FredG's 180 Information Gathering and Build Thread (1 Viewer)

[fredG]

As the title states...I'm gathering everything for my build thread and this will be the same thread I use to post the progress.

I need suggestions on some things and criticism for what I've decided on.

Tank: Standard 180 (72x24x24) with custom stand (need help building).
Lighting: 3 x 250w Metal Halides running Phoenix 14k bulbs.
Skimmer: Maybe this http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...bble-magus-bm-nac77-cone-protein-skimmer.html
This is a meshwheel skimmer and I don't know much about these.
Return Pump: TBD
Let me know of anything I might have missed.

 

[below radar]

I've been looking at this also;
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/ASM-G4XX.html

 

[below radar]

I was asking about return pumps and Ostentum directed me to Dart

 

[fredG]

Lol I understand but it seems like everyone i recommending the higher end things. I'd like alternatives as well. I was thinking maybe a panworld with some accelerators on the returns.

 

[below radar]

Accelerators? Are those the things on the return that look like older Camaro exhaust tips?

 

[below radar]

Are you going to get a chiller before you bring your tank up? The reason I didn't want to run MH is because I didn't to spend the money on a chiller. Once you bring up your tank and your A/C can't keep your tank cool enough, then you are forced to buy a chiller.

 

[fredG]

Accelerators? Are those the things on the return that look like older Camaro exhaust tips?

Umm possibly? lol I'm not sure what those look like. haaha

Are you going to get a chiller before you bring your tank up? The reason I didn't want to run MH is because I didn't to spend the money on a chiller. Once you bring up your tank and your A/C can't keep your tank cool enough, then you are forced to buy a chiller.

Umm I wasn't planning on buying a chiller. I think a huge fan over the tank and my air at 68-70 degrees should keep the tank cool.

 

[below radar]

Do you have this tank already? Glass or acrylic? Dimensions? What will this tank be housing? What about your sump?

 

[fredG]

No I don't have the tank as of now. It will be a standard 180 RR made out of Glass. The tank will be a mixed reef, mainly LPS and Softies, with some easier SPS. As far as Livestock, give me a minute to type it all lol. The sump will be at least a 40B which I currently have laying in my closet. Tank won't be setup until Mid july (a few days after I move).

Also it will be open top (no canopy) and will have a screen top covering it.

 

[fredG]

Not in the order I will/would add but this is what I'm thinking so far.

Moorish Idol - way down the line lol

Exquisite Fairy Wrasse
Neon Goby
Yellow Prawn Goby
Midas Blenny
Royal Gramma Basslet
3 or 5 Carberryi Anthias or Ignitus Anthias
Purple Firefish
Ocellaris Clownfish
maybe 3 Blue/Green Chromis
Yellow Tang
Scopas Tang
Blue Tang - not sure
Bicolor Angelfish or Lemonpeel Angelfish

CUC - still thinking.

 

[below radar]

I guess I'm alone on the type of fish that are the coolest. I like med to large fish. I understand that the drawback is that you cut down on the number of fish you can have. What I have now that will start out in my 180 is;
One Spot Foxface
Coral Beauty
Yellow T
Blue T
Chevron T
Clown
Yellow Tail Damsel
Royal Gramma
Probably going to get a Blue Throat/Jaw Trigger, Christmas Wrasse(arthur08), and a Mandarin also.
Would like to have a small school of fish too.

 

[below radar]

I WILL have an Achilles Tang, even if I have to ditch one of the other tangs...sorry yellow tang.

 

[RR-MAN]

As the title states...I'm gathering everything for my build thread and this will be the same thread I use to post the progress.

I need suggestions on some things and criticism for what I've decided on.
Skimmer: Maybe this http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...bble-magus-bm-nac77-cone-protein-skimmer.html
This is a meshwheel skimmer and I don't know much about these.
Return Pump: TBD
Let me know of anything I might have missed.

Skimmer:
BM is a good skimmer but also look into the Reef Octopus 3000 Internal Skimmer. I have the cone version and very happy with it. It performs better than my previous skimmer which was a Deltec.


Return Pump:
For return, you could use an Eheim 1262 and that's what I'm using. I believe in keeping things simple. The larger external pumps are just energy hogs and most of the time there is no need for them.

GL>

 

[Ostentum]

Saw this one earlier, might be something your interested in skimmer wise

http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/selling-forum-dry-goods/87030-vertex-180-skimmer-bb3000-sale.html

 

[mwilliams62]

Umm possibly? lol I'm not sure what those look like. haaha



Umm I wasn't planning on buying a chiller. I think a huge fan over the tank and my air at 68-70 degrees should keep the tank cool.

OH my gosh Fred you keep your AC that cold? How long does it stay on to keep it that cool in your place? If I kept ours at that temp it would never shut off.....

 

[mwilliams62]

Skimmer:
BM is a good skimmer but also look into the Reef Octopus 3000 Internal Skimmer. I have the cone version and very happy with it. It performs better than my previous skimmer which was a Deltec.


Return Pump:
For return, you could use an Eheim 1262 and that's what I'm using. I believe in keeping things simple. The larger external pumps are just energy hogs and most of the time there is no need for them.

GL>

You could always goi with "Supreme Mag 9.5 or 12" made by Danner. I will be using the 9.5 in my 125 tank. I have heard good things about Danner and I found out that Danner also puts out PondMaster and I loved my Mag 9.5 from them. It was very quite and never heated up the water.

 

[fredG]

OH my gosh Fred you keep your AC that cold? How long does it stay on to keep it that cool in your place? If I kept ours at that temp it would never shut off.....

Lol yes, I keep my a/c there and I cut it up maybe to 72 when I wake up in the morning (don't like to get out the shower freezing )


What are the advantages of a messwheel vs pinwheel

 

[emixa]

I also agree with the reef octopus. the higher end ones are using siccie pumps which tend to work alot better. also, be very careful on choosing your skimmer. look into your true load ratings. most will say that they are rated for say (example only) 180 gallons but that is truely only light load. then you find the specs and notice that they are actually only rated for 100 gallons heavy load. one thing i have learned is that you always get the skimmer that will not only meet but exceed your tank capacity under heavy load. no telling what else you might get. so example, if you are getting a 180g, i would make sure that your skimmer can perform under say 200-250 heavy load. if you are short of space, i am thinking of a space saver skimmer with inside pump, example, the reef octopus diablos or the SWC 230 which is also rated under heavy load 200.

http://www.tbaquatics.com/swc-xtrem...4.html?zenid=55557a8ff4eba4efc3f5195943b7cabc

 

[fredG]

Decided to get this skimmer http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...ubble-magus-bm-nac9-cone-protein-skimmer.html also will be picking up a 210 (7x2x2) this weekend.

eta: anything positive or negative about that skimmer choice?

 

[Mark L.]

I personally haven't used one but BM are good skimmers. I know Dennis at FJW uses them a lot and likes them.