180 gallon build questions

[tlscott77]

Hello everyone, I am new to the hobby and will probably need a lot of help. I have a 180 gallon aquarium that is drilled on the bottom, now I'm trying to figure out where to go from here, because I know nothing about the hobby. My plans are to do a in-wall installation in my basement. So I guess my first question would be; how do I or what do I need to cover the holes? Is there something that hooks to the holes that I need to purchase? How can aquarium with holes on the bottom not leak?
Thanks for your help, and let me know if i am asking to many question, lol.

[thegrun]

You need a bulkhead type fitting (see link)http://www.glass-holes.com/category.sc?categoryId=21. The hole is designed to be piped down to a sump (a separate tank under your main display tank). The sump hides all your pumps, heaters, filters etc.. Spend some time reading up on the hobby. Here is a link that is a good starting place:http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1031074 Good luck and welcome!

[kfisc]

Welcome- you've come to the right place; be sure to read all the posts at the top of this forum written for folks just starting out, and about everything else here you can, before doing anything.

The holes are to attach drain and return lines for a sump, used to contain filtration gear, pumps, heaters, etc. I'd highly recommend using one.

Good luck!

[Indymann99]

tlscott77

A basement is a great place for your tank (especially in Indiana - basement is warmer in winter and cooler in summer).

I would recommend you purchase the "Conscientious Marine Aquarist" This book will help you with plumbing concepts.

My basement in-wall

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/TankCabclosed.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/TankCabOpen.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/DSC_0092.jpg

If you are near Indianapolis Premium Aquatics is a good place for LR, fish, and Coral.

[rgrobe]

It sounds as if it would be helpful for you to have someone local to help you along. RC is a great place for this kind of information but don't overlook a local board or reef club. Perhaps there is someone nearby that can share their setup so you have an idea of what you need to do. They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

I upgraded a 125 FOWLR to my current 180 reef. There is a lot to think about. Mine would have been easier had I had someone local willing to help me along. Good luck.

[drummereef]

tlscott77,


[welcome]

[drummereef]

Hey tlscott77, check out my build thread. Click the little red house that says "www" on one of my posts. It has detailed pics and discussion about the plumbing of my 180g in-wall. And it happens to be in the basement. :D Those holes are the overflow system to be used with a sump. You could plug them but it defeats the purpose of an overflow system that has many benefits over the alternative. Believe me, I have both. My 40g is sumpless but my 180 is plumbed for a sump. ;)

[steamer51]

+1 on rgrobe's suggestion to find some local help. If you are in the Jeffersonville/Clarksville/New Albany area - Louisville Marine Aquarium Society http://lmas.org/joomla/ is right across the river although we have many meetings in Indiana. I have also heard good things about http://indmas.org/forums/ in the Indianapolis area. I believe there are clubs in the north close to Ohio as well. Wherever you are there should be a club nearby that can help. Just search for "Marine Aquarium" "Reef" or "Saltwater Fish" clubs. Joining the forums for local information is free if you don't want to commit to joining a club right away although I recommend joining and being active in a club eventually.

[gradth]

For sure check out Drummereef's build. The attention to detail is amazing.

All I can say is STOP! READ!!! Read some more!! Dont believe everything your LFS says, most are trying to sell you something. Had I found this site before my first tank I would have been saved a lot of heartache and a lot of money.

[tlscott77]

Thanks everyone, this is going to be fun!!!

[tlscott77]

I just recently acquired a 180 gallon tank that I would like to put in my basement. It has two holes on the bottom. I am new to this, so any help would be great. I have questions like:

-what kind of fish
-what are the holes for
-how many filters
-what kind of filters
-how many fish
-etc...

This is the tank
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m277/tlscott77/IMG_2794.jpg
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m277/tlscott77/IMG_2795.jpg
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m277/tlscott77/IMG_2797.jpg
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m277/tlscott77/IMG_2799.jpg
Thanks for looking