Sterling's 180 Build Thread

[sterling]

<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Well after doing research and looking at others’ build threads, I’ve decided to take the plunge back into reef keeping. I’ve had various tanks over the last 20+ yrs and even worked in a few LFS’s. I got my first tank for Valentine's Day when I was in 1st grade and I’ve basically had fish ever since. I’ve had everything from bettas to discus, F/O saltwater tanks to reefs, and even koi. I just sold my 120 gallon Discus tank that I’ve had for the last year or so. Now I’m in the process of building a 180 gallon reef. Below a list of equipment/stuff that I have so far:</span></span>


<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">180 gallon Reef Ready Tank</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">75 gallon that I’m converting to a Berlin style sump</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">3 Dimmable ballasts (250W to 400W overdriven) and Lumen Max Elite SE reflectors. I’m going to start out with 3 250W SE 20K Radiums.</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Reef Octopus SRO 5000 INT skimmer with bubble blaster pump</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Iwaki 40 RXT return pump</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">2 - 1” Seaswirls for my returns (Both holes in each overflow will be drains)</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">130 lbs of dry rock and will probably add 50 lbs or so of cultured live rock</span></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Planning to add 2 Vortech 40’s in the near future</span></span>


<span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Having 3 or 4 20 Amp dedicated circuits run to the tank (I think I might need a chiller this summer). More pics to come as I progress. Any comments suggestions would be appreciated. I rather do it right the first time…</span></span>
<fieldset class="gc-fieldset">
<legend> Attached files </legend>

>

class="gc-images" title="180.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a> </fieldset>

 

[dme330i]

Good choice on the 180. The similar 210 (but taller) is a pain to work in.

Sounds like a good start, with your list, all around.

Jon

 

[sterling]

Made some progress this weekend. I now have 4 20 dedicated circuits for the tank. Thanks CodSack! I'm also painting the back of the tank black. I tried Krylon, but it was really runny, so I switch to Rust Olem. Any potential problems between the 2 brands?

 

[sterling]

Ok. Making a little more progress. The baffles have been installed by Eric B in the 75. The first chamber is the filter sock chamber. This overflows into a skimmer chamber, which then goes into my bubble trap. The bubble trap is under, over and under again. It was a bit of a battle to get all this into my sump. I started out thinking a 48" X 18" foot print would be plenty big for a sump, but space went very quickly.
<fieldset class="gc-fieldset">
<legend> Attached files </legend>

>

class="gc-images" title="sump1.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="sump2.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a>

>

class="gc-images" title="sump3.jpg[/IMG] style="max-width:300px" /></a> </fieldset>

 

[sterling]

I need a little help planning the placement of my returns. I have purchased 2 - 1" Seaswirls. I was going to run the plumbing down the 2 center braces and have them push water towards the back of the tank creating a 180 degree pattern. However I'm concerned about the stability if I mount them this way as well as possible shadowing from the MH's. Not to mention the heat coming off of the MH's. I plan on using 2 Vortech 40's for added circulation in the tank. Mounting one on either end of the tank. With that in mind I have a few options I'm considering...

Option 1:
Use 1 SeaSwirl centering it inbetween the 2 overflows and have it return in a v pattern towards the front.

Option 2:
Use both SeaSwirls placing them near each center brace. This would create more of a square shaped return pattern. The 90 degree would start perpendicular to the front panel and stop parallel to the back panel of glass. The SeaSwirls would cross over each in the middle of the tank. I'm planning on the aquascape to have an open section in the middle inbetween the 2 island formations.

Option 3:
Use both SeaSwirls placing them as close to being centered in the middle of the tank. Both would start perpendicular to the front panel. In this setup one would go left and the other would go right, creating semicircle return pattern.

Additional information... My return pump is an Iwaki 40RXT. I'm going to use the Herbie method in the overflows. I'm planning on a more minimalistic aquascape with 2 island formations kinda based around the Aqueon off center overflow boxes. I look forward to hearing everyones' suggestions and comments.