Upgrade to 180gal help

Over the next few months I will be upgrading my 75gal reef tank to a 180gal

I would like the help from the community - some does and don't s

Some of the things I have purchased or made so far.

Drilled 180 - stand - skimmer - 750 gph sump pump - refugium/sump 65 gal

substrate (3 inches) - transplanting live rock with 70lb of dry rock

Decisions still to be made.
LED lighting system
cal reactor
ATO
and anything else I have missed.

I was planning on doing it slow - moving over everything over a 2 month period.

Please give me some things to look out for.

 

Deff sounds like funn...

For me a ATO.. Is almost a must only becase of evap. And i am not one for lifting heavy water jugs around to top off along with well remembering to check it.. lol...

CAL reactor ... if you plan on growing corals the will need alot of calcium of course no brainer..but Starting off with the new up grade to larger tank and probaly frags of SPS.. (i am not sure if you have larger Sps) the demand for one may not be needed rite away and can get away with testing reguarly and dose cal as needed...

Led .. I am in the same boat as you i to have a 180gal and kicking around MH vs Led... I know everything says go for led's cause of Energy and longevity of the light system it self vs changing bulbs every year or so with MH.. So on that note that would be up to you and well how deep your pockets are for the upgrade for led's. Am sorry if i am not a big help with the led's..

Keep in mind just my $.02

Best of luck . And cann't wait to see build pics...

 

750 gph sump doesnt sound like enough. I use a mag 12, about 1200 gph on my 120 and thats decent flow. You may want to upgrade it.

 

I was thinking the same thing. ^^^^

What kind of plumbing are you planning? Is it minimal with very few turns?

 

That will not be the flow requirement - I did forget to say I will be adding a wave box (I do have fan's already)

 

What type of ATO do you use? Was it a dyi project?

I don't have any sps right now but will down the road.

 

You will want at least 1200 gph running through your sump and more like 2000 is ideal.

 

Here's a newer model than then one i have used.. ITs a cheap one but it worked for my needs.

Link: Aquarium Maintenance & Plumbing: Eshopps Auto Top Off Float Valve


I know there are better systems for more $$ at the time this one worked best for me.. And I checked it weekly for operation to make sure it did not fail. I know there are mixed views so keep a open mind..

 

I also have a refugium - the reason for the 750gal - Maybe I did not communicate the sump set up - the system I set up is drawing the tank water via surface (gravity fed) so the 750 is only used to pump back into the dt.

if that is still not enough please let me know

 

I think I understand what you're communicating. You have a 750 gph pump sending water back to the display tank from the sump - which means that this is the total volume cycling through your sump (and as such protein skimmer and other filtration).

You really need a pump that is about 1200 gph minimum on a 180 and preferrably closer to 2000 gph.