JR Aquatics 180 Gallon Nano Reef

[ThaNgBOm321]

WOOOHHH....

what the WII doing by that scum.... be carfull you might knock that jar around swinging the wii-mote !!!


YzGyz

 

[JRaquatics]

it was actually the box to my wifes DS. I used it to show how dark the skimmate was in comparison to the box.

 

[grandp10]

How many hours do you run your lights for it to only effect it 1-2 deg., and do you still have the bulbs 14.5" off the water? Thanks!

 

[JRaquatics]

8.5 hours

 

[SolidDetail808]

Did you switch to only 1 Vortech? In some pics I can only see 1.

 

[JRaquatics]

At one time I only had 1 Vortech because the other went out for repair.

 

[JRaquatics]

Corals and fish from my 90gal moved to the 180gal.

Grandpa10 my lights are about 15 inches off the water.

 

[vegaskid11]

Looks Great. I like the open rock design.

 

[13threefmaniac]

Very nice rockwork. Im a sucker for nice rockwork and open swimming spaces.

 

[JRaquatics]

Thanks, Vegaskid11 and 13threefmaniac.

 

[FishTruck]

Hey... I just found your thread. I love it when someone gets a rather mediocre looking used setup and turns it into something spectacular. It's like the reef makeover show! Great job.

 

[JRaquatics]

Reef Makover show....LOL You crack me up. Thanks.

 

[13threefmaniac]

What do you think is the max tank size that the Reeflo Orca 200 would be effective on?

 

[JRaquatics]

I think tank size depends on what you plan on keeping. For the normal SPS dominated tank loaded with fish, I would max it out at about 400 gal total water volume. The factors that I come up with this number is by the water volume the skimmer holds (5gal), airpull (40-50scfh), body design (smooth conections, open design, bubble diffuser, box base), amount of water can be fed (3-400gph) and overall performance. Can this skimmer handle a larger system, sure. Would I run it on a larger system than 400gals, no I would get the Reflo 250 and call it a day.

 

[13threefmaniac]

Thanks for the advice. Sorry if i'm detracting from your tank but i have one more question. I just found out i'll be moving to london for my final year, which means that my proposed tank upgrade will not come to fruition. I'm going with a smaller upgrade. I've pretty much set my mind on the reeflo as my skimmer. Would the 200 be overkill for a 120G tank?

 

[JRaquatics]

Will it be 120gal total water volume and what kind of stocking level do you plan to have?

 

[JRaquatics]

Here is a shot of the backside of the tank. There is a 12 inch space between the wall and the tank so that I can get behind the tank if needed.

FTS

my 4 tangs

 

[Tagareef]

Jeremy,

Your reef looks awesome. Love the tangs...can't wait to see the new one. I need to get on the waiting list. Your slick rock work makes me want to re-do my whole reef!

Luis

 

[stunreefer]

JR- I saw in your plumbing shots that you used the gray ball valves/unions. I believe thats SCH80? What is the purpose for running SCH80 fittings?

I used SCH80 bulkheads on my new system, mostly because the previous owner of the tank said the "tank was drilled for SCH80 bulkheads". The only difference I know about between SCH40 and SCH80 is that the the O.D. (outside diameter) differs, while the I.D. remains the same (Giving the bulkhead better grasp on the tank?). I'm hoping you can enlighten me because I have seen these gray ball valves and unions and other fittings on a lot of set-ups recently, even when the main PVC pipes are white SCH40. I'm at the point in my build that I need to start plumbing, and actually today I bought a ball valve/union from Lowes, but its white SCH40. It can easily be returned, and I know that savko.com sells these SCH80 fittings. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Austin

 

[JRaquatics]

I used the SCH80 in some areas because the valves themselves are better, don't freeze up and they save space with the true union and valve in one. I only used them on either end of the main pump (Dart) and the feed to the skimmer. The rest of the valves are from Lowes. FWIW menard's valves suck.