My 180 build by DFM34

[dfm34]

So after much debate on whether or not to start another build thread I figured what the heck. For several reasons I broke down my 75 and am upgrading to a 180. I plan to post my progress here as often as I can and hope to gain valuable insight from you all along the way. Please comment on my design plans and enjoy the journey.

The tank will be place in the basement next to a closet which will hold my 75 gallon sump and equipment. After a couple of coats of killz this is what it looks like.

The tank was delivered its a marine land 180 with corner overflows.

I picked up a 72" Hamilton Cebu fixture 3x400 watt MH and 4x54 watt t5. Pictures to come.

Next steps : run electric to the closet and plumb the tank. Hope to have some more updates this weekend.

[dfm34]

Picked up the lights these things monsters

Also started to work on the sump this has me a little concerned so please chime in with suggestions. The sump is my old 75 DT with a pre drilled corner overflow. I will remove the corner overflow and I was going to raise the sump up with a 2x4 platform drain from the bottom and use an external return pump. My concern is as I raise the sump up it gets close to level with the drains on the DT. I will have about 1" to 2 " pitch at best. I am not sure if there will be enough pitch to drain into the sump.






My other option is to cap both predrilled holes and use an internal pump. I will ponder this tonight and see if anyone has suggestions.

[dfm34]

So I decided to give the platform a try.

I notched out the back left portion of the platform so I can run the pvc from the sump bulkhead to the external pump. This is a top down view



This is a dry mock up of the plumbing for the drain from the sump bulkhead to the external pump. I plan on placing the external pump behind the chiller.





Today I also added the closet doors





I am probably going to have to drill the sump to get the right pitch from the DT drain to the sump. But that is next weeks project.

[Kenmx10]

Looks Nice. Where did you get the stand?

[dfm34]

Thanks the stand came with the tank from a LFS here in NJ (Tropaqurium) It was a slight upgrade price wise $80 from the standard stand but I definitely liked the look better.

[dfm34]

Happy Thanksgiving to all on reef central. I will have some more updates this weekend. Enjoy the day.

[scottsdale454ss]

I think the rule is 1/4" of pitch per foot for plumbing. why not sell that 75G and buy something that fits under the main tank? Im sure lots of people want a 75G with built in overflow :-)

[dfm34]

Originally Posted by scottsdale454ss

I think the rule is 1/4" of pitch per foot for plumbing. why not sell that 75G and buy something that fits under the main tank? Im sure lots of people want a 75G with built in overflow :-)

Good to know about 1/4" per foot. Funny thing is I tried to sell no offers in a month +. I guess I am stubborn and want to use that closet it does give me mor room then under the tank.

[dfm34]

I went and did some Black Friday shopping



Picked up this blueline 55 pump which should give me enough flow. I should finish the plumbing tomorrow. Stay tuned.

[dfm34]

So before I start to plumb the tank I am trying to figure out what skimmer to use. I am leaning towards a lifereef VS3-30 in sump. If anyone has any suggestions or comments I welcome your feedback on this or any other skimmer. Thanks

[dfm34]

I ran into my first issue I could not line up the blueline return with the sump drain I was off by 2 1/2". So I had to raise the platform with additional 2x4.



Since adding the extra 2x4 the drain and the pump line up perfectly.



I measured the height of the return drain line on the DT and the height of the sump I should have 1" to 2" of drop but I am going to have drill through the side of the stand. Does anyone think this will weaken the integrity of the stand???

[hdking]

be sure to make sure your chiller has enough airflow around it. i dont run one but ive heard they can prematurely fail when inclosed in a cabinet and such.

[dfm34]

Originally Posted by hdking

be sure to make sure your chiller has enough airflow around it. i dont run one but ive heard they can prematurely fail when inclosed in a cabinet and such.

Thanks HDKing that's a great point I think I will move the chiller to left side of the tank outside of the closet. The more I think about this the more it makes sense from the heat issue you mention to just ease of running the plumbing.

[dfm34]

After HDKing's advice and another trip to Lowes I reworked the return pump plumbing so the chiller is now outside of the closet






Of course I now notice the chiller in/outlets are 3/4" I plan on using flex pvc to connect the chiller but I am not liking the reduction from 1" to 3/4" then back to 1" on the DT. I would greatly appreciate comments from anyone who has plumbed a chiller inline before since this is new to me.

Thanks Dan

[dfm34]

So took a week off from the build and have been thinking (which is dangerous) I need some advice from you all out there so please don't be shy.

My question is The sump will have a center section that will be aprox 20"x 17" x 9" or 14 gallons give or take. My plan was to leave this and use it for frags in the future. I was going to build a platform over part of the sump place a 10 or 20 gallon tank on it for a refugium. I was going to feed this with a separate pump that was T'ed off and also feed a manifold for gfo carbon etc.

Now my thought is keep it simple and just use the center section of the sump for a refugium. Please let me know your thought before I do something stupid.

[dfm34]

I decided I had to add a stand for the ato there was no way I was going to make one fit with a customer order and I would rather spend my money on other things. This is what it look like

[MysteryReef]

Looking good!!

Drilling a hole in your stand will not weaken it as long as you don't drill through the frame of the stand.

Out of curiosity, do you plan to put a strainer or screen of some sort on the inlet to the return pump. I am referring to the elbow that sticks up in your sump?

I would recommend it to avoid anything chunky getting sucked into the impeller.......

[dfm34]

Thanks for the info on the stand drilling that's good to know. I definitely plan on adding a strainer just have not picked one up yet.

[dfm34]

Worked on some more plumbing today still have to drill the tank never did that so I'm am nervous .... Maybe tomorrow

[dfm34]

Received the Christmas gift I bought for myself.

Eb8

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Advance leak detection

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Vortech module

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Balk valves for a manifold.

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[dfm34]

Finally got up the nerve to drill the sump. I used the cup as a reservoir to hold water and keep the bit cool.

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Success at last

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[dfm34]

Since I drilled the tank for a return pump I capped both of the pre drilled holes and can now place the sump on the floor.

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I have to re work the plumbing a bit but it's all dry fit so this should not be an issue.


Also spent the day working on a manifold that will be fed by a mag9. I did not want to dead end the manifold so I will dump the return end into the sump. My only question is do I dump into the skimmer section or into the fuge for extra flow.

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[dfm34]

My skimmer came I went with a Lifereef VS3 30" with a mag12 pump. Can't wait to see this beast in action.

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Tomorrow I will work on the sump baffles I am using .25" think polished glass 9" high. Also my electrician aka brother in law will help me run two new circuits to the closet. Hope to have more pics tomorrow

[Cdodge1]

Everything is coming along nicely, keep the pics coming!

[dfm34]

Ran the rough electrical two circuits four outlets

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Also got half of the baffles in place on the sump

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