Help with new 180 g Tank Setup

[ryhoward]

I have been in the R & D stage of this tank for about 6 months gathering as much info as I can. I currently have a 60 gallon reef that is doing well but I would consider it my starter tank with cheap equipment. This is the setup that I am contemplating: Any of your thoughts on the hardware choices that I have NOT already purchased would be appreciated.

Relevant Info
Tank resides in Finished Basement which is our primary hang-out area. The tank and all equipment is in a Fish Room I built when I finished the basement.

Currently Have
180 g AGA RR
Aquac EV-180 Protein Skimmer powered by Iwaki 30RLT
30 g Acrylic Sump
(2) 400 W 10K MH
(4) 72" VHO Actinic powered by (2) Icecap 660's
Dolphin Ampmaster 3600 for Closed Loop drilled in back of tank (Considering Sea Swirls but may just stick with circulating water)
75 GPD Captive Purity Reverse Osmosis / Deionization units (RO/DI)
(1) 300 w Won Bros. Titanium Heater
Captive Purity Refractometer
DIY Culture Station


On the list to get
Pump for sump return? - My overflows will not be the primary source of tank circulation due to Closed Loop System.
Calcium Reactor

Do I Need to get?
Nilsen Reactor ??? Do I need both? The protein skimmer has a ¼" John Guest "Speedfit" fitting for calcium reactor return. Are there other benefits to the Nilsen Reactor other than PH stability?
PH Probe/Controller
ORP Probe/Controller
Ozone
UV Sterilizer

Setup?
DSB
Berlin
Combo - Berlin in sump - DSB in a tank/rubbermaid container under/near tank
Miracle Mud system

Thanks!
Ryan

 

[esmithiii]

IMO I would add a third MH to the list. It is hard to get the lighting to look even without three. I would also add a second heater. Two smaller heaters are always better than one large one. I also have a 180G AGA, and I prefer lower flow through the sump/refugium and higher flow through the closed loop. I have a closed loop using 2 sea swirls and I love it.

What are you going to do about top off? I loose 5g/day to evaporation.

As for the nielsen reactor, I would buy it first and the Ca reactor later if necessary. Dosing kalkwasser does some great things for your tank in addition to adding calcium and keeping alkalinity in check.

Ernie

 

[Vixyswillie]

(1) 300 w Won Bros. Titanium Heater

Consider 2, for redundancy?

Calcium Reactor

Deltec reactors have been getting a lot of press lately - might want to investigate them.

UV Sterilizer

Most don't recommended for reefs - probably an excellent investment for FO tanks, tho.

Miracle Mud system

Not. 8)

What about a refugium??

 

[Newts]

ryhoward good to see someone from the area.I grew in White Lake.Used to live in 7-Harbors on the lake,now live over in Commerce.Pretty close by.Your list looks good,but I agree with esmithiii,you should have a third MH.I have a 180g AGA with 3 250w 10000k.They suggest one light for every 2 feet of tank for the correct light spread.

 

[Anonymous]

Sounds pretty good to me...what about sticking your 60g underneath as a refugium? I use my old 55g as a sump/refugium underneath my 180. Good luck!

Chris

 

[BradR]

I'd go with a DIY ca reactor or one by myreef creations. I use a SEN 900 for my 180's sump. Works fine, but use what you want. Oh, and I don't use a heater at all. Temp fluctuates from 78-81. Fish are fine. Definitely get a 3rd light. 20K 400's rock especially for coloring up SPS IME. GL

 

[Lurshy]

There is a thread on reefcentral about large Won brothers heaters (and 300 watt would fit this) malfunctioning and frying tanks. I bleieve this was mostly linked to rfi problems with other equipment especially electronic ballasts. You shoud do a search. If you stay with it, use it inconjunction with a temp sontroller.

I have no personal experience with these heaters, just relaying what I read FWIW.

 

[Anonymous]

That's a good point, Lurshy!

I have a Won 300w (the non-digital one) in my 180 and I haven't had any problems with it. Others haven't been so lucky, though!

Chris

 

[Lurshy]

Here is the link:

http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/sh ... t=Pro+Heat

 

[ryhoward]

I read the thread and sent back my heater and ordered (2) ebo's. I also contacted Marine Depot who I make most of my purchases from and let them know about this. Here is the response:

We have read through the thread and will check with the manufacturer to see if this is indeed a common problem. If there is not a simple solution to this issue, we will discontinue the line. Thanks for the heads up.

I have also upgraded to (3) Metal Halides.

Thanks for the info.

 

[esmithiii]

ryhoward- keep us posted with the progress and post pics if you can. If you need somewhere to host the photos I would be glad to do it for you.

Ernie

 

[ryhoward]

ryhoward- keep us posted with the progress and post pics if you can. If you need somewhere to host the photos I would be glad to do it for you.

Ernie

I have started this new thread in the mebmers tank section.

http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t ... highlight=