Go Big or Go Home: First Saltwater Tank 180 Gallons

[Curtis Skinner]

This is my first saltwater tank build. I am almost to the point where I can actually put saltwater in it. I just need to finish plumbing it.

My setup is as follows:
180 gallon Aqua Japan tank (comes with sump and stand)
Red Sea Reefer 600 Skimmer
Two Rossmont 4100 power heads
Simplicity 3200 return pump.
61" AquaticLife T5 Hybrid light fixture
Two ATI 80W 60" T5 Blue Plus bulbs
Two ATI 80W 60" T5 Aquablue Special bulbs
(In the future four Kessill A360X Tuna Blue LEDs)
Two Finnex HMO-300 titanium heaters
150lbs of Marco dry rock
100lbs of CaribaSea Hawaiian Black Sand

 

[Curtis Skinner]

I have dry fit the return plumbing and wanted some feedback about placement of the pump and the tubing. Here are some pics.

 

[SPS247]

I have dry fit the return plumbing and wanted some feedback about placement of the pump and the tubing. Here are some pics.

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This is my first saltwater tank build. I am almost to the point where I can actually put saltwater in it. I just need to finish plumbing it.

My setup is as follows:
180 gallon Aqua Japan tank (comes with sump and stand)
Red Sea Reefer 600 Skimmer
Two Rossmont 4100 power heads
Simplicity 3200 return pump.
61" AquaticLife T5 Hybrid light fixture
Two ATI 80W 60" T5 Blue Plus bulbs
Two ATI 80W 60" T5 Aquablue Special bulbs
(In the future four Kessill A360X Tuna Blue LEDs)
Two Finnex HMO-300 titanium heaters
150lbs of Marco dry rock
100lbs of CaribaSea Hawaiian Black Sand

Any updates on the tank? I was looking at getting one of these. I like the Euro brace feature on this.

 

[Curtis Skinner]

I just put the rock, sand and water in the tank and started my cycle. This is why its so cloudy.
I like the tank it is solid looks good. If you get the 180 like I did, after you build the stand don't put the front center brace in until after you put the sump in the stand.

 

[Rhameen Kolyani]

Love it!

 

[SPS247]

Awesome! Definitely following this build. Noted on the center brace for the stand. How many guys did you need to bring the tank into the house. What was the weight on the tank?

 

[Curtis Skinner]

It was just myself and the owner of the lfs I bought it from but we used furniture dollies to get it into the house. The tank itself weight 220lbs. After I had the stand built and everything in place it was lifted into place with me on one side and my wife and 19 year old son on the other. We used four of these (see link below) from harbor freight to lift the tank onto the stand.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Curtis Skinner]

Here is a pic after most of the cloudy ness went away.

 

[Curtis Skinner]

I added one shrimp to a filter sock and after 24 hours there was not much ammonia in the tank. I think I amy need to add more shrimp?

 

[SPS247]

It was just myself and the owner of the lfs I bought it from but we used furniture dollies to get it into the house. The tank itself weight 220lbs. After I had the stand built and everything in place it was lifted into place with me on one side and my wife and 19 year old son on the other. We used four of these (see link below) from harbor freight to lift the tank onto the stand.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

Thanks for the updated info on the weight that’s not to bad. Im use to moving a 125g 2 people with ease. Just curious on the 180 and what it would take. Planning on having the tank in the basement about 12 stairs down. Glass suction cups are always key.

 

[Master of Cloak]

Any update?

 

[bhu11]

I have dry fit the return plumbing and wanted some feedback about placement of the pump and the tubing. Here are some pics.

How's the tank? Thinking about getting one myself.