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FINALLY! Getting my TANK! Tonight @ 8:30pm (1 Viewer)

Personally, I think that tanks with similar sized canopies look awkward. You have this big beautiful tank, then this huge dull looking thing above it. I really like Morty's tank/canopy, and he has enough room to house some really good lighting. Think outside the box.
http://www.tcmas.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2837&page=4


Pics look great. Can't wait to see the progression.

I have seen a few 2ft. canopies on tanks and I like the simplicity on how it looks..But I hear what your saying PLNelson, too each their own I guess. If I could go Morty's route I would, his tank looks amazing.


Nice tank, what kind of skimmer are you planning on using?

Just a cheap Current USA one, price was rediculously low $$$...But we will see how long it last. Issue now is that the collection cup is too tall by 2in., so I have to cut it down to size.
 
Tank looks like it is clearing up, quick...The only filter media I have is the Floss (collecting alot of debris) and Carbon. Looks like Eric's LR seem to be very well cured
 
Finally, after 2 hrs. and 150 lbs. of Rock later...Here is what I ended up landscaping in my tank...:beerchug: :goldfish:

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I like the caves - I've noticed I have trouble getting enough circulation in my cave - something to think about.

Those rocks must be absolutely huge.
 
Everything is placed middle to front...The rear/back is open for circulation...There is a total of 10 caves entrances and exits

The biggest rock is the middle one, I believe it weighed in @ about 45-50 lbs.
 
I wanted to place a Powerhead below...but it would blow the sand off the bottom

Honestly, the pics...do not do it justice...1st of all I suck @ pics..lol

If anyone is in the area and wanna see this in person feel free to give me a PM...I'm in the blaine/circle pine area ;)
 
what type of lighting are you going to run on this?

Night lites...;)

3x 250w MH (mogul), Galaxy Electronic Ballast 1-250w and 1-dual 250w, Econowing retro Reflectors (Great buy) from Sunlight supply, Cheap $10 T5 current 2-54w (will see how long it last, but not back for $10), and 54 LEDs Moonlights w/dimmer.
 
Your tank looks really nice. 180 is a really nice sized tank. Keep posting pictures as you go along.

I really like the all the caves and shelves that you've created.
 
Thanks Zibba...My hands are dried and scratched up just repositioning these eco rox and dried rocks...lol didn't think landscaping is rough on your skin..sorry I have baby fine skin *Charmin soft*
 
Looks nice. You did a great job with the aquascaping. You should have a lot of options when you start placing corals. Sounds like you will have plenty of light. Are you thinking you will need a chiller?
 
Thanks Adam...for the summer, yes I would need a chiller...Hopefully it won't be as hot...I'm thinking of placing the MH 16in. high, since the canopy is going to be around 24 in. and making it topless...(no cover)
 
*update pics*

LR rubble to help seed the Eco Rox and Got caribsea black sand for refugium and cheato...Adding the sand to the sump clouded up the tank a bit...But so far everything is running well...*knock on wood*

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Got my pad roll 2ft. x 15ft. and Filter Fiber (Poly 100%) from Michaels for $3.99 for a 20 oz. size compared to 8 oz. @ LFS for $5+

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Sump Refugium w/miniaqualight (Thanks David)

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You can see in 1 day it already collected alot

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Sorry still cloudy due to the sand added

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40+ lbs. of rubble LR and it is 3/4 full...I can possibly add 10-15lbs more

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close up...
 
$3.50 lbs. I only got 7 lbs. worth from him...that's most of it, the rest were fiji and tonga which I was not gonna pay more for...

He gets some nice tonga ones...Showed me a very nice 15-20 lbs. Tonga that was 3 levels, shelves which usually would take 3 LR to design and this was all 1 piece...He mentioned that he can get these up to 75-80 lbs. with the similiar shape...He had a father and son (both had 125g setup) and bought 300-350 lbs. of these stuff and wanted it big sized...I believe he mentioned he got only 10 pieces of Tonga LR to get that weight of 350lbs.
 
update: cycle and fitration

Looks like I'm getting alot of gunk out of my tank, mainly from Eco Rox. The tank has been cycling...Diatoms first appeared and now green hairs...Nitrate and Ammonia levels are:

NH4 (ammonia)- 0.1mg/L

No3 (nitrate)- 10mg/L

Filtration pics:

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Added a Black Back to reflect lighting back into tank rather leaking (spectrum) out of the sump...really brightens up my refugium...Should benefit my cheato
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I believe a mirror backing would be even more reflective...and will help with growth in your refugium...Using a GE bulb greenhouse 6500k
 

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