My new 80gal rimless shallow SPS lagoon build.

C. Eymann · Dec 25, 2019

Perry said:
Wow,
I did not know that a separate controller exists, this is promising, the support would be difficult, but I am certain you could figure it out. That does not seem to me too expensive, given what it will allow for. Not a fan of dimming t5, but if you add the LED into the mix, could be worth while. Although, 2 LED bars from Orphek on timers would accomplish same thing for less. Is there on board programming for the current t5's, or is it an on/off deal? 10 bulbs is quite a bit over that footprint, and it is shallow, lol, you going to light that tank up!!!

With a 48"× 20" wide fixture over 48"× 24" tank coverage certainly wont be a problem, lol

Im thinking I may remove 2 of the bulbs towards the middle and retrofit some orphek bars in , or removing four middle bulbs and fitting in a pair of radions

.
Going to be installing some big lag bolts in the joists of the ceiling tomorrow for hanging mounts.

Merry Christmas everyone!

C. Eymann · Dec 26, 2019

Im not sure I can fit the RODI system from my last reef under my apartments sink, lol
might have to part with it, or its 3 exta DI canister setup. :/

Daddy-o · Dec 26, 2019

Did ya get the lights hung?
Cheers! Mark

C. Eymann · Jan 10, 2020

Well, I have definitely not met my goal of getting it wet by the first of the year, lol.

I did get my "brackets" mounted to the ceiling, as the joists weren't conveniently placed to where I could mount the light, wish I would have scraped the popcorn off so they would be more flush, but that equals a lot more work than just patching screw holes when I decide to move.

Question now still on my mind is, Which light do I hang? still questioning letting go of my halides lol

Also, picked up a ProClear sump I got a good deal on. Pretty basic, might run a cheato ball in the small fuge area but my Korallin CalRx fits in there nice and snug so up in the air on that.

Tomorrow I will be prepping the stand/expoxing the inside of it, maybe drilling holes for muffin fans.

My chalk bass in QT are now finished with their prophylactic chloroquine phosphate treatment, While stools look normal, they dont seem to be putting on alot of weight considering how much Im feeding so I will start a course of Prazi+metro mixed with food just to be sure they are 100% free of internal parasites that made it through the course of CP.

C. Eymann · Jan 12, 2020

Little more progress, decided to paint the inside of the stand white for a bit of moisture protection and aesthetics.
Used Kiltz sealing primer first then a few coats of SW all purpose enamel.

NanoDJS · Jan 12, 2020

You must be getting excited !! Everything is looking great this gonna be one heck of a system

BiGGiePauls33 · Jan 13, 2020

Following along. I just picked up the same tank.

C. Eymann · Jan 14, 2020

Well, finally I have everything thing in place.
Just need to clean up my old stuff, Trying to decide between a Reef Octopus varios 4 or a Ecotech vectra S2 for return pump any AC pump will produce too much heat, I might drill the sump and go external too.

Need to play around with scape as well.

C. Eymann · Jan 15, 2020

Decided my return pump will be a Reef Octo DC varios 4 (1050gph)

Also bought some fake tonga and a few pieces of Haitian lace on a local buy/sell app, messing around a bit with scape plans, however, this is challenging being the first large shallow tank I have scaped.

I feel tonga will be hard to work with on thus shallow tank, but I like its ability to create "perches" for acro colonies.

Just playing at this point, may try to swap out a few fake tonga for some different pieces shapes/arches or better yet, REAL non manmade rock.

Daddy-o · Jan 15, 2020

Nice! After seeing your Chalk Bass, I couldnt resist going out a getting one for myself. (we had one a couple years ago that died)
Cheers! Mark

C. Eymann · Jan 16, 2020

Daddy-o said:
Nice! After seeing your Chalk Bass, I couldnt resist going out a getting one for myself. (we had one a couple years ago that died)
Cheers! Mark

Thanks!

Chalk bass are really neat fish, and dont really get the love from the hobby they deserve. Its really only under reef lighting that their iridescent blue stripes pop, so they often go unnoticed in most LFS fish systems lighting.

tripdad · Jan 16, 2020

Following along, nice tank dimensions. Jealous of that light fixture!

jguerin88 · Feb 9, 2020

where did you get the tank ?

MrWheelock · Feb 9, 2020

C. Eymann said:
Decided my return pump will be a Reef Octo DC varios 4 (1050gph)

Also bought some fake tonga and a few pieces of Haitian lace on a local buy/sell app, messing around a bit with scape plans, however, this is challenging being the first large shallow tank I have scaped.

I feel tonga will be hard to work with on thus shallow tank, but I like its ability to create "perches" for acro colonies.

Just playing at this point, may try to swap out a few fake tonga for some different pieces shapes/arches or better yet, REAL non manmade rock.

Check out the tropic eden premium Tonga branch if you aren't happy with how it looks yet.

C. Eymann · Apr 28, 2020

Current events as well as being super busy at work kinda stalled this project, but Im making progress again

Since the light fixture is about 10years old, gave it a refresh, replaced some of the sockets, cleaning fans and reflectors and just picked up two used Radion XR30 G4 pros to retrofit into it, so rewiring for only 6 bulbs, also have several high cfm muffin fans on the way mount in the top to aid in cooling.
Need to buy new bulbs too :-/

C. Eymann · May 25, 2020

Well I finally got the light almost finished but noticed visually one of the ballasts wasn't firing its two bulbs as bright as the other four. :-(

Ripping the fixture apart again and performing a transplant of the t5 ballast from my old metal halide hammy fixture to this Sfiligoi T5 /radion hybrid project

I should have just ponied up for an ATI LED hybrid, or giesmann T5 hybrid, after repainting the fixture, buying used radion g4s, new bulbs, sockets etc etc, would have saved some money and time. :-(

Daddy-o · May 26, 2020

How are the Chalks?

C. Eymann · May 26, 2020

I unfortunately lost one of them a month ago, not sure what happened but no signs of illness, so down to two now.

I know this build has been slow as molasses, but current events made me put it on hold a few months back, I also work in the industry and, gratefully, we have been really busy.
I was apprehensive to setting a new reef up when things started getting hairy with "you know what", but Im confident now and Im dying to get it going.
Im mounting cooling fans as we speak and I will realistically have the tank filled with water by end of the week.