BigBear’s 180

[BigBearMD]

So excited to be starting this build. I ordered a Planet Aquarium 180 with stand and canopy, well on my birthday, five weeks ago. Today we (we = Two Men and a Truck) got it into my house.

I couldn’t be more excited to get this going.

Of course, I destroyed the BRS Black Friday sales. I have a whole pile of equipment to get into this tank. I’m planning for the Triton Method and bought the Trigger System Triton 44 for a sump.

I’ll be chronicling (and looking for help) the build here.

 

[Matthew Frost]

Nice, looking forward to watching this one go together.

 

[BigBearMD]

Obligatory child in tank picture.

 

[BigBearMD]

Starting the plumbing.

 

[BigBearMD]

 

[BigBearMD]

Plumbing is coming along.

 

[AKSYD]

looks very good! that sump and tank looks fantastic

 

[BigBearMD]

Plumbing done.

I still don’t have the return pump. [emoji53]

Rumor is the Neptune Cor20 is coming out soon. It’s rated to 2000gph. I want to run the Triton system and ideally would get more flow than that on this 180.

I need to do a little head loss calculation now that I have the plumbing completed.

 

[BigBearMD]

 

[sneub]

Following

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Looks great!

 

[BigBearMD]

Anyone have thoughts on the return pump? I’m very torn between waiting a week or two for the Neptune Cor or figuring out were to grab a Varios-8.

 

[BigBearMD]

Well this is going to slow down progress.

Baby girl #2 was born today.

 

[Ponraj A]

Well this is going to slow down progress.

Baby girl #2 was born today.

congrats and wish you all the best !!!!

 

[BigBearMD]

Ok. Grandma has the baby. So time for a little aquascaping. I’m not in love with this first designs. Thoughts are appreciated.

 

[BigBearMD]

Option 2

 

[BigBearMD]

Sand went in. 120lbs. Only got me 3/4” deep. Considered another 60lbs. Maybe I’ll put the rockscape in then add sand around them.

Time to upgrade the RO/DI to a 150gpd unit and refresh the filters.

 

[BigBearMD]

The extra tall pipe will be my main overflow but for now I’m letting a gallon of RO/DI dwell in the box to look for leaks.

 

[Matthew Frost]

Option 2

Aquascaping is A LOT of personal preference, what one person loves the next person hates. My .02, I might try for a bit more height. I don't know what your stocking or lighting plans are but you may want some area near the top of that tank to grow some higher light demand corals.

 

[BigBearMD]

A buddy game over to see the new baby. I talked him into helping with a couple of the bigger rocks and putting the canopy on for a photo

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