My 180g tank build, starting from scratch

Scash's 180g build, updated with pics!

So I have been doing a decent amount of research and have talked to as many people knowledgeable as I can find, and I am getting very close to pulling the trigger on a completely brand spanking new 180g setup. I plan on doing mostly soft corals and standard fish. Here's what I am looking at:

Tank/Stand:

Aqueon 180g dual overflow (in corners) with modern stand 72x24x24

Lighting:

ATI 8x80W T5 HO fixture (haven't decided on bulb setup just yet)
This will be an open top setup with the fixture hanging from the ceiling

Return pump:

OceanRunner 3500 - 900GPH

Sump:

Octopus Reef Sump 36x18x18
Octopus Reef Sump 29x12x14 (daisy chained)

Skimmer:

Octopus Extreme 300

Pumps:

2x Vortech MP40W

Rock:

200 lbs. of Dry rock
20 lbs. of live rock (in the sump)

Computer:

AC III controller
2x AC DC8 power strips w/ timers


So with that being said, I'm close to pulling the trigger and buying it all. But it's a big chunk of change and thought I would see what you all thought before I do. Would love for anyone to shoot holes in what I have listed and/or tell me if I'm on the right track. Thanks for the insight.

Scash

 

I just saw that tank today at my LFS---SWEET!!! Love the corner overflows!!!

 

Keep us updated I am defenetly subscribing to this. I am trying to save up funds right now to do my 180G dream tank.

If you don't mind, please keep us up dated on how much this has cost you? I quickly threw some stuff in a cart and priced my dream tank at about $6000 but I am hopeing it comes out to alot better than that thow

 

Looking forward to seeing this thing put together!

 

The big DITTO!!!! Looks like you've been reading and doing your homework!!!! K+ to ya!

Linda

 

Actually it's looking like it will come in right around 6-6500. I'll break down each piece below. I'm buying everything through my LFS, which has scared me up until today when I went to a different one. The last store I was at not only gave me poor recommendations, they were way overcharging. I went to a different store today, recommended by someone from this forum, called SaltWater Emporium in the Minneapolis area. The guys name I talked with was Li, and he's incredibly knowledgeable. The gear I have listed he walked me through step by step and made sure everything I was looking to do would work. I let him know I was doing alot of online shopping and he was very upfront at what he could and could not match match/beat. Being in sales myself, it was very refreshing. Anyways, here's the breakdown.

Tank/Stand - $1325 - This was a sale price, down from $1599. It's still more than I wanted to spend, as I saw a similar tank/stand for $900 at a previous LFS. The difference was the 2 overflows were on the back, and the stand wasn't as nice. I'm still kicking around the idea of a DIY stand, but to be honest I just really don't feel like building one. But maybe if I price it out, I will convince myself otherwise. I think the tank alone was 699.

Lighting - $1250 - This is the price drop shipped to my house. It's actually slightly cheaper than I could find anywhere else online. Again, this price does not include bulbs.

Return Pump - $98.99 - Best price I could find online was $99.99 for this, before shipping.

Sumps - $211.49 and $188.99 - Again cheaper than I could find anywhere online even before shipping. The only thing I have not researched in depth is having a custom sump built for me, but I actually think it'd probably be a little more expensive.

Skimmer - $512.99 - I have found it cheaper online for $479.99, but after shipping it's fairly close to the same price. And since they've done better on all the other pricing I probably won't haggle for a few bucks.

Pumps - $380 each - Again these are $20+ cheaper each than I could find anywhere online, even before shipping.

Computer - $283.49 - I couldn't find this one online, but based on the first store asking $450 for the same model, I'm thinking its a pretty good deal.

Strips/Timers - $139.99 each - Again not sure on these as I couldn't find them online. So any input here would be great. I think they are supposed to work somehow with the computer.

Rock - Dry rock is $3.25 per lb, Cured live rock is $8.99 per lb. This is the only thing I'm not really sure about. The biggest thing with this rock is that if I buy from them, they'll help me aquascape and drill it all together for free. So I'm thinking it's probably worth it. Even though it seems to be a tad more expensive than some of the sites I have seen. The other benefit is I can actually pick the pieces I want, and they have tons and tons of it.

Sand - 3x20lb bags at 35.24 each. It's dry sand and not live sand.

And on top of all of that, they'll not only deliver, but help me set it up and make sure I understand everything for free. It's been a while since my last reef tank, so a refresher course certainly wouldn't hurt. All in all it's $5950 before the bulbs (there was some misc. stuff I didnt put in like plumbing, etc.). It seems like a pretty good deal, when you throw in all the extra support and having the piece of mind that the LFS sold it to me and I can just drive 10 minutes to them to get things fixed.

What do you think? Sound like the right type of deal?

Scash

 

Why not check craigslist for a local tank for sale? You could save at least half I'd bet.

 

Oh ya, I have been. But there just hasn't been anything on there for some time. Plus, I really like the corner overflows and you just don't see too much of that with older tanks (at least I haven't seen it). I'm ready to pull the trigger, but still waiting a bit. Really trying not to jump in too fast, like I generally always do. Not to mention as soon as I do, it'll be my luck that some sweet set-up goes on craigs list.

Scash

 

My only recomendation is to understand what you are doing with your computer. $280 sounds about right for a controller alone. The $450 you mentioned might have been a package, which is the most common way they are sold.

The AC III and 2 DC8s will do you good.

Also, what is your goal you are doing with sand? I only ask because you have 60 lbs listed. I have 60 lbs. in my refugium. 60 lbs will not cover much in a 180, unless of course that is your intention.

Last... just curious what your plan its to dasy chain sumps. Is one going to be a fuge? When you look at your new setup, look at the ability to remove stuff. Do the doors have center braces? Can you remove those sumps if need be?

I could not take my sump out of my stand, or add another one. I had to load it from the top. In the future you may want to change things. One nice feture is having the end opened with a door. So you can move it all out by the end. You could look at setting that up before you set up the tank. Just take a look at access and consider possible future changes.

 

I have roughly 70 lbs in my 160g and I think it's too much. just my opinion but i like to keep the sand depth down to avoid trapping nutrients in the sand bed. Can't wait to see the progress. G/L.