InvaderJim's 80g shallow reef

InvaderJim

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Returning from a several year hiatus from the hobby I was sucked back in. Currently have a Fluval 13.5 running in my office at home. I figured it was time to put together a build thread for my new tank I've been working on for a while. Still torn between keeping up both tanks or transferring everything to the 80g.

Equipment:
48x24x16 Deep Blue/Seapora tank
Custom built stand, 36" tall
40g Breeder sump with Jax.Racks kit
2x MP40wqd
2x AI Hydra 26 HD
Ecotech Vectra S2 return pump
Vertex 150 skimmer
Apex classic
Tunze 3155 ATO

The day I got the tank to my apartment with my little girl for scale.
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From there I got the stand built
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Filled holes and did 2 coats of Kilz on the inside
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InvaderJim

InvaderJim

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Moved out of my apartment and into a house with my fiance. After much debate I convinced her to let me put it in the main room.

Stand in place
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Tank, stand, and sump all finally together
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Now on to the challenge of plumbing. Originally my intentions were to run the durso overflow and return setup that came with the tank, but after over-researching as I usually do I eventually settled on a herbie style and just did the overflow over the back which I'm not crazy about because I chickened out on drilling the tank even though I've done several before.

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First obstacle, my bulkheads were hitting one of the blocks of wood we used to hold the legs together to attach them to the top and bottom frames. So that was removed.

After that I noticed the overflows didn't line up with the inserts into the sump very well, they were at a slight angle so hard plumbing it wasn't really an option.
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This is what I came up with for the final plumbing. I'm still open to suggestions and critique though as nothing is cemented yet.
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InvaderJim

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IMG_4404.jpg


Got the lights all setup after fighting with the AI app for 2 hours...only to find out it was my fault for not having network access allowed for the myAI app in my phone's settings. :rolleyes:

Currently drawing out ideas for a small controller board. Space is limited especially if I ever want to add any reactors of any sort.
 
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InvaderJim

InvaderJim

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Working on finishing up a few things so I can leak test.

Made this board to organize all my electronics. All the power bricks will be mounted on the back side and it's removable via some magnets on the back side. My Apex is still on my nano for the time being.

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Finishing up most of the plumbing today. Waiting on some odds and ends from BRS including my hose clamps.

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ShepherdReefer

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IMG_4404.jpg


Got the lights all setup after fighting with the AI app for 2 hours...only to find out it was my fault for not having network access allowed for the myAI app in my phone's settings. :rolleyes:

Currently drawing out ideas for a small controller board. Space is limited especially if I ever want to add any reactors of any sort.

Super nice pictures and setup. Thanks for sharing.
 
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InvaderJim

InvaderJim

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Corner overflow nice!!! Sleek looking setup can’t wait to see it progress! Ps I woulda chickened out on drilling the tank too :p

yea I just couldn’t bring myself to do it lol. After leak testing I feel pretty good about my decision.

Now I have to put my poor little 50gpd ro/di to work
 

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Working on finishing up a few things so I can leak test.

Made this board to organize all my electronics. All the power bricks will be mounted on the back side and it's removable via some magnets on the back side. My Apex is still on my nano for the time being.

IMG_4437.jpg
62510308184__DEC629C5-27BE-4195-9B80-5FB7BD7D9DF0.jpg


Finishing up most of the plumbing today. Waiting on some odds and ends from BRS including my hose clamps.

IMG_4443.jpg
IMG_4445.jpg
IMG_4446.jpg

Wow this is looking really good.
 
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InvaderJim

InvaderJim

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Wow this is looking really good.
Thank you! It should finally be up and running tonight after work.

Looks great! I have a 57 Deep Blue and my overflow is in the center of the tank. I wish I would have known enough at the time I bought it to go with the corner overflow like yours. Looking forward to the rest of your build. Great job!!

I used to have a 90 with a center overflow and I remember how much it obstructed the rock work. They apparently make this same tank in a non-reef ready version so you could do an external overflow.

Thanks for the compliments. It’s been a slow process but it’s finally ready to go.
 

A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

  • I currently have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 73 37.8%
  • Not currently, but I have had feather dusters in my tank in the past.

    Votes: 66 34.2%
  • I have not had feather dusters, but I hope to in the future.

    Votes: 25 13.0%
  • I have no plans to have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 28 14.5%
  • Other.

    Votes: 1 0.5%
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