Megabite's 180 Reef - Round 2

[MasterClassReefs]

Back in the day we had to worry about MH burns.

About as fun as some of the critters we may get a handful of in the tank.

Ouch! I love the MH's though. I still have the 3 - 250W HQI's with reflectors in my building. Every once in a while I consider making a box to hang them over this tank. It's hard to beat the shimmer and performance of MH's. Specially if they are complimented with some LEDs.

From my old tank. In addition to MH's, I was running T5's and Reefbright LEDs.

My 90 gal had 3x 250 watt halides and 2 power compacts. Got burned at least once a month . Still get burned today . Halides are still the light to match though. No lighting grows coral/plants better that Ive found. LED has sure come a long way though. Going to be trying led for the first time on a reef with my new build in combo with T5 for better spread.

 

[MegabiteOG]

That's a lot of light in a 90! Was it boiling the water? I had to run a chiller on mine to keep it cool enough. But I also lived in Orlando, FL at the time. Very hot and muggy in the summer.

 

[MasterClassReefs]

That's a lot of light in a 90! Was it boiling the water? I had to run a chiller on mine to keep it cool enough. But I also lived in Orlando, FL at the time. Very hot and muggy in the summer.

My clams and sps were so happy I did have to run a 1/4hp jbj chiller. That same tank used blue line 100hd for main circulation and a blue line 70hd for the skimmer. Lots of heat for sure. I was/am in central California, gets over 100 for months every year. Just 60 min from me it gets to 130°F+! Thank God I have a commercial AC unit now.

 

[MegabiteOG]

@TheMadFragger

Just checked out your build plans. That going to be a very nice size tank. Great dimensions! Looking forward to seeing it go online.

 

[kingranch2003]

@kingranch2003 - Forgot you. You're in this one too. Good luck!

I appreciate that my friend! It's going to be a lot of fun to see how everyone does. I set up my little battle arena for the frags. It's a small space, but I think everything is right up there.

 

[MasterClassReefs]

@TheMadFragger

Just checked out your build plans. That going to be a very nice size tank. Great dimensions! Looking forward to seeing it go online.

I couldnt bring myself to do less than 300 gallons . Any larger of a tank and Id have to remodel so this was it. The 30" depth will be fun to reach though .
Isnt it awesome to have supportive wives who want to see us happy?

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Back in the day we had to worry about MH burns.

About as fun as some of the critters we may get a handful of in the tank.

Yeah, I don't know, man. I'm just happy not to see a hole in that arm where all the money goes.

 

[MasterClassReefs]

Back in the day we had to worry about MH burns.

About as fun as some of the critters we may get a handful of in the tank.

Yeah, I don't know, man. I'm just happy not to see a hole in that arm where all the money goes.

the things we do for our hobbies.

 

[JumboShrimp]

What do you mean "a 300 gallon tank"???

 

[MasterClassReefs]

What do you mean "a 300 gallon tank"???

Im building a 300 gallon reef display, total system volume somewhere near 400-450 gallons.

 

[MegabiteOG]

I appreciate that my friend! It's going to be a lot of fun to see how everyone does. I set up my little battle arena for the frags. It's a small space, but I think everything is right up there.

Nice spot. Those things are in for some serious light way up top. Tank look great!

 

[MegabiteOG]

I couldnt bring myself to do less than 300 gallons . Any larger of a tank and Id have to remodel so this was it. The 30" depth will be fun to reach though .
Isnt it awesome to have supportive wives who want to see us happy?

I really wanted to go bigger and had support from my awesome wife that puts up with me. But it was either placement or larger size. Couldn't have both. I really wanted the tank near/ in the living area and the 180 is just about as big as I can go and fit nicely into that space. I have a very large finished basement that I could have put just about any size and even build a fishroom. Just didn't want it in the basement. For me it was too far out of the way so I settled for this really nice 180. I'm happy with it.

On your tank, the 30" deep is the only part I would likely have a problem with. Looks REALLY good and I think the fish really like the extra depth but such a PITA for getting to the bottom (especially in the back) without needing to get your armpit/ shoulder in there. The wider the better an long as you have access to both sides. You get too wide without access and it's the same issue with maintenance.

All that said, if I had a room for a larger tank where I wanted it, I would have picked your dimension vs mine now.

 

[kingranch2003]

Nice spot. Those things are in for some serious light way up top. Tank look great!

Thanks bud! So does yours! Are your frags coming this week?

 

[MasterClassReefs]

I couldnt bring myself to do less than 300 gallons . Any larger of a tank and Id have to remodel so this was it. The 30" depth will be fun to reach though .
Isnt it awesome to have supportive wives who want to see us happy?

I really wanted to go bigger and had support from my awesome wife that puts up with me. But it was either placement or larger size. Couldn't have both. I really wanted the tank near/ in the living area and the 180 is just about as big as I can go and fit nicely into that space. I have a very large finished basement that I could have put just about any size and even build a fishroom. Just didn't want it in the basement. For me it was too far out of the way so I settled for this really nice 180. I'm happy with it.

On your tank, the 30" deep is the only part I would likely have a problem with. Looks REALLY good and I think the fish really like the extra depth but such a PITA for getting to the bottom (especially in the back) without needing to get your armpit/ shoulder in there. The wider the better an long as you have access to both sides. You get too wide without access and it's the same issue with maintenance.

All that said, if I had a room for a larger tank where I wanted it, I would have picked your dimension vs mine now.

Yeah, 30" is deep. considered laying ontop of the tank to reach the back . Im 6'1" and its still pretty deep. 180 is still a very nice size tank though, good length and depth to have fun scaping and stocking. Looking forward to seeing your set up grow out.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

I couldnt bring myself to do less than 300 gallons . Any larger of a tank and Id have to remodel so this was it. The 30" depth will be fun to reach though .
Isnt it awesome to have supportive wives who want to see us happy?

I didn't know those existed!

 

[MegabiteOG]

Thanks bud! So does yours! Are your frags coming this week?

Yup! Ships Wednesday and in the tank Thursday as long as there are no shipping issues. And yours?

 

[MasterClassReefs]

I couldnt bring myself to do less than 300 gallons . Any larger of a tank and Id have to remodel so this was it. The 30" depth will be fun to reach though .
Isnt it awesome to have supportive wives who want to see us happy?

I didn't know those existed!

My 301 gallon is a custom build from Tsunami.
Should be super fun. Noticed you have a 60 gallon cube build! I love cubes, one day I may dust mine off and do something in it again just because I enjoy the 2x2x2 tank size also. Used mine for a planted system for years.

 

[kingranch2003]

Yup! Ships Wednesday and in the tank Thursday as long as there are no shipping issues. And yours?

I get a one day head start lol. They're shipping Tuesday for Wednesday arrival! I did a 4 piece battle box too, and asked Adam too pick (with some color guidelines). All of these will be my first battle corals and Im very stoked to put them in the tank.

 

[MegabiteOG]

I get a one day head start lol. They're shipping Tuesday for Wednesday arrival! I did a 4 piece battle box too, and asked Adam too pick (with some color guidelines). All of these will be my first battle corals and Im very stoked to put them in the tank.

 

[MegabiteOG]

I get a one day head start lol. They're shipping Tuesday for Wednesday arrival! I did a 4 piece battle box too, and asked Adam too pick (with some color guidelines). All of these will be my first battle corals and Im very stoked to put them in the tank.

My first Battle Corals as well. I told Adam that I’d much prefer 2 or 3 really nice pieces than more corals. Told him I’m partial to Milli’s and Teni’s. He said he’d hook me up. Looking forward to seeing what I get. I will post pictures when I put them in.