My 1st 180 build

Chris8232 · Jun 15, 2017

Rock is still in bleach bath. Power heads , return pump, biopellets reactor, marine pure should be in next week.

Chris8232 · Jun 20, 2017

VarioS 8 return pump, Gyre 250's came in!

Chris8232 · Jun 22, 2017

Reactor and media came in. Plywood cut and coated in plastic dip. Got a bit of plumbing started.

Chris8232 · Jun 23, 2017

Main plumbing completed.

Chris8232 · Jun 23, 2017

BP reactor does fit in the section with the skimer but it's a tight fit.

CoralWealth · Jun 23, 2017

looks good! Following along, I am sure you cant wait to get it wet

Chris8232 · Jun 24, 2017

Not thrilled about the rock scape I'm sure there will be some tweaking. I opted to run my ro/di line straight to the tank early this morning. Wait for it to fill, wait and wait... Test for leaks, add salt and temp get the bio going. 200 lbs of caribsea special grade sand should be in next week. The anticipation a killer. Thanks for following along.

Chris8232 · Jun 25, 2017

Almost 24 hour's no leaks! Got the gyre's temp powered up. They sure mixed my aquaforest salt well. Added gallon of matrix. Mixed-up some bacteria soup for the back side of bricks ×2.

Chris8232 · Jul 3, 2017

Threw in some pieces of aged marine pure from old tank. Got the BP tumbling, seeding with bacter 7. I haven't been seeing any thing on my APi test. A few days ago I threw a few chromis in . Iv had some bimaculatus in copper for about two months . Need to put a top on, test the water with much cheaper fish before Im comfortable adding. I had a older compact for temporary light. I'll probably order lights this weekend.

cracker · Jul 3, 2017

Great job Man, You set the 180 up Almost exactly how I did mine . Great size also !

Chris8232 · Jul 3, 2017

cracker said:
Great job Man, You set the 180 up Almost exactly how I did mine . Great size also !

Thanks! Slowly but surely its coming along....

Chris8232 · Jul 8, 2017

Seeded with a few pods. Get the population up before the wrasse posse gets introduce. Added two skunk shrimps and a eating copperband. Will see how that goes... Put together screen tops.

Chris8232 · Jul 9, 2017

Diatom setting in. Looks like I'll be blowing rocks off daily. MJ 1200 in hand makes quick work. Along with kicking return pump on high for water clarity.

Chris8232 · Jul 28, 2017

Added four bimaculatus anthias few weeks back. Two we're getting pushed out. One went missing for the past few days. Think he's a loss.
Picked up a micro hippo couple weeks ago.
Introduce a Achilles Tang and transferred purple tang today.
Will attempt to catch my melanurus for transfer before next weekend.
My red coris wrasse may be the next transferred. I'm getting tired coming home to my pectinia flipped over every week now for the past month.

Still have the same temporary lighting. Just when I'm about ready to order something comes up. Frugal

jahnje · Nov 29, 2017

Going to be setting up a 220. Are you still happy with your stand? I'm going to steal your design if you are. Looks really clean. Do you have an rough specs on it?

Chris8232 · Nov 29, 2017

jahnje said:
Going to be setting up a 220. Are you still happy with your stand? I'm going to steal your design if you are. Looks really clean. Do you have an rough specs on it?

I'm very happy with the stand. It's constructed of 3/16" thick 2"×2" and 2"×4". Over all hight of 41", the length and width are 1" bigger so there would be a 1/2" reveal all the way around. I set the bottom shelf at maybe 4" from the ground so I would be able to gain access if needed. Degreased and coated with Dupli-Color anti rust coating (3 coats) then final coated with rubberized rocker guard which has a textured look. All can be purchased at your local auto parts store. I wanted to powder coat it but the quote of $350 wasn't appealing. I could attach a sketch latter if you'd like

jahnje said:
Going to be setting up a 220. Are you still happy with your stand? I'm going to steal your design if you are. Looks really clean. Do you have an rough specs on it?

jahnje · Nov 29, 2017

Awesome, thanks. Yeah, if you want to attach a sketch I'll take it. No sense in me having to re-think the same thoughts someone else already has.

jahnje · Nov 30, 2017

Couple of questions/verifications.
Here's my cut list. Does it match yours?
4 x (2x4) @ 21-7/16"
2 x (2x4) @ 69-7/16"

2 x (2x2) @ 21-7/16"
2 x (2x2) @ 69-7/16"
4 x (2x2) @ 41"

And what's your placement of your horizontal 2x4 spans?

All butt joints right?

Chris8232 · Nov 30, 2017

I didn't measure last night. Placement of the center braces I set dead center to the ones that are on the tank. You see them in this pic. All but joints except for the four upright 2"×2". I cut into the 2"×2" leaving 3/4" and recessed the horizontal 2"×4" into. Then fully welded both sides. I also took some 1/8" ×2" flat steel to cap the bottoms of the four legs. Leaving no penetration points for corrosion to set in.