180 FOWLR build finally underway...

[Len]

Hey Chris, so you don't plan on putting a board underneath the stand? I think the carpet in there is gonna be a mess in a few years But It'll probably be lots quieter too.

 

[bleedingthought]

There are just plugs in there right now, but I wanted to leave myself a convenient place to stick small valves to feed single pass chambers like maybe carbon, phos, purigen and/or a Ca reactor. Trying to keep my options open... :wink:

Ah, ok! If this were to turn out into a reef, which probably will , would you feed the reactors throught that manifold and then just gravity feed back to the tank?

And are you painting the back of the tank? What color?

 

[ChrisRD]

Len, I was thinking I might not. I've run a couple of other tanks like this (no bottom) and it's actually not too bad (and yes, quieter).
I'll eventually be pulling up carpet in several rooms upstairs (including this one) and doing hardwood floors so I'm OK with it getting trashed.

BT, there will be some pressure from those feeds, but yes, the outlets will just drain into the sump. No paint on the back - IME it's not worth it as it will be covered with coralline in a few months anyway... :wink:

 

[bleedingthought]

Speaking of coralline, what kind of lights do you plan to run in there to begin with? And what are your fish plans?

 

[ChrisRD]

For now, just a couple of VHO tubes. In the event that this accidentally becomes a reef, I have some halides lying around and the VHOs will be used for actinics... :wink:

I haven't actually put together a stocking list yet but I currently have a few fish that I'm holding with the live rock that will go right in - a Mimic Tang, Kole Tang, Foxface and Harlequin Tusk.

 

[bleedingthought]

Nice so far! 8)

 

[trido]

Just my quick 2 pennies here.......

You'd better just go reef from the start. You know its inevitable. Your already hinting.

 

[ChrisRD]

Heh, you're right - I should just mount the halides when I build the canopy and stop kidding myself... :lol:

 

[ChrisRD]

Tank plumbing is finished...

 

[bleedingthought]

8)

BTW, I need your input with this: http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=102450 I really do need it!

 

[ChrisRD]

I filled the system with freshwater (tap) last night to test it. All is well - no leaks.
This setup runs VERY quiet - basicallly just the sound of the return pump fan.

 

[trido]

I filled the system with freshwater (tap) last night to test it. All is well - no leaks.
This setup runs VERY quiet - basicallly just the sound of the return pump fan.

Must be the bonus of a FOWLR. NO need to run 10,000 GPH to keep your inhabitants alive.

 

[bleedingthought]

I filled the system with freshwater (tap) last night to test it. All is well - no leaks.
This setup runs VERY quiet - basicallly just the sound of the return pump fan.

How much rock are you shooting for? Canopy?

 

[Anonymous]

Looking good so far.

One question though. Did you say you're planning to pull the carpet up soon? Are you going to have set it up all over again when you do?

 

[ChrisRD]

Duane, in-tank circulation will be from Tunzes which IME are quieter than this return pump so even as a reef it will be quiet. :wink:

BT, I think I have about 140# of rock on hand - don't really plan on getting anymore. I want to leave plenty of open space for fish to swim and coral growth. There will be a canopy - working on that this weekend (I'll post pics soon).

Ape, thanks for the kind words. Carpet won't really be coming up soon - hardwood floors may be coming in the future, but that is a few years down the road. To be honest, I'm not too worried about the carpet under the tank. IME the carpet in front of the tank actually ends up with a lot more spills on it than the stuff underneath.

System is filling with RO water as I type this and I'm headed down to the shop to start the canopy...

 

[ChrisRD]

Some progress pics of the canopy. Filling the system with RO...

 

[bleedingthought]

Nice! What did you attach that cable tie to that the is holding the plumbing 'up'?

 

[ChrisRD]

Thanks BT. The cable ties are looped through some small holes I drilled in the lip on the upper tank trim.

 

[bleedingthought]

Any more progress!?

Chris, I went to several fish stores today, saw a couple of new acquaintance's tanks, and had a reef club meeting. Saw several beautiful fish I'd love to have. Now I'm wondering if when I setup my 180G as a reef tank if I should go ahead and setup the 75G as a FOWLR or go ahead and get that 240G with the couple of scratches for a FOWLR tank. First time I've ever considered a marine fish-only tank before!

 

[ChrisRD]

I think FOWLR tanks are fun because they're a lot less work and much less limiting with fish choices.

I got everything in last night - here's a pic. I just put a single halide pendent over it for now until I get the canopy finished.

Despite how boring the rockscape looks from this angle, it's actually very open and there are lots of caves, channels, etc. I'll try to get a few more pics when I have time...