Mrpontiac80 ‘s 180 gallon build

[mrpontiac80]

This will be technically my 3rd tank and everything will be condensed into this 180. I started with a waterbox 65.4 all in one about 2 years ago and I feel like it is finally starting to thrive as a mixed reef.
Thread 'Mrpontiac80’s Waterbox 65.4 AIO'
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/mrpontiac80’s-waterbox-65-4-aio.822629/
My 2nd tank is a 30 gallon simple hob with a few things I didn’t want in my 65.4

This build is the tank size I’ve always wanted and was an unexpected purchase. I went to my LFS to buy salt and a guy was there to sell his complete setup. The lfs and I made a deal immediately for $1600 delivered to my house.
here is what I got for my 1500 + $100 delivery fee.

 

[mrpontiac80]

So once I got everything my house, I was able to go through it all.
The previous owner of the tank swore it never leaked, and the lfs did a water test up to the drilled holes for 48 hrs before delivery.
ghe tank glass is pretty scratched up and although you see it less with water in it, I just want to be super happy with what I build, so I decided to clean the tank and fill it up to bulkheads and list it for sale. It’s currently for sale for $500 obo to go towards a new tank. I’m still very happy with everything though as the cabinet is quality and also tall at 40” height. I am 6’ 3” tall so this is great for me. All the equipment looks very clean and works.
If anyone wants a tank in northwest AR hit me up!!

 

[mrpontiac80]

I took the sump outside and cleaned it up. Still needs a bit more cleaning but it came out nice. It is a Trigger brand triton 44 v1.
I’ve yet to ever own or use a sump before this so my experience is none, but I’m not sure I love this sump for my application but I’m going to start off with it for sure.
The skimmer does not fit in the chamber designed for skimming and I have no idea how the previous owner had it set up, but I’m almost thinking of adding sock holders and using the skimmer in the 2nd chamber and not doing a refugium as of now.

 

[mrpontiac80]

So the purchase of this “complete “ system came with the following
-180 gallon tank
-40” tall stand with 4 doors in front and doors on each end
- octo classic 202s skimmer
-trigger 44 sump
- octo return pump vario s8
- ATI brand T5 8 bulb 60” lights with x brand lumen bars
- new in box 2nd gen clarisea filter roller and 2 rolls
- Synergy reef 16” overflow v2 ( missing front box for in tank)
- plumbing stuff, some assembled and some fittings
- cheap heaters, tests and etc.
- 2 maxpect fx350 gyres
-new eBay rodi 6 stage 150 gpd

 

[mrpontiac80]

So for now, I’m trying to sell the tank, t5 lights, and rodi to offset the cost of a new tank. I’ll likely trade in my waterbox 65.4 aio to the LFS also. I just don’t think I want to maintain or afford two tanks.
I’m planning on a planet aquariums 180 gallon external overflow tank. If my lfs comes back with a lowball offer on the waterbox than I may just save up for a glass cages tank. That’s originally what I was saving for when this purchase took everything I had saved. But my lfs is offering a planet tank for $100 over cost supposedly, minus trade for waterbox. We will see what happens.

meanwhile I am trying to plan for plumbing so that I c a n be prepared.

 

[mrpontiac80]

Just figured I’d give a little update. So not a lot has happened lately with the 180 build as money is tight and Christmas Is nearing. But I have finally sold the 180 tank that my complete purchase included. I also sold the ATI lights. I hope to be able to purchase a new tank within the next month.
Meanwhile I did purchase a Caribsea life rock bundle from waterbox on blue Friday. I bought their 220.6 kit since the footprint is the same. I also have five 20 lb bags of Caribsea Fiji pink sand coming.

 

[mrpontiac80]

Another boring but happy update. I received all my 200 lbs of Caribsea Liferock and 100 lbs of Caribsea Fiji pink sand. Still need a big glass box to put them in though.

 

[ShepherdReefer]

Hey there, it looks like you are off to a great start. What are the plans for the tank; corals or fish only?

 

[mrpontiac80]

Hey there, it looks like you are off to a great start. What are the plans for the tank; corals or fish only?

Thanks! Mixed reef with fish for sure. Probably more sps dominant.

 

[mrpontiac80]

Well 3 months later, I finally got my new 180 gallon tank on order from my local LFS. 72” x 24” x 25” 180 gallon Planet Aquarium with crystaline front glass and external overflow. Should be here in 2-4 weeks! After that I still have plumbing to buy and all that but I’m getting there.

 

[mrpontiac80]

So I’ve been thinking about my sump. I want filter socks or the clarisea or something. The sump I have is based off the Triton method using no socks, a super large refugium , and less water changes.
The problem is the skimmer only fits in the fuge area and the overflow area for drains is only 4” wide… so no hang on filter sock holders and no clarisea will fit.

What do you think about cutting the acrylic panel out separating the overflow drain area and fuge. And then I could fit the clarisea and skimmer in that area and any reactor or whatever.

 

[dstockwell]

Looks like a great build

 

[mrpontiac80]

Looks like a great build

Thanks! Hopefully it will be. Waiting on the tank now and ordered some plumbing stuff last night

 

[mrpontiac80]

So I’m trying to do little things while waiting on the tank and decided to place some LED strip lights inside the stand. Such an easy cheap upgrade to be able to see inside everyone should do it.

 

[mrpontiac80]

I Decided to install leveling casters on the tank stand. I don’t like shims and the way that the stand was constructed, this seemed like the best option. I’ve used these on my custom built stand under my waterbox 65.4, but on that tank I only used 4. But I built the stand and knew exactly how and where the support needed to be.

this stand is considerably bigger and will be holding more weight so I probably went overboard on it but I used 10 of these casters. Each leveling caster is rated to a maximum of 550 pounds. So all 10 should carry up to 5,500 lbs. Now obviously I would never move it with a tank full of water but just prepping the tank plumbing and etc with these are a breeze. Once you are happy with placement you crank the feet down and the casters are not touching at that point. I love my experience with these.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

So I’m trying to do little things while waiting on the tank and decided to place some LED strip lights inside the stand. Such an easy cheap upgrade to be able to see inside everyone should do it.

Led strips are a really good idea for the tank, makes it super easy to see what's in there

 

[mrpontiac80]

Talked to the LFS and my tank should be here by the 20th! Can’t wait. I’ve been looking at the cabinet with boxes of rocks and sand for a while now

 

[mrpontiac80]

Well the tank still has not shown up yet, maybe this week. Meanwhile I decided to put together the Clarisea sk5000. I’ve never had a filter roller and not sure how the gen 2 will perform for the long haul. But this sure feels like a game changer!

 

[mrpontiac80]

Went ahead and cut the Trigger triton 44 sump to fit the clarisea and so I can use filter socks if I want to. I’ve been dreading it because I didn’t want to damage it, but everything went well.
I used a dremel with a 561 cutting bit. I need to smooth the edges and possibly cut the inner panel a little further downward. I’m not sure how much water level the clarisea will require.

 

[mrpontiac80]

The tank delivery was canceled due to the ice storm from north west Arkansas where I live all the way to Dallas TX where the tank is made. So the new update is that it should show up at my lfs Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.
My 2-4 week estimated order time has stretched to 6 weeks or so now but that’s ok. Getting excited for it though.