180 Gallon Acrylic build

[danielbui23]

I figured I would post this on here as well since it's another build I have going along with my other tanks builds.

Actually, do we ever stop changing our tanks?

This was going to be a FOWLR but I have decided to make this a Softy/ Fish tank and see where I go from there. I can't decide but for now Softy/ Fish tank.

The lighting was originally setup with (3) VHO bulbs/ Super Actinic, 454 and Super White. With an additional help from a 175 watt 10k Metal Halide.

I have a 180 Gallon Acrylic peninsula or wall divider tank that that I made into a normal stand tank. It originally came with two holes drilled at the bottom for a closed loop system but I covered them up not realizing what they were for.

Currently I have a 1100 gph submersible pump for a return pump from my sump and a Koralia 4 for additional movement in the tank.

The sumps I had Bill from Exotic Coral Frags design for me and had Regal Plastics make me two sumps. They are very nice to say the least. The one on the left is a 33 gallon sump made smaller and designated to hold the majority of the equipment. The one on the right is a 43 gallon sump made for the majority of the natural biological filtration. I am using Bulk Reef Supply's GFO and Carbon reactor cambers and (2) Mag pump 7.5 for returns.

For the live rock build I used fiberglass rods and made two pillars and two arches. After the pics were taken I used Coraline epoxy to cover the rods.

Here are some pics:

YouTube - 180 Gallon Acrylic Saltwater Aquarium

Here are more recent pics,

 

[danielbui23]

I have made the switch to LED's in a big way but I did something different than most LED users usually do, I kept my LED fixtures 10 inches above the water line unlike the 4-6inches everyone normally sees. I have not had one coral die due to melting or burning but I have had totally difference response. My corals have gotten bigger and brighter. We shall see if this positive response continues with more corals. Oh and BTW there was not a light acclimation period when I switched the lights. These LED's are on the same timer that I had programmed for my Metal Halides.
Here are more recent pictures I have taken.

 

[RDHDDRAGON]

Looking good! I want your tangs now , okay? lol

 

[danielbui23]

Haha, ok

 

[RDHDDRAGON]

Do your fish eat out of that clip? I bought some of that food, and my fish do like it, but they never could figure out the clip thing.

 

[danielbui23]

Yeup, even the clowns feed through the net.

 

[RDHDDRAGON]

Evidently my fish have issues, lol. Thanks!

 

[danielbui23]

Haha, all fish have issues.

 

[exoticcoralfrags]

Looking good, we need to test those LEd's w/ the PAR meter and see what type of readings you are getting.

 

[danielbui23]

Looking good, we need to test those LEd's w/ the PAR meter and see what type of readings you are getting.

Yes, I am very curious as well.

 

[RDHDDRAGON]

How many watts are they? The fixtures and the chips?

 

[danielbui23]

How many watts are they? The fixtures and the chips?

Each fixture is 120 watts non-dimmable with 1 watt LED's. 2:1 Blue LED to 12,000k LED. Each fixture comes with two cords and two switches.

 

[danielbui23]

I finally finished the sumps for this thing. They were built from Regal Plastics in Oklahoma City. Now all I need are two big balls of chaeto macro algae and caulerpa macro algae.
Here are some pics;

This is one of my favorite purchases. It's a BRS dual media reactor. Specifically for GFO and carbon. The next three shots show the reactor then in the next pic I have the maxi jet pump installed in my return pump chamber. Basically after the water has been filtered it will then run through reactor for less build up and and better contact with the media.

I then have the output tube ran back to the skimmer area to give the treated water a good skim.

Here are my new refugium LED lights. They are low to no heat and hopefully will do the job.