Santiago's 180G Build

saintperez · 09/03/2008, 07:46 PM

And the destruction begins.

Michael · 09/04/2008, 05:48 AM

hi-santiago, nice to have you here, why not introduce your self and tell us a little about your set up in words as well as pics, just noticed this in the unanswered threads, this needs to be answered, so a few words and a hello should kick things off, welcome to RC

To Reef Central

saintperez · 09/04/2008, 06:52 AM

Thanks Michael, glad to be here. I was recently given by my ex-wife her old system before she upgraded to a 500 gallon for her new home. The tank she gave me is a 180G 61X24X31.
Her are the basics:
> Trickle filter, not sure what brand but it holds about 20-30 gallons.
> Sealife systems Impact Protein skimmer.
> 1/3HP Dolphin Ampmaster 4700 Pump.
> 2 MH not sure about wattage.
> 2 Actinics 110W. Not sure about the ballast (No labels on it).
> 3 large Radio Shack cooling fans pointing in , inside the canopy.
> 1 Refrigerator cooling fan pointing down on the sump in the stand
> 60Lbs. of Life Rock
> 50Lbs. of base Rock.

I've had two marine 55G aquariums before, Fish only, the longest one lasting a little over a year. I didn't do my homework then so had no idea about the cycles, the light requirements etc. This time I've taen a little over a month to scour the internet and Library for as much information as possible. SOmetime I get a little confused by the lingo the pros use but I try to keep up and take in as much as possible to avoid mistakes.

I'm hopeing to fill er up this weekend and put in the live rock and substrate. My girlfriend is sick of seeing me only looking at aquarium stuff and dragging her to the fish stores he he. I'm a software engineer by day and Airbrush artist by night. She's feeling a bit pushed to the side by the fish. I'll make sure to take her out to a good seafood dinner this weekend.

Looking forward to making new friends here.

Regards,
Santiago

crvz · 09/04/2008, 06:57 AM

looks like a fun project, would love to hear more about it.

Michael · 09/04/2008, 06:57 AM

well thats a great size tank for a reef, wow, personally id ditch the wet/dry and try to accomadate a sump under the tank, is the tank drilled?in the long run if you want a full blown reef and i can see no reason why you cant achieve it with a 180 then you will probably need a little more rock as your tank is a lovely large size, i will have another look at your pics and hopefully re-join this thread again, im pretty sure you will make some good friends here, we are all friendly on this forum

Michael · 09/04/2008, 07:01 AM

what type of power heads and quantities have you got or intend to get?

saintperez · 09/04/2008, 06:55 PM

Michael, that's a good question. I've had powerheads hidden behind my dead coral in my previous tanks but I'm thinking about some type of wave maker system, any recommendations? Keep in mind, my tanks is sitting as a peninsula and therefore will have to get creative with that side of the glass if anything is on the exterior. Other than that I'm up for recommendations. I forgot to mention that the return pipe is comming up the center overflow with four flex squirts (not sure what else to call them) pointing in different directions. I'm thinking I will try and put the two closes to the overflow pointing down at a slight angle towards the outer edges. The other two will be at a 45 maybe 30 degree into the water from the top of the water surface. SHould I have these setup in any other fashion?

And yes, I do plan on getting more rock, at least another 80 -100 Lbs. Just have to wait because the wallet isn't happy at all.

saintperez · 09/22/2008, 05:37 PM

SOme updates of the tank with rocks and it's first inhabitants

saintperez · 09/22/2008, 05:40 PM

saintperez · 09/22/2008, 05:43 PM

Here's the tank at 3 weeks

mckostya · 09/22/2008, 05:55 PM

great looking tank so far. id change the aquascape a bit, but looks good!
btw 180G is perfect size

saintperez · 11/14/2008, 09:10 PM

It's been a while and about 3 months later. Sorry for the flash and bad pictures. Still trying to understand this camera.

saintperez · 11/14/2008, 09:12 PM

saintperez · 11/14/2008, 09:13 PM

saintperez · 11/14/2008, 09:15 PM

saintperez · 11/14/2008, 09:17 PM

saintperez · 11/14/2008, 09:18 PM

Michael · 11/15/2008, 01:24 AM

starting to look great santiago, i love the size of that tank, h--mmm, makes me think about the 8ft gap between 2 chimney breasts in my house, great shots as well, glad you did some posting, nice to see you back, what equipment have you got running now?

saintperez · 11/15/2008, 06:42 PM

Dolphin Ampmaster 4700 1/3hp.
2 Koralia 4
Wet Dry (I kow, I have a sump/refuge that was given to me by smchais in the garage that I will be installing in the near future.)
Sealife Systems Impact skimmer IS400 running with a Mag12.
2 MH (not sure of wattage)
2 VHOs Atinics

Got a 1HP TECO RA2000 chiller that I will be installing soon as well but now that winter is around the corner, there's no rush. Temp is not passing 80.5 degrees in the middle of the day.

Topping off with RO/DI and must say I have not seen any algae bloom.

Do about 25% water change with natural sea water once a month.

Params are all good although today I checked Calcium for the first time and it's a little low around 380. I'm dripping Kent Kalkwasser every day about 2 gallons. I heard the two part B-Ionic would do a much better job. ALso read that a phosbane reactor would help. Can't afford a calcium reactor right now.

saintperez · 11/17/2008, 05:55 PM

Ned help, think I'm comming down with Cyano. One rock is looking pinkish, not sure if i's Cyano or Coraline.

Anyway to tell?

09/03/2008, 07:46 PM	#1
saintperez Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boca Raton, FL. Posts: 1,062	Santiago's 180G Build And the destruction begins.

09/04/2008, 05:48 AM	#2
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	hi-santiago, nice to have you here, why not introduce your self and tell us a little about your set up in words as well as pics, just noticed this in the unanswered threads, this needs to be answered, so a few words and a hello should kick things off, welcome to RC *To Reef Central* __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

09/04/2008, 06:57 AM	#4
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	looks like a fun project, would love to hear more about it. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

09/04/2008, 06:57 AM	#5
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	well thats a great size tank for a reef, wow, personally id ditch the wet/dry and try to accomadate a sump under the tank, is the tank drilled?in the long run if you want a full blown reef and i can see no reason why you cant achieve it with a 180 then you will probably need a little more rock as your tank is a lovely large size, i will have another look at your pics and hopefully re-join this thread again, im pretty sure you will make some good friends here, we are all friendly on this forum __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

09/04/2008, 07:01 AM	#6
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	what type of power heads and quantities have you got or intend to get? __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

09/04/2008, 06:52 AM	#3
saintperez Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boca Raton, FL. Posts: 1,062	Thanks Michael, glad to be here. I was recently given by my ex-wife her old system before she upgraded to a 500 gallon for her new home. The tank she gave me is a 180G 61X24X31. Her are the basics: > Trickle filter, not sure what brand but it holds about 20-30 gallons. > Sealife systems Impact Protein skimmer. > 1/3HP Dolphin Ampmaster 4700 Pump. > 2 MH not sure about wattage. > 2 Actinics 110W. Not sure about the ballast (No labels on it). > 3 large Radio Shack cooling fans pointing in , inside the canopy. > 1 Refrigerator cooling fan pointing down on the sump in the stand > 60Lbs. of Life Rock > 50Lbs. of base Rock. I've had two marine 55G aquariums before, Fish only, the longest one lasting a little over a year. I didn't do my homework then so had no idea about the cycles, the light requirements etc. This time I've taen a little over a month to scour the internet and Library for as much information as possible. SOmetime I get a little confused by the lingo the pros use but I try to keep up and take in as much as possible to avoid mistakes. I'm hopeing to fill er up this weekend and put in the live rock and substrate. My girlfriend is sick of seeing me only looking at aquarium stuff and dragging her to the fish stores he he. I'm a software engineer by day and Airbrush artist by night. She's feeling a bit pushed to the side by the fish. I'll make sure to take her out to a good seafood dinner this weekend. Looking forward to making new friends here. Regards, Santiago

09/04/2008, 06:55 PM	#7
saintperez Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boca Raton, FL. Posts: 1,062	Michael, that's a good question. I've had powerheads hidden behind my dead coral in my previous tanks but I'm thinking about some type of wave maker system, any recommendations? Keep in mind, my tanks is sitting as a peninsula and therefore will have to get creative with that side of the glass if anything is on the exterior. Other than that I'm up for recommendations. I forgot to mention that the return pipe is comming up the center overflow with four flex squirts (not sure what else to call them) pointing in different directions. I'm thinking I will try and put the two closes to the overflow pointing down at a slight angle towards the outer edges. The other two will be at a 45 maybe 30 degree into the water from the top of the water surface. SHould I have these setup in any other fashion? And yes, I do plan on getting more rock, at least another 80 -100 Lbs. Just have to wait because the wallet isn't happy at all.

09/22/2008, 05:37 PM	#8
saintperez Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boca Raton, FL. Posts: 1,062	SOme updates of the tank with rocks and it's first inhabitants

09/22/2008, 05:40 PM	#9
saintperez Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boca Raton, FL. Posts: 1,062

09/22/2008, 05:43 PM	#10
saintperez Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boca Raton, FL. Posts: 1,062	Here's the tank at 3 weeks

09/22/2008, 05:55 PM	#11
mckostya Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 145	great looking tank so far. id change the aquascape a bit, but looks good! btw 180G is perfect size

11/14/2008, 09:10 PM	#12
saintperez Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boca Raton, FL. Posts: 1,062	It's been a while and about 3 months later. Sorry for the flash and bad pictures. Still trying to understand this camera.

11/14/2008, 09:12 PM	#13
saintperez Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boca Raton, FL. Posts: 1,062

11/14/2008, 09:13 PM	#14
saintperez Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boca Raton, FL. Posts: 1,062

11/14/2008, 09:15 PM	#15
saintperez Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boca Raton, FL. Posts: 1,062

11/14/2008, 09:17 PM	#16
saintperez Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boca Raton, FL. Posts: 1,062

11/14/2008, 09:18 PM	#17
saintperez Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boca Raton, FL. Posts: 1,062

11/15/2008, 01:24 AM	#18
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	starting to look great santiago, i love the size of that tank, h--mmm, makes me think about the 8ft gap between 2 chimney breasts in my house, great shots as well, glad you did some posting, nice to see you back, what equipment have you got running now? __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

11/15/2008, 06:42 PM	#19
saintperez Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boca Raton, FL. Posts: 1,062	Dolphin Ampmaster 4700 1/3hp. 2 Koralia 4 Wet Dry (I kow, I have a sump/refuge that was given to me by smchais in the garage that I will be installing in the near future.) Sealife Systems Impact skimmer IS400 running with a Mag12. 2 MH (not sure of wattage) 2 VHOs Atinics Got a 1HP TECO RA2000 chiller that I will be installing soon as well but now that winter is around the corner, there's no rush. Temp is not passing 80.5 degrees in the middle of the day. Topping off with RO/DI and must say I have not seen any algae bloom. Do about 25% water change with natural sea water once a month. Params are all good although today I checked Calcium for the first time and it's a little low around 380. I'm dripping Kent Kalkwasser every day about 2 gallons. I heard the two part B-Ionic would do a much better job. ALso read that a phosbane reactor would help. Can't afford a calcium reactor right now.

11/17/2008, 05:55 PM	#20
saintperez Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boca Raton, FL. Posts: 1,062	Ned help, think I'm comming down with Cyano. One rock is looking pinkish, not sure if i's Cyano or Coraline. Anyway to tell?