180 gallon Reef build.

First topic message reminder :

there seems to be some interest here about Reef Aquariums
so I thought I would start a thread on one of our builds to help others get an idea
of whats involved. this is a 180 gallon reef ready tank with dual corner overflows and a homemade 75 gallon sump/fuge.
in the beginning I started collecting things that I would need to make this happen some things I purchased new while others I bought used like this Euro Reef skimmer for 25 dollars which is in use today and works wonderful without dropping 800.00+ on a new one. I also use diesel bags to filter as well.

here it is in use as you can see it works very well.

here is a 130 lbs of live rock that I also purchased used for 100.00 which saved me alot of $$ over retail however I did test it for copper before using it in the tank.
you can test it my using a cheapo HOB filter with poly pad inserts if the pads turn blue the rock has been exposed to copper.

ok on to the build I think I will start with the sump/fuge it is a 75 gallon tank that I made compartments with thick plexi glass that will withstand the flow passing through the sump and 100% silicone to secure them to the sides. on the left side of the sump is where the skimmer sits it skims the water as it passes down from the DT into the sump and on the right is the pump that pumps the clean water back into the DT in the center is the fuge where I keep Cheato and more live rock this not only adds greater water volume but also the macro algae is great for nurient export and if I have a trouble making fish I can throw him in the fuge:)
theres 2x 300 watt heaters in the sump/fuge and you can see on the right that the plexi is staggered to act as a bubble trap so micro bubbles will not be an issue in the Main display

the fuge.

always use check valves to prevent floods.
here is the tank the day we got it home with some help by other reefer friends it was over 300lbs empty. we reinforced the stand with 2x4's in each corner and since this tank is going in the great room over the garage we reinforced the floor with 4x4's underneath the tank.

to be continued........

I have a 55 not drilled and a 20 gal. Muliple HOB filters, heaters and other FW equipment. I know I need lights. Skimmer (I know nothing about skimmers), LS, LR, and pumps to move the water. What I'm asking is which is the one expensive item I need as I will have to buy piece at a time on a budget. Can I do a HOB ref in a 55? (I think they make them?) and not use the 20 for a sump?

you can do 2 penguin 400's on a 55 easy!
you can also look for a good used skimmer on craigslist!
a buddy of mine is selling an Aqua C Remora skimmer for 80$ shipped! its a HOB skimmer! and one of the best!
lights you dont want to cheap out on!

FishVixen wrote:

I have a 55 not drilled and a 20 gal. Muliple HOB filters, heaters and other FW equipment. I know I need lights. Skimmer (I know nothing about skimmers), LS, LR, and pumps to move the water. What I'm asking is which is the one expensive item I need as I will have to buy piece at a time on a budget. Can I do a HOB ref in a 55? (I think they make them?) and not use the 20 for a sump?

if you use your non copper treated 55 gallon tank the most expensive thing would be the light then you can get a Remora pro HOB skimmer after that it would be the RO/DI unit then comes your LR and LS then the powerheads you could easily get away with 2 Koralia 3's on that size tank. I wouldn't use a heater designed for freshwater I would buy one thats made for saltwater because saltwater is highly conductive and corrosive.
they make HOB saltwater equipment for all sizes of tanks whether its a HOB skimmer or HOB refugium. this is how I got my feet wet with a reef tank without getting soaked pun intended:)
heres one of my old 55's I called these my franken tanks HOB everything.

here is another 55 I did you can see the HOB skimmer on the left and the HOB fuge on the right.

look for deals on CL they really are everywhere and it will cost a whole lot less. ebay sells some desent starter light fixtures and are much less expensive then a LFS the light in the 2nd pic came from ebay.

stay away from fiber filters, canisters filters,Bio balls etc in a reef tank all they are is nitrate factories a skimmer is the way to go in this case.

^^^

alkomist wrote:

^^^

so alk I cant find your build anywhere or pics of your tank.
where are they???

i cant seem to find my dang usb cable for my sony!(camera) lol
everything is inthe tank.
the tank isnt wet yet i just need water but i want to post pix of it without it 1st! just so ppl see how it aww started:)
real soon though!
i can post a teezer thread for it lol

LOL LOL^^^

AARRGGGGG!!!!!! Someone on CL posted a 110 gal with UV, fuge, heater and light needed gone NOW for $75 and I was too late!

awe well keep lookin:)

Hey ursula someone a while back had a hob skimmer for like 25 bucks. It was in richmond i think. Might be worth seeing if they still have. Hey Cindy my question is this. My tank has glass lids. Would it be better to take those off once i get my new light(that is as long as the new light will mount under the hood) or does it matter should i just leave them on since i have them. I know already they are getting covered in salt residue. i Just know most people run open tops. But i do have a canopy

08 yes a live rock will seed the dead rock in your tank. open top is best for gas exchange if you look up in this thread you can easily make a screen top otherwise you take a chance on some fish carpet surfing.

Really jealous of your glass. Are you happy with the aquaticlife fixture? I'm considering the 6x54w t5 fixture over a 75 I'm about to setup. I've heard from a couple people that really like their aquaticlife fixtures, but there's not a lot on them in the complaint department. Relatively new company. I think what's selling me more than anything are the integrated digital timers.

popebosephus wrote:

Really jealous of your glass. Are you happy with the aquaticlife fixture? I'm considering the 6x54w t5 fixture over a 75 I'm about to setup. I've heard from a couple people that really like their aquaticlife fixtures, but there's not a lot on them in the complaint department. Relatively new company. I think what's selling me more than anything are the integrated digital timers.

yes I love the light only one cord and internal ballast. the timer makes it easy.
I have the reef brite LED strips and they are totally amazing!

cool light how much was that

One million dollarz. Lol

08can-am wrote:

One million dollarz. Lol

no not a million dollars it was around 1,100

I am rescaping the 180 due to a bad fish I had to get rid of so I had a friend over and we pulled every coral and every rock out of the tank it took 12 hours to get things back together but now I am not happy with the rock work so I am doing a complete makeover I will post before and after pics here when its finnish :)

Does this mean you got some excess frags laying around? LOL. I'll post pics of the 29 tonight, you can make suggestions for my empty nook that's dying for a birdsnest. Though it might be dying for a scoly too.

popebosephus wrote:

Does this mean you got some excess frags laying around? LOL. I'll post pics of the 29 tonight, you can make suggestions for my empty nook that's dying for a birdsnest. Though it might be dying for a scoly too.

too bad youre not local I'm constantly changing my mind and giving frags away.
the 180 will be a huge mixed reef with less attn to SPS I will only keep them on the top. I'm thinking of dialing back the MP40's for one constant flow so I can add RBTA's and GBTA's
and more clams and softies. so far I have 2 islands one on each end of the tank but something is missing so I decided to just sit back and look at it a while. it will come to me
the scape in my opinion is the hardest part:)

I agree with that.

Cindy pmd you

wow this post if for me!!! I'm gunna build a 160 Gal reef soon. getting tank and stand for free... so just need to work on getting everything else for it.. CHEAP!!

I am starting a 150g build very soon, should be picking up the new tank on wednesday.

great bbandu! hows it progressing?

I can't wait to get my tank up and going. If this dang weather would just cooperate so I could get the salt water, LR and LS home!
I was so hoping to get that done last weekend, but it's been soooo hot! We could put the LR and LS in the back seat of the truck (the air condidioning is out though), but the 55g of water would have to ride in the bed, and I just don't know how good that water would be by the time we made the 2 hour trip back home. I worry that it may be too hot in the cab for the LR and LS as well....
*sigh*