Meredith's 180 In-wall happy place

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melypr1985

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Yay!!! It's here!!!!!!!!!! Big thanks to a couple friends for doing the heavy lifting for me. :D :D :D

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melypr1985

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Me too!!! Richard and I actually have a Saturday off together for the first time in a very LONG while. So, in about a week we will be cutting into the walls and starting that phase. I do have a problem however. The holes for the stand pipes are too close to the bracing on the stand for the bulkhead. I'm thinking I can just cut a chunk out of it to get the nut to fit. Tell me what you think:
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You should able to just mitre the corner of the timber to make enough room for the nut. Taking that small amount shouldn't hurt the stand, well that's my opinion of it anyway.

I see the end of your stand is doubled up so it will be right

Thank you! The guy who built it said that part isn't load bearing so I can take a bit out of it. I like having double confirmation on these things. :) Plus he only just got back to me right before I read this.

Sweet, Cant wait to see what you do with this build! Subscribed :)
Thanks for following along :)
 

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Thanks!


Thanks!


Thank you! I tell him every day....I'm sure he will believe me sooner or later lol.

Thanks!

I'm actually not 100% set on all the filtration components. I know I want to keep it as simple as I can. I'm using a 40 breeder as a sump and waiting to hear back from some people about getting some acrylic cut for it for free. If they don't pan out I'll have to go to this acrylic company in Dallas again and have baffles cut. No big either way. My husband has said he will help me build a mixing station and something to help with water changes. I want those to be as easy as possible. I have a few ideas on how to do that, but it will probably be decided on a little later. I can draw up some examples for here and let ya'll help me decide. I will have another 40 breeder that I'm currently using as a sump to play with, so that might get thrown into the mix somewhere.... still thinking. OH! and your tank is beautiful. Great set up!


HAHA!!!!

A 40 breeder will be the bare minimum for a 180, you have to consider the amount that will drain into it when power is shut off. Also that size sump will limit your skimmer chooses unless you go external (recommend if you stay with the 40). Using another 40 for a good size fuge is a great idea.

Do not use acrylic baffles, have a glass company cut the baffles for you with 1/4" glass and use silicon. That will make a very nice sump and glass isn't very expensive. I think 17 3/8" is the width (double check that), that will leave you with the perfect space to inject silicon into the seams perfectly. I wouldn't go more that 8-9" deep max so that you have plenty of room for the display to drain. Also most skimmers need 7-8 " of water only.

What are your skimmer plans? I would buy the skimmer and build the sump around it, leave room for filter sock of you want them.

The 40 sump I built didn't cut it for my 180 when I upgraded, I built it for a 75. Too small for the skimmer, no room for filter socks, small return section.

Good luck!
 
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A 40 breeder will be the bare minimum for a 180, you have to consider the amount that will drain into it when power is shut off. Also that size sump will limit your skimmer chooses unless you go external (recommend if you stay with the 40). Using another 40 for a good size fuge is a great idea.

Do not use acrylic baffles, have a glass company cut the baffles for you with 1/4" glass and use silicon. That will make a very nice sump and glass isn't very expensive. I think 17 3/8" is the width (double check that), that will leave you with the perfect space to inject silicon into the seams perfectly. I wouldn't go more that 8-9" deep max so that you have plenty of room for the display to drain. Also most skimmers need 7-8 " of water only.

What are your skimmer plans? I would buy the skimmer and build the sump around it, leave room for filter sock of you want them.

The 40 sump I built didn't cut it for my 180 when I upgraded, I built it for a 75. Too small for the skimmer, no room for filter socks, small return section.

Good luck!

Actually the 40 breeder that is currently on my 75 is more than enough room. My fuge is enormous and the skimmer section is way over sized for the Reef Octopus ss150 that is in there. I plan to use my current skimmer in the short term, then get this http://www.marinedepot.com/Reef_Oct...ums_Reefs-Reef_Octopus-CV25196-FIPSIS-vi.html for later. I know I'll have plenty of space and I have some friends at AGE cutting some baffles for the new sump. They will be acrylic (I've never had a problem with acrylic in a glass sump and I've had many), but it will probably be pretty thick considering I'll be using leftovers from tank builds. lol No flimsy stuff on this sump. ;) I did plan for an 8 inch water depth for the skimmer since I have plenty of head height under the stand to raise the skimmer if needed. I also measured out the whole sump and every chamber in it based on the larger skimmer's needs first. All other chambers were simply what's left of the space available.

I wont be running socks on this sump simply because I never change them enough to make the effective. My own laziness but at least I've learned. I will have access to my current 40 that I"m using at the moment once the big tank is set up and the livestock have been transferred over. I might add it to the mix, but I'm not looking to make things complicated for myself. I like it simple and easy. Of course, I'll keep all your advice in mind and certainly keep the extra 40 around just in case ;)

I do plan to run tests on the big tank once I have it set up and wet. I'll do power outage checks to be sure the water levels are right and no overflows happen among other things. These are great ideas and I'm glad you brought it up since it gives me a chance to really get it down in writing and line it up in my mind. :D Thanks for following along! I hope you'll catch any mistakes I make along the way and let me know before it's too late!
 
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So, I'm going to be in so much trouble tonight! Cherry Corals live sale and I ended up with 10 corals!! I really shouldn't do these sales since I get so caught up in it. Oh well. I did get some pretty great stuff, but I could have bought a skimmer for what I paid. ;) Guess the skimmer will have to wait. One week until "demo day" !!

following

Thanks!
 
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That is exactly why I'm avoiding my lfs, it's either build the cabinet for my new tank or coral. I'm trying to remain strong lol

You can try but I've never been able to resist. Good luck with staying strong ;)
 
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Well I did by some corals off someone who was closing down a tank buuuut I don't count :D

You're darn right that doesn't count! Just like when I tally up what I spent on live sales I dont include the shipping. I bought that long before the sale ;) :D
 

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Congrats! This is so exciting! I am following along for sure:)
 

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

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