80 gallon shallow SPS build

[DFlip]

I recently picked up an 80 gallon reef ready frag tank from my LFS. It’s dimensions are a beautiful 4’x2’x16”. The plan is for it to be a SPS dominated peninsula system that can be easily viewed from the sides or top down. Being that I’m super new to the hobby, only started this past January, this will be my first build thread. I plan on documenting the system’s progress and failures here and using this as a sounding board for system development and help resolving issues.

Leading up to the build:
Currently I’m running a SPS heavy 20L using HOB equipment with a low amount of automation. Knowing that I would be upgrading at some point in the near future, the 20L serves as a system to learn on and grow out tank- most of the corals in there are not mounted to rock.
My original plan was to upgrade to a 40 breeder as I’ve always been in love with that tank’s proportions. I started purchasing new and used equipment for the 40B system and started the cycle in the garage on a bare bones stand I built. This is where I got myself in trouble. For the top of the stand I used a 2 x 4 foot piece of plywood. After a week and a half of looking at a 36“ x 18“ aquarium on top of a piece of 2 x 4 foot plywood I realized that an upgrade to 40 breeder was not going to be enough of an upgrade to keep me happy. While talking to my LFS (Nemos Duluth) about my change of mind I mentioned that I love their coral tanks but they were just a touch too short for what I wanted. That‘s when he told me they also come in a taller 80gal version. We looked it up and the cost to size ratio was love at first site.

I’ll dig through others build threads and adjust my format accordingly.

Current full tank shot- June 30th 2021
Sitting next to an extra 40breeder

 

[DFlip]

Here’s the 40gal I’m using to cycle everything while I purchase and build the components for the 80.
I will certainly be adding more rock, but overall am trying to keep it minimal- three islands. Theres plenty of media for biofiltration in the sump.

 

[DFlip]

Decided to replace the floors in the room where this aquarium will go, so there’s a slight delay in getting it wet. I roughed out the carcass of a stand while I plan out how to finish it. Included a five inch lip on the long sides and an eight inch lip on the end to serve as a small bar. Also put together the bones of the aquascape.

 

[DFlip]

Picked up some mortar today. Planning on finishing the aquascape this weekend.

 

[civics14]

Picked up some mortar today. Planning on finishing the aquascape this weekend.

What mortar are you using? I used the e-marco brand and it works amazingly well.

 

[DFlip]

I went with the e-marco as well based off of reviews. I choose gray even though I’m using purple rocks because of how the the purple rock in my other system aged. It’s all pretty much gray and purple now.