Hefner's 180 Thread

hefner413

hefner413

Active Member
The tank was initially from Elmers Aquarium in Monroeville, PA. The replacement was through Eastern Pets in Bridgeport - but they don't always have the larger tanks. If you want to go on a worthwhile trip, I would go to Wet Pets in Canonsburg. Very impressive displays and they always have larger tanks.
 
hefner413

hefner413

Active Member
Weight: Being 180 gal - weighing approx 8.55 lbs per gal - ending up with 1540 lbs water. sump ~ 10gal - 85. Tank weighs 282 lbs. Stand around 50. Rock around 100. Sand 165. equipment... We're talking well over a ton...
So I wanted to make sure that my floor wouldn't argue with such a weight. I had a floor jack from Lowes that I had picked up a while back - so I got a 4x4 and put it accross the floor boards - making the 4x4 go directly in the middle of the tank from front to back.


 
mgatdog

mgatdog

Member
Originally Posted by Hefner413
http:///forum/post/2548275
The tank was initially from Elmers Aquarium in Monroeville, PA. The replacement was through Eastern Pets in Bridgeport - but they don't always have the larger tanks. If you want to go on a worthwhile trip, I would go to Wet Pets in Canonsburg. Very impressive displays and they always have larger tanks.
I found a sale were the tanks are half the price than any lfs.Sorry to bust there shops but the dollar is a little tight.
 
hefner413

hefner413

Active Member
yeah, actually - Wet Pets is known to be a bit high priced actually - but seeing the displays is what is worth the trip. They have more coral and fish on display than they have on sale...
And I heard about another sale - my local ***** - although not well-known for their fish, will be having a $1/gallon sale on their tanks up to 75 gallon. The manager doesn't know when it will happen, but they are notified a couple days prior and the sale lasts for 1 weekend. They had this sale last year and it was quite popular - obviously. I figured that they did this and quickly sold out - but they said that they get in a TON of tanks and usually have plenty for everyone.
Anyway, I'm definitely going to get at least a 55 gal for a QT.
 
mgatdog

mgatdog

Member
That's were I got my 55 when ***** had 1.00 a gal.The place I'm going is having the same sale ,but also on 75,90,125 and150's
 
hefner413

hefner413

Active Member
Well, it sure takes a loooooong time to make 180 gal of ro/di water. Well, it took about 2 days, at broken intervals - but seemed like forever.

I used large garbage cans from walmart to make and mix the water. I've used the Reef Crystals for my salt. The garbage cans are in my garage - one level below the tank. Luckily, the mag 1200 was able to go the job. It was only suppose to be able to go to 18 feet, but it worked
- was probably around 21 ft or so and it pumped at a decent rate.

 
hefner413

hefner413

Active Member
As the tank started filling, I quickly started placing the rock - no certain design - just wanted the rock in there asap being that the whole cycle will be starting again.


But as it began to fill - I saw that the water was approx 3/8 in higher on the right side of the tank... not good
. So I got some shims and made things level. This isn't the strongest method, I think this will suffice - but I'm probably going to add a spacer that spans that entire side of the tank and then taper the shims down the front of the stand to ensure that things don't somehow bow over time. I'm glad now that I put in the added protection of the foam b/w the tank & stand.
 
hefner413

hefner413

Active Member
A couple Q's:
1. do most of you put: a. rock in first or b. sand in first?
2. do most of you just simply stack rock or use bonding agents or rods?
 
hefner413

hefner413

Active Member
Some more pics:
Here's the wet/dry running: I like how the new design works on these proclear units. simple, but effective distrobution of the inflow.

A shot of underneath:

And here's the 3x 250W Stealth's:
 
hefner413

hefner413

Active Member
My skimmer powerhead doesn't have a valve to regulate flow - the skimmer itself does, but even with it all the way closed - too much flow. Know of a good place to get a simple valve that can connect to clear vinyl tubing?
 
H

heart & sole

Guest
Originally Posted by Hefner413
http:///forum/post/2551296
A couple Q's:
1. do most of you put: a. rock in first or b. sand in first?
2. do most of you just simply stack rock or use bonding agents or rods?
I personally put my sand in first so that my rock work wasnt covered in sand and to answer your second ?. i dont use anything to hold my bottom rockwork but when i decided to make a shelf in the tank i use a bonding agent works pretty good and everything is stable. Hope that helps

BTW those are some cute pics of your kids...
 
hefner413

hefner413

Active Member
Ok peeps.
Things are starting to look better now ... I finally got the rocks in place. I thiiink this is how it will stay for now.
As you can see - I have the wall on the left and some tonga on the right - the tonga is scattered, but will be organized after sand is in.
Let me know what you think. Thanks.





Let me know what you like / don't like / or recommend!
 
zeroc0o0l

zeroc0o0l

Member
Originally Posted by Stachy
http:///forum/post/2557366
I like it, but maybe some caves or a shelf would be nice.
+1 on that Just personal preference. Caves for fishies to swim in and out and a shelf to display coral. Great job so far looks awesome
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top