80 Gallon Shallow build

Redbellyjx · 10/02/2015, 06:24 AM

I am taking down and selling my 50 gallon rimless that is in our living room, replacing it with a smaller 18" cube, and also setting up a frag grow out tank in the basement.

So right now I have a 36x18" tank. "oh, a 2x4' wont be much bigger." Well, I was wrong.

First impressions: Sloppy silicone job, will need to go over it with a razor. Nice beveled edges. Seems like its built like a tank (no pun intended). The overflow is sort of intrusive on the eye. I wanted to buy a non-reef ready one, but its not available rimless. The overflow has an adjustable weir with set screws to adjust the water level in the tank, which is pretty nice.

Also, I started working on the stand. i ran out of pocket screws at 10:30 last night so production halted.

Redbellyjx · 10/02/2015, 06:33 AM

Equipment:

Controller: Apex (check)
Skimmer: Itech 100 (check) - may upgrade to Vertex Omega 120
Nurtient Export - Aquamax Zeoreactor (check)
Sump: Custom 26 x 15 x 15, 3 chamber (check)
Return Pump: Eheim 1060 (check)
Circulation: 2 x RW4 (have one, need second)
Lights: ATI power module 6x39 (Check)
Heaters: 2 x 200 watt Eheim (Need second)
Calcium/Alk: Kalk stirrer/ATO. Eventually Calc RX when demand steps up. (need)

gavinsepanik · 10/02/2015, 06:53 AM

Looks great., will be following along. How tall is the tank.

Redbellyjx · 10/02/2015, 07:06 AM

16" tall

Redbellyjx · 10/05/2015, 05:52 AM

I am using 1x6 for the legs, but I don't have a miter saw to make good cuts. i tried cross cutting a 6' long stick on my table saw with no luck. The legs were all crooked. Boo.

Some quick thinking and I made this jig below, and just used a rotary saw. I cut one end so it was square, turn the plank around, then cut it again, this time with a spacer, and now I have 2 nice square ends on both sides and I am able to cut the same length consistently:

An hour later, I am here:

tah-dah!

Since this is just a basement tank, I will not be painting, staining, or 'finishing' the stand with any fancy wood work. I siliconed the floor, and will seal the whole thing with poly tomorrow.

CRAZYFIZH · 10/05/2015, 02:48 PM

Following along getting reay to buy the same tank

Cliving1 · 10/05/2015, 06:15 PM

I just bought that tank 2 months ago and it is fully cycled. The size dimensions are great! I love how shallow it is, no more wet armpit. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the build.

Bent · 10/05/2015, 07:20 PM

So jealous of these shallow tanks.

Nice!

Redbellyjx · 11/16/2015, 09:28 AM

Not much to update.... tank has been cycling for 2 months. with just powerheads and heaters. Last night I set up apex fusion, configured the apex, and then set up a wi-fi receiver. Maybe tonight I will actually plug everything into Apex and try clean up the wiring.

A few things that need fixing/attention:

-I am not too impressed with the 2 RWs; I am thinking of stepping up to a pair of MP40s.

-the water level is kind of high in the tank even with the weir all the way down. This poses 2 problems: i'm afraid of water splashing over the edge, and secondly A LOT of water drains into the sump when I shut the system down. Luckily the sump is big enough, but it is a little too close for comfort (maybe 1" spare). Need to figure out how to lower the water level in the display, or figure out how to prevent a lot of water from draining into the sump.

10/02/2015, 06:24 AM	#1
Redbellyjx Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Area Posts: 245	80 Gallon Shallow build I am taking down and selling my 50 gallon rimless that is in our living room, replacing it with a smaller 18" cube, and also setting up a frag grow out tank in the basement. So right now I have a 36x18" tank. "oh, a 2x4' wont be much bigger." Well, I was wrong. First impressions: Sloppy silicone job, will need to go over it with a razor. Nice beveled edges. Seems like its built like a tank (no pun intended). The overflow is sort of intrusive on the eye. I wanted to buy a non-reef ready one, but its not available rimless. The overflow has an adjustable weir with set screws to adjust the water level in the tank, which is pretty nice. Also, I started working on the stand. i ran out of pocket screws at 10:30 last night so production halted.

10/05/2015, 02:48 PM	#6
CRAZYFIZH Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: LARGO, FLORIDA Posts: 220	Following along getting reay to buy the same tank __________________ IT IS NOT A HOBBY IT IS A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE Current Tank Info: 300 dd in the works

10/05/2015, 07:20 PM	#8
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	So jealous of these shallow tanks. Nice! __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

10/02/2015, 06:33 AM	#2
Redbellyjx Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Area Posts: 245	Equipment: Controller: Apex (check) Skimmer: Itech 100 (check) - may upgrade to Vertex Omega 120 Nurtient Export - Aquamax Zeoreactor (check) Sump: Custom 26 x 15 x 15, 3 chamber (check) Return Pump: Eheim 1060 (check) Circulation: 2 x RW4 (have one, need second) Lights: ATI power module 6x39 (Check) Heaters: 2 x 200 watt Eheim (Need second) Calcium/Alk: Kalk stirrer/ATO. Eventually Calc RX when demand steps up. (need)

10/02/2015, 06:53 AM	#3
gavinsepanik Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Lake villa IL Posts: 236	Looks great., will be following along. How tall is the tank.

10/02/2015, 07:06 AM	#4
Redbellyjx Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Area Posts: 245	16" tall

10/05/2015, 05:52 AM	#5
Redbellyjx Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Area Posts: 245	I am using 1x6 for the legs, but I don't have a miter saw to make good cuts. i tried cross cutting a 6' long stick on my table saw with no luck. The legs were all crooked. Boo. Some quick thinking and I made this jig below, and just used a rotary saw. I cut one end so it was square, turn the plank around, then cut it again, this time with a spacer, and now I have 2 nice square ends on both sides and I am able to cut the same length consistently: An hour later, I am here: tah-dah! Since this is just a basement tank, I will not be painting, staining, or 'finishing' the stand with any fancy wood work. I siliconed the floor, and will seal the whole thing with poly tomorrow.

10/05/2015, 06:15 PM	#7
Cliving1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 1,923	I just bought that tank 2 months ago and it is fully cycled. The size dimensions are great! I love how shallow it is, no more wet armpit. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the build.

11/16/2015, 09:28 AM	#9
Redbellyjx Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Area Posts: 245	Not much to update.... tank has been cycling for 2 months. with just powerheads and heaters. Last night I set up apex fusion, configured the apex, and then set up a wi-fi receiver. Maybe tonight I will actually plug everything into Apex and try clean up the wiring. A few things that need fixing/attention: -I am not too impressed with the 2 RWs; I am thinking of stepping up to a pair of MP40s. -the water level is kind of high in the tank even with the weir all the way down. This poses 2 problems: i'm afraid of water splashing over the edge, and secondly A LOT of water drains into the sump when I shut the system down. Luckily the sump is big enough, but it is a little too close for comfort (maybe 1" spare). Need to figure out how to lower the water level in the display, or figure out how to prevent a lot of water from draining into the sump.