180G Reef Tank Build - Loads of Fun!

Mkkari

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Hi Everybody,

New member to this reefing and non reefing community.

Introduction

I will be constantly updating my journey with this beautiful EMPTY tank (for now). I hope you guys will like it, I am excited to learn new things and share something that I have learned over the years.

New pictures coming up soon.

Thanks
 

SauceK

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Hi Mkkari,
Looking forward to the pictures and updates on your tank! I currently have a 180g build i'm starting as well (completely empty, no hardware and plumbing). It'll be nice to compare builds over time!
 
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Mkkari

Mkkari

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Hey, yes definitely. I am like stacking up on hardware's and no plumbing yet lol....I keep forgetting the tank needs time to cycle too...lol
 
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Mkkari

Mkkari

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Hi Mkkari,
Looking forward to the pictures and updates on your tank! I currently have a 180g build i'm starting as well (completely empty, no hardware and plumbing). It'll be nice to compare builds over time!
Do you have a build thread?
 
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Mkkari

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Here is the picture of my 180g tank & equipments.

I got that cabinet from offerup for $10, so I can keep all my neptune controllers and stuff in there. I know they don't match. I wonder of it would really matter once the tank is up and running lol.

I sanded the acrylic with a 1k, 2k and 3k grit sandpaper and used Novas and buffed it. Was able to make it look amazing, and then later guess what? Instead of using microfiber cloth, I used paper towel which was sitting in my garage and that caused several scratches lol.

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Mkkari

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Question about plumbing, I have 57 watt Aqua UV sterlizer which I will be running around 300 gph for protozoa and bacteria (the slower the better for bacteria).

I have one return which is 3/4 inch. I am connecting both my pumps with a T connector and the same return line (pump A - 1500gph & pump B - 400gph) will that create an issue?

I am worried about probably back pressure or heat produce from the water colliding? In the past I had 2 returns but now since it is 1, I am confused.

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Mkkari

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Any ideas on what lights you will use?
I am using a pair of the old AI Vegas 64s which i have had for a while. even though they are around 6 years old or so, they are still perfect to my eye. However, I will be renting the PAR meter from BRS to test out the pars and see if it is ACTUALLY still good. Hopefully it is, If not then the AI Hydra 64 HD for sure.

For my sump I ordered AI Fuge
 
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Mkkari

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So I had to go get 200g of RODI water from my local fish store since my dang RODI unit from express water with double RO membrane and booster pump still had a TDS of 140.

Any who, plumbing done for return and overflow. Need to plumb for UV. Decided to go a different route.

More pics coming up.

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vetteguy53081

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Never use garden hose as I see in pic. It can leech chemicals, bacteria, petroleum distillates and cause high TDS.
A clear hose is industry standard.
Looks good otherwise.
 
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Mkkari

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Never use garden hose as I see in pic. It can leech chemicals, bacteria, petroleum distillates and cause high TDS.
A clear hose is industry standard.
Looks good otherwise.

That picture is from the time I filled it with city water testing the pipes for any leaks and also circulating any big debris from cutting the pipe etc.

Once I flushed it out, I used a clear hose and pump to fill it up :D
 
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Mkkari

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Here are some pictures before the disaster!!!

Stock list
Blue tang
Powder Blue and Brown
Yellow tang
1 male anthia and 4 female anthias
2 storm mocha clown
scribbled rabbit fish
Sohal tang
White tail bristletooth tang
Clown tang
Sailfin tang
Leopard wrasse
6 line wrasse
Orange shoulder clown
Spotted Hawk fish

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Mkkari

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QT setup!!

All the fishes are in there and medication started...

14 days Copper & Metroplex
14 days Seachems Kanaplex
14 days Seachems Prazi Pro
34 days just monitor them (tank will be ready to add fish back in)

Total 76 days - Fallow Tank.

Hopefully I will have all my fish

Its going to be a pain for 14 days with copper and then I will run carbon and take all the copper out and start treatment with some live rock for the QT tank.

Wish me luck!!!

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