My 180g tank build, starting from scratch

Awesome plan.. cant wait to see it!

 

My goal with the sand is more for look than anything. We factored in a 1.2" depth, used an online calculator and it said 3 bags. But now that I think of it, it may have said 68lbs so I'll have to check it again. Either way I think it should be close.

As for the sumps, I'm planning to use one to hold a bunch of live rock. This will make it easier as I add/remove it in the future. My plans are to aquascape the tank in suck a way that there will be very little moveable rock. And since I'm probably only going to have dry rock in there to start, the sump is where all the live rock has to be.

The stand is actually a very nice stand. it has three doors, 2 of which have no center brace. We tested putting the sumps in, and because it's 2 and not one giant one they come out with ease. The back of the stand is basically open, but it'll be against the wall so I lose that option. No side doors, but I don't think they're needed.

And you're right about the computer. The way we talked through it, it will keep things as automatic as can be to make life easier for me. I'll also be doing an auto top off, and I am going to be buying an RO/DI unit to make that part of life much easier as well also. The good news is they're going to set it all up with me and teach me about the computer etc. Since I've never worked with one, the instruction will be necessary.

Thanks for all the advice! And I'll start posting pics as soon as I get something to take a picture of

Scash

 

You're in good hands with Li & the Saltwater Empire crew. Great store/people.

Also good start to an equipment list, although I'm wondering if maybe a custom sump might be worth investigating as well. There's a guy that does custom acrylic work locally here, might be worth looking into at least quickly.
www.reefmania.net

Some more information and some different ideas about possible sump configurations here.
http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html

Also, make sure that skimmer fits in the the sump before you buy it all!

Also I think that after head loss that Ocean Runner might be slightly undersized for that tank. You will be turning over the tank less than 5 times an hour which is on the low end of the spectrum.

 

It sounds like you have put some good thought into it and have a great plan. I'm no expert, I just mention stuff I have ran into. Enjoy, it will be great.

 

Thx for the advice. I've been thinking of having a custom sump built, but not 100% sure what it would cost. Do you think it would be right around $400? If so, it probably makes a lot more sense to go custom. As for the return pump, how many GPH should I get for a 180g tank? And do you have any suggestions?

I'm also now thinking I want to do a Custom stand, with a custom open top canopy. I'd still like to use the same fixture, but I just really like how clean the canopy looks. I'd just like to hang the fixture so it's just inside the canopy. It'll also give me a little extra wiggle room to do a bunch of moonlights and retrofit additional lighting if I need it later.

Again thanks for all the help everyone is providing. I'm getting more and more excited about it every day. Hopefully going to pull the trigger very soon on all of this.

Scash.

 

I have no clue what a custom sump costs, it probably depends what features and exactly what size it would end up being. I think $400 is a very realistic ballpark for it though maybe a little on the low end since you're paying for custom work along with the acrylic costs.

I like tall stands too, mine is going to be 36" tall custom as well.

If you're thinking of doing a canopy why not save yourself some money and retrofit the entire thing? Fixtures are expensive. Leave the back of the canopy open and put some mesh over it so your fish can't jump out and then put a couple fans in the top blowing out to keep the whole thing cool and suck out the humidity.
Just an idea, that's what I'm doing with my canopy (although I'm not building it so I can't help you with too many details).

 

May want to consider something more powerful than a 900g/h return pump. After you factor in the head distance, you might only get 500-600g/h. Should definitely try to get somewhere between 4-6 x total water volume/hour as a base point.

 

Yep, I plan on going bigger with the return pump. Thanks to advice from a few people including yourself. I've been going back and forth with the idea of a canopy and retrofitting. I think I may just do that. The only thing is I don't seem to be able to find an ATI retrofit kit. Although I guess I am not stuck on ATI, I just hear amazing things about it.

Scash

 

ATI doesn't make a retrofit kit that I know of. Reefgeek makes good non-overdriven ones but I don't see them on their site, I got my Reefgeek retros from Saltwater Empire, you could check with them. I'm sure they can get them for you. They use basically some of the highest quality reflectors and good ballasts and then you can get ATI bulbs for them if you're really stuck on ATI (good bulbs though for sure).

You shouldn't be disappointed with a Reefgeek retro kit. I would say go with an Icecap retro but if you're only planning on doing soft coral that's kind of a waste since their ballasts overdrive the bulbs.

 

How about a picture?