180 upgrade build

A

Aporia

Member
After helping Michael get his system up and going http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1959896 I got inspired to upgrade my own. I have had my current 65G going for about 8 years. The breaking point was stepping in water on a Saturday morning after the HOB overflow clogged up. My goals were:
1) get rid of the HOB overflow
2) Have more space for Coral !
3) I have failed with the upgrade if my mother comes over and
doesn't notice.:p
4) Make as many tasks / systems as automated and hassle free as possible.

I started out looking for a used 120G but ended up with a 180G. This might take a while because of work/Life/Etc. but lets get the party started! :dance:
 
The current setup!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77365418@N05/7092195593/" title="IMG_0362 by 180 Reef, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5329/7092195593_f7dbe58cc6_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="IMG_0362"></a>
 
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77365418@N05/6946128180/" title="IMG_0363 by 180 Reef, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5448/6946128180_c0c9985cf2_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMG_0363"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77365418@N05/7092196311/" title="IMG_0364 by 180 Reef, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7058/7092196311_8ecacce197_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMG_0364"></a>
 
The new to me 180!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77365418@N05/7092196937/" title="IMG_0370 by 180 Reef, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7122/7092196937_e3d1df570b_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMG_0370"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77365418@N05/6946129850/" title="IMG_0374 by 180 Reef, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/6946129850_64d2d849e4_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMG_0374"></a>
 
The 75 Gallon Sump, Dry rock, and assundry loot!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77365418@N05/6946129550/" title="IMG_0372 by 180 Reef, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5198/6946129550_3cb76044aa_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMG_0372"></a>
 
By the way... When we went to pic up the tank and the seller came out of his house I thought to myself Santa! Later at home going through some of the loot I found his card, it was Santa!!!! I bought Santa's Tank.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77365418@N05/6946130238/" title="IMG_0376 by 180 Reef, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5231/6946130238_77b6120474_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMG_0376"></a>
 
I need some input...
I need to move all the livestock from the 65 when I get the 180 setup, which will be in the current location of the 65. The plan so far is to move the 65 over (drain the water and put all live stock in temporary containers, then back in the 65) so I can setup the 180 and have both systems going while I get the 180 established. Any thoughts or experiences ?
 
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77365418@N05/7139119297/" title="Untitled by 180 Reef, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7179/7139119297_df4d95bbf2_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Untitled"></a>

Santa had an angry elf scraping his algae and scratched the tank. So I have been working polishing the scratches out. :headwalls:
I will eventually start a thread over in DIY about the experience. This is a picture of the side panel in an intermediate step before the polishing. I ordered the supplies from http://www.gtglass.com/ I ended up with this polisher from harbor freight http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/polishers/7-inch-variable-speed-polisher-sander-92623.html much better than using the drill.
 
I am in the process of upgrading from my 75 gallon to 120 and I was told that I can jus put the water and livestock in containers with airstones and full the new tank with salt water and when the correct pH and salinity is met add the sand and live rock to the system.... It was also recommended that I don't use the old sand, instead go with new sand and put a layer of the old sand over it to seed it..... After a day or two when the water clears you can now add the fish and corals to the system and you shud be fine.... Gud luck
 
bikeboss11 said:
I am in the process of upgrading from my 75 gallon to 120 and I was told that I can jus put the water and livestock in containers with airstones and full the new tank with salt water and when the correct pH and salinity is met add the sand and live rock to the system.... It was also recommended that I don't use the old sand, instead go with new sand and put a layer of the old sand over it to seed it..... After a day or two when the water clears you can now add the fish and corals to the system and you shud be fine.... Gud luck
Click to expand...

Thanks bikeboss. Do you have a build thread started? I am eager to get past polishing and start working on the fun stuff!
 
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