80g Shallow Reef Build

[elwallacejr]

I have the same tank that I set up as a frag tank with an Eshopps Medium overflow that I put on one end for a peninsula style. I've actually been thinking about consolidating the frags into a 40Breeder and setting up the 80 as a shallow display tank. Good Luck!

 

[Manose]

Following.

Welcome to R2R and the Hobby!

Thank you so much dantimdad!!

I have the same tank that I set up as a frag tank with an Eshopps Medium overflow that I put on one end for a peninsula style. I've actually been thinking about consolidating the frags into a 40Breeder and setting up the 80 as a shallow display tank. Good Luck!

For me it will be the perfect size as not to big or to small. I want a lagoon feel with mangroves and water surges for coral growth, so should be interesting on the rock and sand layout.

 

[elwallacejr]

I'm concerned about the sand - are you going SPS? You'll need good flow and the shallow depth makes me concerned about getting a sandstorm.

 

[Manose]

I'm concerned about the sand - are you going SPS? You'll need good flow and the shallow depth makes me concerned about getting a sandstorm.

After reading lots of review I am using Tropic Eden Reefflakes grand select mixed with Tropic Eden Mesoflakes and that seems to so well in high flow.
https://premiumaquatics.com/products/tropic-eden-mesoflakes-30lb-aragonite-crumbs-27mm.html and https://premiumaquatics.com/products/tropic-eden-reeflakes-grand-select-30lbs.html

 

[elwallacejr]

That's a good size bigger than the Carib-Sea Special grade that I had used previously - good call.

 

[cracker]

Fantastic picture of future reefing. All captive bred livestock. The more people do this The more cost effective & pressure on wild animals.

 

[dantimdad]

So are we back to using crushed coral now?

 

[Manose]

Fantastic picture of future reefing. All captive bred livestock. The more people do this The more cost effective & pressure on wild animals.

In our life time it is just a dream to have all captive bred live stock as to many people do not care how or where something comes from, but instead care only how it looks

So are we back to using crushed coral now?

With the Mesoflakes it should have a sandy feel, but we will see as I have never tried it.

 

[samnaz]

looking forward to seeing this build progress. I'm a huge fan of shallow tanks, also a fan of aquaculture and tank raised livestock. I'm working on an aquaculture only shallow tank as well

 

[Manose]

looking forward to seeing this build progress. I'm a huge fan of shallow tanks, also a fan of aquaculture and tank raised livestock. I'm working on an aquaculture only shallow tank as well

WOW I am so glad you are doing a aquaculture build and I hope we can both learn some things.

 

[ether]

I respect what you're doing. I agree that there is a lot of damage done via the hobby, and minimizing it is commendable. I've gathered almost all of my equipment used on craigslist (to save money and try to repurpose things), and so far just about all fish and coral are "second hand", so hopefully there is less impact. I'm also in the process of growing out some frags to both reduce the costs I'm facing and lessen dependence on wild caught corals.

 

[Preme]

Really looking forward to this build! I love shallow tanks

 

[Manose]

I am still wonder what return to go with. Here are some of the choices I have:
https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/seltz-d-pump-controllable-universal-pump-1600-gph-hydor/
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/varios-6-controllable-dc-pump-1720-gph-reef-octopus.html
https://premiumaquatics.com/products/simplicity-1600-dc-pump.html

Anyone have a suggestion for a return on this build?

 

[samnaz]

Varios has my vote.

 

[Manose]

Varios has my vote.

It does have some great reviews, just wonder if I should go with the 4 or 6.

 

[samnaz]

Depends on how much flow you want through the sump. Calculate the total head loss from the return pipe diameter, head height, elbows/fittings, etc. Then subtract that amount from the max GPH of the return pump.

 

[Silver14SS]

I am still wonder what return to go with. Here are some of the choices I have:
https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/seltz-d-pump-controllable-universal-pump-1600-gph-hydor/
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/varios-6-controllable-dc-pump-1720-gph-reef-octopus.html
https://premiumaquatics.com/products/simplicity-1600-dc-pump.html

Anyone have a suggestion for a return on this build?

Do you need an adjustable return? If not, I prefer the simplicity of AC returns. No big power supply block, no calibration, no app.

Indo Pacific Sea Farm is a great option for captive bred clean up crews and macro algae.

 

[member 99594]

Following, I love that I am seeing more of the shallow reef builds. Doing the same one.

 

[Manose]

Do you need an adjustable return? If not, I prefer the simplicity of AC returns. No big power supply block, no calibration, no app.

Indo Pacific Sea Farm is a great option for captive bred clean up crews and macro algae.

AC returns have been a mainstay in the hobby for many years as for flow control people just put a ball valve on it, but I was wanting to try something new and have not ruled out tried and true AC units.
That is why I was looking at the Hydor, because it is a AC unit with a full control feature, the problem is the lack of info on the pumps as they are so new(maybe I can be the first).
I have not even looked in to clean up crews to be honest as I am slow. I will defiantly look into this as I approach that time, but for now I need to get this parts list done and attempt to build a stand(this is making my life miserable right now).

Following, I love that I am seeing more of the shallow reef builds. Doing the same one.

That is wonderful and will follow your build and maybe learn some stuff along the way.

As for the sump I have decided to go with the Bashsea bio-fuge sumps
https://www.bashsea.com/products/standard-series/bio-fuge

 

[BlueDevil]

Welcome back into the hobby. It sure is like a rash that won’t go away eh? [emoji4]
Looks like you’ve got some good advice on the guts of the tank. Allow me to chime in on the test kits. I have tried them all and this is what I’ve found best from an accuracy and ease of use (read color interpretation) standpoint:

Ca & Mg: Red Sea Pro
Alk: Hanna checker
PO4: Hanna ULR Checker
NO3: Red Sea Pro. I used Salifert here for quite some time but could never interpret the colors easily. Red Sea is much much easier.

Looking forward to seeing your build come together! Cheers!