended up using the tank, and return pump. Swapped out the skimmer, stand, lights, and pretty much everything else lol.

August 18th I had my rockscape built with water in it. I had big wavemakers from my big tank and the fish that I wanted to keep. I know they are in a smaller tank. I ended up taking a ruby red trigger sump from the shop and modified it. Was running a 240 dc skimmer but eventually upgraded to the simplicity 540dc. Added a uv for the hell of it. And I bought a used light from the shop. I have a 48inch t5 with some of my blue 100w actinic kessil replicas. Love the light combo honestly.

 

[Matthew varble]

 

[Matthew varble]

September 9th added my first round of corals, I grabbed some from the shop, and was surprised at the bright colors with all blues.

 

[Pico bam]

From a 450g to an 80 gallon huh. Usually it's the other way around. I like the rock work! Been thinking about Giving an sps tank a go myself. Something with lots of light and flow. I'm tagging along to how this goes for you. Very colorful sticks BTW they look good.

 

[Matthew varble]

Here’s some photos of some of the corals for the last month or so, the colors have exploded!

 

[Reign1]

nice tank .. Wish I could find something similar locally.... Just curious if there are any concerns of overhang collapsing if the acros crop out and weigh it down.

 

[Matthew varble]

nice tank .. Wish I could find something similar locally.... Just curious if there are any concerns of overhang collapsing if the acros crop out and weigh it down.

I made the structure extra strong to hold the weight. But I did glue it to the bottom, Incase they get so big it tips over.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Coral looks amazing in your tank!

 

[Matthew varble]

Coral looks amazing in your tank!

Thank you! I am going with a very simple approach, and it couldn’t be any easier.

 

[cpschult]

I really like that aquascape! I think i'm going to start working on mine soon again. Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[Reign1]

Ok gotta ask for a sump pic w/skimmer in there

 

[Matthew varble]

Ok gotta ask for a sump pic w/skimmer in there

I’ll grab one this afternoon!

 

[Matthew varble]

I really like that aquascape! I think i'm going to start working on mine soon again. Thanks for the inspiration!

Thank you!

 

[c_healy]

Tank looks really good! I love the foot print on these tanks. I’m running a custom80 with a c2c overflow and it’s, imo the perfect size.

 

[Matthew varble]

Little update on some of the sticks

 

[Troylee]

Little update on some of the sticks

Looking good! I’m ready for my frags to grow out now! Just moved them again to a upgrade so I stalled everything… rrr

 

[jmarina]

Awesome work!