Widefx 180 Build

[ADA33]

Hey guys. I had a hard time trying to figure out where to put this thread. I originally was thinking the Large Reef Tank Forum but Geeeees those guys all have Huge tanks now :eek2:
This one would be more of a nano to them.

Ok here are the specs

180g 72"x24"x24"
CL with Dart and OM 4 way
2 6100 not on a controler
2 Wireless Vortechs
65g sump little giant for the return
55g fuge (will only have Chaeto)
JBJ 1/3 hp chiller
Reef creations 2 chamber calcium reactor
2 x 400w PFO mh with reflux 12k SE Bulbs
BB
H&S A150 F2001
ASM G4 (will be fully moded as time permits)
2 reactors (1 for GFO and 1 for Carbon)
RK2 for the controller
About 180 pounds of rock if I add more it will probably go in the fuge.

I am really looking for more of an open look

I will post project pics in a minute. but here is my current 75g

 

[ADA33]

Most if not all the softies will go. Except for my Devils Hand Leather which was my first coral.

Tank with no water

Top down of structure

 

[ADA33]

equipment shots

 

[ADA33]

Tank with water in it

 

[ADA33]

I will be building a wall around it and there is about 4 feet behind it for a mini fish room. Also that is the wall to my garage. So once we build our new garage the fish room will have to grow.

I will be adding electrical soon just figured I would get the cycle going with no lights for know.

All the rock is base rock at the moment. On the right side I will be adding live rock from my current tank to get everything rolling.

 

[ADA33]

I have everything running at this point and for the most part everything is doing ok.

Except for 2 things

The temp is running at 80.6 with no lights and it seems that when the JBJ comes on it actually is heating the water instead of cooling it.

Also the little giant that is the return pump is very hot to the touch is that normal? It is a little louder then I had expected too. I did oil it but did not seem to make a difference.

 

[ADA33]

LOL this thread is turning into my own personal blog.

Got the Chiller figured out. Basically I did not calibrate the temperature it was off by 5 degrees.

Any one have an answer to the Little Giant question?

 

[EddieJ]

I have a Little Giant running with 11' of head and it runs hot. I have heard from a few people they tend to run hot. It is not very quiet but since it is in the basement and the tank is on the first floor it does not bother me.

 

[ADA33]

Hey thanks EddieJ for the reply!

Any one know of a good pump that is quiet and doesn't run as hot as the Little Giant 3-MDQ-SC?

 

[Brandon M]

Your tank is going to look great! I like your rock work!

 

[SkyPapa]

I switched my little giant out for a gen-x 40. It only runs my chiller on a small closed loop.
The gen-x is a lot quieter than the LG and isn't nearly as hot.
It has a sort of whirring sound.
But like the other poster my gen-x is in the garage.
That being said, the gen-x doesn't get much love here on RC.
I just bought a gen-x 30 to plumb a 40g breeder into the 120.

 

[ADA33]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12295384#post12295384 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Brandon M
Your tank is going to look great! I like your rock work!

Thanks so much for the compliment. I will probably increase some height to the middle section and to the very right to create some type of structure with the live rock out of my 75g. Hopefully I can add a little more visual interest. It is hard to capture the depth via a camera that I am trying to achieve.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12295923#post12295923 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ecr111
I switched my little giant out for a gen-x 40. It only runs my chiller on a small closed loop.
The gen-x is a lot quieter than the LG and isn't nearly as hot.
It has a sort of whirring sound.
But like the other poster my gen-x is in the garage.
That being said, the gen-x doesn't get much love here on RC.
I just bought a gen-x 30 to plumb a 40g breeder into the 120.

I really haven't researched a lot of pumps. What is the negativity relating to the Gen-x pump?

I really need help finding a replacement for this LG because it is very noisy.



I may take some more pics today because the water is soooo clear.

 

[SkyPapa]

I haven't really seen bad things about them. They just don't get recommended very often.
The gen-x 40 has been running 3+ yrs 24/7 on my chiller.

 

[ADA33]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12302119#post12302119 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ecr111
I haven't really seen bad things about them. They just don't get recommended very often.
The gen-x 40 has been running 3+ yrs 24/7 on my chiller.

Thanks for the info. It would be nice if you were able to test pumps out for sound. Is there anyway to get a db reading for pumps?


Also here are some pics of the refuge with the lights in now

Lights if America being installed

 

[ADA33]

G4 Mods

G4 Mods

Ok I finished making mods on my G4 I picked up for $100. IT also had a sedra 9000. Here are picks of the mod

Before

Drawing reference mark for hole

After Drilling Recirculating hole

Adding rubber

Installed pump

 

[ADA33]

Overflow Mod

Overflow Mod

Drilled new hole

Installed Rubber

Put in barb

After 3 days nice Skim

I will also add my H&S after my 75g transfer


What do you think?

 

[ADA33]

Couple more photos

Water is really getting clear. Did a 20% water change today. Also checked Ammonia and Nitrites.


Ammonia 0%

Nitrites .25

Nitrates .5

I was hoping to put some of my fish from the 75g over but it lookes as though I should wait another week.

I will move some of the rock over though.

LOL :lol: My first aptasia that I need to knock out. :fun2:

 

[SkyPapa]

Looking good but if all you have in it is dry base rock, where did the apt come from?
I think I will get a steel stand like yours when I get to upgrade.
Did you have it made locally or are you steel skilled?

 

[ADA33]

Thanks for the reply.
I actually put in some macro in the fuge and 25lb of live rock from the 75g. More then likely the aptasia came from the macro since my cbb cleans the rocks nice. Here is a picture of him with my pork fish.

 

[ADA33]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12413085#post12413085 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ecr111

I think I will get a steel stand like yours when I get to upgrade.
Did you have it made locally or are you steel skilled?

Sorry I forgot this question. I was fortunate enough to buy the stand with the tank. It was built by one of our local reefers. They are great and make for a lot of extra room under the tank. I love that this one is actually higher then normal. It is very easy to work in and around.