Just got my 180g reef redy tank need help

buddah001 · 10/19/2008, 07:03 PM

I picked up my brand new 180gal reef ready tank so now the fun starts. This is going to take some time to finish but I need your help. I want to do most of this my stuff my self. Build my own sump. What size tank for this, Build my own canopy and use mainly retrofit kits for this since I already have my ballasts. I have 2 fixtures now on 2 seperate tanks but I am going to use mogul base lights with spider reflectors 2-250w and 2-150w 20k radiums or 14k phoenix, and 4 72' URI actinic bulbs. What is the best skimmer for the money for this size tank? What return pump would you guys recommend? I need as puch help figuring this stuff out everyone!!!The tank has dual overflows so how much flow can they handle? Just need some sort of idea on what size return pump tp have.

Mr James · 10/19/2008, 07:44 PM

My last tank was a 180g.

Sump. I had a custom 60g sectioned into 3 compartments. I Had it not come with the tank I would have used a good ole boy 40 Breeder or something.

Return. I used an Iwaki 40 RLXT. But I also used all four bulkheads in the overflows as drains. Always have, always will.

buddah001 · 10/20/2008, 05:01 PM

Any other help

weluvfish54 · 10/20/2008, 05:41 PM

on my dual overflow 180 we have rio 2100 return pump and it moves enough water.
for a sump i have a 60g. it holds everything nicely.

10/19/2008, 07:03 PM	#1
buddah001 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Genoa, IL Posts: 599	Just got my 180g reef redy tank need help I picked up my brand new 180gal reef ready tank so now the fun starts. This is going to take some time to finish but I need your help. I want to do most of this my stuff my self. Build my own sump. What size tank for this, Build my own canopy and use mainly retrofit kits for this since I already have my ballasts. I have 2 fixtures now on 2 seperate tanks but I am going to use mogul base lights with spider reflectors 2-250w and 2-150w 20k radiums or 14k phoenix, and 4 72' URI actinic bulbs. What is the best skimmer for the money for this size tank? What return pump would you guys recommend? I need as puch help figuring this stuff out everyone!!!The tank has dual overflows so how much flow can they handle? Just need some sort of idea on what size return pump tp have.

10/19/2008, 07:44 PM	#2
Mr James Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 6,192	My last tank was a 180g. Sump. I had a custom 60g sectioned into 3 compartments. I Had it not come with the tank I would have used a good ole boy 40 Breeder or something. Return. I used an Iwaki 40 RLXT. But I also used all four bulkheads in the overflows as drains. Always have, always will.

10/20/2008, 05:01 PM	#3
buddah001 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Genoa, IL Posts: 599	Any other help

10/20/2008, 05:41 PM	#4
weluvfish54 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: inland empire Posts: 771	on my dual overflow 180 we have rio 2100 return pump and it moves enough water. for a sump i have a 60g. it holds everything nicely.