My 180 gallon sps reef tank

[jjoos99]

I thought that I would share several pics of my 180 gallon tank. I previously had a 120 gallon that was close to 20 years old and was in need of alot of work so I decided to upgrade. After starting out with some softies, lps and such I started to get addicted to sps. After alot of learning and upgrading equipment I feel that I am experiencing pretty good success. I started out the route of t-5s and a smaller g3 skimmer. After a year or so with the t5s I was unhappy with the growth and some of the coloration I was getting I decided to go the route of halides. I enjoy doing my own projects so I built my own hood along with modding my skimmer (which was upgraded to a euroreef) to run with twin 5000 sedra pumps being recirculating. I also diy'ed my own copy of lumenarc reflectors for about a 1/4 of the cost. I have the reflectors mounted together with 2 t-5s running blue+ bulbs. They are all on drawer slides so I can just slide them back out of the way when I want to work in the tank. I am running a mr2 twin calcium reactor along with an autotop off unit that makes things pretty much low maintence. i currently change about 20 gallons of water a week and use seachem salt. After trying the route of modding maxijets for circulation I bit the bullet and bought some used vortechs and what a difference the flow has made. Polyp extension went crazy within a week of adding them. I will get some pics together of some of the corals and post them later.
Jeff

[jeremyreef]

that is one nice set up you have! i like i like

[marinelife]

Tank is coming along nicely. You are doing a great job. Thanks for the pictures!!

[chromiumlux]

Nice..very nice! pic 3----juan valdez anyone?

[mayhem_audio]

looks awsome gives me somthing to strive for

[ghurlag]

frak me... I didn't realize you had such an awesome setup!

[jjoos99]

thanks for the kind words. It has been alot of work and alot of learning to get it where it is. I do hate to admit that to have great success you have to spend the $$$$. I have tried several diy low cost alternative but never really was satisfied with my corals until I saved and spent the extra money on better equipment.
I recently switched over my lighting from 20k halide bulbs to 10k and have been impressed with the color change in the corals and growth increase. One thing I have learned over the past 2 years is you never seem to stop learning new tricks and sometimes mistakes.
jeff

[chromiumlux]

So true Jeff!! Can we get some close up shots of your corals? I am currently running 20k mh over ny 30g. I have great color but moderate growth in my acros. I have a new 15k bulb. I may move up to this and see what happens. I have been amassing the equipment to start my 150g build and plan tho run LEDs over this tank.

[jjoos99]

I loved the blue color of the 20k but after 4 months of use I noticed the colors of alot of my corals had washed out some. I was surprised of the color increase and most of the corals started getting new growth tips. I dont mind the looks of the 10k bulbs at all. they are still new but I dont notice the yellow color alot of people report. It might be the help from the t-5s. i will see if I can get some pics up of some of my corals. I have 2 pieces that came from Eric over 3 years ago that I tried to grow under just 4 t-5s with not alot of luck until I got them in my new tank with the better lighting.
Jeff

[marinelife]

In my 180 I ran a 6500k on each end and a 20000k in the middle with 2 VHO actinics, I liked the look and the corals loved it.