3-feet Shallow Reef Tank

[slapper]

I’m starting a new 3 feet shallow reef tank from scratch. Will customise the entire setup, down to the sump. The accessories I’m using are 

1. Crystal glass tank 90x30x30cm

2. Eshopps PF Nano Overflow box

3. Eshopps ADV-100 Sump tank 

4. Eshopps S-120 Skimmer

5. Maxspect Jump MJ-GF2K Gyre Flow Pump

6. AI Hydra 64HD

7. Jebao MDC-3500 return pump

8. Custom designed cabinet 

[slapper]

Managed to find some nice pieces of rocks to scape the tank. Thinking if I should do a bare bottom tank for easier maintenance. 

[Admiraltian]

Nice scape!

[slapper]

1 hour ago, Admiraltian said:

Nice scape!

Thanks Admiraltian. 90x30x30 setups are so rare, compared to the 90x45x45 alternative. But the former dimensions gives a better aesthetic feel.

[Admiraltian]

2 hours ago, slapper said:

Thanks Admiraltian. 90x30x30 setups are so rare, compared to the 90x45x45 alternative. But the former dimensions gives a better aesthetic feel.

Yes, it will be quite shallow. Need to make sure ur rockscape with corals’ height clearance when submerged in water.

[Awiee]

Nice scape, I too have a 3ft low profile tank 90cm long 38 wide and 33cm. 

I only have 3 main big piece rock so water flow won't get congested. I find that with a 3ft low tank, getting enough flow can be a problem. But so far so good. 

[slapper]

10 hours ago, Awiee said:

Nice scape, I too have a 3ft low profile tank 90cm long 38 wide and 33cm. 

I only have 3 main big piece rock so water flow won't get congested. I find that with a 3ft low tank, getting enough flow can be a problem. But so far so good. 

Oh this is a nice dimension. U custom make your tank?

[slapper]

16 hours ago, Admiraltian said:

Yes, it will be quite shallow. Need to make sure ur rockscape with corals’ height clearance when submerged in water.

Yup fully submerged.

[Awiee]

4 hours ago, slapper said:

Oh this is a nice dimension. U custom make your tank?

Nah not custom, this one is the IM fusion 30L, great ios tank

[CalvinKlein]

I also have a 3x1x1 as well. From the pics, it seems that your tank is store bought like the one that C328 sells. I may be wrong.

But those tanks are of 6mm thick glass, which may not be safe for saltwater. Better to go with minimum 8mm thick crystal glass. You will not regret it.

You will also need 2 hydras. One lightset is not sufficient for a good amount of spread.

[slapper]

22 hours ago, CalvinKlein said:

I also have a 3x1x1 as well. From the pics, it seems that your tank is store bought like the one that C328 sells. I may be wrong.

But those tanks are of 6mm thick glass, which may not be safe for saltwater. Better to go with minimum 8mm thick crystal glass. You will not regret it.

You will also need 2 hydras. One lightset is not sufficient for a good amount of spread.

The tank I bought is ANS 8mm crystal glass. Got it for only $130. 
 

2 Hydras 64HD may be an overkill. Will see if it’s necessary before upgrading. Cos it may cause too much lights spillage.

[slapper]

22 hours ago, Awiee said:

Nah not custom, this one is the IM fusion 30L, great ios tank

Icic! What’s the dimension without the IOS? Quite hard to find this brand in Singapore.

[Awiee]

6 hours ago, slapper said:

Icic! What’s the dimension without the IOS? Quite hard to find this brand in Singapore.

The whole thing is 90x38x33 ,excluding ios my display only 90x27x33, the back part took 1/3 of the space haha

[slapper]

13 hours ago, Awiee said:

The whole thing is 90x38x33 ,excluding ios my display only 90x27x33, the back part took 1/3 of the space haha

Wow that’s a lot of space taken up. So the display volume is only 20G. The remaining 10G goes to the IOS hehe

[slapper]

On 5/18/2021 at 3:39 PM, CalvinKlein said:

I also have a 3x1x1 as well. From the pics, it seems that your tank is store bought like the one that C328 sells. I may be wrong.

But those tanks are of 6mm thick glass, which may not be safe for saltwater. Better to go with minimum 8mm thick crystal glass. You will not regret it.

You will also need 2 hydras. One lightset is not sufficient for a good amount of spread.

I have measure the thickness and to my horror it is indeed 5mm, although marketed as 8mm crystal glass. Have returned to the shop already, and managed to source for another 8mm. Thanks for the heads up!

[CalvinKlein]

3 hours ago, slapper said:

I have measure the thickness and to my horror it is indeed 5mm, although marketed as 8mm crystal glass. Have returned to the shop already, and managed to source for another 8mm. Thanks for the heads up!

No problem. It would be disasterous had you used that tank. I got mine customed made for the same price though, 4 sides crystal glass with predrilled holes.

Like what Awiee shared, I'm also facing flow issues due to the low height. My sps get battered midway up and its hard to find the right balance of good flow over dead spots. Im also going with the 2 rock structures concept. 

 

[Awiee]

2 hours ago, CalvinKlein said:

No problem. It would be disasterous had you used that tank. I got mine customed made for the same price though, 4 sides crystal glass with predrilled holes.

Like what Awiee shared, I'm also facing flow issues due to the low height. My sps get battered midway up and its hard to find the right balance of good flow over dead spots. Im also going with the 2 rock structures concept. 

 

ahaha for low profile tanks, less is more, less rock = more space for coral growth+ more flow to other areas. Im thinking of getting another wave maker at the other end once i remove the egg crates. using the jebao slw20 at 40% currently

[slapper]

3 hours ago, CalvinKlein said:

No problem. It would be disasterous had you used that tank. I got mine customed made for the same price though, 4 sides crystal glass with predrilled holes.

Like what Awiee shared, I'm also facing flow issues due to the low height. My sps get battered midway up and its hard to find the right balance of good flow over dead spots. Im also going with the 2 rock structures concept. 

 

Any pix of your tank? Heavy flow can be a problem so hopefully the Gyre at 20% operation wouldnt create too much impact.

[CalvinKlein]

2 hours ago, slapper said:

Any pix of your tank? Heavy flow can be a problem so hopefully the Gyre at 20% operation wouldnt create too much impact.

Heres my pic. Still have much to improve. Currently running 2xSLW20 and 1 SLW30M at 70%.

 

[Awiee]

oh btw, im just curious, since this is a low profile tank thread, how high do you guys hang ur light above water level? i currently using 2x ai primes HD with 25cm above

[slapper]

2 hours ago, CalvinKlein said:

Heres my pic. Still have much to improve. Currently running 2xSLW20 and 1 SLW30M at 70%.

 

It is well stocked! So many fishes... looks impressive.

[slapper]

1 hour ago, Awiee said:

oh btw, im just curious, since this is a low profile tank thread, how high do you guys hang ur light above water level? i currently using 2x ai primes HD with 25cm above

Since I’m using one 64HD hydra, I’ll have to adjust it such that sufficient light can reach both corners of the tank. But at the same time don’t wanna have too much light spillage. Will only know once my setup is complete.

[CalvinKlein]

4 hours ago, slapper said:

Since I’m using one 64HD hydra, I’ll have to adjust it such that sufficient light can reach both corners of the tank. But at the same time don’t wanna have too much light spillage. Will only know once my setup is complete.

I have my lights about 20cm above the water surface. You will need two light sets to get an even spread. If you plan to keep just soft corals and LPS, I think one hydra would be sufficient.

[slapper]

Finally the installation is completed, after several hiccups. Now is to run the setup with tap water for 3 days, before pouring in the salt water. Video and photos as attached.

[slapper]

Testing in progress. Stay tuned.