Newbie to a 180 - help on build (plumbing, pumps)

glbtrottr

New member
Hey all!

I have a 180G AGA Reef Ready that I used for a few months, but I'm ready to take it to the next level. I just moved, so it's the perfect time. It's in a basement, and behind it is a set of stairs where I can run equipment and a 50G rubbermaid tub.

I was thinking of implementing Herbie's "silent drain" on the drain kits. Curious to know everyone's experience on this.

If I do this, it also means I have to use returns on the tank. I'm guessing this may mean also drilling 2 additional holes, one on each side, to run an OM squirt in closed loop fasion. Does anyone agree?

For pumps, I have 2 6100's with a 7095, a vortech, and a wavebox. For return pumps I have a panworld 200PS (noisy), a Sequence Dart, and in the past I used a Velocity T4. Still debating on how to go.

I have one of Rod's Reef 40G sump.fuges that lived under the tank and still can. I also purchased separately a 50G rubbermaid tub I planned on stocking with lots of live rock. The plumbing is still fuzzy in my head.

Skimmers? I have an ASMG4X, and I was purchasing a Precision Marine Bullet 3.

Calcium: I have in my pocket a Deltec PF501 with an Eheim pump, and a Precision Marine Kalkreactor on a 20lb CO2 bottle and a milwaukee regulator.

I also have a set of 3 beautiful GEO fluidized reactors that run in serial for chemipure, purigen and phosar. How I plumb these, the chiller, and the 50G rubbermaid I need help with. I don't know if I want to drive it all through one line/pump, 2 or more.

Lighting: 3X 250W PFO Mini DE pendants, 2X Reefoptics SE pendants, 3 250W M58's and 2 400W M59 Ballasts. I also have an Icecap 660 to run 2 72"vho's, but I also have an ARO ballast for 4 48"VHO's that I never used.

For control, I have an AquaController 3 pro, and I also have a couple of smaller ACJr's. There is also a Ranco controller I ran my 1/3HP chiller with.

For topping off, I have a 3 way aquamedic doser - I for fresh water, 1 for salt water, and another for calcium. I'm hoping to continually automate water replenishment and water changes.

Please provide any input and Ideas - I have read a lot of threads, but the plumbing escapes me a little (adding the 50G tub, getting rid of the T4 Velocity, possibly going Closed Loop, doing the silent drain mods on the drains, drilling the tank...). Lighting setups and ideas welcome.

The idea is to have a tank in the basement where I can run SPS all day long...anyone with large tanks in the Boston Area is also welcome!
 
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