Our latest tank

lmm1967

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We already have a 6' 180 gallon tank that I really like - but it's dedicated to our toadfish. I've wanted to add a 180 for a reef for a good while and last week while we were on staycation we finally bit the bullet and got started.

Tank is a marineland reef ready 180 gallon. So far we managed to get it home, unloaded from the truck and on the stand in the garage. A minor feat with 1 person (Tish helped with both morale support and rolling the dollies under the stand while I lifted it side).

We were also able to come to an arrangement with Matt for his lifereef sump, fuge, skimmer combo to use with this tank. (Thanks @matt7 ).

Tank is fully plumbed and water tested so far - still sitting in the garage. Hopefully a transfer into the house one evening this week. A few photos below (please ignore the reflections of the fat buy and the messy garage).

Initial fill:
leaktest1.png



Sump:

Sump.png


Fuge:
fuge.png


back.png

back2.png
 
I do our drains on our tanks the same way. Rather than messing with the durso setup (I can never make the quiet - I hate them) I elect to run my returns over the top of the tank and use the corner overflow for a dual drain setup.

Shorter drain is a full siphon and has a valve under the tank for adjustment. Taller drain is the backup. Not quite as safe as a bean animal - but pretty close. This setup works flawlessly for us. We currently have 2 120g, a 180g and now this 180g all running this same setup. It flows a good amount of water (the full blast of that Blueline 70 without a problem on this 180), always starts siphons quickly and without issue and is quiet.

All plumbing is 1" except that secondary drain - it's the standard pipe that comes with the tank.

drains.png
 
Return on this tank - I've altered it slightly since this photo so it siphon breaks quicker. I refuse to run any type of backflow valve on my return - eventually they will fail IMO and cause you a flood if you have not planned your sump properly.

I can shut down any pump on our tanks and the sump will accommodate all water that drains to the sump. The only chance for an overflow from the sump would be if somehow an ATO caused an overfill situation.

I'll be using gyres for in tank flow so I elected to point my return outlets straight down the back wall of the tank to help slow down detritus build up in the very back of the tank.

The returns will eventually become covered in tank thingys & blend in much better than they appear here - I've found that this setup really doesn't bother us though and it allows me to do the drains like described above.

returns.png
 
I'm also using this opportunity to rid myself of both our Apex & GHL gear. I've been experimenting with reef-pi setups for a good while now (over a year) and I'm confident enough in them to ditch Neptune & GHL. I won't go into too much detail on that in this thread as it's a subject all on it's own.

I've already sold off enough GHL gear to more than pay for as much reef-pi related gear as I could ever need. Of course I've lost money on that equipment ultimately - but I'm glad to be rid of the horrible MyGHL service required to do anything with their stuff.

Lighting for this tank will be two 250w metal halides, 2 4' reef-brite blue led bars plus 2 Kessil 360e pendants. I'm having good luck with the halide/blue led combo on our frag tank and I already have the kessils.

I still need to decide what light for the refugium.
 
Return on this tank - I've altered it slightly since this photo so it siphon breaks quicker. I refuse to run any type of backflow valve on my return - eventually they will fail IMO and cause you a flood if you have not planned your sump properly.

I can shut down any pump on our tanks and the sump will accommodate all water that drains to the sump. The only chance for an overflow from the sump would be if somehow an ATO caused an overfill situation.

I'll be using gyres for in tank flow so I elected to point my return outlets straight down the back wall of the tank to help slow down detritus build up in the very back of the tank.

The returns will eventually become covered in tank thingys & blend in much better than they appear here - I've found that this setup really doesn't bother us though and it allows me to do the drains like described above.

View attachment 29689
Are you going to paint that return pipe?
 
Looking good! Never thought of using the return line as a drain too. When does it move into the house? If you need help just ask.
 
I do our drains on our tanks the same way. Rather than messing with the durso setup (I can never make the quiet - I hate them) I elect to run my returns over the top of the tank and use the corner overflow for a dual drain setup.

Shorter drain is a full siphon and has a valve under the tank for adjustment. Taller drain is the backup. Not quite as safe as a bean animal - but pretty close. This setup works flawlessly for us. We currently have 2 120g, a 180g and now this 180g all running this same setup. It flows a good amount of water (the full blast of that Blueline 70 without a problem on this 180), always starts siphons quickly and without issue and is quiet.

All plumbing is 1" except that secondary drain - it's the standard pipe that comes with the tank.

View attachment 29688
I have run my drains this way on my past few tanks and love it. You are right, way quieter than the durso.

I had never heard that back-flow valves were prone to failure.. something I will have to pay attention to as I use one in my build. Thanks for the info!
 
Thanks Austin - I'm hoping one evening this week.

I have a method that works well for our house - luckily no steps exccept for a front door threshhold.

Lift one side of stand with tank on it - Tish slides dolly under - same on other side. Roll to front door - slide it inside part way, run around, pick it up, pull dolly, pick up the end inside the house, slide dolly underneath etc.

I'm sure I look like a circus clown with a tank sitting half way in / half way out of the front door with me wandering around through the garage.

Luckily it's worked out well each time so far. If I get in a bind I'll definitely reach out.
 
I have run my drains this way on my past few tanks and love it. You are right, way quieter than the durso.

I had never heard that back-flow valves were prone to failure.. something I will have to pay attention to as I use one in my build. Thanks for the info!

They are mechanical devices with moving parts exposed to pressurized salt water - my assumption is they are going to fail. I don't have any personal experience and I know quite a few people use and rely on them.

I'm draining about 7 - 8 gallons back to the sump when I shut down the return. Luckily the sump is large enough to handle that and still have another 7+ gallons of head space.
 
what's that flexible hosing t'ed off from the return pump? Is it for water changes?
refugium supply.

I will most likely be doing automatic water changes on this system. I have a hole through the wall in to my mixing room that is large enough to run water lines for ATO & AWC.
 
Looks very good. Plumbing is very well done.

I also use the dual drains and have a return loop on the top of the tank trim. I loop around to the front to provide flow back into the reef.

Let me know if you want a set of hands to move it in. I’m working from home and live just around the corner.

Thanks

Gary
 
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Wow!! Did you say you moved all that your self?! I’m glad you bit the bullet, so we can live through you haha
 
I would have to put you into the ultimate real man category. Haha
I would layout a point system if anyone asks haha


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