180 gallon tank build

[magdelan]

Mike, I feel like I should give you something in exchange for all the great advice you have given me!!! Everyone has been great! The sump is going in the basement right below the display. If I have it elevated like I think I will, it will only be 9.75 ft. to the top of the display tank. However, there will be about 5ft of horizontal pipe running behind the sump before it turns 90degrees to go vertical. Does this add extra head presure by running horizontaly?

 

[Capt_Cully]

Yes it does, in addition to the bends in the plumbing. I think you'll be fine with that pump. I've been reading along, having a similar set up. Just wondering what your sump has now transformed into? I have my stuff on a 4 foot high stand. If I could do it over, I would definitely made it 3 foot or even 2.5. I was concerned about head loss, but it has proven not to be an issue. Now I have to stand on a step-stool to tinker with most things. Not how I had envisioned it.

One bit of advice I can give, What ever you direct your water into in the basement, be sure it is large enough, and potentially covered. Water fed from a barracuda, then into an overflow that pours out the floor below, is really movin!!! My inital sump could not handle the flow, and I had to throttle back my pump. I added a 20 gallon "catcher tank" that is covered to handle it. It empties via a 2.5 inch bulkhead into the sump. This allows for enough flow, but removes the turbidity that 8-10 feet of gravity added to my water from the overflows.

Anyway, I'm so happy you're on your way. I know we talked periodically as you were gearing up. Stand looks amazing.

What are you gonna light that with? Canopy? No canopy?

So many questions

 

[SkiFletch]

Hehe, I'm glad to help. Seems the operation of our pumps causes a lot of confusion and I'd rather see someone do it right first .

I do however accept payments in beer, tank pics, and thanks

 

[magdelan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11631920#post11631920 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Capt_Cully
Just wondering what your sump has now transformed into?

I'm not sure if I understand that question. Are you asking what the 120 was prior to this use? Or are you asking about the sump on my 30 gallon (which I don't have)?

I have my stuff on a 4 foot high stand. If I could do it over, I would definitely made it 3 foot or even 2.5. I was concerned about head loss, but it has proven not to be an issue. Now I have to stand on a step-stool to tinker with most things. Not how I had envisioned it.

I am planning on making a stand with 1 or 2 cinder blocks. This ought to give me at least a foot in hight. The refugium on the other hand will more than likely be 4 to 5 feet off the ground.

One bit of advice I can give, What ever you direct your water into in the basement, be sure it is large enough, and potentially covered.

Well, if the water is entering a 2ft deep 120 w/filter bags, should I considder a catch tank? I have a 25g plastic container that could soften the water before entering the 120. I think that I am going to split the return line so that the 1/4 of the water goes to the refugium. OR should I tee off the drain line using a ball or gate valve and dirrect 1/4 or 1/2 of one of the two lines to the refugium?

So much to think about!!! I LOVE IT!!!


What are you gonna light that with? Canopy? No canopy?

I am going to hang the light (with no canopy). I was thinking about the coralife fixture that has 3x250 mh and 4x96 actinic and 4x moonlight.

OR

I was thinking about going with MH and VHO. So I was considdering this[ light.

Let me know if there are better systems available or those that may be cheaper.

 

[Capt_Cully]

I'm a huge fan of T5 supplemental lighting. It gives you alot of options for color spectrum. I'd run 4 (again, if I had it to do over).

I mostly love them because you replace them every 18 months or so. Not 6 months like VHO's.

 

[Haffs09]

Talking about catch tanks...here's what I plan to do when I get around to building my new system (hopefully soon!).

My display will be on the first floor and overflow into the basement. I'm going to have it first overflow into a 55 gal drum...get creative with a baffle or two in there and then have it drain into my sump. I hope this serves as at catch tank for a lot of detritus and decrease the number of micro bubbles through the sump. I may not need to use filter bags in the sump.

In the bigger picture, I'll have another 55gal drum sitting right next to it for RODI water for top off, etc. When it comes time for a water change, I will add salt to this drum. After it's ready, I'll make a couple of connections, throw a couple of valves and perform a 55gal H2O change inline. I can then drain and empty the "old" drum at my leisure.

I hope the ease of this design will keep my honest with my H2O changes!

 

[tmz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11636233#post11636233 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Capt_Cully
I'm a huge fan of T5 supplemental lighting. It gives you alot of options for color spectrum. I'd run 4 (again, if I had it to do over).

I mostly love them because you replace them every 18 months or so. Not 6 months like VHO's.

Nice lights but I haven't found a pc or t5 that can give the rich blue and color up corals like vho.

 

[SkiFletch]

I agree with Cully, T5's are WAY more efficient and need replacing less-often than VHO. They're CLOSE to the color of VHO too.

 

[magdelan]

I'd like to hear more opinions on T5 vs. VHO. The facts are out, however I'm interested in whether or not people find T5's close enough in color to VHO. It sounds to me that VHO is the way to go if you are more concerned about color. While, T5's are the way to go if you are more concerned about saving money.

 

[Capt_Cully]

I only have 2 supplemental t5's and their effect gets drowned out by the halides for sure. If I had it to do over, and I still could I spose, I'd run 4 t5's with varying actinic shades. If you want to get a specific look though, 2 VHO's may be what you want.

But really either way you can't go wrong cause YOU FINALLY GOT YOUR 180 DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[magdelan]

I just got back from Buffalo where I picked up my stand from Joe. WOW :eek1: It is even better in person than it is in the pictures. Joe did such a professional job and the cost was half of what other places quoted me. If anyone needs anything built, use joe110. :thumbsup: for a job well done!!!

Here is the new stand in front of the tank. The stand is 34 inches tall. It's goona look great once I get it upstairs!!!

Capt_Cully, I think that using 4 T5's would be a great idea however, finding a light fixture that comes with 3 mh's and 4 T5's I think will be hard to come by. That's why this light will probably be my best option.

I'm so excited
:bounce2: :bounce3: :beer: :bounce3: :bounce2:

 

[AJOE110]

Thanks .For everything , Thats AJOE110

 

[johno4]

Holy Crap, that stand looks awsome:eek1: Are you going to have a canopy to match? That would be sweet.

 

[dan10342]

dont mean to butt in. but about the lights. y not build your own?

you could easily do:
2 x 250 10k halides
1 x 150 20 k halide
4 x t5 actinics

 

[magdelan]

I am not going with a canopy. I am looking to buy a light system to hang from the ceiling using a hanging kit. Also, I am not interested in building a light system because it is going to be out in the open. People don't need to see anything that I have attempted to build. Besides, the nice clean look of an already assembled light is what I want.

 

[tmz]

I use Hamilton fixtures. Some don't like them and think they look boxy. I think it looks fine as a matter or personal taste. What I like is the lights are up inside high enough that you can sit it atop the tank without hanging it or messing with legs and its narrow enough that on a 24 inch wide tank you still have plenty of room for tank access. It also has a heat resistant plexiglass type lens to further protect the lights and shield uv. I place mine on top of a standard glass top. There are many nice styles of other lights out there form pendants to complete fixtures. Look around but try to see it in person before deciding.

 

[magdelan]

Thanks for the input, Tom!

I'm gonna grab a beer now and sit down for another sump/refugium sketch.

 

[SkiFletch]

At the risk of portraying the devils advocate here magdelan, do you plan on keeping any jumping fish in this open-topped tank?

 

[magdelan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11648476#post11648476 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SkiFletch
At the risk of portraying the devils advocate here magdelan, do you plan on keeping any jumping fish in this open-topped tank?

Yes... I do, however I do plan on building a screen like the one Gary has on his. If anyone has any extra netting like the one on Gary's, I'd be happy to take some off of your hands. I remember reading that you can only buy it in a big real so there is always some left over.

I plan on keeping Anthias, wrasses, and one or two clown gobies... among others.

 

[magdelan]

Okay... here we are again with another idea for my refugium/sump design. I have a feeling that this one is going to be it. I'm sure there will be some ideas on how to improve this, so let's have it!!! The top tank is the 30g refugium with a DSB. The bottom tank is the 120g sump and the catcher tank in the upper right is either going to be a 10g tank or a 25g tub.