Eshopps Mariner M180 Build

[oakcityreefer]

Very nice. I really need to get my build thread going. Mine is in cycle now. My only complaints so far and these a very minor. I would buy again in an instant.

1. The return valves to the filter socks are too close and you cant close them off. During normal operation you shouldn't need to but when testing would have been nice.
2. It says fleece roller ready but the only one I could fit without sump modification was the ReefMat 500. A tank this size really needs a 1200 size roller.
3. They provide a really nice glass overflow cover. Useless if you have a light mounted on the back center.

 

[King Neptune]

Very nice. I really need to get my build thread going. Mine is in cycle now. My only complaints so far and these a very minor. I would buy again in an instant.

1. The return valves to the filter socks are too close and you cant close them off. During normal operation you shouldn't need to but when testing would have been nice.
2. It says fleece roller ready but the only one I could fit without sump modification was the ReefMat 500. A tank this size really needs a 1200 size roller.
3. They provide a really nice glass overflow cover. Useless if you have a light mounted on the back center.

Did you get the ReefMat 500 then? @ESHOPPS.INC what rollermats are compatible with the Mariner M180?

 

[King Neptune]

Today I'm calling my tank cycled! I used MicroBacter QuikCycl and MicroBacter Start XLM

 

[oakcityreefer]

Did you get the ReefMat 500 then? @ESHOPPS.INC what rollermats are compatible with the Mariner M180?

I did get a ReefMat 500 and can confirm it fits without modification.

 

[King Neptune]

I did get a ReefMat 500 and can confirm it fits without modification.

What it easy to install? Do you like it so far and can you share a photo? Thanks.

 

[oakcityreefer]

I did get a ReefMat 500 and can confirm it fits without modification.

What it easy to install? Do you like it so far and can you share a photo? Thanks.

Yes it was easy. Just had to put the bottom in first. Then clip the top part on. Nothing to do with the Eshopps but the motor for the ReefMat isn’t working out of the box. It won’t reset, connect to WiFi, and only turns one of the two sprockets. Support is working on it.

 

[King Neptune]

Yes it was easy. Just had to put the bottom in first. Then clip the top part on. Nothing to do with the Eshopps but the motor for the ReefMat isn’t working out of the box. It won’t reset, connect to WiFi, and only turns one of the two sprockets. Support is working on it.

Thanks for the good info and picture. Hopefully ReefMat support gets things sorted out for you. In the sock compartment where the ReefMat is installed there are two drain pipes, does the ReefMat connect to both pipes or just one?

 

[oakcityreefer]

I connected the ReefMat to pipe #2 only. In hindsight I should have connected it to pipe #1 since it had more flow than pipe #2. So I ended up cutting a PVC coupling in half and that raised pipe #1 up about an 1/8 of an inch in the overflow. So now pipe #2 gets more flow and goes into the ReefMat. Pipe #1 just gets a trickle and I removed the round plug from the area between where the pipes come into the sump and the filter socks.

 

[King Neptune]

I wanted to share some pictures of my new custom Toplid from Toplids.com. I got the luxury lid with black screen, plus removable evap covers. There is also 3 feed doors, 2 autofeeder cutouts and a frozen food cup. Initial testing shows my ATO reservoir will last about 3x as long with the evap covers on. I may choose to keep the evap covers off, unless I'm out of town, but still undecided. Anyway I think it looks great and very happy with the purchase.

 

[Rocco's Reef]

The Top Lids look sick! I ordered pretty much the same setup for my M180 as well, looks like I made the right decision!

 

[oakcityreefer]

That’s a great looking lid! Our taste are so similar. I got the exact same lid… lol. I got an update last week saying it was cut and being polished. Expecting to hear today that they are shipping it. They told me they were making a video of one in Florida. Was that you?

 

[King Neptune]

That’s a great looking lid! Our taste are so similar. I got the exact same lid… lol. I got an update last week saying it was cut and being polished. Expecting to hear today that they are shipping it. They told me they were making a video of one in Florida. Was that you?

Wow, the same lid, I guess great minds think alike LOL. Yes, Toplids provides weekly progress updates on Fridays. They have great communication. Hopefully you'll have yours soon. I'm not aware of them making a video of my lid. I'm in Utah, but the lid shipped from Florida, so not sure.

 

[Mattgee87]

Yes it was easy. Just had to put the bottom in first. Then clip the top part on. Nothing to do with the Eshopps but the motor for the ReefMat isn’t working out of the box. It won’t reset, connect to WiFi, and only turns one of the two sprockets. Support is working on it.

How loud is the roller mat with this setup? Also, how long are you getting out of a roll?

 

[King Neptune]

My next little project is installing a UV sterilizer, the Aqua 57 watt classic. The unit I purchased didn’t come with the 2” to ¾” reducer fittings or the ¾ barb fittings. Fortunately these items were easy to source at Home Depot.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Charlot...er-Bushing-Fitting-PVC-02108-2600HD/203851181

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-4-in-Barb-x-3-4-in-MIP-Nylon-Adapter-Fitting-800249/300862716

This UV sterilizer is also used in ponds where you may want more flow, but for aquariums you’ll want to reduce the flow so pathogens spend enough time in the UV chamber to get whacked lol. That’s why you need to reduce the 2” quick unions to ¾”. I didn’t know this when I ordered my unit off of ebay, but fortunately it was an easy fix. I also have a pump on order as I’ll set this UV sterilizer up with its own pump (in the skimmer compartment). I’m also awaiting tubing and some other knick knacks. Now I’m trying to decide on an installation location. I have room behind the stand, but leaning towards installing it inside the sump either vertically in front of the refugium compartment or horizontally on the wall adjacent to the refugium. Initially I was going to install on the ceiling with the ports facing down, but that would be incorrect as the unit can get an air bubble. I also plan to do a bucket test to fine tune flow rate before installation. Something else I learned is that this model also has a version with a wiper but that version is fresh water only. Luckily I got the one without a wiper. Wish me luck.

 

[oakcityreefer]

Yes it was easy. Just had to put the bottom in first. Then clip the top part on. Nothing to do with the Eshopps but the motor for the ReefMat isn’t working out of the box. It won’t reset, connect to WiFi, and only turns one of the two sprockets. Support is working on it.

How loud is the roller mat with this setup? Also, how long are you getting out of a roll?

It’s loud enough you can hear it while in the room but not anywhere else in the house. I’m three weeks in with no fish and one week with fish and I still have about 30% of my first roll left

 

[oakcityreefer]

My next little project is installing a UV sterilizer, the Aqua 57 watt classic. The unit I purchased didn’t come with the 2” to ¾” reducer fittings or the ¾ barb fittings. Fortunately these items were easy to source at Home Depot.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Charlot...er-Bushing-Fitting-PVC-02108-2600HD/203851181

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-4-in-Barb-x-3-4-in-MIP-Nylon-Adapter-Fitting-800249/300862716

This UV sterilizer is also used in ponds where you may want more flow, but for aquariums you’ll want to reduce the flow so pathogens spend enough time in the UV chamber to get whacked lol. That’s why you need to reduce the 2” quick unions to ¾”. I didn’t know this when I ordered my unit off of ebay, but fortunately it was an easy fix. I also have a pump on order as I’ll set this UV sterilizer up with its own pump (in the skimmer compartment). I’m also awaiting tubing and some other knick knacks. Now I’m trying to decide on an installation location. I have room behind the stand, but leaning towards installing it inside the sump either vertically in front of the refugium compartment or horizontally on the wall adjacent to the refugium. Initially I was going to install on the ceiling with the ports facing down, but that would be incorrect as the unit can get an air bubble. I also plan to do a bucket test to fine tune flow rate before installation. Something else I learned is that this model also has a version with a wiper but that version is fresh water only. Luckily I got the one without a wiper. Wish me luck.

Stop buying the exact same equipment as me. Maybe it’s me copying you and can’t tell who is first. LOL

 

[King Neptune]

Stop buying the exact same equipment as me. Maybe it’s me copying you and can’t tell who is first. LOL

When I sensed that you had 3/4" 90-degree barbed adapters, I made sure to get the straight ones to be different LOL LOL LOL. I ordered a jebao DCP 3500 pump for mine... clinching teeth...

 

[King Neptune]

It’s loud enough you can hear it while in the room but not anywhere else in the house. I’m three weeks in with no fish and one week with fish and I still have about 30% of my first roll left

If I remember right, you had issue getting your ReefMat to work out of the box, what was the resolution?

 

[Proud]

My next little project is installing a UV sterilizer, the Aqua 57 watt classic. The unit I purchased didn’t come with the 2” to ¾” reducer fittings or the ¾ barb fittings. Fortunately these items were easy to source at Home Depot.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Charlot...er-Bushing-Fitting-PVC-02108-2600HD/203851181

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-4-in-Barb-x-3-4-in-MIP-Nylon-Adapter-Fitting-800249/300862716

This UV sterilizer is also used in ponds where you may want more flow, but for aquariums you’ll want to reduce the flow so pathogens spend enough time in the UV chamber to get whacked lol. That’s why you need to reduce the 2” quick unions to ¾”. I didn’t know this when I ordered my unit off of ebay, but fortunately it was an easy fix. I also have a pump on order as I’ll set this UV sterilizer up with its own pump (in the skimmer compartment). I’m also awaiting tubing and some other knick knacks. Now I’m trying to decide on an installation location. I have room behind the stand, but leaning towards installing it inside the sump either vertically in front of the refugium compartment or horizontally on the wall adjacent to the refugium. Initially I was going to install on the ceiling with the ports facing down, but that would be incorrect as the unit can get an air bubble. I also plan to do a bucket test to fine tune flow rate before installation. Something else I learned is that this model also has a version with a wiper but that version is fresh water only. Luckily I got the one without a wiper. Wish me luck.

 

[Proud]

such beautiful tank and love the color coordination of the equipment. following