180G reef build thread

[Greenmaster]

My tank is pretty deep so I'm using LED's... but we will see if they can grow coral at the lower levels.

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[Gti_Leo]

yours is what 39" deep?

i've done a bit of research on LEDs and it shows that they don't really penetrate the water as deep as T5s or halides. they produce alot at the surface but it drops rapidly as the light passes deeper. i don't know how many LEDs you've used or what degree of lenses so i don't know how deep you're fixture is able to go but if you can find a PAR meter soemwhere i would really love to see what type of readings you will get

I found a used Nova pro series for a 6 foot tank for 250 in tampa, I haggled the guy. I am waiting until I verify it will provide adequate lighting before I go pick it up.

that might be the one carey was looking at trading for

 

[Greenmaster]

I still can't find anyone in my area with a waterproof PAR meter.

 

[Gti_Leo]

can you rent one somewhere?

 

[hackteck]

so i got together a parts list so far this is the skimmer i want Reef Octopus Needle/Pin Wheel Protein Skimmer

and instead of turning the 55G into a sump im gonna buy this premade sump and sell the 55G with the stand and nova extreme pro light to offset the cost of all this lol

Eshopps Reef Sump Filters | Filters | PetSolutions

 

[carey]

Nice. Glad my research helped you out! Now if i only had a game plan lol

 

[hackteck]

yea i was thinking about it last night of what i was gonna do with all my old equipment when i setup the new tank its just easier to sell it all together

 

[carey]

I'll be doing the same thing.

 

[Gti_Leo]

i doubt it would be easier. if you were using a power filter or canister, you could always sell its as a FW setup, most people go with FW over marine.

just move all your LR and substrate in your larger systems and seed it

 

[hackteck]

is this lighting overkill ? 72in Metal Halide HQI System Advance Plus

 

[carey]

It might catch fire. Those odyssea MH have a reputation for that. I like their T5's though.

 

[Ricksreef]

Carey the reputation of Odyssea MH catching fire is from years ago.You can take the Coralife name tag off their fixture and compare it to an Odyssea and you won't be able to tell the difference .

 

[hackteck]

Yea thats why i said i would do some research first before i ordered it im not going to place the order for lights for a few days while i figure out which one i want

 

[carey]

Carey the reputation of Odyssea MH catching fire is from years ago.You can take the Coralife name tag off their fixture and compare it to an Odyssea and you won't be able to tell the difference .

I don't know about the MH fixtures but I currently own 2 of their t5 setups. One is an awesome fully loaded unit from years ago and one is from more recent stock. I am a huge supporter of odyssea, in T5.....I think it's still too early to tell about the MH ones. I am really really cheap btw, and I wouldn't chance it if that's any indication.
LOL

 

[hackteck]

Well i ordered my skimmer and lighting and a prebuilt sump yesterday so i expect to have it sometime next week
Nova Extreme Pro HO T5 | Fixtures | PetSolutions

Reef Octopus Extreme In Sump Protein Skimmer w/ Gate Valve

Aquarium Wet Dry Filters: Aqueon ProFlex Sump Filtration System at FosterandSmithaquatics.com

 

[hackteck]

now i gotta find a good deal on some dry rock if anyone has any links please share

 

[carey]

reefcleaners has 50lbs for $85 shipped. Thats where I'm gonna get mine


Which sump did you go with?

 

[hackteck]

reefcleaners has 50lbs for $85 shipped. Thats where I'm gonna get mine

so i'll need probably nearly 200 lbs of rock total or more so maybe get 150 lbs from there and the rest in Lr

 

[hackteck]

reefcleaners has 50lbs for $85 shipped. Thats where I'm gonna get mine


Which sump did you go with?

oh i updated my post with the link just realized i forgot it

 

[hackteck]

now today or tomorrow im going to be ordering a pump for the sump and a powerheads any ideas on what type powerheads your going to be using?