owenspackman
Active Member
Hello All!
Now I'm spending more time here with you all, I figured I would share my 180 Gallon (mostly) SPS Reef.
The tank was built by Miracles Of Glass in April 2013 and set up in April/May 2013 as an upgrade to my AllGlass 120. My 120 had sprung a leak in February earlier this year and I made the decision to tear it down and rebuild with the new 180.
The tank is a rimless 48x36x24 with 3 sided starphire 3/4" glass. I have always preferred the deeper tanks to the longer/narrower tanks, I feel you have much more options for aquascaping and it provides more enjoyable viewing ability. The cabinet was built by myself and my Fiancé over the course of a month or so. It was built larger than the tank to incorporate a tile ledge around the edge and to create more working space inside of the cabinet. We also built it taller than the average, so there would be no leaning over to look into the tank, it's mostly at chest height.
Lighting is provided by 2 AI Vegas, controlled by the director, this will eventually be increased to 4 Vegas, but currently 2 are supporting my needs. The sump is a 40 gallon breeder, with a chamber for filter socks, refugium and skimmer. The return pump is a Reeflo Snapper/Dart Gold set on full, providing return to the tank and also to a manifold which controls flow to my GFO Reactor and Alage Turf Scrubber. Dosing is controlled via a doser for 2 Part BRS dosing of the big three. Supplemental dosing is done daily with Red Sea's Reed Colors and Reef Energy. Control of the tank is left to my Apex Controller. Quarantine is handled in a 30 Gallon where fish undergo observation and treatment over a 4-6 week period. Maintenance is undertaken once a week where a water change of 10-15% is completed to replenish the tanks water of any missing nutrients.
A month ago I added a frag tank to the system. I had grown tired of the frag racks and their clutter in the display, after educating my finance on our ability to trade and sell frags to the local reef keepers and that it will eventually pay for itself, she gave the go ahead. It consists of a 48x24x5 hydroponic flood tray and stand, it is plumbed directly into the display tank to avoid me having to care for two systems, no frags/colonies can move back and forth with no concern and i've increased the water volume of my system by 30 more gallons. Lighting is provided by a AI Hydra, eventually to be 2 Hydras.
That's all on the tank for now, I'm sure there is plenty I have forgotten!
I will post a few photos to show the build and the tanks progression to the state it's in today. Unfortunately this will not be a build thread from the ground up, but that does exist, so if you're interested please PM me.
I will keep this thread updated regularly, I am a BIG photo poster and am always taking photos of the changes and growth inside the tank.
Any questions? Just ask!
Thanks for looking.
Now I'm spending more time here with you all, I figured I would share my 180 Gallon (mostly) SPS Reef.
The tank was built by Miracles Of Glass in April 2013 and set up in April/May 2013 as an upgrade to my AllGlass 120. My 120 had sprung a leak in February earlier this year and I made the decision to tear it down and rebuild with the new 180.
The tank is a rimless 48x36x24 with 3 sided starphire 3/4" glass. I have always preferred the deeper tanks to the longer/narrower tanks, I feel you have much more options for aquascaping and it provides more enjoyable viewing ability. The cabinet was built by myself and my Fiancé over the course of a month or so. It was built larger than the tank to incorporate a tile ledge around the edge and to create more working space inside of the cabinet. We also built it taller than the average, so there would be no leaning over to look into the tank, it's mostly at chest height.
Lighting is provided by 2 AI Vegas, controlled by the director, this will eventually be increased to 4 Vegas, but currently 2 are supporting my needs. The sump is a 40 gallon breeder, with a chamber for filter socks, refugium and skimmer. The return pump is a Reeflo Snapper/Dart Gold set on full, providing return to the tank and also to a manifold which controls flow to my GFO Reactor and Alage Turf Scrubber. Dosing is controlled via a doser for 2 Part BRS dosing of the big three. Supplemental dosing is done daily with Red Sea's Reed Colors and Reef Energy. Control of the tank is left to my Apex Controller. Quarantine is handled in a 30 Gallon where fish undergo observation and treatment over a 4-6 week period. Maintenance is undertaken once a week where a water change of 10-15% is completed to replenish the tanks water of any missing nutrients.
A month ago I added a frag tank to the system. I had grown tired of the frag racks and their clutter in the display, after educating my finance on our ability to trade and sell frags to the local reef keepers and that it will eventually pay for itself, she gave the go ahead. It consists of a 48x24x5 hydroponic flood tray and stand, it is plumbed directly into the display tank to avoid me having to care for two systems, no frags/colonies can move back and forth with no concern and i've increased the water volume of my system by 30 more gallons. Lighting is provided by a AI Hydra, eventually to be 2 Hydras.
That's all on the tank for now, I'm sure there is plenty I have forgotten!
I will post a few photos to show the build and the tanks progression to the state it's in today. Unfortunately this will not be a build thread from the ground up, but that does exist, so if you're interested please PM me.
I will keep this thread updated regularly, I am a BIG photo poster and am always taking photos of the changes and growth inside the tank.
Any questions? Just ask!
Thanks for looking.
