My 80 Gallon Reef

[cdearing]

Hey All,
I really should be working but thought I'd better get these pix up before I get lambasted by my reefer cohorts. I'm upgrading from a 29 gallon which I've had for about 1 1/2 years. It's very healthy. I have 3 fish and about 16 different types of corals. I'm completely overgrown and need the new space. Charlie and Vaughn came by a few weeks ago and plumbed the sump to be underneath the tank. That in and of itself was a big learning experience for me as I do not have a sump on my 29. We filled it with tap water to check for leaks and had one little spot but it seems to have sealed itself off. I am now in the process of filling with RO/DI. I am researching ways to keep my LR off the sand and am leaning towards cutting PVC pipe and putting eggcrate over the top then adding my sand and then LR. My only concern there is for any sand borrowing creatures such as snails or fish and whether it would be harmful to them to have to go around the eggcrate. Anyone have experience with this?
Here is a pic of my 29:



Here are the photos that I took of my new 80G set up a few weeks ago:
Comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Furniture etc, needs to be moved but at least the tank and equipment are in their new home!

Here is is cleaned up with a little more space.


Well at least Vaughn is finding something to smile about. Charlie is working with his eyes shut. How does he do that?

After all of Cynthia's hard work watching these guys plumb, she deserves a beer!

Charlie fills overflow.

Closer view of overflow plumbing.

Tank filled with tap and actinics on for Cynthia's pleasure.


Thanks for your comments. I'll update as I go along. Don't wait with baited breath though as it's going to be a slow process!

Cynthia

[Parrothead]

Yeah Cynthia,

Charlie told me about the upgrade a few weeks ago, thanks for the pics, and trying to keep Charlie behind the tank in most of the shots,

Looks very good Lady, look forward to the progression pics, Let me know if I can help in anyway, but you already got the best close by;), can't mention his name, he'll blush

Excellent.

Tanks,
Robert

[TimH07]

looking very nice!

[charlie]

Well holy moly, it is about time I got to see some of my handiwork on someone elses tank!!!!!
I don't hink the eggcrate will be a problem Cynthia if we keep the eggcrate just underneath the LR. the critters will find a way to make their homes or what ever. If we leave a couple of inches on either side of the live rock with just sand, I am sure you will be able to find a way to have a goby and shrimp duo in there and they will be a couple of happy campers. I am gonna make a trip to Spokane for the club meeting on the 12th, we ought to shoot for that weekend as the time to christen the 80 again, this time in your home.

[Parrothead]

Charlie,

I love the way you plumbed the overflow box, I've never seen it hard wired that way, I like it, just asking, I assume you did it that way to balance the flow to match pump, and another I like the way you have the return down in the tank, that must help with the general all around flow. I like it, you should be a plumber

Tanks,
Robert

[charlie]

Listen folks, after you plumbed, replumbed, and replumbed again, a 300, you should be a plumber. Unfortunately, they make more money than I do.

[Parrothead]

I've just never seen it set up that way, everybody always uses the stock flex hose that comes with the overflow. Your way rocks. What size overflow is that?

Tanks,
Robert

[charlie]

I think that is the CS102 Robert. It matches up real good with her return pump too. She is using the Mag 9.5. I was afraid that it would be too much return for the pump, but it turned out good. I almost wish we would have used flex for the return because I was worried that there would be to much head loss for the Mag, but my worries went for naught.

Isn't her 29 just a neat tank!!!!!

[Parrothead]

Can't wait to see the 80, she has a frag dealer way too close

The 120 is that 1200 gph?

[charlie]

Yep, the 102 is 1200gph.

[Parrothead]

And you are running the mag 9.5 and everything is ducky?

[charlie]

And you are running the mag 9.5 and everything is ducky?

peachy even.

[TimH07]

you like that mag 9.5 huh? and to think i almost got the 7.... unrestricted its just perfect for my 75

[Parrothead]

peachy is scary, got do it, it would be the cream of 55's with that kinda flow, just gotta make sure I don't blow all my sand to one end of the tank or the other.

Robert

[charlie]

Yeah, it is about as universal a pump that I have found out there. It really does a good number mixing saltwater too, you don't need a heater.

[Parrothead]

Any idea what that over flow box retails at? The 55 is gonna grow, too late to stop it now

[cdearing]

C - Please feel free to answer all questions on "my" 80.
Yes, I love my little 29. It's really easy to care for and to keep a close eye on all creatures.

[charlie]

Didn't know if you were around or not, sorry.

[Parrothead]

Cynthia,

I gotta go with Chalie, don't be upset you know we love ya, we were all posting and no Cynthia, we missed ya

Robert

[charlie]

Any idea what that over flow box retails at?

About 130 Robert.