Hello all!
Well, my 120 is still being taken care of by my in-laws since we moved in July. And now, she is finally here! The local LFS had a sale, and I got my 180 with the overflow and return kit, furniture grade stand AND lids for under $1500 all new! A deal I couldn't refuse!
We will be plumbing the sump to the basement and are looking to probably do a hybrid of the braided flexible tubing and pvc. The kit that came with the tank is already set up for the tubing, but I have only ever seen PVC only set-ups. If you can give some feedback on this, that would be great. I just want to make sure we integrate some shut-off valves.
Equipment so far:
Is there a sump already set up for an external pump? If not, how do I set it up? Will any brand sump do? The eshopps seem very affordable and a good system, but I don't know if they are ok for being in the basement and not just under the tank. I have also thought about getting a 100 gallon tank and having baffles made. Someone else said that a 55 gallon sump would be ok, but I also know bigger is better. My third option for a sump was a 100 gallon horse trough filled with rock for it to filter through, then into a 40 gallon breeder where the protein skimmer and refugium would be, then into the external pump.
Honestly, if there is something out there that would be a little less work and I could purchase for a decent price (trying to stay around $300) I would prefer it. Your thoughts would be appreciated!
Here are the pics of the start!! Can't wait to have you on my journey! I have followed and researched so many of you on your builds, I am so excited to start my own!
Well, my 120 is still being taken care of by my in-laws since we moved in July. And now, she is finally here! The local LFS had a sale, and I got my 180 with the overflow and return kit, furniture grade stand AND lids for under $1500 all new! A deal I couldn't refuse!
We will be plumbing the sump to the basement and are looking to probably do a hybrid of the braided flexible tubing and pvc. The kit that came with the tank is already set up for the tubing, but I have only ever seen PVC only set-ups. If you can give some feedback on this, that would be great. I just want to make sure we integrate some shut-off valves.
Equipment so far:
- 2 A360W Tuna Blue kessil lights for each side, and a haylide for the center (for now until I get another kessil) Any feedback on the halyde is appreciated. I have no experience with them.
- Tunze ATO system
- Reef Octopus 152-S Protein Skimmer
- I forget what kind my programmable power heads are - they are at my in-laws in the 120 still. But they will still be fine for the 180.
- WMD-40RLXT - 1344 GPH - IWAKI AMERICA - looking at this for external pump. I will have about 15 feet of head height. This one is rated 1344 GPH - is that enough?
- I was also looking at this pump VECTRA M1 DC (2000 GPH) - ECOTECH MARINE - looks like the GPH is better, and has the controller. It is about $100 more, but doesn't look like it has great reviews. Can anyone help with the comparison?
- Reef saver dry rock - looking to start over from the old tank so I don't transfer the millions of bristle worms over, and just want a fresh start. I will cook a few of my favorite pieces from the 120.
- Original Grade Ocean Direct Sand (let me know if you have other suggestions, but in my research, this one sounds pretty good). I don't want the drifting from the oolite.
Is there a sump already set up for an external pump? If not, how do I set it up? Will any brand sump do? The eshopps seem very affordable and a good system, but I don't know if they are ok for being in the basement and not just under the tank. I have also thought about getting a 100 gallon tank and having baffles made. Someone else said that a 55 gallon sump would be ok, but I also know bigger is better. My third option for a sump was a 100 gallon horse trough filled with rock for it to filter through, then into a 40 gallon breeder where the protein skimmer and refugium would be, then into the external pump.
Honestly, if there is something out there that would be a little less work and I could purchase for a decent price (trying to stay around $300) I would prefer it. Your thoughts would be appreciated!
Here are the pics of the start!! Can't wait to have you on my journey! I have followed and researched so many of you on your builds, I am so excited to start my own!