hul kogan's 180G In-Wall Glass Reef [The Chronicles of Awesome]

[DwightKeenan]

Anyone else have thoughts on the skimmers I am looking at? Or suggestions on others?

Nice Build!

I had an ASM G3 running on my 75 with a 20g sump and 10g refugium and it worked well. I did have the Gate Valve modification too. My issue was the skimmer cup lid was almost impossible to remove over time. Not sure if it was a swelling or waht, but it got to the point that I needed a rubber mallet to get it off.

I am looking at the Octopus skimmers for my next setup.

 

[hul kogan]

Thanks!

Ahh interesting, thanks for the input. The Octopus line seems to be right for me, as far as capabilities and budget goes...so I think they could work out well for a lot of people.

 

[110galreef]

Dude...you build/think like me!

I have always like the shimmer of MH, not cared for the extra heat & watts....

Here is what i am about positive i am/would do as well.

150/175w MH you would want 3. & some T-5 supplementation!

I think given your setup you will be able to grow anything with that combo. You will have low heat transfer & great color & growth. Now 250w MH's would get you more growth, but more money & heat! Also you will eventually get to a point where growth is Too much. Many will argue that you need 250w for a SPS or clam tank. I have had great luck w/ 175 w & VHO and seem many others as well. Even just T-5. But the shimmer of MH!! If you plan SPS only & want crazy growth get the 250's.......If you want energy effecient, reasonable costs, lower heat, yet happy corals & good growth. Go 150/175w

I currently have a 48" aqua medic 2-250w & 2 T-5 setup and it is a well built low profile machine. Not sure onthe others but I have had Hamilton Tech in past and those are very nice too.

 

[hul kogan]

Also playing a part in my decision to pursue MH again is seeing a few friends tanks in person over the last few weeks. Every time I see the shimmer I just want it, heh.

As far as 150(175)w vs. 250w...I think the 250w will really give me the extra punch necessary to see better growth from SPS and be able to keep clams growing and healthy on the sandbed. I know that a lot of people would say that it isn't necessary and I might be liable to partially agree.

There seem to be two big negatives with a higher wattage bulb setup, 1. More heat and 2. More power consumption. I am not really worried about heat all the much since the tank will be uncovered and it is in the basement, which is inherently cooler than the rest of the house. Then I look at power consumption and wonder how much of a difference I'd be looking at to run 150(175)w over 250w. I guess I'm not really sure but I would definitely be interested to hear from someone that has ran both and compared their energy bills. If the difference isn't all that much more, I can't see it being worth downsizing. On the flipside, if a nice lower wattage MH/T5 fixture were to come along locally for a good price, it would be hard to past it up.

Off-topic...110galreef, I recall you selling some LR awhile back on TRAC, do you still have any of that around? Drop me a PM.

 

[110galreef]

I don't think the extra cost of the 250w is going to be a huge difference. We are talking an extra ~225-275w being ran for about 6-8 hrs a day. So not going to be a huge difference in cost. There is a simple way to calculat the cost. Has to do with the cost of a Kw/hr x how many watts used & how long.....But my math is failing me at the moment. :hammer:

Either way you will be fine. BB or sand bed?

 

[hul kogan]

Yea, I can't imagine it would be too much but who knows...maybe over a year it adds up to worthwhile savings. Math hates me and I hate math. That's why I'm a designer and not an accountant, heh. I'll have to look around and see if I can find an easy calculation method.

BB or sand, you ask? We'll that is something I have been tossing around for a couple weeks now. Again, before then I was dead set on sand...but now I am definitely looking at both options. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get over how amazing a nice sand bed looks, though. Not to mention the clams, anemones, and LPS I'd like to keep that are happier with sand.

 

[110galreef]

reason i ask, is w/o a sand bed the 150w MH's will definitly be enuf. as the water column is cleaner w/o sand.

I personally have to have a white sand bed!

I do, just like a 1/2" Just enuf to cover the bottom, and not trap any extra detritus! I vaccumm it every WC and it stays pretty white! I also really dont' put any under the rock or in the back. Les to get dirt & you don't see it anyway!!

 

[SHOmuchFUN]

I am tagging along... I plan on doing this exact same build next month.

Thanks for the practice run!

 

[hul kogan]

^ Good deal. Hopefully my experiences will help you out a bit. I still have a lot left...and a number of mistakes, I'm sure. :lol:

 

[hul kogan]

LONG OVERDUE UPDATE

Since my last update I have been busy on a non-reef related project. During my time away from actively working on this build I was doing a lot of research/thinking. I wasn't able to overcome my desire for a shallow reef, so I decided to make it happen! The new tank will still have the same footprint as the 180, just not as tall (72x24x17). I absolutely love the look of a shallow reef and I think in the long run I will be happier with these dimensions. Since it has the same footprint I will be utilizing the stand I just finished awhile back and it will still be going into the wall.

I will still likely be selecting from the same group of skimmers, but I am now able to reconsider my lighting choices. Not only because the tank isn't as tall, but because I now have more headroom above the tank. I started a conversation about my options. Feel free to throw your 2 cents into the mix, here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1807235

This, of course, means that I now have an undrilled 180 (in great shape) that needs a new home. PM if you are interested.

Also, I'll likely start a build thread for the new tank within a month or so. At that point I'll put a link in here.

 

[110galreef]

sounds like a good plan.....as for the lights I'd go the 150w x 3 & some VHO or T-5 supplememntation! If heat is a concern go all T-5's and will be fine! But i'd go the MH for the shimmer!:thumbsup:

As for skimmer the XP 2000 cone should be the ticket now!

 

[heaton]

Sweet.

 

[hul kogan]

110galreef - Indeed. I am currently trying to find the best price on a XP-2000. Did you decide on a skimmer yet?

Sweet.

Careful, there's a character limit!


:lol2:

 

[110galreef]

110galreef - Indeed. I am currently trying to find the best price on a XP-2000. Did you decide on a skimmer yet?

Well....we just decided we are building a house, so.....my corner tank may be going to the House!! I have to really do a bit more digging on the build here. But i am for sure gonna do the cone. Just have to decide on which size & internal or the external. For your NEW sized setup the XP 2000 cone is probably plenty and priced great. The external is a bit more but will provided better performance if you want it.
The regualr int will work perfect for you too tho!

 

[hul kogan]

Unless a different skimmer really strikes me, I'll be doing an XP-2000 internal. I'm just trying to find that best price on one. They look to be the same on all sites, so I guess I need to keep an eye out for a sale or discount coupon type offer. I don't need it right this second, so I have time to search.

Sounds great. You should incorporate your tank into the house build. Make sure you have a fish room!

 

[110galreef]

Unless a different skimmer really strikes me, I'll be doing an XP-2000 internal. I'm just trying to find that best price on one. They look to be the same on all sites, so I guess I need to keep an eye out for a sale or discount coupon type offer. I don't need it right this second, so I have time to search.

Sounds great. You should incorporate your tank into the house build. Make sure you have a fish room!

This is the best skimmer i think given the money. I think you would have to spend over double to get anything better.....


Here is where i will probably order:
http://www.reefspecialty.com/Protei...00-Internal-Protein-Skimmer/product_info.html

These guys have awesome service and he is on RC all the time answer & helping w/ skimmers and what not. Price is very good too.

 

[hul kogan]

Ahh, very good. That is actually one of the sites I was keeping an eye on!