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Thread: My 180 build

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    Master Reefer poppin_fresh's Avatar
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    My 180 build

    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...

  2. #2
    Master Reefer poppin_fresh's Avatar
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    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!

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    Grand Master Reefer CarmieJo's Avatar
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    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?
    Carmie


    Only disasters happen fast!





    Carmie's 54 Corner Tank
    Carmie's Cube


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    Our Brotha Down Unda
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    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



    Vquilibrium Productions

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    Master Reefer poppin_fresh's Avatar
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    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!

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    Master Reefer Danamck's Avatar
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    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.

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    Master Reefer poppin_fresh's Avatar
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    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.

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    Insightful Reefer Pescaiolo's Avatar
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    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!
    Clarence
    55g sumpless mixed reef(soon to be 120g)
    DSB(2 to 6 inches)aprox. 80 lbs,LR aprox. 60 t0 80 lbs.,Coralife 220 Protein Skimmer,CPR HOB Refugium with Fiji Mud
    Member of SDMAS
    RIP Sarracino Ciro 12/16/04 - 4/3/08

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    Our Brotha Down Unda
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    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



    Vquilibrium Productions

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    Master Reefer poppin_fresh's Avatar
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    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.
    Last edited by poppin_fresh; 11-02-2007 at 07:59 PM.

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    Master Reefer poppin_fresh's Avatar
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    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.




  12. #12
    Our Brotha Down Unda
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    plastic warps more so that metal.



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    Master Reefer Danamck's Avatar
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    So - any updates for us? The tank has to be filled by now!
    240 gallon Mixed Reef + 46 gallon Mixed Reef + 40 gallon coral prop tank - 180 gallon FOWLR = a little more time and money!

    The stories behind my tanks can be found at:
    http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/me...eam-tanks.html

  14. #14
    Master Reefer poppin_fresh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Danamck View Post
    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.

  15. #15
    Master Reefer poppin_fresh's Avatar
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    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.

    Last edited by poppin_fresh; 12-15-2007 at 10:43 PM.

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    Master Reefer poppin_fresh's Avatar
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    update

    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.


  17. #17
    SPS Reefer / TR Admin lReef lKeeper's Avatar
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    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.
    lReef lKeeper (Bobby) Admin and Reefer

    Water ...
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    Equipment ...
    6x54w HO T5 fixture, 300+g rated Frankenskimmer, ATO, 3 Media Reactors (1 p04, 1 N03, 1 Carbon)

    www.lmas.org





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    Master Reefer Danamck's Avatar
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    Slow and steady is the way to go. Looks like things are progressing nicely.
    240 gallon Mixed Reef + 46 gallon Mixed Reef + 40 gallon coral prop tank - 180 gallon FOWLR = a little more time and money!

    The stories behind my tanks can be found at:
    http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/me...eam-tanks.html

  19. #19
    Master Reefer poppin_fresh's Avatar
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    Very slowly. Not always intentional, I am just way to busy. Between working on my house and trying to save my troubled company, I dont have much free time for the tanks. Even when I did have time I still took my time, heck, almost three years into this hobby and my only SPS is a Monti Cap!

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    Master Reefer poppin_fresh's Avatar
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    couple more pics

    I have been installing the T5s into my canopy. I need still need to remove 2 of them from my current set up at some point.

    Here are some LEDs I picked up at the auto parts store for $14! They are made to mount on vehicle so they seem to be fairly well sealed. The cool thing is that they come with a batter pack so you can test them out! Once installed, they will wire up with a small 12 volt adapter. The kit comes with 8 LEDs, but I am only going to use 4.



    In canopy


  21. #21
    Master Reefer poppin_fresh's Avatar
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    Finally got to move everything over to the 180 today. Here are some quick, but not that great, pics.

    FTS


    Some of my softies


    supposedly rare Green Nepthea...litterally glows green


    Button Polyps


    Large, plain ol' leather in need of fragging.


    A couple green Frilly mushrooms


    I dont know what this coral is. I thought I killed yet, here it is.

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    Grand Master Reefer PhotoJohn's Avatar
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    looking great

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    Grand Master Reefer CarmieJo's Avatar
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    Jon, it is looking good!
    Carmie


    Only disasters happen fast!





    Carmie's 54 Corner Tank
    Carmie's Cube


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  24. #24
    SPS Reefer / TR Admin lReef lKeeper's Avatar
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    John, can we get a pic of just the LEDS ?? i was thinking of doing the same thing.
    lReef lKeeper (Bobby) Admin and Reefer

    Water ...
    Custom 4x2x1 60 gallon, 40B sump

    Equipment ...
    6x54w HO T5 fixture, 300+g rated Frankenskimmer, ATO, 3 Media Reactors (1 p04, 1 N03, 1 Carbon)

    www.lmas.org





    Show people you appreciate their advice! Click the star icon under their name to add to their reputation.



  25. #25
    Master Reefer poppin_fresh's Avatar
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    OK Bobby, but just for you! Here is a pic of the tank with just my semi-diy moonlights. This is a about a 5 second long exposure and makes them look a little brighter than they really are. They have a nice shimmer that the pic doesn't capture.

    Last edited by poppin_fresh; 12-18-2007 at 11:29 PM.

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