My 180 gallon journey begins! :)

[stratmaster]

WOOHOO I picked up my 180 gallon today! I can't believe it, my Stingray is going to be so happy! This thing is a monster, I can't believe how much bigger it seems in comparison to my 100 gallon. It's really only 80 more gallons when you think about it, but it looks like 180 gallons more to me. I can't believe how nicely designed the overflows are too, it has intake points on the middle, bottom and top of the overflow boxes. They're also off toward the back of the tank which I like (on my current tank the overflow boxes are are off to the sides, it would seem more logical to put them in the back instead of off to the sides of the tank)

I also like the plumbing that I paid $60 extra to get for the overflows! On the return line, each one has 2 swiveling nozzles for extra flow. (check out the picture of the plumbing to see what I mean)

Just gotta wait for the stand I ordered to get here Tuesday and I'll be all set! Oh and I have to make a lid of egg crate too since it did not come with tops. I will be transferring everything from the 100 gallon to the 180 gallon over spring break (starting next Friday) what do I do with the Ray while I transfer everything else to the 180 gallon?

Anyway I will keep everybody updated with pics and information on how the setup is going. Thanks for all the help and info from everybody on here and enjoy the pics!

Thanks,

Steve

Btw the tank is 72x24x24

 

[Mitchell0605]

Nice. The ray will definately be happy.

 

[stratmaster]

Ok so here's an update. Check this out! The eggcrate someone suggested on here to make lids worked out AWESOME! I made 3 sections of 24x24 (that's how the top is divided) Home Depot sold it by the sheet and it was great stuff to use. So much better of an idea to use then the Versatop! Thank you to the guys that suggested the eggcrate. Below are some pics of the top of the tank with the eggcrate lids on.
Hopefully the stand will get here soon so I can set this bad boy up.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[redneckgearhead]

I am soooooo jealous!!

 

[Etunes]

lol, i want a 180 so bad. I love Monster fish.

 

[stratmaster]

lol, i want a 180 so bad. I love Monster fish.

Haha yeah monster fish are awesome, so go ahead and buy a 180 if you want one!

Steve

 

[mfdrookie516]

the top looks awesome glad you figured it out

 

[Etunes]

Haha yeah monster fish are awesome, so go ahead and buy a 180 if you want one!

Steve

Ya, come on over and convense my parnets, and on top of that come give me the money. lol

 

[sarahh]

jealous!!! we couldn't fit a 180 in our house if we tried!! unless fish are happy with 12 hours of light followed by total black in a basement.

 

[Mitchell0605]

That's why you hang lights over the tank.

 

[capj64]

I've got to follow you...it may be years but we plan on getting a larger (150?) and installing it in the wall. Post lots of pics and directions

 

[Mitchell0605]

Wall tanks = awesome.

 

[FLFishFanatic]

I have baby monster fish now, will upgrade to something this size so they can grow into beasts.

I'll follow along to get a sneak peak.

 

[fishboy444]

count me in too

 

[Mako_]

Amazing tank....and you have a sting ray, that must be awesome!

 

[stratmaster]

Ok guys here's the stand! Unfortunately I ran into a flaw, as I started to setup the plumbing and put the tank on the stand! My 45 gallon refugium tank will not fit through the doors on the stand. I had to take that middle brace on the top of the stand off so that I can fit the refugium tank through the middle of the stand. It sucks big time, luckily it was only glued and stapled so I'll put the refugium tank in the bottom tomorrow, glue it and staple it, put the tank back on the stand and I'll be ready to move the Stingray and live rock over to the new tank! I'm SOOOO excited, I can't wait until tomorrow. Man is it gonna be a BIG job though.

It's actually a beautiful black stand though, I don't think I could've made it that nice even myself for $275! Much more to come though guys, I'll post plenty of pics as I switch everything over.

Steve

 

[Mitchell0605]

Nice! I see it's getting some use there.

 

[stratmaster]

Haha yeah, that's stuff just their for now because I have like hardly any room in my room because of having the new tank + the old tank still setup. I'll be getting that new tank setup though tomorrow.

Steve

 

[stratmaster]

Well guys the 180 is all setup and everything from my 100 gallon, the live rock, the refugium and the Ray is transferred over! It turned out great, I got such a great deal on this tank and that makes me even happier about how it turned out! Raymond is doing great, he's moved from a 3/2 house to a mansion haha. Plenty of pics to come, I am still getting my room all back together now (it was a disaster, had plenty of changing around to do to get the tank to fit in the room) but many pics to come! Now I'm just gonna let the tank run for a month or so and then maybe add a snowflake eel or something like that.
Oh and I forgot to mention that the way I set my Live rock up is so sweet, I made a little cave or the Stingray and he's loving it! I made sure to put my tank right in front of my bed so at night I can just lay back and watch my wonderful tank.

Steve

 

[Aquarium1]

awesome! can't wait to see some pics