Here we go with a build that's going to be pretty much from scratch. I currently have very little equipment and no fish or coral to start this off with. So this should be a fun build, hopefully, and with a little luck, we'll all be able to watch it go from concept to completion, from infancy to maturity.
A little background about me, and about this tank in particular: I've spent many years in this hobby along with long hours and thousands of dollars. Due to personal reasons, around 2010, I sold/gave away everything I had and completely went on hiatus... Up until now... but lets back-track a little bit.
About 20 or so years ago I was just a kid. My dad and uncle both bought aquarims and ventured into saltwater, and then into reef-keeping. My dad bought a 90 gallon, and my uncle bought a 180. Both Clarity Plus acrylic aquariums. For years after that as a kid watched both of these aquariums grow into incredible displays. I remember bio-balls, wet/dry filters, VHO lighting, crushed coral substrate with ug filters...etc.. etc. long story short, knowing this tank was a big part of why, when I was 18, I bought my first very own aquarium, and by 22 was a full blown reefer. Skip to the present..
My uncle now owns and operates 2 different businesses... He works from morning to night 7 days a week... I honestly don't know how he does it but I have to give him a lot of credit. He asked me about a year ago if he decided to get rid of the tank if I'd be interested... which my reply was yes of course, but I was right in process of house-hunting and getting ready to move, so I wasn't quite ready for it. Now were all nice and settled in our new house, and he asked me about it again... So..... After all the childhood years of drooling over this tank....In my best evil villain impersonation.... ITS MINE!! ALL MINE!!! MUAHAHAHAHA!!!!
So now that I'm officially a blogger... Lets get down to buisness...
Heres a few pics of what I'm working with. Here's a pic of the tank as it was when I went to pick it up. It had been sitting stagnant in FW for who knows how long. Note the stand and canopy... I remember helping my grandfater in his garage build it...
loaded up ready to go
And here it is after a little elbow-grease... thats a little better... cleaned up really well for as old as it is.
And thats as far as its gone so far. So my current to do list is as follows:
-Im going to have to move a doorway in my family room in order to accommodate the tank. The location will be pretty cool, the door I'm moving will go into a fish room behind it for a refugium, prop tank and whatever else.
-I plan to modify the tank itself quite a bit... I want to install overflows and a spraybar type cls, and also modify the top bracing a bit for easier access and to improve the aesthetics of it.
- I also want to re-finish the stand and canopy, just to make it pretty basically.
So I've got alot of work ahead of me before this thing sees water again, and I plan to take pics and upgrade this thread every step of the way.... so stay tuned!
Last edited by ReeferMike; 03-26-2014 at 08:50 PM.
I like opening up the bracing but wont it hurt the supports integrity?
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Originally Posted by schminksbro
I would not cut it. Don't underestimate the need for support.
Just seems like it would be a pain to work in as it sits... I'll have to think on that one...
Speaking of thinking on it, since I got it cleaned up that's about all ive been doing is thinking about this tank. A plan is starting to form...
The original location I had planned for this tank has changed. I'm thinking now that it's going to be a through wall tank between my kitchen and dining room. Expecting resistance from my wife I pitched the idea to her, and she was like YES DO IT lol.
I've thought alot about lighting and plumbing too and think I'm going to go with t5 and led retro kits. That way I can start off small and keep adding to it as time goes on, being that I dont have cash just bursting out of my pockets. I'm thinking of starting with 2 60" t5ho, then add another 2, then add some led strips, maybe then another two etc..
Got a couple Ideas for flow, but still working out specifics. I do need a return pump recommendation. In a 180 how big of a pump should I be looking for? Whats a good brand pump, good efficiency, quiet, and under $200?
So after much thought and consideration I've decided on a location for the tank and I'll be starting on it tonight by relocating my tv (mounted to the wall). I've decided not to go inwall and the tank will be right next to a very large storage closet that will become my "fishroom" For the first time in this hobby space will not be an issue. I went today and picked up the rest of the load from my uncle. Being that I'm starting over I'm very happy for all of the equipment I got... I'd much rather upgrade as time goes by than having to buy everything at once or just going without.
Heres what I got:
55gallon glass aquarium that I plan to use as a sump.
45gallon tall glass aquarium that I plan to use as a refugium
60gallon cube glass aquarium that I'm probably going to use as a topoff reservoir.
300 watt azoo titanium heater
protein skimmer looks like an old coralife 200? with a sedra pump. I tested it and it works and will definately get me by for a while.
1500gph stream pump
kent phosban media reactor
non-functioning mag 24 pump
2 working 6ft vho lamps and ballast. uv actinic white and uv super actinic bulbs
still need to get before startup:
return pump. probably getting a speedwave dc5000
bunch of pvc pipe, fittings, unions, valves etc...
salt
refractometer
sand... maybe
still need to do:
figure out plumbing/drains for the tank/build and install an overflow
remove carpet and put in a vinyl floor for under and around where the tank will be.
move the tv.
hold up a bank
Heres some dirty equipment in a dirty garage pics for the reefers out there with appreciation for things that are dirty...
using the 55gal to test the skimmer, pumps, heater, etc:
the 60 cube and media reactor:
all the rock piled in the 45 gal
the lights! the plan is to use them for startup and for probably the next few months until the tank itself is suitable for corals. Gives me some time to save some money.
Here's a couple pics of progress so far. I've got my tv moved, and the stand and tank temporarily moved into its location in order to plan out plumbing and the layout of the fish-room. I'm pretty excited about its location... almost Ideal for a reeftank. I'm not sure if I want to put an overflow on the left side of the tank, or if I want two of them on the back wall... decisions, decisions.... Im ordering enough acrylic to go either way.
I've also got the rock that im using curing in a 60 gallon tank in the fish room. It is kept dark unless im in there checking on it, and I plan to run the skimmer for an hour or two a day. I found that alot of the rock that I got isn't lr, looks like landscaping rocks that were put into a tank. Those rocks have been separated and what's curing is what I have left. I'm planning on building rock stands so I may still have enough rock for the tank. Heading to the lfs for a new piece of lr to seed bacteria, some dechlorinator, and some activated carbon.
Busy day today. I went across the street to a carpet and flooring store and scored a linoleum tile remnant for $40. Then got the carpet cut and the tile and trim cut in. Nothing is nailed down yet though, and I'm about done for the day. I plan on replacing the base moulding in the room this week, so I'll wait until I have that in place to finalize the floor.
pics:
The remnant, with my year old lab mix Bella wondering what the heck is going on
ReeferMike's 180 gallon come-back build
... but lets back-track a little bit.
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There's nothing like being a Reefer!
Originally Posted by ReeferMike
