180 gallon Predator tank

[jbeasley]

Hey all, new to this forum. I will be picking up a 180 gallon this weekend. Of course I will let it cycle but I have a few general questions. The filtration will be a 40 gallon sump, and fx6. I plan on having a pretty decent sized bio load which brings me to my questions.

Preferred stock list:
Grey bamboo shark
Skeletor eel
Atlantic stingray
Niger trigger
Lionfish (full or mini) undecided
Emperor angel
Blue tang

I’m aware the shark may outgrow the tank and will be re homing if necessary

Bare bottom or sand bed?

Sump set up - macro algae or fill that chamber with live rock? Never had potential bio load this big.
Should I go way over with a protein skimmer?
Also throwing an fx6 I have on here. Just for more

 

[italquam]

How big does the stingray get ?

 

[jbeasley]

How big does the stingray get ?

Up to 24’ but online seems to have them averaging 10-14’ at least according to google

 

[italquam]

I would recommend oversizing your skimmer if you will be feeding heavy with that stocking list. Lifereef Protein Skimmmers are excellent because you can use any pump for them and will last you forever. Jeff at Lifereef is also very helpful. I also run a Turbos Aquatics Algae scrubber which is great for nutrient export

 

[jbeasley]

I was thinking one rated heavy at 250gal but I’ve never oversized that much before was wondering if it would affect performance in a way? Also any thoughts between potential benefits of macro algea vs just more live rock in the sump? I will have the fx6 as well which should hold a lot bacteria.

 

[italquam]

I was thinking one rated heavy at 250gal but I’ve never oversized that much before was wondering if it would affect performance in a way? Also any thoughts between potential benefits of macro algea vs just more live rock in the sump? I will have the fx6 as well which should hold a lot bacteria.

I always tend to go for a more natural approach, so I would always recommend some type of live rock in the system or even dry rock you can seed .

Macro algae from my opinion will not out perform and algae scrubber. You would need an enormous refugium to grow enough algae for that feed load you will have . An algae scrubber you can keep harvesting which in turn will expell nutrients faster

 

[italquam]

Turbo's Aquatics – Top Quality Algae Scrubbers

www.turbosaquatics.com

 

[italquam]

That is the link to Turbos Algae scrubber, the owner Bud is very helpful and has been doing it a long time. Most major public aquariums use algae scrubbers

 

[BryanM]

Hey all, new to this forum. I will be picking up a 180 gallon this weekend. Of course I will let it cycle but I have a few general questions. The filtration will be a 40 gallon sump, and fx6. I plan on having a pretty decent sized bio load which brings me to my questions.

Preferred stock list:
Grey bamboo shark
Skeletor eel
Atlantic stingray
Niger trigger
Lionfish (full or mini) undecided
Emperor angel
Blue tang

I’m aware the shark may outgrow the tank and will be re homing if necessary

Bare bottom or sand bed?

Sump set up - macro algae or fill that chamber with live rock? Never had potential bio load this big.
Should I go way over with a protein skimmer?
Also throwing an fx6 I have on here. Just for more

Personally I think both the shark and stingray are no good in this size tank.

 

[italquam]

Personally I think both the shark and stingray are no good in this size tank.

I definitely agree but seems like he wants to raise them and re-home them

 

[Thrillik]

That tank is way too small for about half of your list.

 

[jbeasley]

That tank is way too small for about half of your list.

Which ones? As I will be re homing the shark, and potentially the stingray. I think a 10-14 inch stingray would be fine in a tank this size. There’s not a ton of information I can find on them but it looks like they have a wide range of sizes listed on different sites. If stingray does outgrow will rehome as well.

 

[jbeasley]

Personally I think both the shark and stingray are no good in this size tank.

Agree I know I will have to rehome the shark. I’m not sure about the stingray. I think a 10-14 inch would be fine in this size. However there isn’t much information online about how big they actually get. I’ve came across 2 sites saying they average around 12 inches. I’ll take the coin flip and it outgrows I’m fine with rehoming

 

[jbeasley]

Turbo's Aquatics – Top Quality Algae Scrubbers

www.turbosaquatics.com

Thank you I will check this out!

 

[italquam]

Thank you I will check this out!

Protein skimmer, ozone, skimmer, venturi, in-sump, hang-on, Euro, stand-alone. downdraft, needle-wheel, protein

 

[italquam]

Check out Lifereef Protein skimmers also , I have used them for years , no fancy pumps that you can't replace .

 

[Thrillik]

Which ones? As I will be re homing the shark, and potentially the stingray. I think a 10-14 inch stingray would be fine in a tank this size. There’s not a ton of information I can find on them but it looks like they have a wide range of sizes listed on different sites. If stingray does outgrow will rehome as well.

180g is too small for an emperor angel, too.

 

[Devaji]

welcome to the forum man.
you will find the space need of SW fish are larger and more space than FW fish.
re-homing a shark might not be as easy as you think or hope. not many people have the space they need.

if you are a monster fish keeper might as well build you own tank. that way you get the fish you want and dont have to hear us tell you tank in not large enough.

I LOVE this guys work. best DIY build I have seen.


also this guys work:




I think slowing down and think about what you really want from from SW tank before you start.
180 is a good size tank but not really big or huge. but you could still do a nice FOWLR just no sharks or rays IMHO

 

[Devaji]

oh also i am a huge fan of ATS and good skimmers too!