Eshopps Mariner M180 Build

[King Neptune]

Hi Reef2Reef. My first aquarium is an Eshopps Mariner M180. We are in the active process of getting all set up. I just shot a short video showing our build:
For lights we are using AI Hydra 44HD's with 3d printed shades, mounted w/HMS Hanging Kit (the way to go!) Using a 10.6 gallon Reef Can reservoir for my ATO. The reef can is really nice, it is narrow, doesn't take up much space and has a large reservoir. We built our reefscape with Carib Sea rocks, superglue and E-Marco 400 mortar. Right now we are cycling with Microbacter Quickcycl, and Microbacter Start and waiting for ammonia to drop to zero. Super excited to watch things progress and come to life. Thanks to everyone at Reef2Reef for this great resource.

 

[DarthRaiderBob]

Looks amazing. Welcome to the show

 

[skey44]

Hi Reef2Reef. My first aquarium is an Eshopps Mariner M180. We are in the active process of getting all set up. I just shot a short video showing our build:
For lights we are using AI Hydra 44HD's with 3d printed shades, mounted w/HMS Hanging Kit (the way to go!) Using a 10.6 gallon Reef Can reservoir for my ATO. The reef can is really nice, it is narrow, doesn't take up much space and has a large reservoir. We built our reefscape with Carib Sea rocks, superglue and E-Marco 400 mortar. Right now we are cycling with Microbacter Quickcycl, and Microbacter Start and waiting for ammonia to drop to zero. Super excited to watch things progress and come to life. Thanks to everyone at Reef2Reef for this great resource.

Following! Nice setup.

 

[TJ42]

I like the tower look to the aquascape. Very unique and cool looking.

 

[King Neptune]

Yesterday I received I an EcoFlow River 2 Pro 768Wh Portable Power Station that I plan to use as a battery backup for my return pump, (an Orlushy DC-12000) in the event of a power failure. These can be purchased on Amazon in different sizes, or they sell refurbished units on Ebay for less $$, which is the route I went. Initial testing is that I will obtain about a 7 hour runtime at my current power setting, which is at 118, almost maxed out at the high end. If the power level turned down the runtime will be longer, but I have yet to test runtimes running on a lower setting. The Ecoflow will automatically switch to the battery when there is a power failure and the display as well as the linked app with show the remaining runtime based on the draw. For us, it’s unlikely we’ll have a power failure longer than that, but I also plan to use a smaller battery on a small powerhead, that will keep the water circulating for much longer in the event that the Ecoflow 768WH depletes and the return pump is lost. The benefit of the EcoFlow is that it’s a clean/easy reliable setup. The disadvantage is that there is a lot of efficiency loss. The return pump is 24v DC, so to normally run it requires a power supply that converts A/C power to 24V DC. On the battery backup the A/C ports have been converted from the DC battery to A/C. So, running the return pump off of the A/C ports on the EcoFlow goes like this DC to AC to DC, which is inefficient and hurts runtimes. Someone that is handy could use the DC out on the EcoFlow and wire in a 12v to 24v step up converter and run the return pump on the DC out and gain maybe an hour or two ( a guess) of runtime. But, that would be a more complicated setup and a little ugly or less clean lol.

 

[nickng]

Yesterday I received I an EcoFlow River 2 Pro 768Wh Portable Power Station that I plan to use as a battery backup for my return pump, (an Orlushy DC-12000) in the event of a power failure. These can be purchased on Amazon in different sizes, or they sell refurbished units on Ebay for less $$, which is the route I went. Initial testing is that I will obtain about a 7 hour runtime at my current power setting, which is at 118, almost maxed out at the high end. If the power level turned down the runtime will be longer, but I have yet to test runtimes running on a lower setting. The Ecoflow will automatically switch to the battery when there is a power failure and the display as well as the linked app with show the remaining runtime based on the draw. For us, it’s unlikely we’ll have a power failure longer than that, but I also plan to use a smaller battery on a small powerhead, that will keep the water circulating for much longer in the event that the Ecoflow 768WH depletes and the return pump is lost. The benefit of the EcoFlow is that it’s a clean/easy reliable setup. The disadvantage is that there is a lot of efficiency loss. The return pump is 24v DC, so to normally run it requires a power supply that converts A/C power to 24V DC. On the battery backup the A/C ports have been converted from the DC battery to A/C. So, running the return pump off of the A/C ports on the EcoFlow goes like this DC to AC to DC, which is inefficient and hurts runtimes. Someone that is handy could use the DC out on the EcoFlow and wire in a 12v to 24v step up converter and run the return pump on the DC out and gain maybe an hour or two ( a guess) of runtime. But, that would be a more complicated setup and a little ugly or less clean lol.

Those ecoflows are great backup batteries

 

[nickng]

BTW how long does the 10 gallon ATO last before it needs topping up. I really like the M180 tank.

 

[King Neptune]

BTW how long does the 10 gallon ATO last before it needs topping up. I really like the M180 tank.

I haven't paid attention exactly, but can go a few days. I have a toplid (toplids.com) on order and getting the optional evap covers which will greatly slow down the evaporation. Hopefully will have it in the next couple of weeks and will do post here once I get it...

 

[King Neptune]

Some more on what’s going on here: Have two independent/redundant 500 watt heaters, each plugged into it’s own inkbird, ( @INKBIRD_official ) The inkbird will cut the power to the heater if the heater failed and the H20 temp rose above a user defined threshold. One of the inkbirds is the wifi version, so I can monitor from my phone. If you are going to submerge the inkbird temperature probe in water, put some marine heat shrink tubing where the probe attaches to the wire...

 

[njmaddreefer]

Very nice build

Welcome to the Mariner club! Can’t wait to see the progress.

 

[Rocco's Reef]

The tank is looking good, I really like the aquascape! I have a M180 as well, sitting in my garage right now waiting to be set up! Seeing this is making me impatient

 

[Proud]

Beautiful Tank

 

[jstaff12]

Very nice setting up my new m130 as well

 

[Proud]

Very nice setting up my new m130 as well

Beautiful tank

 

[Proud]

Hi Reef2Reef. My first aquarium is an Eshopps Mariner M180. We are in the active process of getting all set up. I just shot a short video showing our build:
For lights we are using AI Hydra 44HD's with 3d printed shades, mounted w/HMS Hanging Kit (the way to go!) Using a 10.6 gallon Reef Can reservoir for my ATO. The reef can is really nice, it is narrow, doesn't take up much space and has a large reservoir. We built our reefscape with Carib Sea rocks, superglue and E-Marco 400 mortar. Right now we are cycling with Microbacter Quickcycl, and Microbacter Start and waiting for ammonia to drop to zero. Super excited to watch things progress and come to life. Thanks to everyone at Reef2Reef for this great resource.

Beautiful like a piece of art.

 

[Makara23]

How many gallons is that narrow ATO? It seems small relative to the system volume. Do you have to refill every other day?

I'm always nervous seeing ATOs in the same section as main electronics and batteries.

 

[Skippy The Meh]

Welcome to the hobby! Love the aquascape, i think it would be super cool to have those pillars full of sps coral:)

 

[King Neptune]

How many gallons is that narrow ATO? It seems small relative to the system volume. Do you have to refill every other day?

I'm always nervous seeing ATOs in the same section as main electronics and batteries.

The ATO is 10 gallons and currently lasts about 6 days. I have a lid from Toplids on order with evaporation covers. With the lid and evap covers it will last significantly longer...
..

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Hi Reef2Reef. My first aquarium is an Eshopps Mariner M180. We are in the active process of getting all set up. I just shot a short video showing our build:
For lights we are using AI Hydra 44HD's with 3d printed shades, mounted w/HMS Hanging Kit (the way to go!) Using a 10.6 gallon Reef Can reservoir for my ATO. The reef can is really nice, it is narrow, doesn't take up much space and has a large reservoir. We built our reefscape with Carib Sea rocks, superglue and E-Marco 400 mortar. Right now we are cycling with Microbacter Quickcycl, and Microbacter Start and waiting for ammonia to drop to zero. Super excited to watch things progress and come to life. Thanks to everyone at Reef2Reef for this great resource.

Beautiful scape!!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Hi Reef2Reef. My first aquarium is an Eshopps Mariner M180. We are in the active process of getting all set up. I just shot a short video showing our build:
For lights we are using AI Hydra 44HD's with 3d printed shades, mounted w/HMS Hanging Kit (the way to go!) Using a 10.6 gallon Reef Can reservoir for my ATO. The reef can is really nice, it is narrow, doesn't take up much space and has a large reservoir. We built our reefscape with Carib Sea rocks, superglue and E-Marco 400 mortar. Right now we are cycling with Microbacter Quickcycl, and Microbacter Start and waiting for ammonia to drop to zero. Super excited to watch things progress and come to life. Thanks to everyone at Reef2Reef for this great resource.

Love the aquascape!