New 180G!!! WOOHOO!!!!

[suasponte2/75]

I just picked up my new monstrosity this weekend... 180 Gallon (6x2x2) tank :rollface: . This is a huge step from the 60 G. The wife let me order it for my christmas/anniversary/birthday present wrapped up in one shot .

Now it's time to plan this bad boy out!!

I'm planning on setting up a closed loop w/ a Sequence Dart and having it all wrapped up with 2 x 6100 Tunze Streams w/ 7095 controller.

Here's my questions:

1. Will a 2" bulkhead w/ strainer be enough inlet for the Dart set-up or do I need to drill another bulkhead. I would prefer to do just one. I'll also be returning to 4-5 x 3/4" outlets.

2. Should I expect much or any in regards to micro bubbles if all the seals are good?

3a. How far down should I drill the bulkheads so as to not create a whirlpool effect from the top? 3b. How low can it go before it starts sucking in sand or should I even worry about this?

4. Is this too much flow for a mixed reef (80% SPS, 10 LPS, 10 softies and clams)?

5. Anything else I should expect/be worried about?

Thanks for any input you larger reefers can clue me in on.... Woohoo... I'm a new large reefer member!!!! I'm attaching some pics!!!


Minh

Next to my little girl.

Next to the old teeny tiny 60 gallon.

 

[Rhodan]

Congrats on the new tank. Looks good...Be sure to keep us all posted. After talking to a few people with 180 gallons, I drilled two 2" bulkheads being connected to a sequence Dart..Each hole is approx 1/3 from left and right sides. But you don't want to be to close to the sand bed cause it will suck up the sand and like you mention you don't want to be to close to the top either. So I measured about 14" above where my sand bed will be and drilled there.

I hope this helps, but after re-reading it it sounds like a bunch of blah, blah, blah.


Good Luck!

 

[suasponte2/75]

So has it been working for you? I see that your banner states that your tank is still under contruction. Is this from your experiences with the tank fully up and running? Did you use a strainer cap as well to avoid livestock being sucked into the pump?

Thanks,

Minh

 

[i2ik]

Hey Minh, i am having a Dart taking water from 2 intake of 1.5" each. the way i did mine was a "u" tubing going over the brace in the tank with a strainer. I had to prime the tubing and by doing that way, i did not have to drill the tank. On my other tank, i am also having a Dart in closed loop and its about 12" from the fake sand bed and i dont have a whirlpool in any of my setup

Congrats on the new tank!

Quan

 

[suasponte2/75]

Thanks Quan, I've been waiting since I started my 60 .

I would prefer to drill it since it's acrylic and try keep as much PVC out of the tank as possible. So I'm guessing that halfway between the sand and waterline should be okay?

Does anyone run with only 1 feed to the Dart? Me thinks that 2 feeds are the way to go from the responses so far.... Is this for redundancy/safety or by need?


Thanks,

Minh

 

[xinumaster]

Congratulations on the new tank. Can you tell us were you got your tank and price? Sorry for me asking. I'm planning for a bigger tank too.

By the way thanks for the corals you give me.

 

[suasponte2/75]

Thanks Xinumaster, I PM'd you on your question.

Critters built the tank and Angelo's Custom Woodworking made the canopy and stand.

I am extremely satisfied with all the work done. Exceptional quality. I need to mention that Steve @ Lucky Ocean coordinated all this and his Customer Service is exceptional. I bought my first tank set-up from him and will forever go to him with all my future tank purchases (like I need another tank ).

He followed up with me every other day (for 3 weeks) with the progress of my tank and even called me while I was in Vegas and remembered too!!! After I received my tank and stand he then followed up and confirmed that everything was received in perfect condition and contacted the vendors to call me to get touch up paint and answer questions. Now that's customer service and you can't put a price on that (the tank and stand prices were really competitive as well ).

Thanks,

Minh

 

[suasponte2/75]

Look at the size of these openings!

Look at the size of these openings!

Just showing the top openings on this beast (17" x 30"). The openings were beveled and flame polished (no more cutting into the arms during maintenance). All the bulkhead holes were also flame polished. I can't yet imagine the maintenance ease and landscaping possibilities with these openings. There's only a 5" center brace!!

Minh

 

[suasponte2/75]

Some pics of the base rocks I'm about to order!! I'll add my current live rock to seed these boulders!!

That pole next to the rock is 12"!!

Another angle

Here's a piece that's shaped/stacked like a star destroyer!!!

Close up of the mother ship (insert darth vader's theme song ).

Minh

 

[jer1198]

where did ya find that base rock??
looks nice.

 

[xinumaster]

those base rocks look nice. Did you got those from www dot hirocks dot com?

Perry

 

[Psyire]

reeferrocks I'm willing to bet. I can spot that patio anywhere. lol

 

[suasponte2/75]

and the winner is........ ding ding ding... Psyire!

Yep Capt. Jer picked some nice pieces for me. We did a few takes to get it right and he was really quick to oblige .

Thanks for the comments. Can't wait to start aquascaping....

Minh

 

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

very nice...

 

[suasponte2/75]

Deltec APF600

Deltec APF600

Here's a pic of the fish poo/pee remover . Deltec's APF600 straight outta the box!! You smell that... you smell that?? That the smell of fish poo !!!

Minh

 

[8BALL_99]

I have a Dart on my 180.. Its on a closed loop with an oceans motions 8Way.. I have two 1" inlet and eight 1" outlets for the closed loop.. Works great.. The inlet to the pump is only 2" So I dont really see the need for 2x2" bulkheads.. Also with mine I only went about 7" below the water.. IMO you dont want to go very far cause you might need to remove the screens from time to time to clean them.. If they are low in the tank they will probably have a ton of rock infront of them..

 

[suasponte2/75]

I'm afraid with a 2" inlet that close to the top may suck in some air via whirlpool. My logic tells me that I'll have more suction than you would from the single 2" than you would with the dispersal of the 2/1" inlets?

Minh

 

[signal7]

Wow, the tank, stand, and canopy all look great. Who made them?

 

[suasponte2/75]

Some New Toys Arrive!!!

Some New Toys Arrive!!!

Thanks signal7, I listed some info on the tank and stand in my earlier posts.

Some new toys arrive today :dance: . Dart, Mag 12, Tunze 7095 controller and of course the all important grounding probe :eek1: . The streams are on their way with my two rocks (tunze) that I bought for $65/each :eek1:, I also received my third lighting but it was missing the ballast (Hamilton Reefstar). Hellolights is working on getting that to me next week . They forget to pack the ballast but included a cylinder with some M&Ms . Oh well, things happen. It'll be a while until I fire this bad boy up anyways!!! Now off to do some plumbing .

Minh

 

[suasponte2/75]

Closed Loop Set-up

Closed Loop Set-up

A few pictures of my closed loop set-up. Any feedback will be highly welcomed!! I have not glued the piping yet.

Backside

The little Dart!!

I figured that I'd add a spigot that can be attached to a garden hose that'll hopefully ease the water changes.

Top right side of the loop.

What do you guys think?

Thanks,

Minh