180 Gallon Build

Rollman

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 20, 2018
Messages
372
Reaction score
721
Location
Annapolis MD
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hey Y’all -
So I have the reefing bug. I managed to hang in with my 56 gallon column for 2 years and am now trying my hands at a custom 180 build with the help of some great friends. The stand and canopy are going to be made out of barn doors and I believe my tank is going to be a reef ready aqueon 180. Anyone have any experience with this tank? Getting a good deal delivered so hoping it’s a good pick

Any help is appreciated and welcomed. Sorta learning as I go along, story of my life
Included a pic of Ginger enjoying the last days of the column

449FF001-86F9-4385-BDDA-E33EDD53275C.jpeg


21EFBA9C-5FAE-420F-A2F5-FB794315C9AC.jpeg


4532598B-1DCB-46C9-8B5B-4A2DF29852B6.jpeg


935993A3-73AD-4D1C-A678-1CD100A5A8B5.jpeg
 

Mastiffsrule

Where ever you go, there you are, so be nice 2 you
View Badges
Joined
Feb 10, 2019
Messages
8,440
Reaction score
33,571
Location
Charlotte
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Evening

Stand is looking cool. The old tank is nice too, along with ginger

The aqueon 180 is nice. I have a Marineland 180. They are both good (others will disagree). Mine is going on 11 years no issues. The good side is the aqueon overflows are on the back glass if I am thinking correct. It is nice in the sense it hides the plumbing guts. The Marineland 180 has corner overflows so you can see guts in the corner depending on where you put the tank. I like the corner overflow, but it’s personal preference.

Either way keep us updated.
 
OP
OP
Rollman

Rollman

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 20, 2018
Messages
372
Reaction score
721
Location
Annapolis MD
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hey -
Hope you had a nice 4th. Just got hone from vacay. Got the stand and tank in the house. Very excited. Working on a custom sump tomorrow

22F9D6D5-9654-4A0A-9D95-D551D831E0C8.jpeg
 

Mastiffsrule

Where ever you go, there you are, so be nice 2 you
View Badges
Joined
Feb 10, 2019
Messages
8,440
Reaction score
33,571
Location
Charlotte
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Man that’s nice. Any rock work layout yet
 
OP
OP
Rollman

Rollman

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 20, 2018
Messages
372
Reaction score
721
Location
Annapolis MD
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
582A9E1F-6D04-4ADD-9B44-5008A0B495D3.jpeg
Hey Guys -
Man, hate when life gets in the way :). Things are back on track but slower then my addiction likes. Anyway, started working on the mixing area which will be right behind the tank in the laundry room. Installed the RO unit and will be picking up containers today. Found a local store with 77 gal containers for only $45. I’ll be plumbing those this weekend with pics later. Waiting on a delivery from BRS with sand and rock so I figure I’d work on the water issue for now. Yeah it’s just a pic of the RO but I’m proud :). More to come
 
OP
OP
Rollman

Rollman

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 20, 2018
Messages
372
Reaction score
721
Location
Annapolis MD
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hey Everyone -
Finally got the water containers, they are 77 gal and fit in the space perfectly. Def steal for 45 each. Waiting on some deliveries including plumbing materials for the station. I thought I had bulkheads :(. The plumbing should go on this weekend. Figured I’d cure some old yard live rock in the meantime :). FYI I thought this rock was clean until I poured bleach on it with some powerheads. Gross. Glad I read the article on R2R about curing. Stay tuned

DABB73DE-A760-4EC0-9D69-6A913673537E.jpeg
 
OP
OP
Rollman

Rollman

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 20, 2018
Messages
372
Reaction score
721
Location
Annapolis MD
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
jealous of your water change station
Been waiting 2 years lol, I hope it’s the last of buckets etc.

Got some deliveries today including:
Tunze Osmolator 3155
Hydra 26 HD - gonna go with 3 of these for now.
Pump for mixing station
Fuge grow light
200 lbs of Fiji Pink
50 lbs of reef saver rock

Really like the look of the white reef saver
6C226921-E364-4AC1-A879-1C67DF8B4CAF.jpeg


I’ll use this rock as well
F3B242C6-3BDB-4A44-91A4-7C0603348CB0.jpeg


And this
0E179743-332D-4D7D-942C-6A0356245D5D.jpeg


And that should be enough rock.
 
OP
OP
Rollman

Rollman

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 20, 2018
Messages
372
Reaction score
721
Location
Annapolis MD
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hey y’all -
Too much life this summer but it’s all good. No specific timeframe but hoping to be wet soon. My NYOS skimmer arrived and was easy to put together. Love the look and heard the performance is excellent. My attempts at building a sump were weak so I purchased the skims up39. Looks great and fits well under the stand. So float valve came in and stand is built for RO station. Hope to begin plumbing tonight .

A2F652EE-C015-4791-BE1E-CB67DE0B3567.jpeg
4815F79E-C4EE-4AD7-8A70-0DA36632E233.jpeg
 
OP
OP
Rollman

Rollman

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 20, 2018
Messages
372
Reaction score
721
Location
Annapolis MD
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hey All-
This has been a journey. Had to pause since I ordered all my plumbing, and received threaded elbows by mistake. So, I redid my electric in the basement and now this will run on its own breaker. Hung 2 of the hydras which seem to give a lot of light. The 3rd will be noice. Anyway, elbows will be here Tues and I think I saved enough on the build for the Apex. Fingers crossed. Should be wet on Tues.

78E85F2F-0C6B-48B9-8CDC-97FA8D951131.jpeg
 
OP
OP
Rollman

Rollman

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 20, 2018
Messages
372
Reaction score
721
Location
Annapolis MD
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Plumbing is done. I skipped on doing a manifold for now and just did a basic setup. Unfortunately, my RO pressure dropped and am waiting for a booster pump today to finish filling the tank. The hobby is definitely helping me to work on patience. Getting close.

2BA35FC5-80C2-440A-9EB1-A0F900F0EED5.jpeg
2BA35FC5-80C2-440A-9EB1-A0F900F0EED5.jpeg
 
OP
OP
Rollman

Rollman

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 20, 2018
Messages
372
Reaction score
721
Location
Annapolis MD
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hi-
Changed plumbing around, added manifold. Much cleaner look. Thanks Ryan for the help. Gonna let dry overnight and start cycling tomorrow :cool::p
12148469-D5DC-4E7D-8234-5C6BEFE81C6D.jpeg
12148469-D5DC-4E7D-8234-5C6BEFE81C6D.jpeg
71FABD65-78FA-492A-BBA5-C4F40270A9EE.jpeg
 

A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

  • I currently have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 68 37.8%
  • Not currently, but I have had feather dusters in my tank in the past.

    Votes: 59 32.8%
  • I have not had feather dusters, but I hope to in the future.

    Votes: 25 13.9%
  • I have no plans to have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 28 15.6%
  • Other.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
Back
Top