180g build
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What is your plan for your tank? Mixed reef, SPS dominated, LPS dominated, FOWL???
That will play a lot into your setup.
6 foot tank, now I'm jelly! I'll be looking forward to what you do with a tank longer than I am tall!
That will play a lot into your setup.
6 foot tank, now I'm jelly! I'll be looking forward to what you do with a tank longer than I am tall!
Excellent! Take your time and look around!
IME, you can find everything you need here in these forums. Just look around and see how people are putting their tanks together. EVERYONE has a different way of plumbing, reefing, lighting, filtration and husbandry. But put them all together, research the methods.
Commonly followed rules I see is buy bigger than you need. You need a skimmer for a 180g tank, find one for a 250g rating, plus your sump water counts too, so maybe you're at 250g and then you'll want to look at 300-350g rated skimmers.
Plan for upgrades, someday you're going to want to do them. This is where bigger equipment comes in, like your return pump. You can figure out just what you need or buy a bigger one and then someday when you want to add a reactor or two, your pump can handle the extra flow.
I jumped in before I found the forums... So, I was going backwards here, trying to fix the mistakes I already made. That's not where you want to be.
Keep up the questions, that's the best thing to do, ask and research!!
And pictures, pictures are awesome! Keep us along for the ride, it's fun to watch other member's tanks evolve too!
IME, you can find everything you need here in these forums. Just look around and see how people are putting their tanks together. EVERYONE has a different way of plumbing, reefing, lighting, filtration and husbandry. But put them all together, research the methods.
Commonly followed rules I see is buy bigger than you need. You need a skimmer for a 180g tank, find one for a 250g rating, plus your sump water counts too, so maybe you're at 250g and then you'll want to look at 300-350g rated skimmers.
Plan for upgrades, someday you're going to want to do them. This is where bigger equipment comes in, like your return pump. You can figure out just what you need or buy a bigger one and then someday when you want to add a reactor or two, your pump can handle the extra flow.
I jumped in before I found the forums... So, I was going backwards here, trying to fix the mistakes I already made. That's not where you want to be.
Keep up the questions, that's the best thing to do, ask and research!!
And pictures, pictures are awesome! Keep us along for the ride, it's fun to watch other member's tanks evolve too!
Quick update: got 2 eheim 250w heaters 160 pounds of live sand from caribsea. Looking into 3 reef radiance 165 led fixtures. Also a custom acrylic sump by synergy reef. Thoughts and comments appreciated
Austin
Austin
Update: been in contact with advanced acrylics and building an obsession. AA can do a custom sump 60x20x20 total of 5 chamber like my sketch. 2x1.5 bulk heads, dual filter sock, adjustable fuge height between 7-14", fuge height at 16" for 800 shipped. BAO can not match that should I go wit AA? What do you think?
rayn
Bluefin Believer
Okay, makes sense.
I am kinda using you here, I just picked a 180 up today. It came with a aqueon sump model 4 and isn't anywhere the size you are talking. Just trying to understand your logic.
What about building your own sump? You could stick a 40 or a 55 under there. Or are you looking for the 5 chambers?
I am kinda using you here, I just picked a 180 up today. It came with a aqueon sump model 4 and isn't anywhere the size you are talking. Just trying to understand your logic.
What about building your own sump? You could stick a 40 or a 55 under there. Or are you looking for the 5 chambers?
Initforaminute
New Member
I def say DIY on the sump ! You can do it for about $150 ! I bought a Proflex 3 for my 125 and realized quick it was too small. I still have it unused ! I made my own out of a 55 gallon !
Matthias7
Active Member
I have some of the reef breeders fixtures over one of my tanks are they are great for the money. I DIY'd a 40 gallon breeder for my sump then plumbed a 20gallon tall in for a refugium. Be careful with a 75g they are usually only 18in wide and very tall making it difficult to maneuver a protein skimmer etc, esp if you are limited by stand height. Grate on the new tank!
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