Looking for some feedback on big tank equipment. I am gettting a RR 180 soon and will need a new pump, skimmer and upgrade my lighting. My 75 has a mag 7 for the return, and I was thinking I would use that to push a skimmer, but which one should I go with? As for the 180's return I was thinking Iwaki, any thoughts there. And lighting, currently I have a 250MH and 2 96PC, my thoughts where to add a couple MH, mabey 2 175's or would I be better off adding a 250 and a 400 or add 2 400's. I will use the largest sump I can come up with and fit under the tank. Perhaps a custom job there. So who has thoughts on this?
Planning on upgrading from 75 to 180 gallons
- Thread starter Rob Top
- Start date
I am doing much the same thing, upgrading from a 55 to a 180. I am still piecing everything together as my budget permits, but here is what I am going with, so hope it helps some.
For the skimmer, I considered the EuroReef, MyReef, LifeReef, and AeroFoamer skimmers, all of with I think are great and each has their advantages. I finally went with the LifeReef since a local reefer had a barely used one I got for relatively cheap.
Since this tank will be SPS dominated, I went with 3 400 watt 65K Iwasaki's on PFO EYE ballasts supplemented by 2 6 foot URI actinics on an IceCap 430.
For a return, I am going to use an AmpMaster 3000 split between 2 1" Sea Swirls and then 2 closed loops, each consisting of an Iwaki 30RLXT to a 3/4" Sea Swirl. The sump situation I am still working out myself, I'll probably use something along the lines of a 55 and fit partitions to meet my needs.
As far as a calcium reactor, still contemplating this decision myself. It is something I don't need immediately and can get away with using the 2 part solutions until higher tank demands warrant it.
For the skimmer, I considered the EuroReef, MyReef, LifeReef, and AeroFoamer skimmers, all of with I think are great and each has their advantages. I finally went with the LifeReef since a local reefer had a barely used one I got for relatively cheap.
Since this tank will be SPS dominated, I went with 3 400 watt 65K Iwasaki's on PFO EYE ballasts supplemented by 2 6 foot URI actinics on an IceCap 430.
For a return, I am going to use an AmpMaster 3000 split between 2 1" Sea Swirls and then 2 closed loops, each consisting of an Iwaki 30RLXT to a 3/4" Sea Swirl. The sump situation I am still working out myself, I'll probably use something along the lines of a 55 and fit partitions to meet my needs.
As far as a calcium reactor, still contemplating this decision myself. It is something I don't need immediately and can get away with using the 2 part solutions until higher tank demands warrant it.
I upgraded my 55 to a 180 about 6 months ago. Here is my setup:
<ul type="square">[*] AGA 180G Reef Ready tank w/ 2 corner overflows[*] 2x96W PC Actinic (soon to be 4x)[*] 2x400W 6500K MH (soon to be 3x)[*] 50G custom built acrylic sump/refugium[*] MyReef skimmer w/ mag18 pump[*] Mak4 return pump feeding a sea swirl and nossle[*] Maxijet on Red Sea wavemaker[*] Float switch connected to pump in resevoir w/ RO/DI[*] 30 GPD 4 stage RO/DI unit[*] Dual stage temp controller controling fans and 2 titanium heaters[*] Medical dosing pump dosing kalk w/ vinager[*] pH monitor[*] 270 lbs fiji liverock (supported on PVC)[*] 4-6" DSB using SD sand[*] Macro algae lit on reverse cycle using 2x LOA 65W fixtures[*] Lights are on timers[*] Refractometer[*] One small glass coke bottle covered in coraline algae[*] Sump pump to do water changes (to pump water from 35gal trash can in garage to tank)[*] Many (10+) books
[/list]
I will be plumbing a closed loop w/ another sea swirl and a spray bar soon. I am also about 75% done w/ a custom canopy which will replace the hanging one that is over the tank now.
I plan on possibly adding a nielsen reactor and maybe even a calcium reactor soon.
Ernie
[ March 24, 2002: Message edited by: esmithiii ]</p>
<ul type="square">[*] AGA 180G Reef Ready tank w/ 2 corner overflows[*] 2x96W PC Actinic (soon to be 4x)[*] 2x400W 6500K MH (soon to be 3x)[*] 50G custom built acrylic sump/refugium[*] MyReef skimmer w/ mag18 pump[*] Mak4 return pump feeding a sea swirl and nossle[*] Maxijet on Red Sea wavemaker[*] Float switch connected to pump in resevoir w/ RO/DI[*] 30 GPD 4 stage RO/DI unit[*] Dual stage temp controller controling fans and 2 titanium heaters[*] Medical dosing pump dosing kalk w/ vinager[*] pH monitor[*] 270 lbs fiji liverock (supported on PVC)[*] 4-6" DSB using SD sand[*] Macro algae lit on reverse cycle using 2x LOA 65W fixtures[*] Lights are on timers[*] Refractometer[*] One small glass coke bottle covered in coraline algae[*] Sump pump to do water changes (to pump water from 35gal trash can in garage to tank)[*] Many (10+) books
[/list]
I will be plumbing a closed loop w/ another sea swirl and a spray bar soon. I am also about 75% done w/ a custom canopy which will replace the hanging one that is over the tank now.
I plan on possibly adding a nielsen reactor and maybe even a calcium reactor soon.
Ernie
[ March 24, 2002: Message edited by: esmithiii ]</p>
Ok where to get info. As I said I have a 75 gallon, and all the equipment for such a tank is easily mail-ordered through Pet Warehouse. They don't have high end equipment, the LFS only see $$$ when asked, so I dislike doing that. Money isn't a concern on this. The only concern is the right equipment. Any suggestions on web sites?
Here are some links where I have purchased equipment, and would recommend:
www.ChampionLighting.com
www.PremiumAquatics.com
www.myreefcreations.com
Here is the coke bottle:
www.ChampionLighting.com
www.PremiumAquatics.com
www.myreefcreations.com
Here is the coke bottle:
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