EllisJuan's Deep Blue 30g Shallow Reef

[EllisJuan]

I recently relocated from Florida to the Memphis area and had to give up my 65 gallon tank which now resides and thrives in my brother's home. My new apartment lifestyle dictated that scaled back a bit. I knew I wanted to go with a shallow rimless tank. After much consideration I ordered a Deep Blue Professional 30 gallon shallow reef ready tank from my new LFS. The tank arrived last week and the stand should be here sometime in the next week. The build will not really begin for about another month, but the component collection is in full swing...

 

[RandoReefer]

Now that's a good start to equipment collecting!

 

[EllisJuan]

I was looking for a sump for this build. I considered building one myself, but the dimensions were pretty challenging and no off the shelf tank I could add baffles to would fit like I wanted. I knew ideally I wanted something with an ATO reservoir. I saw a design I liked on Advance Acrylics site, but the dimensions were not quite right. I gave them a call, and explained I wanted something similar to what was on their site but in slightly different dimensions. The nice receptionist put John, the builder, on the phone who let me explain exactly what I wanted. I told him I wanted to take 3" out of the drain/skimmer section, raise the skimmer section water level by an inch, and add a sock holder. Much to my surprise he said he could do it all for me at the same price as their off the shelf unit. Then I asked him if I could pick the colors and he said sure.

10 days later, this absolute work of art showed up at my door...

 

[EllisJuan]

Good progress today...

 

[EllisJuan]

Made some solid progress today. I got the plumbing done and most of the equipment mounted/installed in the cabinet. I also painted the back of the tank. Tomorrow I would like to get the sand rinsed and in the tank and possibly aquascaping done.

 

[steve&mari]

Looks very nice got some really nice equipment. Can't wait to see the scape and start filling it up .

 

[EllisJuan]

Looks very nice got some really nice equipment. Can't wait to see the scape and start filling it up .

Thanks man! I really tried not to compromise on this build.

Got the sand and rock rinsed, in the tank, and started working on the aquascaping. There is what I have right now? Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Khh27]

Looks awsome! I'm sure you have a quite alot of light spill with that xr30. You using narrow lenses at least

 

[EllisJuan]

Nope, Wide Angle actually...lol. I was more concerned about the coverage, shadowing, and blennding with the light being mounted only ~8" off the top of the tank. Do you think I should have gone narrow?

 

[Khh27]

Lol. You could have gotten away with a xr15. The xr30 have 36" coverage area with wide angles. You probably should keep wides on to help blend in the par. Just know your whole tank is pretty much going to be sps level only being what 12" deep.

 

[EllisJuan]

I am planning on a very SPS dominant tank. I already have a frag rack filled in my brother's 180 with pieces I have been collecting to go in here; Jason Fox Sour Twist, CC Needle in a Haystack, CC Aussie Candlelight, CC Oakland A Paniculata, CC Royale Pocillopora, Birds of Paradise, Red Planet, Steve Elias Stag, Joe the Coral, Garf Bonsai, Blue Matrix, etc.

 

[Khh27]

Should be sweet then! Following along.

 

[Khh27]

What kind of light is that you have mounted in the cabinet.

 

[EllisJuan]

What kind of light is that you have mounted in the cabinet.

It is just a under cabinet LED light for Lowes. I had it in my old 65g cabinet. I am pretty sure it is this one: http://www.lowes.com/pd_366083-1390...oductId=3531552&pl=1&Ntt=led+cabinet+lighting

 

[m88a2]

sweet set up. i have a similar DT and am just starting to cycle. that skimmer you have looks terrible similar to the Aquamaxx CO1 that im running

 

[Khh27]

sweet set up. i have a similar DT and am just starting to cycle. that skimmer you have looks terrible similar to the Aquamaxx CO1 that im running

Jns and aquamaxx are basically the same.

 

[m88a2]

oh. well that explains it

 

[EllisJuan]

sweet set up. i have a similar DT and am just starting to cycle. that skimmer you have looks terrible similar to the Aquamaxx CO1 that im running

Yup. Aquamaxx actually just rebrands JNS skimmers and distributes them in the US. I bought mine out of Canada when the Aquamaxx version was very scarce. I absolutely love this skimmer. I ran it for a little over a year on my 65g before moving and starting this build.

 

[sromero287]

EllisJuan congratulations on ur shallow project, I just upgraded the same tank ur building to a reef savvy 80gal, I had the deep blue for a three glorious years, still can't get used to the big one and really miss my mini-shallow.
Keep up with ur excellent job and progress and once used to it you will love this one, good luck and happy reefing.

Here a pict from mine two years ago!!!!

 

[m88a2]

Have you decided on a stock list yet?