80g Shallow Reef Build

[niQo]

I’ve always loved the dimensions of the DB 80 shallow!

Well done on the stand too. I remember working on mine for probably 4-5 months and I remember the frustration too!

Also, I am intrigued by the different Chinese fixtures you ordered. Some look very nice! I’m thinking of changing my lighting (I have a Nanobox right now). Since my reefing budget is not super high I most likely will have to buy used or Chinese BB. I have no doubt in my mind that the Chinese fixtures have enough par or that they can grow coral. My concern is twofold: build and parts quality and spectrum. I really like the way my corals and tank look with the Nanobox and I’m worried I would be disappointed with a Chinese fixture as there is really no way to know what it will look like until you have it!

 

[Manose]

Looking great! Our builds are turning out fairly similar - captive bred, dry rock, gyres, Apex board, etc.

Are those clowns from Coral Reef Tn?

Yes they are

 

[Manose]

I will be putting on new lighting the Noopsyche K7 pro2 when they arrive. They were the light that I felt had the most promise for what I had planned for the tank not to mention I really liked them in the black box study.

 

[A sea K]

Hillbilly, how are the Gyres working for you? Been tossing around new flow ideas as well as the lighting for my 80, I really like the placement you are using (aesthetics) and wonder if you are still using the Gyres and whether or not you would change anything.

 

[Manose]

Hillbilly, how are the Gyres working for you? Been tossing around new flow ideas as well as the lighting for my 80, I really like the placement you are using (aesthetics) and wonder if you are still using the Gyres and whether or not you would change anything.

I love how they are working as they create really good flow in this tank. Still waiting to get my K7 lights and remove some Nitrates before I add my first coral.

 

[A sea K]

Very Good, Thanks.

I know you're using coarser grain sand in your system, do you think it might be an issue with smaller sand, specifically carib sea seafloor special grade?

 

[Manose]

Very Good, Thanks.

I know you're using coarser grain sand in your system, do you think it might be an issue with smaller sand, specifically carib sea seafloor special grade?

Yes, after doing research on this tank it seemed that any kind of finer grain sand had problems with really strong current. I have bot gyre's running a random speeds all the way to 100% and this tank is really rocking at 100%;Happy

 

[A sea K]

Yes, after doing research on this tank it seemed that any kind of finer grain sand had problems with really strong current. I have bot gyre's running a random speeds all the way to 100% and this tank is really rocking at 100%;Happy

Well thats a bummer. I could always run them opposing each other down the length of the tank if its too much going the short way. Thanks for taking the time to respond, you've been quite helpful.

 

[Manose]

Well thats a bummer. I could always run them opposing each other down the length of the tank if its too much going the short way. Thanks for taking the time to respond, you've been quite helpful.

No problem and good luck

 

[Manose]

Today is a big day for the tank because I am running the Auto Water Change lines from the does 88feet to my tank.
This is going to take me forever

I will take more pics after I am done.

 

[crusso1993]

Today is a big day for the tank because I am running the Auto Water Change lines from the does 88feet to my tank.
This is going to take me forever

I will take more pics after I am done.

I waited with baited breath to see the "completed" pictures yesterday. I hope it went well and you were able to finish. I see you were properly prepared with two flashlights. I often use two and sometimes three, in my pouch, because I set them down and then move along only to realize the one I was using is back where I HAD been working.

BTW - two quick questions; 1.) Is that a cigar cutter you used to cut the tubing? 2.) I see you have a Melev's Reef RODI unit. Is there a particular reason you went with that unit?

Thanks!

 

[Manose]

I waited with baited breath to see the "completed" pictures yesterday. I hope it went well and you were able to finish. I see you were properly prepared with two flashlights. I often use two and sometimes three, in my pouch, because I set them down and then move along only to realize the one I was using is back where I HAD been working.

BTW - two quick questions; 1.) Is that a cigar cutter you used to cut the tubing? 2.) I see you have a Melev's Reef RODI unit. Is there a particular reason you went with that unit?

Thanks!

My dad is going to help me run the line but he got real sick from this virus that is taking control of my family. I am OCD so 2 flashlights for redundancy is one really important factor in a master plan;Stig
The cutter I got from BRS- https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ro-tube-cutter-highly-recommended.html.
I went with Melev's reef because of the attention to detail he puts in these RO/DI units. I needed a boost pump because my water pressure is about 20psi at that line and he hand builds all of his units,
not only does he hand build them he uses top notch membranes like Spectrapure. This system is way better than the six stage that BRS sells as this comes with a boost pump.
http://www.melevsreef.com/product/150-gpd-boosted-rodi-system
I get about 80-90 psi from this unit boosted;Wideyed

 

[Manose]

My new lights cam in today and I am so STOKED!!!

 

[Manose]

Lights are mounted and tank is ready for coral. I will run the AWC lines in the next day or so.

 

[dantimdad]

Lights are mounted and tank is ready for coral. I will run the AWC lines in the next day or so.

Looking good bud!

 

[Manose]

Looking good bud!

Thanks man, now I got to decide on the first coral.

 

[A sea K]

My new lights cam in today and I am so STOKED!!!

Well that didnt take too long. Looks good!!, what are your first impressions? Seems I read in one of the many threads that the programming does not allow the lights to gradually increase/decrease through various intensities, they more or less "jump" from one point to another, is this true?

 

[Manose]

Well that didnt take too long. Looks good!!, what are your first impressions? Seems I read in one of the many threads that the programming does not allow the lights to gradually increase/decrease through various intensities, they more or less "jump" from one point to another, is this true?

They produce a beautiful light and an awesome shimmer.They have seven points during the day which is plenty for most including me but I think Noopsyche is working on adding more.
I must say that at their price point they are going kill the AI26 .

 

[A sea K]

They produce a beautiful light and an awesome shimmer.They have seven points during the day which is plenty for most including me but I think Noopsyche is working on adding more..

Glad you put that in there about the shimmer, a reef tank just is not the same for me without shimmer. As for programming, seven points is fine for me but my concern is whether or not you can notice a definitive change in intensity when the programming is set to increase or decrease in intensity. Neither my Maxspect or Kessil do this. It is just a smooth gradual transition from setpoint to setpoint.

 

[Manose]

Glad you put that in there about the shimmer, a reef tank just is not the same for me without shimmer. As for programming, seven points is fine for me but my concern is whether or not you can notice a definitive change in intensity when the programming is set to increase or decrease in intensity. Neither my Maxspect or Kessil do this. It is just a smooth gradual transition from setpoint to setpoint.

You see the change very easy but it does not seem abrupt. I will watch them when they start ramping down for the day.