Jules New 180 Gallon Build Thread

[julesjt]

Well after the winter storm 2010 where I lost my 90 reef I am moving to a new 180 Gallon reef tank. This time I will have a generator if I lose power again for days.

I will not have water in it for about 2 to 3 weeks but here is the first pictures of the build.

Also I am still trying to decide my lighting, right now I am pretty set on the aqualife 250w HQI MH fixture with actinic and lunars unless anyone has other suggestions. I hate going with MH due to the electric bill but I hear that is the way to go.

My 4 year old daughter in the picture gives an idea how big the tank is. I have to say it is a perfect size.

The picture with the rock is from my old tank that crashed due to power outage and cold temps. I will mix this with new live rock.

And ignore the pool table that should be sold within a few weeks, changing the game room into a reef lounge

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[Steve McKay]

Tank looks good,lets hope things go better this time.Don't forget to keep us updated with photos.

[Parrothead]

Jules,

If that is a standard 180(72"), look at the nova extreme pro 72" fixture, there are alot of people growing and fragging SPS, LPS, and all softies under the T-5 HO fixtures, they run way cooler than the MH, and use a fraction of the juice, and you get to play with the bulbs to find the combo that pleases both you and the coral and life you want to keep, Also the bulbs last way longer, and are a fraction of the cost to replace. Ask around, and look at some of the tanks that are running the T-5 HO fixtures, you will be surprised.....

[julesjt]

Jules,

If that is a standard 180(72"), look at the nova extreme pro 72" fixture, there are alot of people growing and fragging SPS, LPS, and all softies under the T-5 HO fixtures, they run way cooler than the MH, and use a fraction of the juice, and you get to play with the bulbs to find the combo that pleases both you and the coral and life you want to keep, Also the bulbs last way longer, and are a fraction of the cost to replace. Ask around, and look at some of the tanks that are running the T-5 HO fixtures, you will be surprised.....

How about the color and brightness? Do you think the color is just as nice? I want to be please with the color and brightness too.

I will take a look though, I can always upgrade in a year or two when the LED lights come down or the plasmas come out

[julesjt]

Jules,

If that is a standard 180(72"), look at the nova extreme pro 72" fixture, there are alot of people growing and fragging SPS, LPS, and all softies under the T-5 HO fixtures, they run way cooler than the MH, and use a fraction of the juice, and you get to play with the bulbs to find the combo that pleases both you and the coral and life you want to keep, Also the bulbs last way longer, and are a fraction of the cost to replace. Ask around, and look at some of the tanks that are running the T-5 HO fixtures, you will be surprised.....

And yes it is the standard 180 72" tank

[julesjt]

See now I dont know what to do on the lighting. Which model should I get? I always see some folks say they added bulbs and they have 8 bulbs and etc. I just want a fixture that has the actinic, brights, and possibly lunars.

Is there a link you can send me on a fixture with the bulbs I should need for my tank that you recommend. So I can start looking from there.

[Parrothead]

How about the color and brightness? Do you think the color is just as nice? I want to be please with the color and brightness too.

I will take a look though, I can always upgrade in a year or two when the LED lights come down or the plasmas come out

Check out these tanks,

1. go to NW montana reef club under Area forums, check out cdearings 80 build there are several others, I've got step out for a few minutes will get you some more to look at

2. Tank of the Month - July 2008 - Reefkeeping.com This tank is lit by alot of T-5's and only T-5's, you don't need this many, I'm putting together a 180 as well, in the planning stages, I've got it on a good authority that it is more than enough light for sps, lps, clams, and softies the 72" is fine, and there are plenty of bulb choices and combo's to get it where you and the beast are happy

[Parrothead]

also check out the Mckay build thread, the last pages are about bulbs and combos, that will give you a starting point till I get back

[julesjt]

Check out these tanks,

1. go to NW montana reef club under Area forums, check out cdearings 80 build there are several others, I've got step out for a few minutes will get you some more to look at

2. Tank of the Month - July 2008 - Reefkeeping.com This tank is lit by alot of T-5's and only T-5's, you don't need this many, I'm putting together a 180 as well, in the planning stages, I've got it on a good authority that it is more than enough light for sps, lps, clams, and softies the 72" is fine, and there are plenty of bulb choices and combo's to get it where you and the beast are happy

Thanks a lot, I was going with the MH HQI 250w fixture but $1200 bucks and can have heat and power usage issues.
I dont want to be limited in what I can put in this monster tank. And it is cool that you are doing a 180 also so I would go with what you were thinking of going with. I am willing to pay good money for good fixture.

I am hoping to order the fixture this week, get my sump setup and start putting water in the new tank in about 2 weeks and 3 at most.

I have my old 75 to 100 lbs of my old semi live rock and plan on getting another 50 lbs of good live rock. The T5 route is cheaper than the HQI route and that extra money can go towards the rock.

[Parrothead]

I'm certain you will be pleased, I'm gonna put a buddy of mine out there, send Charlie a private message about the T-5's, he can be grouchy but he's a very good guy, I love him to death, the man has probably forgotten more about reef tanks than You and I put together will ever know, trust his advice, that being said, I look forward to working with you on our builds

[julesjt]

I'm certain you will be pleased, I'm gonna put a buddy of mine out there, send Charlie a private message about the T-5's, he can be grouchy but he's a very good guy, I love him to death, the man has probably forgotten more about reef tanks than You and I put together will ever know, trust his advice, that being said, I look forward to working with you on our builds

Thanks, that is why this site complete kicks butt and I tell everyone about this place at my LFS.

The lights and the sump are the two things that are holding me up. I have hard time finding the time having 3 girls. I have time to setup and maintain the tank but it is hard finding time to build a sump. I am trying to find somewhere I can give what I want and have them build it.

[julesjt]

I'm certain you will be pleased, I'm gonna put a buddy of mine out there, send Charlie a private message about the T-5's, he can be grouchy but he's a very good guy, I love him to death, the man has probably forgotten more about reef tanks than You and I put together will ever know, trust his advice, that being said, I look forward to working with you on our builds

I been looking at Aquactinics Constellation has a 72"

I dont want to go less than 7 bulbs and dont want to go with a 60" fixture.

With the price of this fixture without bulbs I might look at MH HQI 250w system again.

Oh boy this sucks!

[Steve McKay]

T-5 HO lighting will work for you quite fine.I would suggest a bulb combination of Giesemann Aquablue+ and Actinic+ in equal numbers.I would skip using pure actinic bulbs.The Aquablue+ and Actinic+ bulbs will give you all the par,spectrum and color you need.I have been experimenting and this is what I have come up with.

[julesjt]

T-5 HO lighting will work for you quite fine.I would suggest a bulb combination of Giesemann Aquablue+ and Actinic+ in equal numbers.I would skip using pure actinic bulbs.The Aquablue+ and Actinic+ bulbs will give you all the par,spectrum and color you need.I have been experimenting and this is what I have come up with.

Are you using a 72" fixture and if so are you going with the 7 bulbs in a row making 14 bulbs all together?
I am thinking now on going with the MH HQI 250w because of dealing with 14 bulbs.

[Steve McKay]

Are you using a 72" fixture and if so are you going with the 7 bulbs in a row making 14 bulbs all together?
I am thinking now on going with the MH HQI 250w because of dealing with 14 bulbs.

No,I don't have a 180g I have a 50g.That is for you to decide,no arm twisting here.

[Parrothead]

Thats why I suggested the Nova Extreme Pro 72" fixture, it only runs 12 bulbs, and depending on what you want for bulbs, they start at about 14.00 each, Steve can give you the price on the higher end t-5 bulbs, he's order a bunch here lately, so even if you replace all 12 say @ 20.00 ea. once a year thats 240.00 for all 12 bulbs, I know good MH bulbs would probably cost you more, and I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the life span a MH's are about 6 months. Just something to think about

[Steve McKay]

You can easily find Giesemann bulbs for less than $25.

[julesjt]

Thats why I suggested the Nova Extreme Pro 72" fixture, it only runs 12 bulbs, and depending on what you want for bulbs, they start at about 14.00 each, Steve can give you the price on the higher end t-5 bulbs, he's order a bunch here lately, so even if you replace all 12 say @ 20.00 ea. once a year thats 240.00 for all 12 bulbs, I know good MH bulbs would probably cost you more, and I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the life span a MH's are about 6 months. Just something to think about

Well from what I read you can get 9 to 12 months with MH depending on how long you run them a day. Beginning reef tank, I can go a year easily with the bulbs. I wont be running the MH that long per day the first six months. My local LFS has the fixture I was looking at that was a 150w version and it ran cool and it looked beautilful even with the MH lights off using the more blue actinic.

And the lunar lights, forget about it...........they looked wild with the xenia's and other corals he had in there.

I have no problems buying T5 just still trying to make the best decision that suits me. I just keep reading that 7 bulbs at least for our size. Maybe that is my problem I am reading way to much and everybody has an opinion.

I read most of the threads on this site and really respect you, mckay, ninong and the rest. I seen how people get results from you guys advice.

I have a LFS that is popular consumer place and I see the horrors that these LFS guys give to customers on advice. I just started this hobby 5 months ago and I think I know more than them and what is right.

I talk to people that go there and hear they have a 50/50 bulb and a biowheel fresh water filter on a 25 or 55 gallon tank running marine with an anenome in it. And they wonder why it dies. I was that guy 10 years ago and know I am now fairly knowledgeable now and will do things right to get these creatues an awesome environment.

So I am still trying to figure out MH or T5? I know in two years I will go with LED once they mature, because I am sick and need the latest and greatest in things.

So if you think 6 bulbs is fine for us to do SPS and clams in our 180 than I believe you would be correct buddy.

[Parrothead]

Jules,

Please look up the 72 nova extreme fixture here is a link to the fixture, it has 12 bulbs with individual reflectors(very important), check it out

Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 12X39 Watt, 72 inch

Let me know your thoughts

[Parrothead]

Jules,

Here is a link to another thread here, he has a 90 which is almost as high as our tanks are, he also has his light fixture hanging from the ceiling, it is a T-5 fixture and as you can see he has sps from top to bottom, the last page there he is talking about having to frag some stuff, because of the growth rate, check it out

Documenting my 90 Gallon Tank!