AF_Reefers 180g Tank Build

[AF_Reefer]

My name is C.J. and I have been fascinated by salt water for many years but have never had the chance to own a reef tank until 2009. I have only been in the hobby just over 1 year so there is still a lot that i want to learn but I am looking forward to the challenge(s). My current tank is no tank... I had a 55g but i recently sold it to help fund my new project. Bare with me as this may take along time as I don't always have alot of money or time to invest into this hobby but I want to get this up and running as quick as possible.


Also I am still kind of in the planning stages as far as equipment goes but I will list what I know I will have for sure.


180 gallon dual overflow tank
72x24x24 two 1 inch returns and two 1.5 inch drains
Steel stand that i need to overhaul and wrap in wood and a canapoy out of wood
Lighting will be 3x 400w MH with 4x 3ft vho's

Thats really all I have so I am up to suggestions.

I will post what pics I have shortly.

 

[AF_Reefer]

This is where the tank will sit. Had to mark my territory so the wife doesn't try to steal it.
<a href="http://s882.photobucket.com/albums/ac21/CkDL204/CJ/?action=view&current=SDC13322.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac21/CkDL204/CJ/SDC13322.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s882.photobucket.com/albums/ac21/CkDL204/CJ/?action=view&current=SDC13325.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac21/CkDL204/CJ/SDC13325.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Here is the stand. It's second hand and needs alot of work.
<a href="http://s882.photobucket.com/albums/ac21/CkDL204/CJ/?action=view&current=SDC13324.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac21/CkDL204/CJ/SDC13324.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s882.photobucket.com/albums/ac21/CkDL204/CJ/?action=view&current=SDC13326.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i882.photobucket.com/albums/ac21/CkDL204/CJ/SDC13326.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[AF_Reefer]

Slow Progress

Slow Progress

Ok so I'm almost done with the stand all I need to do is decide if I want to skin it or leave it bare... I'm leaning towards skinning it for a much cleaner look. Also I aquired an Icecap 660 VHO ballast and all the wiring.

I'm still having a hard time rationalizing the need for 400w MH instead of 250w especially since all the tanks i want to mimic have 250's.

If anyone has any input please share.

 

[AF_Reefer]

Quick update: Was almost done with the stand and decided to skin it so now just waiting on the wood and it should be done.

 

[RUGDOG]

It is going to be a nice tank. I wish I could pick up a used one like that for a good buy.

 

[AF_Reefer]

Well here it is over a year later and I am just begining to make some progress on the tank. I decided to make a stand which i finished today and i also dabbled with a diy reflector. I'll post some pics as soon as i learn how.

 

[AF_Reefer]

 

[AF_Reefer]

Any feedback is welcomed.

 

[krjackso]

welcome back! new stand looks good. reflector looks almost pre-fabbed, good work. lets get some details.

 

[AF_Reefer]

Yea im not 100% happy with that reflector but i plan on making 3 more so i should have it down by the last one. It also helps that my job is sheetmetal so i have all the tools i could ever need at my fingertips.

 

[AF_Reefer]

This is how i want the stand to look when im finished. There will be a swinging door on the side and two large magnetic panels on the front that will be completely removable. (I stole a few design ideas from "A Reef In The Sky"(one of my fav tanks) and I'll have all the electronics behind the swinging door and sectioned off from the rest of the sump area.

 

[AF_Reefer]

Small update: I got my hands on a 40g acrylic sump today so i guess thats one more piece to my puzzle.

 

[AF_Reefer]

I've got to stop taking pictures at night out side. lol

 

[AF_Reefer]

Small update:

Got the skeleton of the stand finished and got the tank on it. I'm going to begin sealing it and painting it tomorrow. Hopefully I have it painted at least by this next weekend. Will post picks in the morning.

 

[Surfacer]

I have a 180 and the stand looks almost exactly like mine. Beefy but safe.
I ended up putting sliding doors on and got rid of the front middle brace so I have lots of access room.

Looks like your project is coming along though. Good luck and keep those updates coming!

 

[bmullikin1]

depending on mounting height, 3 250's w good reflectors should be enough.

 

[rscotti]

AF,

What skimmer are you planning to use? I'm trying to find a very quite one for a 180.

 

[AF_Reefer]

AF,

What skimmer are you planning to use? I'm trying to find a very quite one for a 180.

I'm going over kill with the skimmer because I plan on having it heavly stocked with SPS so i want crystal clear water. I'm going with the ASM GC-9 or the G-3 depending on how big a sump i use. The GC-9 is rated to 400-450 galllons and the G-3 is rated up to 300 gallon .

 

[AF_Reefer]

Also the lighting plan has changed. No MH for this tank. I'm going LED's all the way. Still working out the specifics but I'm looking at 110-120 individual LED's split into 3 pendant style fixtures.