The Metal 180 build

[metalhead]

Currently in the design and planning stage on a new 180 gallon setup. I'm planning on running a BB display with a RDSP and refugium located in a ~75 gallon sump.

Tank dimensions - 6'x2'x2' Acrylic
Sump dimensions - 4'x20''x20'' Acrylic
Skimmer - Custom 12'' x 24'' needle wheel + Bermuda venturi (will decide whether to run one or both once set up)
Lights - 48'' Hamilton 250w x 2 MH + t5 actinic + Icecap 250w x 2 MH (will have to build some sort of custom hood eventually to house the Hamilton fixture and the MH pendants)
Knop-c Ca reactor w/pinpoit controller/C02
Various PH's w/red-sea wavemaker - I'll be running some laminar flow too down-low

That's about all I can think of right now. I'll post some pics as soon as I get it all going and as I go along. Thanks in advance for any input and advice.

[charlie]

I guess, I will get in here and hang around for a while, just in case you need a hand.

[metalhead]

I guess, I will get in here and hang around for a while, just in case you need a hand.

Thanks Charlie! Really looking forward to it

[Parrothead]

I'm here too, between the of us this is gonna be fun or funny;), depends how far and often we get side tracked

Tanks,
Robert

[metalhead]

I'm here too, between the of us this is gonna be fun or funny;), depends how far and often we get side tracked

Tanks,
Robert

Thanks Robert. I'm sure it will be both of the above!

[metalhead]

A few pics in the meantime...

[Parrothead]

All I can say is "Damn't Man, I gotta get my tank cranked back up, incredible corals, looks really good.

Tanks,
Robert

[metalhead]

All I can say is "Damn't Man, I gotta get my tank cranked back up, incredible corals, looks really good.

Tanks,
Robert

Thank you!

[charlie]

I think I can find some room.;);)

[metalhead]

I think I can find some room.;);)

Right on dawg!

[charlie]

Right on dawg!

I will have to get some pics here tomorrow or Thursday.

[metalhead]

Picked up a few things today...

[Deathsmile]

Sexy Skimmer. What kind and rating is that?

[metalhead]

Sexy Skimmer. What kind and rating is that?

It's a home-made one... Good to 600 gallons supposedly. We'll see, I won't be selling my bermuda until I'm sure I like it and it performs how I think it will.

[charlie]

Skimmate is NOT sexy!!!!!!!

[Deathsmile]

Skimmate is NOT sexy!!!!!!!

But the Skimmer itself can be, slap a hot little pin up girl on it and itll be the best looking skimmer around.

What size is your Bermuda? Im in the business of getting myself a skimmer for my 110

[Steve McKay]

Skimmate is NOT sexy!!!!!!!

Not with that smell.

Metalhead,looks like one mean skimmer.

[metalhead]

I did some work over the weekend... Corals are fragged out of the glass 90 and relocated to the acrylic 90 along with the fishes. LR has been relocated to the frag tank. Now all I have to do is relocate the sump temporarily and the glass 90 can come out. I'm picking up the new tank today... Pics coming soon.

[metalhead]

Finally got a chance to do some work downstairs yesterday as everything settled down from the holiday...

Merry Christmas!!!

The glass 90 is history and the sump is relo'd for now. Set the new sump in behind the wall, under the stairs though it looks like I'll have to flip it around the other way when I go to plumb it all together.

Also got some dry-rock soaking in a horse-tub with water from the 90, hooked the big skimmer up in there and wouldn't you know it - broken impeller shaft after about 15 minutes. Gorilla glued the shaft last night so I'll put it back together shortly and hope it holds. I'll order one of those new gen-x needle wheel pumps for it if I keep it, it's set up mesh-wheel now.

Also did some work on a new top-off reservoir and extended a bulk-head in the sump for the RDSB. The bermuda skimmer fits in the return chamber which will give me the room I need for the RDSB, I'll be looking to make the move to a good external skimmer soon.

Whew... I need a break, here's a few pics...

[metalhead]

Everything in its new temporary home


The glass 90 drained


Rock from the glass 90


Lots of new big rock


The new sump under the stairs


The big dawg


Nectar of the Gods