menglish July 16, 2015 Share July 16, 2015 I wanted to show you guys [and gals] about my new build, a custom 180G upgrade. For 2 and a half years I have had a 90g tank that was doing quite well, i think. I have learned an awful lot and waned to go bigger. So last December i decided to make the more and have been planning looking at other tanks to get ideas for the tank and someone to help me with it. A fellow lady reefer {True Tricia ] recommend ERC for the job and I contacted Rich and he has been helping me with the build. So, down to the specifics; First think i did was call my electrician and had a separate 20 amp circuit installed solely for the tank Tank; standard 180g glass tank, 6x2x2 drill baby drill!!! I was going to go with a corner over flow, but then say Isaac's 180 with the custom overflow and concluded I must have one. So I did. We got a Modular Marine to build one. It is 5 feel long!!!!!! 60" The external box is 4" wide and 6" high with 3 drains held in place by 3 2" bulkheads. The internal box is 2'' wide. This thing is Sweet!!!!!!!!!!! Stand; Custom made stand that is 40" high. It had doors on ALL sides, except the back. This thing is build like a mack truck. I wanted access from all sides. I also had it water proof. No water of the floor, that was my goal [more to come on this] Sump; was getting a custom sump from Aquabox, but they went out of business before completing the build. So I went with the Trigger system sump. The TIDELINE 48. This thing is NICE!!! http://www.triggersys.com/test/tideline-specs-2/ Skimmer. I decided to go really BIG I went with the RO 9" Regal 220 INT. This thing is rated for 500g http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-9-regal-220int-internal-protein-skimmer.html The build is on!!!!!!! More to come soon. Thanks for looking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menglish July 16, 2015 Author Share July 16, 2015 Plumbing, oh what fun, My manifold, just finish this part Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yauger July 16, 2015 Share July 16, 2015 SWEET! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanM July 16, 2015 Share July 16, 2015 That's really nice. I like that overflow box. My eventual big basement build will have one of those boxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad908 July 16, 2015 Share July 16, 2015 I would make some type of support for that overflow box. I remember seeing Isaac's and couldn't believe the amount of bend the box had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime July 16, 2015 Share July 16, 2015 Looks good! I would make some type of support for that overflow box. I remember seeing Isaac's and couldn't believe the amount of bend the box had. It wasn't that much, and it was reinforced inside. Mine was also deeper, from memory. I would agree that unless it's up against the wall, find a way to shelf underneath. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menglish July 16, 2015 Author Share July 16, 2015 There are already 3 2" bulkheads holding it up. They are evenly spaced. Still think it will need more support? Suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime July 16, 2015 Share July 16, 2015 There are already 3 2" bulkheads holding it up. They are evenly spaced. Still think it will need more support? Suggestions? He's speaking of the plastic bowing slightly on the lid area of the overflow. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanM July 16, 2015 Share July 16, 2015 My acrylic overflow lid, which was 36 inches wide, bowed a lot too. I ended up replacing it with a 1/4" glass one from Laurel Glass for around 15 dollars. The glass doesn't bow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menglish August 3, 2015 Author Share August 3, 2015 I have water in the tank!!!!! Finished up most of the plumbing last Saturday, started the aqua scaping and added water to the tank. Yes! Used 140lbs of live sand and about 200 lbs of live rocks. Still need a few big pieces to finish off the rt side of the tank. Wanted to start the cycle so the tank will be ready for MACNA. I have 4 weeks. hopefully the cycle will be short. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scubaguy August 4, 2015 Share August 4, 2015 (edited) Looks Good!! hard to believe its already August and MACNA is around the corner. Edited August 4, 2015 by Scubaguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s2nhle August 11, 2015 Share August 11, 2015 Great. tagging along. any update? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menglish August 13, 2015 Author Share August 13, 2015 The tank has been cycling for two weeks now. I am happy to say there are no leaks. I did my second water test and again ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are all 0. The only problem i am still having is the skimmer. It is still overflowing. It has been running in about 7.5" of water. Still trying to find that sweet spot. I am hoping to get this tank ready in time for MACNA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menglish September 28, 2015 Author Share September 28, 2015 The tank is finally finished and open for business. here is a pic I will post a few pics of the canopy. I am really excited about how it turned out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menglish September 28, 2015 Author Share September 28, 2015 now for pics the canopy has 3 doors that can be opened up to feed the fish. To do work in the tank, the canopy can also be lift up and this gives me 14 inches to work with. Under the canopy, I have 3 Maxspeck 16K razor LED. This gives me complete coverage of light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menglish September 28, 2015 Author Share September 28, 2015 Here are my first addition to the tank. Picked these up from MACNA a few weeks ago. More to come soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menglish September 28, 2015 Author Share September 28, 2015 The canopy when lift up to give me full access to the tank. I have 14" to work with Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef September 28, 2015 Share September 28, 2015 Looking good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menglish August 31, 2017 Author Share August 31, 2017 Its MACNA time. 2 years since i started this tank. I figured it is a good time for an update. Here are a few pics. My first fish was the sail fin tang. I got this from MACNA 2 years ago when we hosted it here in DC. She is big and fat and runs the tank. The rest of the fish (lost of wrasse) are doing well. Love my euphyllia garden. Cant get enough of them. SPS are doing mostly well. Still struggling to make everyone happy. Lots of learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menglish August 31, 2017 Author Share August 31, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkiboy August 31, 2017 Share August 31, 2017 thanks for the update but pics aren't coming through. look forward to them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menglish August 31, 2017 Author Share August 31, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menglish August 31, 2017 Author Share August 31, 2017 Sorry, i am having problems uploading the pics. getting error message "You aren't permitted to upload this kind of file" even though the pics and < 1mb " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menglish August 31, 2017 Author Share August 31, 2017 Here are a few pics to see the progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpitzer August 31, 2017 Share August 31, 2017 Gorgeous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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