First large tank - 180 reef build (1 Viewer)

[tthorn125]

I've been reading and buying from this website for quite a while. I currently have a 75 non-drilled that houses fish and corals, but the bug has dug deep and I want more.

I'm going to start a 180 reef built into a wall in the basement of our house. I have the wife's blessing and an unfinished basement to work with. All the stars are aligning.

Here's where I'm at.

I am picking up a reef ready 180 tomorrow with stand. I'd like to either buy or build a sump, skimmer, and anything else that is needed. Looking for advice as to what I would need for sump size, skimmer size, and possible other pieces of equipment such as reactors.

Please let me know what advice to follow / pitfalls to avoid. I've followed a lot of builds so far and have some insight.

:beerchug:

 

[Samped]

One question. Why pick up as stand if you are building it into a wall?

One thing I recommend is getting mold resistant drywall.

 

[tthorn125]

Stand is coming with it for free.

The guy selling it currently has bearded dragons in there. I figured I could use it for something/anything. Not quite sure how it's going to fit up against the wall yet, the stand may still be part of it.

 

[RyanTurner]

Ohhh, be careful with that. Every used reptile tank I've seen is used for reptiles because it leaks.

 

[Samped]

Ohhh, be careful with that. Every used reptile tank I've seen is used for reptiles because it leaks.

Exactly.. Using an aquarium for a terrarium is one thing.. but a terrarium for an aquarium.. Uh oh :greenguy:

 

[tthorn125]

I'll be doing a fill test at some point this week to see if it holds. If not, I guess it'll be going back. I quizzed the guy about copper, chips, cracks, leaks, etc... He said he was just bad at keeping fish and gave up.

 

[cdness]

How long was it dry? Silicone keeps many years under water, but not as long if it is left to dry out for too long...

The only way you'll know though is to test fill and see how it goes. Good luck.

 

[tthorn125]

Less than 2 years is what I was told.

 

[Taklu]

How long was it dry? Silicone keeps many years under water, but not as long if it is left to dry out for too long...

The only way you'll know though is to test fill and see how it goes. Good luck.

Most silicone is sold as "not for use under water applications" so I'm curious why the silicone would go bad if it was not under water.

An extension to my question, the silicone on the outside of the seams is never under water and is always actually exposed to air, does it make a difference?

To the OP - congrats on the new build! agree with others, make sure it does not leak and the seals/seams are good. It will be a pain if you found out later.

 

[Adam G]

If the tank is only 2 years old I would think you would be fine. I would fill it with the hose right in your garage before you go through the work of hauling it down to the basement. perhaps you can make a deal with the guy that if it leaks he takes it back.

A 180 is a nice size tank. Perfect for in wall. Nice and deep front to back and a good size display panel. Should work great for you.

Are you going to drill it for the overflows yourself?

 

[David Grigor]

The only downside of trying to water test outside is that usually so much condensation builds up on the outside from using the garden hose water temperatures that it's pretty impossible to know if it's actually leaking.

Not sure how you can use the stand unless the actual tank will be recessed several inches into the wall.

If's its a nice show quality stand, you might just leave it up against the wall like a traditional tank and just have the plumbing going through the wall to the fish room. Also makes it a much easier project.

I've done it both ways. Trouble with true in-wall is what the heck to do with it if you decide to sell the house. Does tank stay or do you tear it down repair the walls before showing the house. Because of the quandary when we thought we were moving back to Texas, I repaired the wall, ran plumbing through that can easily be fixed by putting up replacement wainscot over the holes and call it a day.

 

[lr9788]

If you are going to truly do an in-wall then I would assume that leaves you the option of a fish room?

If so consider using a large stock tank as a sump

You might want to look into a chiller

Always good to find a nice used skimmer

 

[Taklu]

The only downside of trying to water test outside is that usually so much condensation builds up on the outside from using the garden hose water temperatures that it's pretty impossible to know if it's actually leaking.

The way I worked around the issue was to throw in a large powerhead to turn the water to help with heat transfer; to speed it up add a large heater in there. the key is to match the tank temp to the surrounding temp.

 

[Adam G]

The only downside of trying to water test outside is that usually so much condensation builds up on the outside from using the garden hose water temperatures that it's pretty impossible to know if it's actually leaking.

This is a good point. I suppose the only way to do this would be fill it, leave it sit for a day. Wipe it down with a towel, and then wait over night to see if you have any leaks. I was just thinking it sure would suck to haul it all the way to your basement and then find out you have to haul it back out.:mad_3:

 

[tthorn125]

The tank already has two overflows built in, it was bought brand new reef ready by the previous owner. From the pictures I've seen it looks like an AGA tank.

I haven't given a lot of thought about how to use the stand. I have a buddy that does construction work for a living to help me with the wall. The wall itself is a load bearing wall, so headers will need to be put in place. One option is when the headers are put in place, we will make sure that the headers / 2x6's are at the same height as the top of the stand. This way the tank can "hang" over the front of the stand and rest on the heavily supported 2x6's. This way it will allow for me to put it closer for a smaller recess. Depending on how the wife wants the display to look will determine the depth.

I plan on leaving the tank in the garage and testing for leaks before moving it downstairs, 383 lbs isn't very fun to move. I will use a powerhead to keep the water moving, not sure I'll need a heater because that would probably cause condensation.

For a sump, I'm going to swing by Petco and pick up a 40 breeder. They are having their 1 gal / $1 sale again.

 

[tthorn125]

The room currently behind the wall doesn't have any windows and will probably be kept as a storage room. Right now it's housing my dog kennel and nothing else.

 

[CaptainGreg]

I have acrylic sumps home made that might fit your need. I also have MH fixture that is six feet long.

I can sell them for cheap. PM if you want to look at them.

 

[lr9788]

The tank already has two overflows built in, it was bought brand new reef ready by the previous owner. From the pictures I've seen it looks like an AGA tank.

I haven't given a lot of thought about how to use the stand. I have a buddy that does construction work for a living to help me with the wall. The wall itself is a load bearing wall, so headers will need to be put in place. One option is when the headers are put in place, we will make sure that the headers / 2x6's are at the same height as the top of the stand. This way the tank can "hang" over the front of the stand and rest on the heavily supported 2x6's. This way it will allow for me to put it closer for a smaller recess. Depending on how the wife wants the display to look will determine the depth.

I plan on leaving the tank in the garage and testing for leaks before moving it downstairs, 383 lbs isn't very fun to move. I will use a powerhead to keep the water moving, not sure I'll need a heater because that would probably cause condensation.

For a sump, I'm going to swing by Petco and pick up a 40 breeder. They are having their 1 gal / $1 sale again.

I am no expert but I am almost positive you are going to want a LOT larger sump.

 

[RyanTurner]

I've seen 180s with 40 breeder sumps. You should be ok.

 

[David Grigor]

In wall, I assume the area behind the tank will have lots of room. I wouldn't restrict myself to such a small sump unless your for sure going with a external skimmer or something. Even then I'd do much larger for more options. Used scratched up tanks come for sale quite often around here or use a rubbermaid like tub.

Also sounds like you should just ditch the stand altogether, making something out of raw lumber won't be that much more $ and will allow you more design flexablity so you can choose more workable solutions for sump and other hardware. If the stand is decent furniture quality ( something nicer than the typical pine ones ), it has value and you should be able to find a buyer for it.