Jersh's 180 gallon reef tank build

Jersh · 05/25/2014, 06:37 PM

After 14 years out of the hobby, I'm excited to start up a new 180 gallon reef tank. I had a 75 gallon FOWLR tank back in high school and I had a lot of fun with that tank. I eventually ended up selling my setup, after a tank crash, to a friend. Now that I'm older, and more patient, I'm looking to take my time and do things the right way.

I welcome any advice and or suggestions that you might have for me. I've been doing a lot of forum surfing and research into what has changed since I last had a tank. I'm so glad that there are resources like Reef Central now. I feel like this adventure into the world of saltwater tanks will be much more successful than my last. No longer do I have to rely on a few outdated books and advice from the LFSs!

My plan for this tank is to have around 20 peaceful and reef safe fish. I also plan on keeping some tridacna clams, LPS, and a few soft corals. I haven't quite nailed down a stocking list yet, but Snorvich has been a big help in that department.

So far my tank has been up and running for a week. I bought 140 pounds of dry rock and 25 pounds of live rock. I bought the Bali Alor live rock from aquacon.com and supposedly it was already cured. I decided to hypersalinity dip and cure it in a separate tank for a few weeks, just to be safe. I didn't observe any hitchhikers in the dip or curing process.

Equipment List

Trigger systems Ruby 36s sump
SRO 3000 internal protein skimmer
2 500w titanium Finnex heaters hooked up to a STC1000 temp controller
2 Tunze 6095
3 Kessil A350W
Sicce Syncra Silent 5.0(1321 GPH) return pump ( about 7x turnover per hour)
Tunze 3155 Osmolator auto top off (still need to hook it up)
I also bought a 2nd return pump and replacement heaters, in case of equipment failure.

I was also thinking about adding two Sicce Voyager 2 (800 GPH) power heads to increase the flow in certain spots.

Let me know what you guys think of the setup so far.

Jersh · 05/25/2014, 06:41 PM

Jersh · 05/25/2014, 06:50 PM

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I'm not sure how to imbed the IMGUR pictures without them spreading to the whole page.

Brando457 · 05/25/2014, 10:31 PM

very nice, I have a 180 gallon myself.

What are you stocking plans

? My tank is still cycling.

Jersh · 05/26/2014, 01:49 PM

My list keeps changing, but this is pretty close to where it will end up.

1 blue reef chromis
Pair of Ocellaris clownfish
1 midas blenny
1 yellowhead jawfish
1 exquisite fairy wrasse
1 red velvet fairy wrasse
1 orange back fairy wrasse(or a pair if I can find one)
1 McCoskers flasher wrasse
1 male 2 female blue flasher wrasse
1 male 2 female lyretail anthias
pair of green mandarin
1 tank bred orchid dottyback
1 powder brown tang

I might add one or two wrasse to the list and possibly a foxface lo

Brando457 · 05/26/2014, 02:36 PM

I love your stocking list, it is pretty much what I had before my tank crashed.

Mine is going to be similar except I'll have a tang or two.

maddmaxx · 05/26/2014, 02:44 PM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...68112&page=437

i would check your intended fish list with snorvich on the link above. he will give you best long term success rate..

21-23 fish is a decent bioload for a 180g. wrasse eat a ton cause they are always active. and 2 mandarins are going to be tough cause they will compete against each other for pods and then compete with the wrasse for pods also.

so again check with snorvich to give you best long term success..

Jersh · 05/26/2014, 05:12 PM

I've already been posting my list to Snorvich's stocking list thread. I understand there will be a lot of competition. I plan on buying pods online and keeping some live rock rubble/rocks in a net in my refugium to take out and drop in the main tank, to replenish the pod population.

I've also been considering setting up a brine shrimp feeder like the one is this thread I found here on Reef Central.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...r+for+mandarin

maddmaxx · 05/26/2014, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jersh

I've already been posting my list to Snorvich's stocking list thread. I understand there will be a lot of competition. I plan on buying pods online and keeping some live rock rubble/rocks in a net in my refugium to take out and drop in the main tank, to replenish the pod population.

I've also been considering setting up a brine shrimp feeder like the one is this thread I found here on Reef Central.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...r+for+mandarin

i believe only baby brine is beneficial. adult brine is like pop corn..

maddmaxx · 05/26/2014, 05:34 PM

i forgot to say earlier also. i like the rock scape. makes the tank look a lil bigger then what it really is.

RockyProndoa · 05/26/2014, 08:53 PM

Looking good so far! I am in the same boat as you, getting back into the hobby after an extended hiatus and just recently started my 125g in-wall setup (first week of cycling atm). Btw...what part of MI? Toledo, OH here.

Jersh · 05/27/2014, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maddmaxx

i forgot to say earlier also. i like the rock scape. makes the tank look a lil bigger then what it really is.

Thanks. I spent a lot of time just staring at all of the rock, and I didn't think I would find an arrangement that I liked. I still feel like taking some rock out. It just seems like so much rock for 165 pounds.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyProndoa

Looking good so far! I am in the same boat as you, getting back into the hobby after an extended hiatus and just recently started my 125g in-wall setup (first week of cycling atm). Btw...what part of MI? Toledo, OH here.

Do you have any pictures up on the forums here? I had thought about doing a smaller tank in wall build, between my kitchen and front room. I'm from around the tri-city area in the pocket of the thumb.

RockyProndoa · 05/27/2014, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jersh

Do you have any pictures up on the forums here? I had thought about doing a smaller tank in wall build, between my kitchen and front room. I'm from around the tri-city area in the pocket of the thumb.

Not yet, I am getting around to starting a build thread,hopefully in the near future.

Pretty close to me...any good LFS up your way?

Jersh · 05/28/2014, 03:17 PM

I have to drive an hour or so, to get to a good LFS. From what I've read the best are Preuss Pets in Lansing and Reef Paradise and Pet Supply in Flint.

I haven't gone to either yet, but I might do some road tripping this weekend. I plan on buying most of my fish online.

nathanjohnson09 · 05/28/2014, 03:31 PM

Sounds like a great list for fish cant wait to see some updates

05/25/2014, 06:37 PM	#1
Jersh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Michigan Posts: 106	Jersh's 180 gallon reef tank build After 14 years out of the hobby, I'm excited to start up a new 180 gallon reef tank. I had a 75 gallon FOWLR tank back in high school and I had a lot of fun with that tank. I eventually ended up selling my setup, after a tank crash, to a friend. Now that I'm older, and more patient, I'm looking to take my time and do things the right way. I welcome any advice and or suggestions that you might have for me. I've been doing a lot of forum surfing and research into what has changed since I last had a tank. I'm so glad that there are resources like Reef Central now. I feel like this adventure into the world of saltwater tanks will be much more successful than my last. No longer do I have to rely on a few outdated books and advice from the LFSs! My plan for this tank is to have around 20 peaceful and reef safe fish. I also plan on keeping some tridacna clams, LPS, and a few soft corals. I haven't quite nailed down a stocking list yet, but Snorvich has been a big help in that department. So far my tank has been up and running for a week. I bought 140 pounds of dry rock and 25 pounds of live rock. I bought the Bali Alor live rock from aquacon.com and supposedly it was already cured. I decided to hypersalinity dip and cure it in a separate tank for a few weeks, just to be safe. I didn't observe any hitchhikers in the dip or curing process. Equipment List Trigger systems Ruby 36s sump SRO 3000 internal protein skimmer 2 500w titanium Finnex heaters hooked up to a STC1000 temp controller 2 Tunze 6095 3 Kessil A350W Sicce Syncra Silent 5.0(1321 GPH) return pump ( about 7x turnover per hour) Tunze 3155 Osmolator auto top off (still need to hook it up) I also bought a 2nd return pump and replacement heaters, in case of equipment failure. I was also thinking about adding two Sicce Voyager 2 (800 GPH) power heads to increase the flow in certain spots. Let me know what you guys think of the setup so far.

05/25/2014, 06:41 PM	#2
Jersh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Michigan Posts: 106	some pictures

05/26/2014, 02:36 PM	#6
Brando457 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Caldwell, NJ Posts: 1,281	I love your stocking list, it is pretty much what I had before my tank crashed. Mine is going to be similar except I'll have a tang or two. __________________ My Build Thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2259598 Current Tank Info: 180 gallon in wall w/ 75g sump & 40 breeder fuge

05/26/2014, 02:44 PM	#7
maddmaxx Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 3,003	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...68112&page=437 i would check your intended fish list with snorvich on the link above. he will give you best long term success rate.. 21-23 fish is a decent bioload for a 180g. wrasse eat a ton cause they are always active. and 2 mandarins are going to be tough cause they will compete against each other for pods and then compete with the wrasse for pods also. so again check with snorvich to give you best long term success.. __________________ One Life One Shot Current Tank Info: 40B Mixed reef

05/26/2014, 05:34 PM	#10
maddmaxx Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 3,003	i forgot to say earlier also. i like the rock scape. makes the tank look a lil bigger then what it really is. __________________ One Life One Shot Current Tank Info: 40B Mixed reef

05/25/2014, 06:50 PM	#3
Jersh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Michigan Posts: 106	IMG_0016.jpg IMG_0026.jpg IMG_0024.jpg IMG_0019.jpg I'm not sure how to imbed the IMGUR pictures without them spreading to the whole page.

05/25/2014, 10:31 PM	#4
Brando457 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Caldwell, NJ Posts: 1,281	very nice, I have a 180 gallon myself. What are you stocking plans ? My tank is still cycling.

05/26/2014, 01:49 PM	#5
Jersh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Michigan Posts: 106	My list keeps changing, but this is pretty close to where it will end up. 1 blue reef chromis Pair of Ocellaris clownfish 1 midas blenny 1 yellowhead jawfish 1 exquisite fairy wrasse 1 red velvet fairy wrasse 1 orange back fairy wrasse(or a pair if I can find one) 1 McCoskers flasher wrasse 1 male 2 female blue flasher wrasse 1 male 2 female lyretail anthias pair of green mandarin 1 tank bred orchid dottyback 1 powder brown tang I might add one or two wrasse to the list and possibly a foxface lo

05/26/2014, 05:12 PM	#8
Jersh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Michigan Posts: 106	I've already been posting my list to Snorvich's stocking list thread. I understand there will be a lot of competition. I plan on buying pods online and keeping some live rock rubble/rocks in a net in my refugium to take out and drop in the main tank, to replenish the pod population. I've also been considering setting up a brine shrimp feeder like the one is this thread I found here on Reef Central. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...r+for+mandarin

05/26/2014, 08:53 PM	#11
RockyProndoa Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 204	Looking good so far! I am in the same boat as you, getting back into the hobby after an extended hiatus and just recently started my 125g in-wall setup (first week of cycling atm). Btw...what part of MI? Toledo, OH here.

05/28/2014, 03:17 PM	#14
Jersh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Michigan Posts: 106	I have to drive an hour or so, to get to a good LFS. From what I've read the best are Preuss Pets in Lansing and Reef Paradise and Pet Supply in Flint. I haven't gone to either yet, but I might do some road tripping this weekend. I plan on buying most of my fish online.

05/28/2014, 03:31 PM	#15
nathanjohnson09 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 54	Sounds like a great list for fish cant wait to see some updates