My 180g tank build, starting from scratch

Looks sweet!

 

Looking good! If you can't find a place for all the rock in the display it never hurts to have some in the sump as sort of an unlit refugium, or semi-cryptic zone.

 

Actually that's been the plan all along. I basically bought Li's entire system and that's how he was running it. I'll be using the sump chuck full of rock for all the additional filtration. He's had it set up that way for a year now, without ever having algea growth problems, and all params have been great. Thanks for the info!

Scash

 

Been traveling on vacation for a week and a half, and just before I left I did a little more aquascaping. I also dropped in the sand, but didn't take any pics due to it being so cloudy. I get back in town tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to test the water. If all is well, I'll be adding a pair of clown fish as and a couple coral frags to get my tank started. Here are a couple of pics after my aquascaping. I'm still not done yet, but I'm getting closer and closer.







The only other question I have is around chillers. I think I am going to need one, as the tank is running a tad hot. in the low 80's with the canopy doors closed and right around 80 with them open. What should I get? In-line? Drop-in? Budget isn't really the issue. I'm ok with spending the money as long as it's worth it. Thanks for the help.

Scash

 

Ah, so THAT's where Li's system went!

Looking good so far! You could try putting a fan over the sump or over the tank blowing on the water, evaporative cooling can drop a tank by several degrees without a major investment into a chiller.

One thing with aquascaping, Unless you're intentionally going for the "wall of rock" look (some people really like it), it sometimes looks more "natural" if the rock isn't so uniform in height and overall shape. Maybe try having one side a little higher so it slopes up, or even creating a channel down the middle, creating two islands, or maybe a pillar on one side, that sort of thing. Just some ideas for ya.

 

Thanks for the tips. The thing I was really trying for at the beginning was the caves, and some shelving for coral. I'll be adding more rock soon, to build up two or three mountains if you will. That should give it a little more natural look. Just need to buy a few more big pieces of rock, as I ran out. All the other rock is in the sump at this point and its pretty small. I get back in town tomorrow and will continue to work on it. More pics to come soon!

Scash