New project is underway: 180g SPS w/ 125g macro sump (lots of pics)

[taflaw]

I recently shut down my 75 and 90 g aquariums and moved all the livestock into my new 180g project. Still waiting for my new skimmer and calcium reactor to arrive. Here are some pictures of the transition to date. More pictures to follow.

 

[taflaw]

***More updates***

These pictures were taken before the new lighting system arrived and without the sump installed.

 

[DouzeCordes]

Nice!

 

[n8rad]

Right on! subscribed for sure..

 

[taflaw]

I just hooked up the sump and new lighting system last weekend. As for the return, I am using an Iwaki 55 RLT pump.

Should be about three to four weeks for my new skimmer to arrive....going skimmerless now.

Here are some pics of the reef with the new lighting system. More updates to follow. The sump is still a work in progess. Would like to run one 175 watt metal halide lamp over the sump to grow cheato and mangroves.

 

[bigfalcon36]

Your tank sucks!



Looks awesome Tim...keep up the hard work, you're almost there! By the way, get some pics of that skimmer on this thread.

 

[taflaw]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9241961#post9241961 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bigfalcon36
Your tank sucks!



Looks awesome Tim...keep up the hard work, you're almost there! By the way, get some pics of that skimmer on this thread.

Thanks Travis! I am snowed in today and decided to post my new project here as well. Can't wait for the new skimmer to arrive. I decided to hard plumb my return/sump (it is flex stuff now) but can't do it until the skimmer arrives...I plan on installing a large stand behind the sump to hold the skimmer and calcium reactor. The stand will also provide support for the PVC return. I have almost three feet clearance behind the sump to work with as well.

 

[bigfalcon36]

By the way...start saving me some frags for when I get back in Ohio.

 

[mike660r]

Welcome to the big tank club! What part of Ohio are you in?

 

[taflaw]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9243882#post9243882 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bigfalcon36
By the way...start saving me some frags for when I get back in Ohio.

Travis, don't worry.... the frags will always be available. Just start building your 120g first.

 

[taflaw]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9244682#post9244682 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mike660r
Welcome to the big tank club! What part of Ohio are you in?

Thanks, Mike! The 180g was the largest tank I could fit in my basement, otherwise I would go larger. Our next house will have a walk out basement so upgrading again will not be a problem....I am located in SW Ohio (South Dayton/Northern Cincy area).

 

[Mahlhavoc]

what lighting are you using? spectrum?

Looks nice! I will be looking forward to your sump with mangroves.

 

[Brewen]

Great looking tank, keep posting.

 

[taflaw]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9245691#post9245691 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mahlhavoc
what lighting are you using? spectrum?

Looks nice! I will be looking forward to your sump with mangroves.

I am looking forward to growing mangroves in the sump as well. As for the lighting on the display aquarium, I am running three 400 watt metal halide Galaxy electronic ballasts with 14k Hamilton lamps. I really like the 14k Hamilton bulbs ... no need to add supplemental lighting in my opinion.

 

[taflaw]

Here are a few close up pics ... still waiting for the skimmer, halide lamp/ballast for the sump and calcium reactor.

 

[Alphabet]

Looks great! Are you going to finish any of the tank area walls?

 

[Zoos]

Very nice setup.
WHat kind of reflectors are you using?

Lumenmax
Lumenarc
Coralvue?

thanks
Felix

 

[taflaw]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9255173#post9255173 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zoos
Very nice setup.
WHat kind of reflectors are you using?

Lumenmax
Lumenarc
Coralvue?

thanks
Felix

Thanks for the compliment, Felix. The reflectors are
Lumenarc III 's from Reef Exotics. I have five of them....one for the sump and one for the SPS QT setup as well.

 

[taflaw]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9254841#post9254841 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Alphabet
Looks great! Are you going to finish any of the tank area walls?

Our next house will be an in wall aquarium set up, but we have no plans to finish the basement walls for our current house because we plan on moving in a few years and figured the next owner would not care for a large reef set up in the basement.

 

[meijino]

Nice did you build the stand and canopy yourself