Fwadivers no 80 gal shallow reef

fwadiver

fwadiver

New member
Current FTS : 8/11/2013


Tank Specs

Display: 80Gal Deep Blue Frag Tank 48x24x18
Sump: Custom Will Luthman 20x36x16
Biological Filtration: 40lbs Special Grade sand, 60lbs BRS Pukani + misc other Rock Pieces
Lighting: ReefBreeders Photon32
Protein Skimmer: Avast CS1 Pegleg W/ Recirculating mod
Controller: Reef Angel
Heater: Fluval
Cooling: Airking Fan
Water Motion: 2x mp40 sides, 2x mp10 back, Mocean Return Oscillator
Filter Media: GFO/Carbon as needed
ATO: Tunze Osmolator
Dosing: BRS 1.1ml/min dosers with 2 part from Avast Dosing barrels.
 
jm23

jm23

Active member
Nice, I just bought the 80 too and I love the dimensions. The one thing I noticed though is the adjustable overflow will allow more water to be in your DT, but when you kill the return pumps it will still drain to the bottom of the overflow teeth (not the level you have it set at). Just FYI as this caused my sump to almost overflow, but thankfully I was watching for it. I now just have it running at the lowest level, even though that means less water in the DT. Have fun.
 
lunacris

lunacris

Active member
nice pick up will need more flow for sure 2 mp10 dont cut it . also the overflow design is weak and needs some tweaking to get quiet . will be a fun build for sure tho
 
fwadiver

fwadiver

New member
not edge, the overflow will be fine with a durso, i am going to use both holes in the overflow boxes for pipes and then drill the sides for 3/4" bulkheads to run a closed loop
 
ColaAddict

ColaAddict

New member
Any updates? I'm gonna get the same tank. How is the sand with the vortech pumps and shallow tank? Is the sand staying put or getting moved around by the wavemakers coz its shallow?
 
fwadiver

fwadiver

New member
just picked the aquarium up yesterday, i've never had a sand problem with vortechs, my previous tank, 33L is only 12" tall with a 1" sandbed never had an issue with mp10 on 75-80% the main problem is they would suck air much stronger than that, the 80 is 16 or 18" high so should be less of a problem.

Main issue with tank is only a 1" drain, going to use both the drain and return as drains to get a little more flow, then either drill the side (only non tempered panel) or over the back with a mocean return, I really like the way the tunze wavebox seems to work and think that is an option too. Got RO/DI in apt and am making some water for it now.
 
ColaAddict

ColaAddict

New member
So it's 1" drain. Is it a 1/2 or 3/4 return? Did they tell you how much GPH the drain can handle so you know what pump to use?
I've used the Tunze Wavebox before and it works great.
 
fwadiver

fwadiver

New member
its a 1" drain, 3/4" return, i'm going to use both as drains. they dont rate the drain but rule of thumb is 400-500gph for a 1" drain line by making both drains i think i can safely swing 750gph
 
jm23

jm23

Active member
Depending on the type of return you decide to use (herbie, durso, open pvc, etc.) you will either get more or less GPH. I use hard PVC to plumb my tanks and I always put a ball valve closest to the bulkhead then a union below it for every single pipe (return or drain). 2 benefits that I have seen: first it allows me to close all the valves and work on the sump or make modifications to the plumbing (which I have done several times because I didn't think of everything when I first started and I have added a frag tank inline) and second while you never want to dial back your drains when everything is running, it does allow you to dial back your returns, so that your drains can handle the flow.
 
Herbie

Herbie

Banned
MHO, split it up. that thing is so big you'll have an entire ecosystem going on it there without being able to see the goings on.
 
fwadiver

fwadiver

New member
well i did some hammering on the rock, made 2 tunnels thru, and did a test fit, the single boulder on an angel takes up a bit more than half the tank. Need to do a bit more shaping as i would like to take another inch off the top, but i think i like it as all one piece, just need to figure out what to do with the other 30% of space...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top