180 gal Reef: T-6 weeks

abclemen

abclemen

Member
My basement project will be complete in approximately 6 weeks and I would like to be ready to jump into my tank setup immdiately. For me to do that I need some feedback on a few things to make sure I am where I need to be. Thanks in advance.
Here is my equipment list that I have already purchased:
180 gallon cornerflo aquarium
Eshopps ADV-200 Advanced Sump
Reef Octopus Extreme XS-200 Protein Skimmer
Aquatic Life T5 HO LED (8 bulb) 72"
Instant Ocean Reef Crystals
150lbs Marco Dry Rock
160lb Marco Dry Sand (probably won't use all of it)
Other Random Stuff: Hydrometer, Test Kit
* Need heater(s) for in sump. Recommendation?
* Need return pump from sump. How do you size a pump to your needs?
* What else do I need for the cornerflo system?
* What else do I need just in general?
Please explain in brief detail the difference between the following:
Water Pump
Circulation Pump
Power Head
I had LFS test my tap water and the following results came back:
pH 8.8
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
* My plan was to purchase a RO/DI. Will that take care of my issues listed above with my tap water parameters?
Please provide any other useful information for me to keep in mind as I approach the tank setup date.
Thank you.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by abclemen http:///t/391352/180-gal-reef-t-6-weeks#post_3470103
My basement project will be complete in approximately 6 weeks and I would like to be ready to jump into my tank setup immdiately. For me to do that I need some feedback on a few things to make sure I am where I need to be. Thanks in advance.
Here is my equipment list that I have already purchased:
180 gallon cornerflo aquarium 1 overflow or dual overflow?
Eshopps ADV-200 Advanced Sump
Reef Octopus Extreme XS-200 Protein Skimmer Good skimmer. Personally, I would have went with the next size up.
Aquatic Life T5 HO LED (8 bulb) 72"
Instant Ocean Reef Crystals
150lbs Marco Dry Rock
160lb Marco Dry Sand (probably won't use all of it)
Other Random Stuff: Hydrometer, Test Kit Get a refractometer
* Need heater(s) for in sump. Recommendation? Jager. I have two in my sump. Really probably only need one, but I keep the second one as a back up in case the first fails.
* Need return pump from sump. How do you size a pump to your needs? I run a Mag 18 on my 180. It's split into two returns on opposite sides of my tank. If you search for my tank build thread, I have a list of the equipment that I'm using.
* What else do I need for the cornerflo system?
* What else do I need just in general?RO/DI unit, refractometer. Look into setting up a refugium in your sump.
Please explain in brief detail the difference between the following:
Water Pump This usually refers to your return pump. The pump that is taking water from your sump and returning it back to the main tank.
Circulation Pump Can either refer to the return pump or the powerhead. I try to avoid using this word for that reason.
Power Head Circulates the water in your main tank along with the return pump. Saltwater tanks need a lot of circulation, which can't be accurately produced by just a return pump, so we add powerheads to our systems to add water movement to simulate the waves/tides of the ocean, especially if we have a reef setup. Reefs are very turbulant and the corals need a lot of water flow.
I had LFS test my tap water and the following results came back:
pH 8.8
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
* My plan was to purchase a RO/DI. Will that take care of my issues listed above with my tap water parameters? It should help a lot. I would NOT use your tap water. That pH is really high, and having ammonia in the system is not good for the tank.
Please provide any other useful information for me to keep in mind as I approach the tank setup date. This hobby takes a lot of patience. I can't stress that enough!
Thank you.
 
abclemen

abclemen

Member
Thanks again! Responses are in blue:
basement project will be complete in approximately 6 weeks and I would like to be ready to jump into my tank setup immdiately. For me to do that I need some feedback on a few things to make sure I am where I need to be. Thanks in advance.
Here is my equipment list that I have already purchased:
180 gallon cornerflo aquarium 1 overflow or dual overflow? Dual - each corner
Eshopps ADV-200 Advanced Sump
Reef Octopus Extreme XS-200 Protein Skimmer Good skimmer. Personally, I would have went with the next size up.
Aquatic Life T5 HO LED (8 bulb) 72"
Instant Ocean Reef Crystals
150lbs Marco Dry Rock
160lb Marco Dry Sand (probably won't use all of it)
Other Random Stuff: Hydrometer, Test Kit Get a refractometer Will do
* Need heater(s) for in sump. Recommendation? Jager. I have two in my sump. Really probably only need one, but I keep the second one as a back up in case the first fails. I plan to get 2 as well. What wattage are your heaters?
* Need return pump from sump. How do you size a pump to your needs? I run a Mag 18 on my 180. It's split into two returns on opposite sides of my tank. If you search for my tank build thread, I have a list of the equipment that I'm using. My knowledge on pumps is weak. You mean Danner Mag-drive Supreme 18 correct? Is 1,800 GPH the number I should target?
* What else do I need for the cornerflo system?
* What else do I need just in general?RO/DI unit, refractometer. Look into setting up a refugium in your sump. I am planning on the refugium.
Please explain in brief detail the difference between the following:
Water Pump This usually refers to your return pump. The pump that is taking water from your sump and returning it back to the main tank.
Circulation Pump Can either refer to the return pump or the powerhead. I try to avoid using this word for that reason. Thanks, this clarifies the confusion.
Power Head Circulates the water in your main tank along with the return pump. Saltwater tanks need a lot of circulation, which can't be accurately produced by just a return pump, so we add powerheads to our systems to add water movement to simulate the waves/tides of the ocean, especially if we have a reef setup. Reefs are very turbulant and the corals need a lot of water flow.
I had LFS test my tap water and the following results came back:
pH 8.8
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
* My plan was to purchase a RO/DI. Will that take care of my issues listed above with my tap water parameters? It should help a lot. I would NOT use your tap water. That pH is really high, and having ammonia in the system is not good for the tank. What will it remove? Will it lower my pH? Will it remove the ammonia?
Please provide any other useful information for me to keep in mind as I approach the tank setup date. This hobby takes a lot of patience. I can't stress that enough!
Thank you.
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by abclemen http:///t/391352/180-gal-reef-t-6-weeks#post_3470172
Thanks again! Responses are in blue:
basement project will be complete in approximately 6 weeks and I would like to be ready to jump into my tank setup immdiately. For me to do that I need some feedback on a few things to make sure I am where I need to be. Thanks in advance.
Here is my equipment list that I have already purchased:
180 gallon cornerflo aquarium 1 overflow or dual overflow? Dual - each corner
Eshopps ADV-200 Advanced Sump
Reef Octopus Extreme XS-200 Protein Skimmer Good skimmer. Personally, I would have went with the next size up.
Aquatic Life T5 HO LED (8 bulb) 72"
Instant Ocean Reef Crystals
150lbs Marco Dry Rock
160lb Marco Dry Sand (probably won't use all of it)
Other Random Stuff: Hydrometer, Test Kit Get a refractometer Will do
* Need heater(s) for in sump. Recommendation? Jager. I have two in my sump. Really probably only need one, but I keep the second one as a back up in case the first fails. I plan to get 2 as well. What wattage are your heaters?
* Need return pump from sump. How do you size a pump to your needs? I run a Mag 18 on my 180. It's split into two returns on opposite sides of my tank. If you search for my tank build thread, I have a list of the equipment that I'm using. My knowledge on pumps is weak. You mean Danner Mag-drive Supreme 18 correct? Is 1,800 GPH the number I should target?
* What else do I need for the cornerflo system?
* What else do I need just in general?RO/DI unit, refractometer. Look into setting up a refugium in your sump. I am planning on the refugium.
Please explain in brief detail the difference between the following:
Water Pump This usually refers to your return pump. The pump that is taking water from your sump and returning it back to the main tank.
Circulation Pump Can either refer to the return pump or the powerhead. I try to avoid using this word for that reason. Thanks, this clarifies the confusion.
Power Head Circulates the water in your main tank along with the return pump. Saltwater tanks need a lot of circulation, which can't be accurately produced by just a return pump, so we add powerheads to our systems to add water movement to simulate the waves/tides of the ocean, especially if we have a reef setup. Reefs are very turbulant and the corals need a lot of water flow.
I had LFS test my tap water and the following results came back:
pH 8.8
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
* My plan was to purchase a RO/DI. Will that take care of my issues listed above with my tap water parameters? It should help a lot. I would NOT use your tap water. That pH is really high, and having ammonia in the system is not good for the tank. What will it remove? Will it lower my pH? Will it remove the ammonia?
Please provide any other useful information for me to keep in mind as I approach the tank setup date. This hobby takes a lot of patience. I can't stress that enough!
Thank you.
RODI will remove ammonia. It will also lower the pH.
I would also say look into getting an automatic neck cleaner for your skimmer I run a Reef Octopus skimmer, the SRO3000INT model and with the Cleaner 200 neck cleaner, it pulls a lot of stuff out the water very fast. It's worth the investment as you go from having to clean your skimmer daily to weekly or bi -weekly depending on bio-load. All you have to do is plug it into a light timer and its good to go.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I run two 300 watt heaters.
Another thing to look into: auto top off unit, especially once you want to start adding corals to the tank.
 
abclemen

abclemen

Member
So narrowing down to a couple items:
What specs should my return pump from my sump be? What should I look for when shopping for one with my setup?
Is there a rule of thumb for powerheads? How many for a 180 gal reef setup? What specs should I look for when shopping for one?
Additionally, I cannot go any "extras" at this time as I am spending plenty for what I need. I don't need an auto top-off system right now. I need 2 heaters and that is good feedback to get two 300 watt heaters. I need a RODI system especially with my water parameters.
Is there anything else that I need when I am ready for setup in approximately 6 weeks?
Thanks again.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
If you can, cycle your tank with a lot of chaetomorpha macroalgae. It will help cycle it faster, keeping more things on your live rock alive.
I'd use a closed loop for circulation and wave motion, personally.
 
abclemen

abclemen

Member
I had a nice conversation with my local area's water treatment plant and they do treat with chloromines which is giving me the 0.25 reading for ammonia. As far as the high pH, that is also an accurate reading at 8.8 as this gentleman informed me that they are normally just under 10. The 2011 Drinking Water Quality Report justified that with a reading of 9.8.
I am going to purchase a 75 GPD RO/DI 5 Stage Chloramines Plus System to treat my water prior to using in the Reef Tank. This should eliminate the ammonia AND lower the pH, correct?
Will I most likley get to acceptable levels to use?
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by abclemen http:///t/391352/180-gal-reef-t-6-weeks#post_3470383
I had a nice conversation with my local area's water treatment plant and they do treat with chloromines which is giving me the 0.25 reading for ammonia. As far as the high pH, that is also an accurate reading at 8.8 as this gentleman informed me that they are normally just under 10. The 2011 Drinking Water Quality Report justified that with a reading of 9.8.
I am going to purchase a 75 GPD RO/DI 5 Stage Chloramines Plus System to treat my water prior to using in the Reef Tank. This should eliminate the ammonia AND lower the pH, correct?
Will I most likley get to acceptable levels to use?
That sounds like a BRS system. If so I have a similar set up. I would purchase an extra DI canister. There is no guessing about when your DI is expired. When the second canister starts to change colors, it's time to change the first. I simply move the second canister to the first and add a next refill to the second one and repeat. I always have 0 TDS.
Also get the flush kit. If you have the spare money also purchase an electric solenoid replace the ball valve with it and set it to auto flush with a light timer for 15 minutes each day. Will keep your RODI running more efficient. I recently also purchased a booster pump which helps with filter, RO and DI lifespan.
 
abclemen

abclemen

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xcali1985 http:///t/391352/180-gal-reef-t-6-weeks#post_3470407
That sounds like a BRS system. If so I have a similar set up. I would purchase an extra DI canister. There is no guessing about when your DI is expired. When the second canister starts to change colors, it's time to change the first. I simply move the second canister to the first and add a next refill to the second one and repeat. I always have 0 TDS.
Also get the flush kit. If you have the spare money also purchase an electric solenoid replace the ball valve with it and set it to auto flush with a light timer for 15 minutes each day. Will keep your RODI running more efficient. I recently also purchased a booster pump which helps with filter, RO and DI lifespan.
Are you referring to the "Deluxe" system with the dual stage DI? It also has the RO membrane flush kit included. I should be able to rig everything to a laundry sink that I have set up. I guess I will look into an electric solenoid. I do not anticipate needing the booster pump.
Thanks for the info.
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by abclemen http:///t/391352/180-gal-reef-t-6-weeks#post_3470412
Are you referring to the "Deluxe" system with the dual stage DI? It also has the RO membrane flush kit included. I should be able to rig everything to a laundry sink that I have set up. I guess I will look into an electric solenoid. I do not anticipate needing the booster pump.
Thanks for the info.
If the kit comes with a DI all you have to do is purchase an extra container and link it in with the quick connect hose. If not, then yes purchase the Deluxe dual stage addon unit.
 
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