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- Feb 14, 2015
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I have had my current 6-foot shallow reef tank setup for about 2.5 years now... and its time for a bit of a do-over... Now i didn't really plan on upgrading or changing my tank as I love it! However, due to a hazy line in the glass, the tank builder was going to replace the tank.
I'm sure you all know how much work it is to replace a tank (especially when it's going in the exact same spot!) .. So if i'm going to go through all this work.. then i should sneak in an upgrade right? it only makes sense!
For V2 I'm going 5" wider, 4" taller and 1.5" longer. Its not a huge difference but it will add about 60g to my tanks o in that aspect its a decent volume upgrade!
In the past, I have not been the best at updating my build threads.. I tend to put most of my content on youtube and instagram.. however this time I'm going to make the effort to update R2R as well!
6' Shallow Reef V1
Being a bit of a second chance to redo the build I have learned a few things to tweak the next build:
Rather than bolting my light bar to the stand I asked to have a square tube to drop in the vertical bar which should free up an extra 1.5" for display space!
Redundant Everything: This includes return pumps, so I picked up a second Ecotech Vectra and had an extra return hole drilled.
I realized I don't change socks nearly as much as I should.... so I made the plunge to a filter roller. I Picked up a Clarisea at MACNA.. I'm excited to unbox it and get it set up soon! (itching to get the new tank!)
I'm also testing out an algae turf scrubber right now. I have been back and forth on them vs a refugium, I appreciate how they contain it all and keep the sump more pristine.. but time will tell as im still testing it all out.
The current tank is already overbuilt at 15mm glass... the new one will be 19mm (its what they had in stock) so overkill? yep... But my Tank will be built like a TANK! I also decided to 45 the corners on the peninsula end as I think it will give it a pristine look
The will be against the wall for now but its built as a peninsula to accommodate its long-term home which will be replacing the banister at the top of the stairs.
The current stand is black.. I decided to go with White for V2 as it will give it a fresh look and reflect more light into the stairway in its future home.
My goal is not to have any equipment visible on the far end of the peninsuala.. this has always caused a slight issue for a bit of a protein layer building up on the far end .. you dont see it top down but you do looking bottom up. I'm hoping the dual return nozels can help with this .. possibly alternate which pup pushes flow.. will take some experimenting.
I do really like my current aquascape, however, I also feel limited by it. every time i buy a new Frag its a struggle to find a spot to put it! That and i feel there is the odd tail slap between the tangs over the prime caves... My original plan was to just move my current scape over .. but now im debating if i should "start fresh" with new rock and a brand new scape. I do kinda like the flatter shelf looking rock from Marco rock... so I may go that route..
It seems a bit silly to start over but it would also be fun to have a "fresh start".... Decision decisions!
I'm also trying to figure out what to Skin the stand with.. I had the steel stand powder coated white.. The current stand is just a sheet of cabinet grade plywood stained black.. i want something "nicer" for V2.. but what? tbd! A sheet of white acrylic? Get a fancy panel? any suggestions?
I'm sure you all know how much work it is to replace a tank (especially when it's going in the exact same spot!) .. So if i'm going to go through all this work.. then i should sneak in an upgrade right? it only makes sense!
For V2 I'm going 5" wider, 4" taller and 1.5" longer. Its not a huge difference but it will add about 60g to my tanks o in that aspect its a decent volume upgrade!
In the past, I have not been the best at updating my build threads.. I tend to put most of my content on youtube and instagram.. however this time I'm going to make the effort to update R2R as well!
6' Shallow Reef V1
Being a bit of a second chance to redo the build I have learned a few things to tweak the next build:
Rather than bolting my light bar to the stand I asked to have a square tube to drop in the vertical bar which should free up an extra 1.5" for display space!
Redundant Everything: This includes return pumps, so I picked up a second Ecotech Vectra and had an extra return hole drilled.
I realized I don't change socks nearly as much as I should.... so I made the plunge to a filter roller. I Picked up a Clarisea at MACNA.. I'm excited to unbox it and get it set up soon! (itching to get the new tank!)
I'm also testing out an algae turf scrubber right now. I have been back and forth on them vs a refugium, I appreciate how they contain it all and keep the sump more pristine.. but time will tell as im still testing it all out.
The current tank is already overbuilt at 15mm glass... the new one will be 19mm (its what they had in stock) so overkill? yep... But my Tank will be built like a TANK! I also decided to 45 the corners on the peninsula end as I think it will give it a pristine look
The will be against the wall for now but its built as a peninsula to accommodate its long-term home which will be replacing the banister at the top of the stairs.
The current stand is black.. I decided to go with White for V2 as it will give it a fresh look and reflect more light into the stairway in its future home.
My goal is not to have any equipment visible on the far end of the peninsuala.. this has always caused a slight issue for a bit of a protein layer building up on the far end .. you dont see it top down but you do looking bottom up. I'm hoping the dual return nozels can help with this .. possibly alternate which pup pushes flow.. will take some experimenting.
I do really like my current aquascape, however, I also feel limited by it. every time i buy a new Frag its a struggle to find a spot to put it! That and i feel there is the odd tail slap between the tangs over the prime caves... My original plan was to just move my current scape over .. but now im debating if i should "start fresh" with new rock and a brand new scape. I do kinda like the flatter shelf looking rock from Marco rock... so I may go that route..
It seems a bit silly to start over but it would also be fun to have a "fresh start".... Decision decisions!
I'm also trying to figure out what to Skin the stand with.. I had the steel stand powder coated white.. The current stand is just a sheet of cabinet grade plywood stained black.. i want something "nicer" for V2.. but what? tbd! A sheet of white acrylic? Get a fancy panel? any suggestions?