180 build (1 Viewer)

[mario8402]

Upgrading to a 180 thought I would make a thread like everyone else to track my progress.

Here is the tank and stand the day I got it.

didnt like the stand much so I rebuilt it:

tank on newly painted stand:

painting the back with roll on latex

And here is where it is as of tonight:

My friend and I are building this. Mostly my friend but I do a good job watching haha

Its still not done, but getting there slowly but surely.

As far as equipment, I will be using 3x 250w pendants, an eheim 1262 return pump, and an Octopus Extreme 250 (or MSX)..

I do believe I will need a smaller sump though.. this 75 is taking up alot of space, I may need to go with a 50 or 55 so if anyone has one, let me know!

I still have a long way to go so this will be a SLOW build, but I have a deadline of Feb since I will be having a kid soon!

 

[nemo713]

thats really nice. a 180 is a really good size tank, if you ask me. i really like mine, i just wish i would of done the smart thing and painted the back before putting it in place and filling in up

 

[mike13oy]

wowwwww. i love the stand buddy

you have to hurry up before the baby comes..

 

[thenewone]

nice and great time im building mine as well

 

[mario8402]

nemo, I could see where it would be a pain to paint the back on a running tank

thanks mike, the stand should look alot better we make the canopy and its all stained.
I am trying to hurry!

maybe I will have to copy some stuff from you thenewone haha

 

[boogaman]

It looks very nice.

 

[mario8402]

^thanks.

Skimmer is in!
This thing is awesome! makes my current one look like a POS
freshly opened

thats a 2 litter

collection cup

I only have one issue... I think I need another sump

Originally I was going to use a 75, but its a big too long for me to fit everything that I have planned.. dont get me wrong, stuff fits, but its going to be tight in on the side of the stand and also overhead with the way the stand is plus I need room for my ballasts etc.. ..
the skimmer fits great in it

So i got a 55gal from another member (thanks rob!) that I was going to use even though its still the same length the width would allow me to put stuff up front or in the back... Problem is, its a bit TOO narrow.. I can fit the skimmer but would have to take the pump on and off to get it in and out ..

SO looks like I need a 50gal for sure... 36x18x18 per Aqueon...

 

[thenewone]

man very nice skimmer what model is that

 

[mario8402]

Extreme 250

 

[thenewone]

this set up is turning out very nice.congrats keep it coming

 

[mario8402]

thx dude. wish I could hurry and get it up and running

 

[trb]

Your stand is VERY nice! I think I will have to copy it a bit to finish mine out. Looks like it will be a piece of furniture, not just a tank stand.

Good luck on the rest of it.

 

[julio]

i really like the stand

 

[mario8402]

thanks for the comments..
anyone have any ideas for the canopy? We will be building it soon and I am trying to figure out the best way to set it up to hang 3 DE pendandts in there and still have access to the tank.. I dont think I will do doors,but maybe have it hinge upwards?? any ideas or pics would help!

 

[RR-MAN]

thanks for the comments..
anyone have any ideas for the canopy? We will be building it soon and I am trying to figure out the best way to set it up to hang 3 DE pendandts in there and still have access to the tank.. I dont think I will do doors,but maybe have it hinge upwards?? any ideas or pics would help!

Looking good thus far...

Is it possible to hang the pendants without a canopy?

 

[mario8402]

nah.. I llike the way a canopy looks and I dont want the light pollution in my living room. plus I am using 3 pfo pendants and probably 2 48" t5 retros so it wont look good more than likely

 

[tas5tas]

Everything looks good, but you're probably going to hate that skimmer. I had the 300 and it was stupid loud. You can't get the pumps within 1/2" of anything otherwise the resonance from them can be heard from 40 feet away. The skimmer will fit sideways in a 75g, but you will have to remove the pumps to get it in and out. Coralvue just started offering a different pump for those skimmers as an upgrade that actually pull more air, use less power and are dead silent. If the skimmer hasn't seen water, I would contact Coralvue about swapping the pumps.

 

[mario8402]

yeah but it costs more money :\
getting it in and out of the 75 is not an issue.. the 55 is though.. looks like I will be using the 75 as the sump unless I have one built out of acrylic

 

[tas5tas]

When I had mine, I could hear the skimmer all the way in my kitchen which is about 45-50ft away from the tank. Coralvue was great about trying to resolve the issue....they threw parts at it for about 3 months. Finally I got it quiet enough to sell it and bought a Hurricone Cat 2 internal. Now my tank is dead silent.

 

[mario8402]

were you running the mesh mod or stock pinwheels? I heard some people complaing of noise and switching to the ATB purple pinwheels helped.

also looks like you had the older model from your build thread, doubt it makes a difference but who knows... looks like everyones experience with every skimmer (even the same ones) are different.

I also noticed that you had it turned with the pumps facing the front of the tank.. why? no wonder it was too close to the glass

I am going to be putting it in there with the pumps going from side to side like the pic posted.. plent of space front and back and I will push the baffle over enough too like my pic

the 75 makes my skimmer look small haha