Hello from Toronto, Ontario

[BlueNWhite]

Originally Posted by Woodstock

BlueNWhite

My first tank was not drilled... what a pain! I suggest you get the 180 drilled and invest in a sump. Sumps are great for hiding equipment and creating a refugium

Hello Woodstock

As mentioned above, I just picked up my 180g tank. It came with a Miracles 55g tank that I am going to use as a sump. I didn't check what the measurements are, but how would you suggest I set up the baffles? It has really badly positioned baffles now that I will be removing because they are made of very thin pieces of acrylic and some are even pieced together with gaps in between them.

Thanks,
Raymond

[BlueNWhite]

Originally Posted by MINIATUS

There are some great people here that will help with anything you need. Glad you found us. Another Canuck on board.

MINIATUS

Hello Miniatus

I agree with you about the great/helpful people on here. Nice to see that there are other Canucks around here too, eh. BTW, where in SW Ontario are you?

[BlueNWhite]

Originally Posted by proud2bcanadian

Welcome to RS BlueNWhite!
This is a great board. And same as Min - Always great to have another Canuck!

Hello P2BC

Where in Canada are you located eh?

Thanks for the welcome.

[Woodstock]

Originally Posted by BlueNWhite

Hello Woodstock

As mentioned above, I just picked up my 180g tank. It came with a Miracles 55g tank that I am going to use as a sump. I didn't check what the measurements are, but how would you suggest I set up the baffles? It has really badly positioned baffles now that I will be removing because they are made of very thin pieces of acrylic and some are even pieced together with gaps in between them.

Thanks,
Raymond

Wow... Good question. I don't know the perfect sump layout. Maybe you can get some ideas from this pics..... I did a search for "sump" in the photo gallery: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/photopo...what/allfields

[MINIATUS]

Originally Posted by BlueNWhite

Hello Miniatus

I agree with you about the great/helpful people on here. Nice to see that there are other Canucks around here too, eh. BTW, where in SW Ontario are you?

Im in London/St Thomas area.

MINIATUS

[proud2bcanadian]

Originally Posted by BlueNWhite

Hello P2BC

Where in Canada are you located eh?

Thanks for the welcome.

I'm in Mississauga, Ontario.

[BlueNWhite]

Originally Posted by Witfull

welcome to RS. one thing you can do also that others havent mentioned is run dual skimmers. one set slightly wetter than the other. i do this on my 210 and i do think it has an advantage.

glad you found us and have fun in this wonderful hobby.

Hello Witfull

I have a question. Say I want a skimmer with an total accurate capacity of 300g. Would it be as effective to have two skimmers with accurate capacity ratings of 150g per unit, compared to one unit that has a capacity of 300g?

Thanks.

[BlueNWhite]

Originally Posted by proud2bcanadian

All I can comment on is the lighting.
If you really don't want to go with MH lighting, at least go with VHO's.
You can pick up some WH7's up at Litemor in Toronto (www.litemor.com) for $44.50 CDN each. Or talk to Miniatus and see if he wants to make you a DIY MH ballast

Good luck!

Now that I've picked up my used 180g system, I just may end up using MH since the system already has the moguls/sockets/reflectors in the canopy along with some used SE bulbs that still have a few months of life left in them. So all I would need to add is the wiring and three 250W MH ballasts. So I would be interested on any sales if the price matches the budget that my wife allows me.

[BlueNWhite]

Originally Posted by cheeks69

Welcome to RS

If you like to have substrate then a Deep Sand Bed about 4-6" in height would be the way to go and has the added benefit of being able to denitrify converting nitrates to free nitrogen but it has to be setup properly to work effectively.

What would your comments be on a shallow or 1" sandbed?

Thanks.

[proud2bcanadian]

Originally Posted by BlueNWhite

Now that I've picked up my used 180g system, I just may end up using MH since the system already has the moguls/sockets/reflectors in the canopy along with some used SE bulbs that still have a few months of life left in them. So all I would need to add is the wiring and three 250W MH ballasts. So I would be interested on any sales if the price matches the budget that my wife allows me.

Try the following places for MH Ballasts:

http://www.aquariumlight.com/
Located in Toronto, they are one of the biggest distributors of aquarium lighting products in Canada. I have never dealt with them, but one of the people there by the name of Kim is really nice and helpful.

http://www.aquariumdepot.com/
Located in Brampton. Dee (the owner) might have some extra ballasts lying around. Give him a call to see what he has.

http://www.oakvillereefgallery.com/
Located in Oakville. Tom, Flavio and Logan have some amazing stuff! lol They're selling some used equipment from some 180g tanks, and they might just have what you're looking for. Give them a call too. They are all super nice, and are full of advice.

Make sure that you shop around, because there are plenty of places where you can find MH ballasts for reasonable prices.

If you're a DIYer, try http://www.nalp.com
Located in Mississauga, they probably carry the widest range of lighting supplies in the GTA. Excellent prices and really nice people.

Hope that helps and good luck,

[proud2bcanadian]

In addition to the above post.

PM Miniatus, and see if he still has his dual 250watt metal halide ballast that he built himself.

I just got off of the phone with the people from North American Lighting Products. They are extremely nice. I was looking for a 70watt MH ballast, and he called his supplier while I was on the phone with him, and within a few minutes, I had a price. About $160 more than what I was looking for, lol. But then again, their bare MH ballasts were offered at some really good prices the last time I had checked.

If you want something from in Canada, where you don't have to pay customs, and where you might even be able to pick the ballasts up, I would suggest looking at AquariumPros.ca's sponsors.

[MINIATUS]

Raymond
got your PM
I sold the ballast setup, but could build you a set if you needed or give you a list of parts required and you could build yourself. Too bad your in TO as I have an IC660 for sale with 3 pc german end caps for sale. It would drive 2-6ft actinic bulbs.

MINIATUS

[Newt]

Originally Posted by Woodstock

Wow... Good question. I don't know the perfect sump layout. Maybe you can get some ideas from this pics..... I did a search for "sump" in the photo gallery: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/photopo...what/allfields

If you are looking for some good sump ideas, and the pros and cons of different configurations I would look, here . I believe there is a little article there where Melev discusses the different setups, and their advantages/disadvantages.

Hope this helps.

Jason

[Craig Manoukian]

Welcome Raymond and the folks here have answered all of your questions to-date, so this is just a social post!

[BlueNWhite]

Originally Posted by JKreef

If you are looking for some good sump ideas, and the pros and cons of different configurations I would look, here . I believe there is a little article there where Melev discusses the different setups, and their advantages/disadvantages.

Hope this helps.

Jason

Hello Jason

Thanks for the link. That's a great link. I am interested in Model F and H under the "Check out all the sumps!" link. I'll just have to see if this sump set up will work with my 55g that is 36"Lx18"Dx19"H. I don't know which skimmer I am going to buy yet, so I don't know how big of a footprint I will need in that part.