RockyHeap
New member
I wanted to share my awesome 180 glass tank build, for any suggestions from you other large reef tank owners, your good karma pays forward for me young Skywalker to learn from you old wise Yoda-san. Please share lessons learned and pass the torch!
I've been piecing parts together the last 5-6 years for this build, going to be my dream tank after doing saltwater reefs for over 25 years!
-72" x 24 x 24" All Glass 180 tank on a welded steel stand. Glass is full 1/2" thick.
-Tank drilled with four 1-1/2" holes on the bottom to be a closed loop system at about 3000 gph for tank circulation using a Reeflo Dart pump. Open ended Flow exits are the steerable joints for direction flow control, my goal is high volume low pressure tank circulation. For the bulkheads I'm torn between getting slip fit or threaded. your Thoughts pro's/cons?
-Will that dart pump flow fine with only one 1.5" intake feeding three 1.5" open ended outputs? I have another Reeflo dart, and could run both as a 1 intake 1 exhaust 2 pump set-up, but that seems excessive yes/no?
-Tank has a "coast to coast" overflow along the top of the rear wall, twin 1 1/2" overflows feeding down to a gorgeous 40 gallon IAP sump / refugium, then back up to the tank at about 750 gallon per hour using a Mag 7 or 9.5 sump pump.
- Sump intake flow first goes through a 200 micro filter sock, then to the protein skimmer compartment, through a sand/plant refugium zone, then through a bubble trap into the return Mag9.5 to the tank. That 40 IAP sump is a work of art.
- Triple 250 watt metal halides enclosed in a suspended overhead hood (simulated by the box in these pics). Tank will have folding glass lids in the three top zones.
I'm just finishing up design and sourcing/pricing all the valves, union disconnects, 45 and 90 elbows from multiple sources. 1.5" Ultraflex pipe is bloody expensive but its supposed to be 40% more flexible than regular flex pvc. Going to be be a fun build from an engineering points.
I'm upgrading from a 135 tank that has matured over 15 years old, but this new 180 with closed loop flow and coast to coast overflow is going to be a challenge to "get it right the first time"
I'M HONESTLY REALLY OPEN TO ANY SUGGESTIONS from experienced reefers, if you've jumped off the deep end of the pier!
This is my existing 135 gallon reef, about 250 pounds of rock. Gotta tear this one down and set up the new 180 in same spot, livestock will be in large water tubs in the meantime.
I'm estimating about 2700-2800 pounds wet and will shore up crawlspace floor beams with this 180................so Lets Dive on into the pool:
Wish me luck, going to do a full assy and system leak wet test/tuning out in the garage before it comes into the living room. Going to be a fun winter project!
Cheers!
:dance:
Diver Dave.
I've been piecing parts together the last 5-6 years for this build, going to be my dream tank after doing saltwater reefs for over 25 years!
-72" x 24 x 24" All Glass 180 tank on a welded steel stand. Glass is full 1/2" thick.
-Tank drilled with four 1-1/2" holes on the bottom to be a closed loop system at about 3000 gph for tank circulation using a Reeflo Dart pump. Open ended Flow exits are the steerable joints for direction flow control, my goal is high volume low pressure tank circulation. For the bulkheads I'm torn between getting slip fit or threaded. your Thoughts pro's/cons?
-Will that dart pump flow fine with only one 1.5" intake feeding three 1.5" open ended outputs? I have another Reeflo dart, and could run both as a 1 intake 1 exhaust 2 pump set-up, but that seems excessive yes/no?
-Tank has a "coast to coast" overflow along the top of the rear wall, twin 1 1/2" overflows feeding down to a gorgeous 40 gallon IAP sump / refugium, then back up to the tank at about 750 gallon per hour using a Mag 7 or 9.5 sump pump.
- Sump intake flow first goes through a 200 micro filter sock, then to the protein skimmer compartment, through a sand/plant refugium zone, then through a bubble trap into the return Mag9.5 to the tank. That 40 IAP sump is a work of art.
- Triple 250 watt metal halides enclosed in a suspended overhead hood (simulated by the box in these pics). Tank will have folding glass lids in the three top zones.
I'm just finishing up design and sourcing/pricing all the valves, union disconnects, 45 and 90 elbows from multiple sources. 1.5" Ultraflex pipe is bloody expensive but its supposed to be 40% more flexible than regular flex pvc. Going to be be a fun build from an engineering points.
I'm upgrading from a 135 tank that has matured over 15 years old, but this new 180 with closed loop flow and coast to coast overflow is going to be a challenge to "get it right the first time"
I'M HONESTLY REALLY OPEN TO ANY SUGGESTIONS from experienced reefers, if you've jumped off the deep end of the pier!
This is my existing 135 gallon reef, about 250 pounds of rock. Gotta tear this one down and set up the new 180 in same spot, livestock will be in large water tubs in the meantime.
I'm estimating about 2700-2800 pounds wet and will shore up crawlspace floor beams with this 180................so Lets Dive on into the pool:
Wish me luck, going to do a full assy and system leak wet test/tuning out in the garage before it comes into the living room. Going to be a fun winter project!
Cheers!
:dance:
Diver Dave.
Last edited:
