Shallow Lagoon Build

[fishguy242]

hey wait a mini think i see two reefs in background,and no pic'slol ,to be honest i run and love bare bottom tanks,never painted one ,just a thought here ,black absorbs light ,will it cover in algae too fast?? white will reflect light again ,will it cause problems?? i don't have that answer ,but think something to think about,once done,too late.????beige like beach sand,lighter blue ???just suggetions ,never did ,mine were all pink..lol ,foam insulation board

 

[robs.mark]

hey wait a mini think i see two reefs in background,and no pic'slol ,to be honest i run and love bare bottom tanks,never painted one ,just a thought here ,black absorbs light ,will it cover in algae too fast?? white will reflect light again ,will it cause problems?? i don't have that answer ,but think something to think about,once done,too late.????beige like beach sand,lighter blue ???just suggetions ,never did ,mine were all pink..lol ,foam insulation board

Thats a great consideration. I’ve run the last two (including the one in the background) BB with black paint. I honestly haven’t notice any additional algae, but in saying that I haven’t anything to compare it with. I have wondered if the light reflection from the white would have any positive or negative effects on the underside of SPS colonies?

The tank in the background has an amazing colony of aiptesia growing, I’d be happy to frag if anyone want some?

 

[fishguy242]

i like the thought on white reflecting underside ,again not sure,not chrome but poss light silver?? you can take a cheap ten gallon on a test run,try poss 3 colors in 3rds fill and see???is a cheap quick trial???

 

[robs.mark]

Back to the Stand

Because it’s rimless, Frank the tank (builder) specified that the tank must sit on a minimum of 5/8” foam. I was hoping for a clean look without visible foam and I don’t like the appearance of trim (I want to keep exposed ply edges).

I decided to cut thin strips of plywood and laminate them to the stand top. This way the foam would not be visible and it would appear that the tank was sitting directly on a 36mm slab of plywood - or at least I hope

I already bought the 5/8” foam and the ply is 18mm (about 11/16)” so the tank will sit about 2mm lower which I can live with.

 

[fishguy242]

i like it ,i don't see the foam? is that good? tank itself directly on foam?? important!!

 

[Reverend Turtle]

If you're going bb, I would paint it white. I've seen a couple this way, and it looks better than black.

 

[robs.mark]

Thanks for the tip Aaron, I have a pane of glass in the garage, I’m thinking of doing some colour tests..

 

[MabuyaQ]

Short term white would be best for light reflection, long term pink or purple may be best as it will all be covered by pink/purple coralline algae.

 

[PTXReef]

G’day from Australia! As an British man it still sounds a little weird saying that, but feel like after 13 years’ it’s become part of my regular vocabulary!

Background

Like most “fish people”, I started by keeping freshwater as a kid. Something has always fascinated me about creating and observing an entire ecosystem, it’s quiet incredible!

Shortly after arriving in Australia, I started scuba diving. I was blown away by diversity of life that dwelled below the surface. Naturally, after spending time googling various diving forums, I found reference to the reef hobby. I joined Reefcentral in 2008, and began reading (and reading and reading!), a trip the the LFS, and I was hooked! I needed to set up a reef tank. At the time, my partner and I were saving for our first house together. I ordered a tank, and began to accumulate equipment. The tank was a custom 50g tall without an overflow box, instead having two riser pipes (don’t ask!). Eventually we purchased a house, and I was able to set up the tank. It was a great learning curve, but after about 12 months, I wanted more. As the years passed I upgraded again and ended up with a 187g reef, complete with a fish room. It was awesome! The tank ran for about a year, during which time my now wife fell pregnant with twins, and we realised that we needed a larger house. I transferred a couple of fish and corals into a smaller tank and shut down this system.

Fast forward a number of years and a substantial renovation, and I am now a position to start a larger system again. I kept the smaller system running, and still have the three fish I kept (a pair of Occi clowns (the first sw fish I ever bought), and a hybrid scopes tang who I couldn’t bare to part with).

New Beginnings

The new system will be a shallow SPS lagoon. I am a keen DIYer, and spent the first 18 years of my (working life) as a mechanical fitter - as such, I love to modify and build things. This will no doubt be apparent during this tank build. I have purchased most of the required equipment and have almost finished the stand, but for the sake of documentation, I will start this thread from the beginning. Here is what I have so far:

Tank: 40” x 28” x 16” (73g) custom rimless with external overflow
Sump: Custom DIY
Skimmer: Bubble Magus Curve 7
Lighting: Modified Aquatic Life Hybrid, 2 x G3 Ecotech Radion XR30s. Tunze refugium LED
Flow: 1 x MP40 QD, 1 x MP40w
Return: EcoTech Vectra M1
Temp Control: Inkbird WIFI controller with Eheim heater, and eBay cooling fans
Elements: Bubble Magus Dosing Pump
Other: Bubble Magus Automatic Filter Roller, Smart Automatic Water Change System

Some of this equipment is new, some used, and some from my existing system.

Its 12:30 am over here, but I promise to start adding some pics tomorrow. Hopefully this thread is of use to someone, even if it’s just how not to do something x-)

Cheers, Mark

Nice specs! Following the build!
-fellow fish person

 

[robs.mark]

i like it ,i don't see the foam? is that good? tank itself directly on foam?? important!!

Absolutely, the tank will sit entirely on the foam (polystyrene in this instance).

 

[robs.mark]

Short term white would be best for light reflection, long term pink or purple may be best as it will all be covered by pink/purple coralline algae.

Agreed, this the the desired result, I think white will be the winner also.

 

[robs.mark]

Nice specs! Following the build!
-fellow fish person

Appreciate the feedback, thanks!

 

[michaelmessinaglass]

Im excited to see this all set up! Great build, i really like lagoons. Being able to access the bottom easily is a huge plus

 

[New&no clue]

I love a lagoon tank. I have a 35" x 15" x 13" 30 gallon. I always like to see what other people do with theirs.

 

[robs.mark]

Im excited to see this all set up! Great build, i really like lagoons. Being able to access the bottom easily is a huge plus

Thanks for following along, I hope it doesn’t disappoint!

 

[robs.mark]

I love a lagoon tank. I have a 35" x 15" x 13" 30 gallon. I always like to see what other people do with theirs.

Great dimensions, I‘m just about to check out your build thread..

 

[New&no clue]

My build thread that is with my name is for my 75 gallon. Here is a link to me 30 gallon

Build Thread - My ULM Office Tank- Nuvo 30L

This is my second tank. I've wanted a tank in my office for some time but scared away by some hurtles. I had several concerns about an office tank; 1. Water changes- I will not be able to have an RODI system at work so all water has be brought from my house. 2. Testing and Dosing- I will not be...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[robs.mark]

Finished the top of the stand today, cut out the overflow holes, polystyrene, and added three coats of polyethylene.

I also applied two coats of white paint to the base, it will need a couple more tomorrow though. I like the colour

Half the polystyrene is missing in the pic as the tank is resting on it..

 

[Smite]

This build is looking awesome so far. I'm following along as I'm looking to do a shallow sps build in the future. Good call on the white, the reflection is going to pay off!

 

[DrufusReef]

looking great so far. can't wait to see the finished product