GoReef's 180g Tank Build

[GoReef165]

What's going on my reefing people? I'm going to try and keep up with posting updates here to see this new 180's progress. I'm going to start my initial cycle later today...waiting for reef bugs..and stuff to be delivered. I'll post a few pics of my first week of putting things together. I'll have (3) Radion XR30 Gen1 lights when the time comes. I'll also post a few pics of my OG 165g tank I had up for almost 10 years but had to tear down and sell because we moved and space was an issue with our new place. I'm in Norco now where Jimmy's "Reef Lounge" superstore is and driving past him everyday grinded on me. So ya, this is all his fault. The reef bug finally got me again!

I'm looking forward to meeting everyone here. Here's to a new start!

Sorry if some of the photos are not viewing right. The thumbnails are looking like they've changed angle for some reason. Hope not but oh well.

 

[joseserrano]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[drexel]

Looks great! Welcome back to the party! I love the simplicity of the glass sump, I think they are highly underrated and makes things so much easier to work on. Congrats!

 

[GoReef165]

Looks great! Welcome back to the party! I love the simplicity of the glass sump, I think they are highly underrated and makes things so much easier to work on. Congrats!

Thank you! My last setup was very similar. I always try not to over complicate things if I don't have to. I'll be dosing and running a skimmer after the cycle is complete... and lot's of testing along the way.

 

[bakbay]

Welcome back - you’re getting off in a great start. I’ve noticed that more and more people are going with white cabinets — very clean look! Congrats

 

[Jimbo327]

Very clean. And you found the perfect spot for it.

 

[mrtian97]

Looking

 

[mrtian97]

Looking great

 

[thresher]

Neato! Looking good. New equipment always has a nice smell and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy.

 

[GoReef165]

Neato! Looking good. New equipment always has a nice smell and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy.

Yes, It has that $$$mell

 

[GoReef165]

I'm 5 days in my "fishless" tank cycle. It's moving along faster that I though but also the speed I'd hoped for. I watched a really great older video of Dr. Tim speaking at a convention and followed his advise. I've been running the tank at 84 degrees and dosing his Ammonia Chloride. Ammonia has been converted to Nitrates very quickly. So far no signs of Nitrites. It's a trip. I added 8 - 20lb bags of live sand and dosed the 2 bottles of the Fritz 900 bugs too. I have a lot of rock in the tank and in my sump which I think has helped. If things keep moving forward like they have...my wife and I will be shopping for a pair of clowns this weekend.

 

[Drew Shark]

Yes, It has that $$$mell

lol

 

[GoReef165]

I should have started this thread with my equipment list.

Equipment list:
Tank | 72x24x24 - 180 gallon 3-sided starfire (low iron) 1/2" glass
Sump | 60x16x16 - 66.5 gallon
Protein Skimmer | Bubble Magus Curve 9
Doser | Bubble Magus T01
Lights | 3 - Radion XR30 Gen1
Powerheads | 2 - Sicce XStream Wave Pump (2120 GPH) - I might buy the Sicce "Wave Surfer" controller that will turn my powerheads into pulsing/wave makers.
Return Pump | DC-1200 - Aqua Excel Eco DC pump - It also has a really nice wave pulse mode. This pump is a BEAST and really cranks @ 3,200 GPH. It has like 20 speed modes. I'm on level 2 right now and like it.
Filter Socks | 2
RODI | Aquatic Life 4 stage with inline TDS reader.
ATO | I bought a system on ebay that I had used before. It has a double float for 911. I plumbed this tank through the exterior wall so I can push older water out and ito a drain and push new top-off water and fresh salt water back into the tank through a few valves.

As you might notice, there are a few pieces that are older products. I had so much success with my last tank so I looked for them again...and $aved a few bucks. I found the doser BNIB for $120. I found the lights for $500...etc. I got good deals on my return pump, RODI and skimmer.

I realize that some of this equipment won't last as long as new pieces but that's ok. I tried to stop $ome bleeding when I could for the initial setup. But $till coughed up a chunk of change...as you all know.

That's it for now. LMK if anyone had any questions. More pics coming soon!

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Looks good. Who built the tank? Why no T5s? Haha

 

[Jimbo327]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. LOL.

Hope the new tank will replicate the success of the old tank. It'll just take some time.

 

[anthonys_aqua]

I like the raw chicken on the floor lol

 

[GoReef165]

So, I'm at around week 3 now since the tank was delivered. Tank cycled in 2 weeks! No algae or uglies (so far). I added 3 little Green Chromis and a small CUC last weekend. 8 nasarious snails, 2 emerald crabs, 3 turbo snails, 1 halloween and blue legged crabs.

If you look close, I DIY'd my Radion (RMS) arms. I bought (3) 19" black closet brackets at Lowes. I cut the middle support out and used that piece for the "T" to hold the lights. I'm a hack welder but I think they turned out great. Not bad for $60 compared to over $400 for the Ecotech setup

I'm looking for a pair of beautiful Snowflake Clowns. Please LMK if anyone knows who has a good selection in stock.

 

[All Delight]

Looking good.

Who makes the tank?

 

[GoReef165]

Looking good.

Who makes the tank?

I'm not sure. It was already built and the guy I bought it from picked it up at a wholesaler in the OC.

 

[GoReef165]

Nothing to much going on...but the new tank waiting game. Just added a couple green and purple hammers and a long polyp'd toadstool. Also added 2 Gladiator/Picasso clowns. The challenge is now ON to start getting the tank filled with some solid oldschool pieces... then I'll be looking to add $ome eye candy.