TruRacr314x's 80g Reef

TruRacr314x · Sep 17, 2013

This has been my first build in the saltwater world...and what a great experience it has been. I had always wanted to try my hand at saltwater tanks...but was always scared away by all of the myths associated with the hobby. Towards the end of 2012, after receiving the blessing from my wife, I made the decision to start collecting the pieces for my build.

I started building a DIY stand in January. I'll start by saying that I'm not really good at working with saws, nails, screws, wood, etc. I'm more of a nuts, bolts and wrenches kinda guy. After about a month, I finally managed to finish the stand. It too way longer than anticipated...and in the end cost way more than expected. I made every mistake in the book...and in the end, I wish I would have looked into having someone build it for me.

Here are some photos of it just after finishing the stand...

I decided to do a DIY Sump using a 40g breeder tank. The only picture I can find right now is when I was mocking everything up. The sump is actually flipped the opposite direction from this picture (skimmer now on the right). Pretty simple Drain/Skimmer-Fuge-Return setup.

TruRacr314x · Sep 17, 2013

I was finally able to get the tank up and cycling...what a great feeling that was! I started with most dry rock...and about 10lbs of LR.

TruRacr314x · Sep 17, 2013

This picture was taken about 3 months in...unfortunately, this is the last picture I've taken! A busy summer mixed with trying to make sure I stayed on top of everything has kept me from really taking time away to take some quality progress pics. Hopefully this thread will help motivate me as I need to update the thread on my local club's forum as well!

kungfujoe · Sep 17, 2013

Nice start..

TruRacr314x · Sep 17, 2013

kungfujoe said:
Nice start..

Thanks...I've added some coral a fish, will definitely work on some update pics soon!

Lilmatty5dimes · Dec 5, 2013

Any updates?

revhtree · Dec 5, 2013

Looks great!

TruRacr314x · Dec 6, 2013

Here's some updated pics...fortunately or unfortunately depending on how you look at it, this will be taken down in the near future. I'm in the process of setting up a 180 and will be transferring pretty much everything over. Look for the new build thread in the next few weeks!

Angle Shot

Right Side

Center

Scoly

RBTA

Goni

Dual Mouth Scoly

Acantho

Lilmatty5dimes · Dec 6, 2013

Def a stunning tank. Absolutely beautiful. Can't wait to see your 180. Please post a link here when you get it going so we can follow that build. Thanks.

TruRacr314x · Dec 6, 2013

Lilmatty5dimes said:
Def a stunning tank. Absolutely beautiful. Can't wait to see your 180. Please post a link here when you get it going so we can follow that build. Thanks.

Thanks for the compliments! These pictures are from the end of September and since then, I have banished my urchin to the sump. I was wondering why my rocks were failing to color up as well as I thought they should...and it turned out that the urchin was keeping them clean! The tank has matured nicely and looks great as of today.