My First Tank a 180g

[Osama]

Been in the hobby for about twenty Years. Will post here three posts of my three main tanks. Here is my first, a 180g tank, after 6 years of nursing it. . Had to take it down due to work travels. I am now retired and started my 500g build in 2013 and cycled it in late 2013 - early 2014 .. Hope you like my 180 pictures.

 

[dave.m]

:thumbsup:

Would you care to give an overview of how this tank was operated and a run-down of the equipment used when it was at its most successful?

Dave.M

 

[Osama]

Dave I will state here all I can remember. Tank reef ready 180g. skimmer by PM then changed I think to ETSS dual inlet skimmer used .. Nielsen Kalk reactor ...
MH 250 watts and Long Actinic bulbs in fron and back of tank running longitudinally... Really the details escape me...

I always dosed three parts daily Mag Calc Alk from ESV ... Occasionally (say weekly) dose Stronium and Araga milk by Carib sea and combiSan by 2little fishies. Once a month a couple of drops of Iodine and only when I feel like my softies need it. I increase or decrease dosing based on how the corals open up.. After the first year I rely mostly on a CR and Kal rector and less on ESV etc Bought Salifert full spectrum of tests that was a waste of money and I only tested for primary para after the tank stabilized .... like Alk C M and only if corals looked unhappy to me

Hope that helps a bit !!!

 

[RynoParsons]

That was an awesome tank. One rarely see a mature tank full grown. Most of the tanks now are bombarded with frags.....
Lovely sailfin also

 

[Osama]

Thanks Ryno... I am having a tough time locating at reasonable prices full grown corals for my new setup a 500g .. Have few hobbyist I know helping out by sharing corals .. Work in progress.. Thanks for your positive feedback as it helps keep me going .. I loved that tank as so far has been my far my best success

 

[RynoParsons]

love the full mixed reef looks more natural. Yeah even here in RSA we pay alot for bigger corals but not as much as you guys in the States we pay about $100 for a nice size sps or lps and big leathers go for $50. Thinking of it coral is stupid expensive there I will never never pay $150-$300 for a Nice Brain or zoas.

 

[Osama]

It is crazy here in USA. Myself, after being away few years am shocked at the prices and names everyone gives his coral zoas and asks for a ridiculous price for Bam Bams etc!!!

 

[RynoParsons]

I dont get the naming of zoas. Go and buy for example fire and ice zoas for $80 then its a quarter size frag. We pay $80 for a 5"×5" corol. Any way. Next build is 500g? I still use metal halides and love it on a big tank. Smallee tanks I would go led because you dont have to buy multiple units.

 

[Osama]

Ryno: IN RSA : The electrical system is it 120V or 240V ? Am asking as one day I may want to setup a tank on the Red Sea in Egypt where it is 240v system and would like to know where to buy the 240v equipment from at reasonable pricing? if & when I do that is unknown .

 

[Osama]

Today I thought I will add few pictures of my previous 180 g. Highlighting few lovely corals..Hope U like this selection.

 

[RynoParsons]

Yes we use 240v 50hz stupid 3point plugs. If we order online we use European stats.