Benson’s Upgrade to a 180 Gallon Tank

[Benson0219]

Hello, here is my build thread for the upgrade. I don’t have a previous thread on here but I have been reading through many threads throughout the years. I do currently have a 100 gallon reef tank that has been running for about three years. I will include pictures into this build. Well, sort of a build. I have bought a tank and the stand, so no building of the stand this time.

[Benson0219]

My current tank sits on a stand that I built. The stand is 8 feet long even though the tank is only 4 foot. I love all the extra room below and I was thinking of the future with the stand. Of course some of the equipment that I have on the current tank I will use and I will also need to add additional equipment, which is the fun part.

[Benson0219]

Order list so far:

• VorTech MP40wQD Quiet Drive Propeller Pump - EcoTech Marine
• Skimz Octa SC205i Internal Protein Skimmer
• pH/ORP Probe Module: PM1 - Neptune Systems
• Hydra Twenty Six HD LED (White) - Aqua Illumination X 2
• Phosphate Low Range Colorimeter HI713 Hanna Checker - Fresh & Marine Water
• BRS Tonga Shelf (Flat Plates) Dry Live Rock
• BRS Tonga Shelf with Base Dry Live Rock

These items should be arriving this Friday. It’s a late Christmas!

[Benson0219]

So, I have also bought the tank. See the attached picture. It’s sitting in the LFS for now as I am getting the floors done. Removing the carpet and having tile that looks like would installed. That won’t be done for a couple of weeks.

[Benson0219]

Here is what I am keeping from the old tank.

• Elite Aquatics 40” Sump
• Refugium
• BRS Dosing pumps and containers X 3
• BRS Filters X 2
• VarioS-6 Controllable DC Pump (1720 GPH) - Reef Octopus
• Koralia Third Generation Powerhead (2450 GPH) Hydor
• Jebao RW-15 PP15 Wireless Wavemaker Pump
• JAGER TruTemp Aquarium Heater - Eheim

[Benson0219]

I will post some pictures after work this evening.

[CrayolaViolence]

Sounds exciting. Will look forward to photos

[Benson0219]

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[Benson0219]

This is my refugium... just getting it started.

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[Benson0219]

Here is the sump.

[Benson0219]

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[Benson0219]

Auto Top Off and dosing section.

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[Benson0219]

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Dosing pumps

[Benson0219]

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Here is a picture of the 180 and my step son.

[Benson0219]

What are your suggestions for stocking the 180. I currently have the following:


• 1 Yellow Tang
• 1 Kole Tang
• 1 Coral Beauty Angle
• 1 Citrus Goby
• 2 Green Chromis
• 2 Filefish
• 2 Clownfish and Anemone
• 1 Sailfin/Algae Blenny


I would like to get the following:

• Foxface or Rabbit Fish
• Anthias Fish
• Wrasse - Reef Safe of some sort
• Butterflyfish maybe

[CrayolaViolence]

Personally I would not waste money on chromis. They murder each other. But if you want to try them, odd numbers are what I hear recommended. Butterfly fish will pick at the anemone, from my understanding, not sure if you want to risk that or not. As for anthias, that depends on what kind. I do have some experience with them, and I can tell you some are very difficult to feed. I have three purple queens who will only eat copepods. They are fairly large too (4-5 inches) and they spend all day picking copepods off the glass.

[Benson0219]

Yep, I agree about the Chromis... I had six two years ago. The two that are left have been together for a few years.

[Benson0219]

So, I have moved the coral and fish into the 40 gallon breeder for the next week while I get the floors done and the new tank delivered.

[Benson0219]

Here is the fish room... going to make these into a mixing station.

[IMG][/IMG]

[Benson0219]

This is the 40 gallon breeder that will hold the coral and fish.

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[Benson0219]

I got some of the equipment in just after Christmas.

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[Benson0219]

Here is the 40 packed with rock, coral and fish. The sump is another 40. Buble Magnes Curve 5 skimmer.

[IMG][/IMG]

[Benson0219]

I hung the AI Hydras above the tank and they are doing the job.

[worm5406]

I started with a 55. Moved to a 120. Moved to a 180. Then piped into the same sump the original 120. The 55 is a future grow out tank.

Hummmm... Now I have a 265 sitting about 30 feet from the 120 and 180 setup. But I am going to redo everything when the 265 gets ready to get setup and brought online.

Just saying, sometimes an upgrade becomes an addition.

Looking good so far.

[Benson0219]

Originally Posted by worm5406

I started with a 55. Moved to a 120. Moved to a 180. Then piped into the same sump the original 120. The 55 is a future grow out tank.

Hummmm... Now I have a 265 sitting about 30 feet from the 120 and 180 setup. But I am going to redo everything when the 265 gets ready to get setup and brought online.

Just saying, sometimes an upgrade becomes an addition.

Looking good so far.

Yeah, my dream tank is a 400 gallon tank. I would love to keep the old tank up and running as a display refugium... that would be cool with some TBS live rock with all the critters on it.