My 180 build

poppin_fresh · 10-27-2007, 09:29 PM

After having it on the back burner for several months I have finally made a little progress, and I've decided its time to post a few pics of my 180 gallon tank build. Before the pics, I thought I share a few details about the system and its components, many of which are coming from my current set up.

Tank: AGA 180 gallon "Reef Ready" with dual corner overflows.
Stand: DIY (not completely finished yet)
Substrate: 100+ lbs Kolorscape play sand
Live rock: Approx 200lbs- 1/2 Fiji and 1/2 Tatoka
Sump: 100 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank- in basement
Refugium: 20 gallon glass tank also in basement.
Return Pump: Gen X Mak4- approx 700 gph
Skimmer: H & S A150, recirculating and direct fed from overflow.
Lighting: 8 x 55w T5 w/ individual reflectors in DIY hanging light rack
Water movement: 1 x Tunze 6000 with controller, 1 x Tunze 6060 and 2 x Tunze 6025 (modded)
Controller: Aquacontroller 2 (lighting, heating, moon lights, top offs, etc.)

Heres a old pic of my current 72 bow shortly after setting it up about 2.5 years ago.

A picture of the basement sump shortly after building it about 2 years ago. No, I dont use the extension cords any more!

The 180 on the stand, still needing some plumbing to the basement.

More to come...

poppin_fresh · 10-27-2007, 09:34 PM

I realize that the pic of my current tank is way old, but its been a little neglected over the last couple months. As you can imagine its not looking very photogenic these days. I have been doing W/Cs and feeding the tank, but I've been very lax in cleaning the glass knowing the 180 is in the works!

**CarmieJo** · 10-28-2007, 12:50 AM

Nice! I am looking forward to seeing your build progress. What's your stocking list in the 72? Are you planning on transferring it all to the 180?

veriann · 10-28-2007, 06:54 AM

hey bud, haven't seen you in ages, how you been?

Come on, i know you still use at least one extension cord..lol

cool, a new build-up, looking forward to the journey also.
& dont forget your favourite choice of building material......lol

poppin_fresh · 10-28-2007, 09:50 AM

I plan on taking down the 72 once the 180 is complete. Heres whats in the 72 currently:
1 med. Yellow Tang
1 tiny Hippo Tang
4 Blue/Green Chromis
1 Six Line wrasse
2 Ocellaris Clowns

mmmmmm...cupcakes!

Danamck · 10-29-2007, 07:40 PM

Excellent job! I am also looking forward to following the progress. 180s are a really nice size tank. big enough to have pretty much anything you want. Not so big that they take forever to maintain.

poppin_fresh · 10-31-2007, 10:40 PM

Man, it takes a REALLY long time to fill a 180 with RO water. I have been picking away at it, adding about 20 gallons a day while I'm home at night. I have a twin 100gpd membrane system with a booster pump and it is still going to take a long time.

Pescaiolo · 11-01-2007, 11:59 AM

Wow really nice! I just got a 120g with dual corner overflows and seeing yours just makes me wanna get it up so bad! Can't wait to see what happens next!

veriann · 11-02-2007, 11:43 AM

Yeah presco, get it happening, time waits for no man, well maybe me, but there;s always exceptions to the rules...chop chop, have a show down with Poppin fresh . i'll be the judge, beers are awarded to the stronger suit, in a subtle attempt to slow progress of the victor! lol

poppin_fresh · 11-02-2007, 07:24 PM

Heres a pic of the filling process, I'm guessing about 55 gallons or so. I really need to get my buddy over here to help me finish the front of the stand (hes a finish carpenter).

I bought some more polyethelene line from the hardware store so that I can run the RO directly to the tank. The nice thing about doing this is that it doesn't disturb the sandbed and cause a cloudy tank for a week.

poppin_fresh · 11-02-2007, 07:49 PM

I also learned a lesson about cheap levels.

I grabbed a plastic level I had on hand to check the tank and stand for level...it was off according to the level. I was baffled becuase the water level appeared to be level by looking at the tank, yet the "level" said I should be over 1/4 inch off from end to end?? Needless to say, I went and got my good 3 foot contractors level to double check. According to my "good" level the tank is dead nuts perfect.

veriann · 11-02-2007, 11:40 PM

plastic warps more so that metal.

Danamck · 11-07-2007, 02:57 PM

So - any updates for us? The tank has to be filled by now!

poppin_fresh · 11-07-2007, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danamck

So - any updates for us? The tank has to be filled by now!

Do you have any idea how much water it takes to fill a 180 gallon tank??

Seriously though, the tank is almost full and the 6060 is circulating water to which I have started adding salt. I should have some pics in the next couple days of more plumbing and some LR additions.

poppin_fresh · 11-10-2007, 08:51 PM

Heres a pic of some of the LR for the tank, 100 lbs of Tatoka that has been in this tub since February.

A shot of the rock in the tank. I have approx. 100lbs of Fiji in my current tank to add to this. Note how I used the traditional "fruit stand" method of adding the rock. Obviously I still have to form it into something natural looking.

Heres the dog...obvioulsly he doesn't care much for the time I spend with the tank.

poppin_fresh · 12-12-2007, 09:36 PM

I cant believe its been a month since I started this thread and I still haven't moved the fish over yet. Here is a pic of the canopy I made for the tank. I have been working on it for the last couple weeks a few hours at a time. Eventually I will finish the stand in the same style and finish. I still need to mount the 8 four foot T5's in it...hopefully tomorrow.

***lReef lKeeper*** · 12-12-2007, 09:42 PM

looking very nice man !! i wish i would have bought a 180, but i got the greatest deal on my 125 so i went with it. keep us posted.