JoeDaddy’s Innovative Marine SR 80 Build

[JDadX3]

I’m happy to make my first build thread! This is my first time posting so join me in my journey as I post my experience at home with my newly used tank.

I just want to preface that this is not my first time doing saltwater tanks. My first fish tank when I was a kid around 10. My father was into keeping animals and so he was delighted to hear that I wanted my hand at fish tanking.

Started with a freshwater setup and graduated into saltwater tanks with a used Red Sea Max 250 AIO. It was a learning experience and I wasn’t very successful. I ended up quitting the hobby about 10 years ago.

Fast forward to today and I am on my second fish tank. My first fish tank back about a year ago was a Waterbox Marine X 60.2. I bought it second hand but it was new to me! I wanted my try at having a sump. After about 6 months of having a successful mixed reef, it was time for me to upgrade. This time around I wanted to get back to the simplicity of the all in one (AIO) tanks. I feel like you can achieve successes after my first failed attempt with an AIO and found that the key to success is patience and consistency with cleaning and water changes.

So about 2 months ago, while I was buying coral from a fellow WAMAS member; he mentioned that he was leaving the hobby for a while and was selling his tank.

In the meantime the frag I bought from him was this huge 6 - 7 inch Green Toadstool. It was quickly cramping my little Waterbox so I ended up buying his Innovative Marine SR-80 from him. There’s are some pictures of the work that’s been done so far.




Edit 9/10/22

Instead of posting down the bottom of the thread. I will update this portion as the build evolves and progresses.

Edit 11/10
Added Frag Tank Equipment.


Equipment List

• Neptune Apex w/ Trident will control and monitor tank.
• Neptune DOS for automated water changes. 5 -10 gallons per week.
• 3x - Kessil A360x Tuna Blue since the shimmer sets this light apart from the others in such a small package too.
• 2x - Klir Fleece Roller Filter DI-4 (4" Filter Sock) in the left and right return chambers. Klir roller removes the need to clean socks.
• Ghost Skimmer Fullsize SR will be placed in the second chamber on the right.
• Innovative Marine Large Basket will be placed in the second chamber on the left
• AuqaShield™ 10 Watt UV Sterilizer Water Clarifier in the middle chamber.
• MiniMax™ Pro AIO Media Reactor [Midsize] (Carbon/GFO) in the middle chamber.
• ChaetoMax™ 2-IN-1 Refugium LED Light [18 Watt] Using 2nd chamber for Chaeto and Nitrate reduction. Will remove black back sticker to mount the light in the back wall.
• HydroFill™ Ti ATO Water Reservoir [15 Gallon] Temporary until connected to Water Storage in Basement.
• Helio 400 Watt PTC Smart Aquarium Heater - [2 x 200W] [50-100 gallons] For redundancy and with added controller to maintain perfect temperature.
• Black Deluxe Aquarium Controller Mounting Board - Adaptive Reef board will keep all cords and equipment looking neat.
• 2x - LEPOTEC 2022 Upgraded 24 LED Motion Sensor Light will help with seeing under the cabinet.
• Vortech MP 40 w/ battery backup
• 10 Gallon Aqueon Frag/Quarantine Tank
  • Kessil A360N
  • Sicce Shark Pro 500 Filter
  • Black Eggcrates to separate 3 chambers (filtration/micro algae chamber/QT and Frag)
• 15 Gallon Innovative Marine ATO Container
• 2x Duetto ATO (1 for qt and display)

 

[TheWB]

I’m happy to make my first build thread! This is my first time posting so join me in my journey as I post my experience at home with my newly used tank.

I just want to preface that this is not my first time doing saltwater tanks. My first fish tank when I was a kid around 10. My father was into keeping animals and so he was delighted to hear that I wanted my hand at fish tanking.

Started with a freshwater setup and graduated into saltwater tanks with a used Red Sea Max 250 AIO. It was a learning experience and I wasn’t very successful. I ended up quitting the hobby about 10 years ago.

Fast forward to today and I am on my second fish tank. My first fish tank back about a year ago was a Waterbox Marine X 60.2. I bought it second hand but it was new to me! I wanted my try at having a sump. After about 6 months of having a successful mixed reef, it was time for me to upgrade. This time around I wanted to get back to the simplicity of the all in one (AIO) tanks. I feel like you can achieve successes after my first failed attempt with an AIO and found that the key to success is patience and consistency with cleaning and water changes.

So about 2 months ago, while I was buying coral from a fellow WAMAS member; he mentioned that he was leaving the hobby for a while and was selling his tank.

In the meantime the frag I bought from him was this huge 6 - 7 inch Green Toadstool. It was quickly cramping my little Waterbox so I ended up buying his Innovative Marine SR-80 from him. There’s are some pictures of the work that’s been done so far.

Nice get. I’m a big fan of the IM tanks, I have a Lagoon 50 AIO myself. I’ll be upgrading soon and the SR80 is under consideration if the custom tank I’m designing doesn’t work out. I’ll be interested to see what you think of using that Klir4 in an AIO. Good luck with your build, I’ll be following along. Post lots of pics.

 

[Ryebreadiest]

“Oops this coral I bought is too big, better upgrade my tank!” I’ll have to remember that one . Following along, interested to see how you equip one of these larger AIOs.

 

[JDadX3]

So yesterday what was a day of pure joy and complete happiness turned into a big nightmare and put a dark cloud over my day.

My wife and kids just came back from a kids bday party and was all happy to see the tank. Of course the first thing I do is put her to work (lol) and ask if she can make me a spray bottle of white vinegar and water.

She comes back with the mixture in a glass spray bottle. I was grateful for the assistance so I didn’t have to stop the arduous task of scraping off the built up coralline algae.

As I start spraying away I’m completely unaware that my day was about to change for the worse—any Reefer’s nightmare happened to me. I chipped the front of my tank as I carelessly lifted the bottle to take it out of the tank where I had it sitting. The bottle hitting the tank was slight but it was enough to cause a nice chip in front inside of the tank.

I immediately stopped what I was doing and was in complete shock at what I had done at that moment. It was all my fault, I can’t second guess why I was using a glass spray bottle to clean my tank.

I decided to sleep on it overnight as I pondered what my next steps should be. All my research say this is just cosmetic but I’m one of those guys that will know it’s there and my eyes will always be looking for it.
I started to research if the SR80 aio tank was still available but the only way to get it is to buy the whole setup again with stand at a whopping sale price $2200. I don’t know why they are out of stock of just the tank at $1572.
I was at a point where I had to decide if this cosmetic problem is going to cost me another 2 grand where my initial investment in the tank,stand,2 A360, controller, and Ghost skimmer only cost me $1k.

Spending that much on an already expensive hobby was hard for me to swallow. I decided to sleep on it overnight and decided to soldier on with the tank. I decided that it was not worth spending amore money than I am willing to spend.
(Of course this was after I already called and made an appt with 800junk to grab it off my hands next week.) I guess I’ll be making a cancellation before my appointment now.

Here are my progress pics still today. You can actually see through it now. The last few pics are of the chip. The chip that’s become part of my journey so unexpectedly.

 

[JDadX3]

“Oops this coral I bought is too big, better upgrade my tank!” I’ll have to remember that one . Following along, interested to see how you equip one of these larger AIOs.

Lol it actually worked!

So far I’ve only added the Klir4. I just purchased a bunch of things and one of the reasons I’m keeping the tank after a careless moment and chipped it. I will post a comprehensive list and post pics as the orders arrive.

 

[JDadX3]

Nice get. I’m a big fan of the IM tanks, I have a Lagoon 50 AIO myself. I’ll be upgrading soon and the SR80 is under consideration if the custom tank I’m designing doesn’t work out. I’ll be interested to see what you think of using that Klir4 in an AIO. Good luck with your build, I’ll be following along. Post lots of pics.

I’ve had good success with the klir in my Waterbox sump so I wanted to try it on this AIO. Fr what I’ve read the only way to really make this work is by setting the klir on a weekly schedule to run for a few seconds. This is due to the fact that the water doesn’t rise high enough or the sensor can’t be placed low enough to make it go. I’ll be testing it and posting my results.

 

[amomx3]

“Oops this coral I bought is too big, better upgrade my tank!” I’ll have to remember that one . Following along, interested to see how you equip one of these larger

 

[JDadX3]

I feel a lot better about the chip on my beloved fish tank today. It's all part of the journey and I'm still very grateful that I received such a beautiful tank.

Today, I'm going to finish cleaning up the tank. Going to soak what I can in vinegar water and finish cleaning up the sump area. I was dreading going back there but found that after soaking the wall with vinegar water, all the muck came off a lot easier than the Coralline algae built up in the front area of the SR80.

I also purchased a piece of plywood to go under the tank area as the APS stands don’t come with a bottom flooring piece.

Now the fun begins...Pics of update so far on Day 3 of my SR80 Build.

 

[TheWB]

I’ve had good success with the klir in my Waterbox sump so I wanted to try it on this AIO. Fr what I’ve read the only way to really make this work is by setting the klir on a weekly schedule to run for a few seconds. This is due to the fact that the water doesn’t rise high enough or the sensor can’t be placed low enough to make it go. I’ll be testing it and posting my results.

I’ve seen pictures of other SR60 and 80 owners with Klir filters installed. There must be a way to make it work. I look forward to seeing how yours works out.

 

[JDadX3]

I’ve seen pictures of other SR60 and 80 owners with Klir filters installed. There must be a way to make it work. I look forward to seeing how yours works out.

I'll have to see. At first inspection, the overflow looks to be a lot lower where the water goes into the second chamber. I purchased some magnets to try to place the eye sensor behind the back area of the glass since it will definitely need to be lower than where it is now. I need it to work since I plan on using two Klir 4s'.

 

[JDadX3]

Tons of updates the past few days. I haven't been able to work on my tank due to work and life, but here are some updated pics of what I actually got done so far.

I've finalized the scape by using epoxy and super glue. This will stop my neurotic need to change it again to make it look perfect.

I also tried my hand at fixing the chip but I feel like it can be a little better. It's hard to fix since it's on the edge of the tank. I believe it's a lot better. I think I need a couple of more of those windshield repair kits to make it look even better. Regardless, I'm really not too much bummed about it as I used to be. The overall happiness of having a much larger tank from my current Waterbox Marine X 60.2 which is 2x2 to this 4x2 is going to double the space!

 

[JDadX3]

Goodies came today! I can start making more progress.

 

[TheWB]

I'll have to see. At first inspection, the overflow looks to be a lot lower where the water goes into the second chamber. I purchased some magnets to try to place the eye sensor behind the back area of the glass since it will definitely need to be lower than where it is now. I need it to work since I plan on using two Klir 4s'.

How are things going? Were you able to sort out the Klir and get it working?

 

[JDadX3]

Sorry for the lack of updates. I’ve been waiting for things to get delivered. Yesterday the last of my packages came finally and my 5 - 20 lb bags of Caribsea Special Grade finally arrived! Pics of where my tank is currently.

 

[JDadX3]

Pics…

 

[JDadX3]

How it started and how’s it’s going…

 

[JDadX3]

Some updates!

 

[ReeferJay86]

What was done to have the rollers to work?

 

[JDadX3]

What was done to have the rollers to work?

I purchased a magnetic holder for the probe and have it placed down if water starts to overflow. The tank is still fairly new so I’m still testing but it seems to work fine.

 

[TheWB]

I purchased a magnetic holder for the probe and have it placed down if water starts to overflow. The tank is still fairly new so I’m still testing but it seems to work fine.

Can you show some pics of what you did? I’m getting an oversized AIO tank that will accept a 7” filter sock and I’m hoping to use the Klir-7 with it. I’d love to see more details about what your setup with the Klir-4 is like.