Planning stage for some major upgrades, need thoughts! 180 gallon Mixed Reef

MikeReef79

MikeReef79

New member
ok so thought I should give some history of my tank and show some pics to start so you know my setup and tank a bit.

I had a 90 gallon Mixed Reef for 7 year when a friend gave me a 180 gallon for free and said ok have fun. (Wife was not excited about it, she was pregnant with our second and a month to deliver) Needless to say I built it in the wall in my basement in a week, and then had it cycling the day I cam home with the baby :crazy1:

Here are some pics of the build back in December of 2012:
(Little History of my tank)

<a href="http://s467.photobucket.com/user/mikelush78/media/3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr32/mikelush78/3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 3.jpg"/></a>

Thats me and the Foreman just so you dont get us confused:
<a href="http://s467.photobucket.com/user/mikelush78/media/10.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr32/mikelush78/10.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 10.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s467.photobucket.com/user/mikelush78/media/15.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr32/mikelush78/15.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 15.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s467.photobucket.com/user/mikelush78/media/18.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr32/mikelush78/18.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 18.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s467.photobucket.com/user/mikelush78/media/27.jpeg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr32/mikelush78/27.jpeg" border="0" alt=" photo 27.jpeg"/></a>

<a href="http://s467.photobucket.com/user/mikelush78/media/27.jpeg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr32/mikelush78/27.jpeg" border="0" alt=" photo 27.jpeg"/></a>

<a href="http://s467.photobucket.com/user/mikelush78/media/29.jpeg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr32/mikelush78/29.jpeg" border="0" alt=" photo 29.jpeg"/></a>
 
Last edited:
So that is where I was, No here is where I am today:

<a href="http://s467.photobucket.com/user/mikelush78/media/180%20Gallon%20Reef%20New%20Upgrade%20Time/IMG_0425.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr32/mikelush78/180%20Gallon%20Reef%20New%20Upgrade%20Time/IMG_0425.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0425.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s467.photobucket.com/user/mikelush78/media/180%20Gallon%20Reef%20New%20Upgrade%20Time/IMG_0426.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr32/mikelush78/180%20Gallon%20Reef%20New%20Upgrade%20Time/IMG_0426.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0426.jpg"/></a>

Now for the side where it all happens:
(I just installed the slop sink during christmas)
<a href="http://s467.photobucket.com/user/mikelush78/media/180%20Gallon%20Reef%20New%20Upgrade%20Time/IMG_0427.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr32/mikelush78/180%20Gallon%20Reef%20New%20Upgrade%20Time/IMG_0427.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0427.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s467.photobucket.com/user/mikelush78/media/180%20Gallon%20Reef%20New%20Upgrade%20Time/IMG_0433.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr32/mikelush78/180%20Gallon%20Reef%20New%20Upgrade%20Time/IMG_0433.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0433.jpg"/></a>
 
My 40 gallon breeder for a sump, (yes its tiny for this size a tank lol, might be talked about soon)

<a href="http://s467.photobucket.com/user/mikelush78/media/180%20Gallon%20Reef%20New%20Upgrade%20Time/IMG_0432.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr32/mikelush78/180%20Gallon%20Reef%20New%20Upgrade%20Time/IMG_0432.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0432.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s467.photobucket.com/user/mikelush78/media/180%20Gallon%20Reef%20New%20Upgrade%20Time/IMG_0435.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr32/mikelush78/180%20Gallon%20Reef%20New%20Upgrade%20Time/IMG_0435.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0435.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s467.photobucket.com/user/mikelush78/media/180%20Gallon%20Reef%20New%20Upgrade%20Time/IMG_0429.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr32/mikelush78/180%20Gallon%20Reef%20New%20Upgrade%20Time/IMG_0429.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0429.jpg"/></a>
 
Here is the fist Upgrade I started in that wasted space under the steps, My Frag Tank!
<a href="http://s467.photobucket.com/user/mikelush78/media/180%20Gallon%20Reef%20New%20Upgrade%20Time/IMG_0430.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr32/mikelush78/180%20Gallon%20Reef%20New%20Upgrade%20Time/IMG_0430.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0430.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s467.photobucket.com/user/mikelush78/media/180%20Gallon%20Reef%20New%20Upgrade%20Time/IMG_0431.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr32/mikelush78/180%20Gallon%20Reef%20New%20Upgrade%20Time/IMG_0431.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0431.jpg"/></a>
 
My return lines are finished just needs lights and water to be pumped, going to be making a DIY led setup for the Frag Tank, got that all figured out.

Now time to get to the other upgrades I am thing about and need some help with the decisions, that's where you guys come in...
 
So now that you have seen my setup I can talk about things and you cab relate... When I had my old tank (90 gallon) I had a mag drive 9.5 and when I got the 180 the guy gave me another for free... decided to just use them since no extra cost.

Now that I am adding the frag tank, I thought might be time to change it up to a single pump to supply water to:
Two little fishies 150 reactor (setup for GFO)
Two little fishies 150 reactor (setup for Carbon)
10 Gallon Frag Tank
Display Tank
Biopellt Reactor (work in progress now)

Need help with a good pump to get that job done... the combined GOPH of both 9.5 mag drives are 1950 at 0 head, but with each foot the water travels the pressure goes down dramatically with these... I look at the new external pumps and they can go like 1700gph for like 40 feet so no clue what size i need or a good brand.

So figuring out the right pump for applications I need help with. Was looking at the Pan World but again need help.

I also am not sure if while I am doing the pump should I do something bigger and better for sump... Thoughts?
 
Maxxingout said:
Very nice! Some day I'm hoping to have my work area on the other side of the wall to my tank.
Click to expand...

Helps so much, I followed D2mini and Drummerreef's builds and their builds helped me greatly with my tank build. D2mini I still follow and still helps me ha! Hope I get his input here also!
 
Just not sure if PAN WORLD 200PS, or if that will be to much pump and PAN WORLD 150PS, or if PAN WORLD would not be ideal... Thoughts?
 
MikeReef79 said:
So now that you have seen my setup I can talk about things and you cab relate... When I had my old tank (90 gallon) I had a mag drive 9.5 and when I got the 180 the guy gave me another for free... decided to just use them since no extra cost.

Now that I am adding the frag tank, I thought might be time to change it up to a single pump to supply water to:
Two little fishies 150 reactor (setup for GFO)
Two little fishies 150 reactor (setup for Carbon)
10 Gallon Frag Tank
Display Tank
Biopellt Reactor (work in progress now)

Need help with a good pump to get that job done... the combined GOPH of both 9.5 mag drives are 1950 at 0 head, but with each foot the water travels the pressure goes down dramatically with these... I look at the new external pumps and they can go like 1700gph for like 40 feet so no clue what size i need or a good brand.

So figuring out the right pump for applications I need help with. Was looking at the Pan World but again need help.

I also am not sure if while I am doing the pump should I do something bigger and better for sump... Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I don't think you "need" a bigger sump, but you have the room so why not. Maybe a Deep Blue 80 gallon frag tank. 48x24x16. They're a little over $200 And perhaps a DC12000 pump, $100-Chinese Jebao, $250-US Waveline. They're rated at 2000 gph at 5 feet of head.
 
After thinking about it more, I dont see the need for a larger sump, by adding the frag tank I am adding another 10 gallons of volume and already dnot have an issue so thinking I will get end up getting a single pump, drill the 40 and be set

Still need help with pump, I heard talk on the Waveline DC12000 Internal/External Pump w/Controller but the reviews I am seeing are not friendly and simply don't trust it. The other pumps you mentioned I see are around 200 and have a max head of 5 feet or so where the PAN WORLD 200PS has a max head of 39 feet so for 60 bucks I feel I am getting a stronger pump and also has much better reviews...

Anyone else? Thoughts on pump?
 
Just a suggestion, Google this: "Waveline DC 6000 & 12000: The pioneering DC pump gets a major upgrade." After a lot of thought and searching I bought 3 12000's for my 300 g upgrade. ;)
 
i looked again and im seeing better reviews and the option to control flow is interesting, thanks cuzza, this might be the leading contender now
 
I bought a jebao not to long ago and been vary happy with it, but I am up grading to a snapper/dart hybrid for my 125. IMO the jebao is a good pump and dead silent.
 
hlaalu said:
Sweet set up. I wish I could do a fish room like that. Love the hand prints on the stand too!
Click to expand...

Thanks hlaalu, im lucky i have a wife thats a science teacher so she is cool with my addiction lol, and my little ones are my helpers haha

I also waited 7 years for it, so urs might be around the corner never know
 
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