Wildisme's 80g twin display build

Wildisme

Wildisme

Active member
So I had this idea last year for a build I wanted to do. Then do to $ I went with a smaller simpler setup.

However after slowly getting stuff I needed I started considering upgrading my tank again. I was highly considering an open top AIO like the Innovative Marine 50 or 60. Then I finally made the decision to do what I should have done in the first place.

The setup will be two 40 breeder tanks side by side giving a total of 80g in a 72"x18" foot print. I love the look of a shallower tank with more depth front to back. I am going to build a custom stand and matching canopy. The stand will house one large sump which both tanks will be tied into. Next to that will be a 20g tall used as an RO tank with an ATO in the sump. The rest will be shelving for storage of food and equipment.

The canopy will be a floating canopy only a few inches tall mounted to the wall and hung from the 2 front corners off the ceiling. This will mainly just be a finishing touch thing to mount the AI Sols to. The tanks themselves I have yet to decide if I will keep just the stock trim or if I will make a small trim piece to match the stand and canopy and create the single system look.

Flow will be handled by an MP10 in each tank and the return pumps in the sump.

I plan to have 2 rack mount power supplies mounted in the stand to make power management easier then my mess of power strips I have now.

As far as the livestock and rock scape. I am going with a more minimalist approach with a few independent rock scapes giving me some shelf areas and some arches. Both tanks will be scaped the same way again to give the appearance of one large tank. As for livestock. One tank will house the full reef I currently have in my 65g AIO tank, the second will house some soft corals with 2-3 pair of seahorses along with a few tank mates and cleanup crew.

In the end I hope to give the appearance of one large panoramic style display, while having much difference livestock and water flow within the 2 actual displays.

I have a few undecided items which I'm open to opinions or idea on listed below. I am also open to advise/opinions/suggestions on the overall build as well. Thanks in advance.

1. I have never done black sand but am considering it to help make the colors pop in the tank a bit more. I have never used it and was wondering if it is harder to keep clean compared to the pink Fiji I typically use. Or will cleanup crews be good enough?

2. I know I plan to paint the back of the tanks black, however I have noticed in retail setups that salt creep builds up over time between the tanks as the tanks are against each other, it will be almost impossible to clean. Is there anyone with experience keeping a clean look with tanks butted against each other? Or would I be better off painting the sides that butt up against each other? I am worried about the paint completely killing the single display illusion.

3. Is my lighting. I know I will use the AI Sols I currently have. However I currently have 2 and am debating if I should get the 70* optics and run one over each tank, or getting a third used one and running them evenly along the 6' span long ways.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You'll always have some creep as well as dust, dirt and other stuff uilding up on the glass, if you but two up and don't leave room to clean them or paint them it'll eventually look pretty bad.

For lighting, I run AI sols, It takes 3 at minimum (current;y run 4 and it's beter) to get even coverage on a 4'x2' tank. When I only ran 3 both ends of the tank were pretty dark.

Sorry, havn't run black sand so can't help there.
 
jrpark22000 said:
You'll always have some creep as well as dust, dirt and other stuff uilding up on the glass, if you but two up and don't leave room to clean them or paint them it'll eventually look pretty bad.

For lighting, I run AI sols, It takes 3 at minimum (current;y run 4 and it's beter) to get even coverage on a 4'x2' tank. When I only ran 3 both ends of the tank were pretty dark.

Sorry, havn't run black sand so can't help there.
Click to expand...
If the tanks were touching couldnt he put some silicone on the front, top and backto keep anything from getting between the tanks

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
 
Josh. I currently run 2 over my tank. 48x18"x21". However my ends cut in to around 11" since it has a hex front. I get plenty of light now and growing some SPS and a clam on the sand bed. I don't really keep any SPS other than a few I recently tried. The horses will not need the intensity which is why I was thinking I could get away with the 70* optics. However I was thinking about doing the third so I could keep the same intensity. The tanks will also be 4" shorter so I figured that would help too if I went with optics.

I appreciate the info. And will keep this in mind.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
anarchy said:
If the tanks were touching couldnt he put some silicone on the front, top and backto keep anything from getting between the tanks

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

On the trim I think I could since they will be touching. The glass may be too big of a gap to get the silicone to stay. Going to be close to 1/4" spacing between them
 
I think itd be worth a try because its not going to look good with salt creep, water drips, and dirt getting between them

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
 
anarchy said:
I think itd be worth a try because its not going to look good with salt creep, water drips, and dirt getting between them

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I'll give you that. This is the only alternative I think I would have other then painting them.
 
Wildisme said:
I'll give you that. This is the only alternative I think I would have other then painting them.
Click to expand...
Yeah if youre wanting to maintain the single display look. My tanks have a 2" gap between them and its hard to clean between

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
 
This is a really cool idea for a tank setup but I think you should find a solution to this cleaning between the tanks thing before you set it up.

I'm thinking something like this sponge-on-a-stick could work:
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/me...2624&sst=6f9d29fc-e2e5-464d-b535-15a8a8a48840

Spray it down with Windex and run it between through the space to clean both sides. If its not long enough/too thick you could jury rig something with coathangers bent into a U shape, around a dish sponge I bet.

I would put the tanks next to each other with some water in and experiment with different methods to find one that works. Let us know what you come up with!
 
The only idea I really had for cleaning is a glass wipe wrapped around a paint mixing stick. I think it would work, but I would have to try it first.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I have ran black sand and it will never stay all black. after a while it will have white particles in it. Its the way she goes. It sure does make your fish and corals pop more just like with a black background.

EDIT: I should add I have 3 bags of black sand waiting to be used on my new tank here in a few days. i have had black sand now for years and I may never go back to white.
 
Tom I appreciate the info. I have really considered it but never tried it. The room it's going in is all dark and light grey paint and all black furniture. So I think it would make for a nice look keeping with the theme.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
So I think I've decided on most of the variables. I am going to DIY my overflows and use an over the top return instead of drilling the tanks or buying overflow boxes. Picked up most of the plumbing tonight.

I also made the decision that I will use the carribsea Hawaiian black sand.

For the lighting I will give it a shot with 3 AI Sols, if that isn't enough I'll switch it out to 4 Sols. However I don't seem to have any issues with dark edges now having 2 cover 4' of tank so 3 over 6' I think I'll be happy with.

Picked up a stack of lumber to build the stand for it. At this point the goal is to have the reef tank plumbed and running within the next few weeks. After that I will work on getting the seahorse tank running. I am still debating on building a shallow canopy for the lights to mount to or just using hanging rails for them. I originally was going to do the canopy to put things on top like food, nets, etc. but o think I'm just going to add some shelves to the stand and house everything underneath.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Write up for the plumbing your doing? Link me.
I have an over the top 1in pvc supply works great.

Also i want to try adding an extra drain the way your plan states.
I already have 2 hob that work great. But i want to increase my DC pump to 90/95 percent. It wants to overfill at 3rd soeed setting. Wich is around 3000gph already but why not right?
 
Wildisme said:
So I think I've decided on most of the variables. I am going to DIY my overflows and use an over the top return instead of drilling the tanks or buying overflow boxes. Picked up most of the plumbing tonight.

I also made the decision that I will use the carribsea Hawaiian black sand.

For the lighting I will give it a shot with 3 AI Sols, if that isn't enough I'll switch it out to 4 Sols. However I don't seem to have any issues with dark edges now having 2 cover 4' of tank so 3 over 6' I think I'll be happy with.

Picked up a stack of lumber to build the stand for it. At this point the goal is to have the reef tank plumbed and running within the next few weeks. After that I will work on getting the seahorse tank running. I am still debating on building a shallow canopy for the lights to mount to or just using hanging rails for them. I originally was going to do the canopy to put things on top like food, nets, etc. but o think I'm just going to add some shelves to the stand and house everything underneath.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Drilling the tank is easy and just ends up with a nicer looking final product. I'm just South of you in Channahon and have 3/4 and 1" bits if you decide to go this route.
 
I had 3 AIs on my 125 and had good coverage. 4 would definitely be the sweet spot. I had a 72" Ai Rail i would just slide them along the rail to focus the light on certain areas. There's nothing wrong with HOB overflows but I would never run one again because there is that chance the siphon will break in the U-Tube.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
I seen there is a new version of the diy overflow but honestly after the horrible experience of the first one losing suction multiple times id never go this route and will drill every tank i own

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk
 
I am going to do the new version of the DIY Overflow.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UZytENJZtJw

I ran the first version on my 150 extra tall for a few years with no issues. I can spend $25 for both overflows which I don't think look bad in my opinion. Or pay $200-350 to buy internal or external overflow boxes. I never had issues in the past so I think I'll give this one a try again.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
...i have krylon spray paint i used for my over the top pvc supply...3 weeks and its covered in coraline.

Im going to be looking at that pvc overflow. I want to be able to push the 4000gph my pump does.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top