Eshopps Mariner M180 Reef Build - 90/10 Method

[FirstSalt24]

Looking good! Any updates? I have an M180 I’m setting up as well, the thing is a beast

s, tank is finally on the stand. Had to get my LFS to help. Got my TBS on Friday. Tank is wet but I’m having g a hard time adjust the sump to not make a noise at the overflow and my filter sock chamber. I’m using the Hygger 80w DC pump at 25% and based on what I read the pump is not to powerful for the M180. How is your setup going ? I will post lots of pictures soon.

 

[FirstSalt24]

An update on my M180 adventure. My LFS helped me to get the tank on the stand last Wednesday day. Still can’t believe how heavy this tank is!!!

 

[FirstSalt24]

I didn’t really think through the whole idea of how long in advance I needed to set the tank up in order to get 235gal on the tank before the TBS sand arrived. Rookie mistake!!!

Then on top of that my 32 gal mixing station had leaks at the bull heads and I think I have a faulty booster pump because my gauge pressure is only 22psi. . So it would have taken forever to mix the amount of saltwater I needed. Had no choice to make use of the premium option of having my LFS deliver me 120 gallons to get a head start. Hoping my sand and aquascape would displace the rest. Well..that was not the case.

At 3am this morning I had the get the TBS sand in the display as I could not keep it boxed for longer, since it left their facility on Thursday already . I ended up just dumping it in the tank and will spread it out nicely as soon as the tank has settled. (When I can actually see what I’m doing)

This morning I was off to the LFS to buy an additional 40 gallons. I’m convinced that I contributing to the LFS owner’s 401k ! I still need to get a roller mat and skimmer! I have REEF LED 160S, and they will just have to work since It will be a softie/ LPS for tank. I think putting your child through college might be cheaper than setting up a saltwater tank!!

I have the tank running since this afternoon but still trying to figure out the sump. It is very noisy at the overflow and the filter sock chamber. Wish they had sump tuning instructions included for beginners.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend everyone!!

 

[Rocco's Reef]

s, tank is finally on the stand. Had to get my LFS to help. Got my TBS on Friday. Tank is wet but I’m having g a hard time adjust the sump to not make a noise at the overflow and my filter sock chamber. I’m using the Hygger 80w DC pump at 25% and based on what I read the pump is not to powerful for the M180. How is your setup going ? I will post lots of pictures soon.

Nice! I am working on the rockscape at the moment. Trying to get it done this weekend. My TBS pickup is scheduled for June 12th, so I still have *some* time before I need to get it filled.

Watch this video for their overflow tuning, hope it helps!

 

[FirstSalt24]

s, tank is finally on the stand. Had to get my LFS to help. Got my TBS on Friday. Tank is wet but I’m having g a hard time adjust the sump to not make a noise at the overflow and my filter sock chamber. I’m using the Hygger 80w DC pump at 25% and based on what I read the pump is not to powerful for the M180. How is your setup going ? I will post lots of pictures soon.

Nice! I am working on the rockscape at the moment. Trying to get it done this weekend. My TBS pickup is scheduled for June 12th, so I still have *some* time before I need to get it filled.

Watch this video for their overflow tuning, hope it helps!

Thank you!

 

[FirstSalt24]

Tank ran for a week and a half with no lights as I was traveling. Today is week 1 of the 90/10 biome method… lights on at 0.5W per gallon for 4 hours a day. Will run it in this mode till next Wednesday or stretch it a bit to get back in a weekly cycle.
View attachment 1780525288

 

[FirstSalt24]

Hi All,

I’m in the final stage of Week 3 of the 90/10 biome cycle. Running my lights at 0.5W per gallon for 8 hrs a day. Added my Galaxy Pods as suggested. So far everything is still looking good. Towards the end of next week the lights will go to 1W per gallon which will be the permanent setting. Also adding my first fish towards the end of next week.

Have a good day!

 

[Alaska209]

Ordered hybrid, reef saver and shelf Marco Coraline rock for my aquascape. I wanted a negative type scape with enough swim lanes and open space. Leaving 4 inches in the front and 3 inches on the side and back to allow enough room for coral growth, and swimming space. It is very tempting to build to high and wanting to use most of the rock. I ended up using less reef saver rock than I thought. Went with 3 individual islands with your typical arch in the middle. I was impressed with the shelf rock pieces, makes for great scaping and lots of coral space when it is angled. The hybrid pieces are really nice, as they can be used as small shelf rock in the scape as well. I ended up using about 60lbs of rock. I will add a couple of island pieces for zoas at some point.

I'm excited to see how it is going to look in the tank with the TBS sand. Next is getting the mixing station built.

How many lbs of the hybrid rock did you order?

 

[FirstSalt24]

Ordered hybrid, reef saver and shelf Marco Coraline rock for my aquascape. I wanted a negative type scape with enough swim lanes and open space. Leaving 4 inches in the front and 3 inches on the side and back to allow enough room for coral growth, and swimming space. It is very tempting to build to high and wanting to use most of the rock. I ended up using less reef saver rock than I thought. Went with 3 individual islands with your typical arch in the middle. I was impressed with the shelf rock pieces, makes for great scaping and lots of coral space when it is angled. The hybrid pieces are really nice, as they can be used as small shelf rock in the scape as well. I ended up using about 60lbs of rock. I will add a couple of island pieces for zoas at some point.

I'm excited to see how it is going to look in the tank with the TBS sand. Next is getting the mixing station built.

How many lbs of the hybrid rock did you order?

I ordered 20 lbs. Those are my favorite. Their shelf pieces are nice as well. I got 3 large pieces in the box. If I have to redo it I would order more hybrid and less of the rock saver (regular pieces) as I have used less than what I ordered.

 

[FirstSalt24]

Ordered hybrid, reef saver and shelf Marco Coraline rock for my aquascape. I wanted a negative type scape with enough swim lanes and open space. Leaving 4 inches in the front and 3 inches on the side and back to allow enough room for coral growth, and swimming space. It is very tempting to build to high and wanting to use most of the rock. I ended up using less reef saver rock than I thought. Went with 3 individual islands with your typical arch in the middle. I was impressed with the shelf rock pieces, makes for great scaping and lots of coral space when it is angled. The hybrid pieces are really nice, as they can be used as small shelf rock in the scape as well. I ended up using about 60lbs of rock. I will add a couple of island pieces for zoas at some point.

I'm excited to see how it is going to look in the tank with the TBS sand. Next is getting the mixing station built.

How many lbs of the hybrid rock did you order?

I ordered 20 lbs. Those are my favorite. Their shelf pieces are nice as well. I got 3 large pieces in the box. If I have to redo it I would order more hybrid and less of the rock saver (regular pieces) as I have used less than what I ordered.

Picture of the hybrid pieces. You can use it as smaller shelf rocks as well.

 

[Alaska209]

Picture of the hybrid pieces. You can use it as smaller shelf rocks as well.

This is perfect! I’ve been trying to get an understanding of what 20lbs looks like, I appreciate the response!

 

[FirstSalt24]

Picture of the hybrid pieces. You can use it as smaller shelf rocks as well.

This is perfect! I’ve been trying to get an understanding of what 20lbs looks like, I appreciate the response!

No problem. The picture is 20 lbs.

 

[FirstSalt24]

Picture of the hybrid pieces. You can use it as smaller shelf rocks as well.

This is perfect! I’ve been trying to get an understanding of what 20lbs looks like, I appreciate the response!

No problem. The picture is 20 lbs.

These are the shelf pieces. Way larger than the hybrid pieces.

 

[Alaska209]

These are the shelf pieces. Way larger than the hybrid pieces.

How many lbs of shelf rock?

 

[FirstSalt24]

These are the shelf pieces. Way larger than the hybrid pieces.

How many lbs of shelf rock?

20 lbs

 

[FirstSalt24]

These are the shelf pieces. Way larger than the hybrid pieces.

How many lbs of shelf rock?

20 lbs

This is the shape of their regular rock. I ordered 60 lbs but only ended up using 40 lbs (2 boxes). You can look at their “The Perfect Mix” rock as well. It is a combo of really nice pieces.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[Proud]

How long did it take from order to delivery? I’m torn between the m130 or the m180. I have the room either way but can’t decide

Go with the M180, because once you get the M130, you will wish you want the M180 in a month, lol.

 

[ColoradoReeferman]

Beautiful tank man. Thanks for sharing.

 

[FirstSalt24]

Well I have made it to Day 30 of the 90/10 Biome method!

Latest update.

So far no uglies! Adding my foxface on Thursday. I have been spot feeding my fire red shrimp while waiting for my foxface just to provide some food for the tank. Next stage will be to observe how the tank will handle the additional bio load. I will not be able to add fish on a weekly basis as it depends on availability. But from this week onwards I’m going to put the biome to the test. :-)

I’ll keep the thread updated and will add pictures as the tank progresses. Some next steps are to add my ReefMat 1200 and Reef Octopus REGAL 200INT skimmer.

Happy Reefing!