Hello from Toronto, Ontario

[BlueNWhite]

Hello everyone!

Just wanted to say hello to everyone here and to thank you all in advance for the help that you will be passing on to me, in respect of my many questions.

BTW, I will be upgrading to a new/used 180g tank that I will be picking up this weekend. My current set up is a very simple 130g undrilled, Berlin HOT, no sump, etc. The 180 will be more of a proper set up that I am not familiar with operating yet, with overflows and a sump, but I will still need to look for a good deal on a used skimmer that can handle a large bioload, and a trouble-free return pump. So I appreciate any help that is offered my way.

So to start off my questions, before I start filling the 180g, are there any tips that I should consider?

Thanks.

[Newt]

Welcome BlueNWhite!

RS is a great place to learn about everything that you need, and everyone is more than willing to help out.

My only tip would be, buy the best equipment that you can, and not just what you can afford. If it takes some saving up before you get something, so-be-it, you'll save money in the long run instead of having to spend more upgrading. And trust me, we all upgrade regardless. lol.

Enjoy your stay at RS, and post some pics of your current setup as well as some specs.

Jason

[Travis]

Welcome!

My advice would be to look into getting the tank drilled before you set it up. If not, you might well regret it later.

I have a 180 with a mag 12 return pump, does a good job for me but I'm not one of them SPS freaks either.

Travis

[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

[Gina]

Hello and Welcome BlueNWhite!

I agree with the others, that if you can have your new tank drilled, I think you'd be much happier than having the overflow box.

You mentioned sump......how large do you plan on going?
You could also advertise that you are looking for a skimmer in our for sale/trade section but, I would suggest that you check out our sponsors too.

Some of them offer discounts for RS members.

Are you going to use any of the water that is in your current tank for the change over?

I would also make up all the water that you will need a day or two before in a large tub with a power head for circulation and a heater to get it up to the temp you need.

Good luck with the change over and post pics along the way!

[KimPossible]

My only tip would be, buy the best equipment that you can, and not just what you can afford. If it takes some saving up before you get something, so-be-it, you'll save money in the long run instead of having to spend more upgrading. And trust me, we all upgrade regardless

Ditto!
You will end up upgrading if you settle for just, OK. Research your purchases. Ask questions here before you buy, practical experience is what you will get on RS.
to RS! Glad to have you!
Ohhhh, and we love pics

[Rougiem]

To RS!

I am a padawan in all this too and have learned a lot setting up a 200 gallon tank! I agree having to upgrade. Don't skimp on anything.... Great advice from everyone, as always...
Cheers!

[MINIATUS]

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

MINIATUS

[proud2bcanadian]

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

EDIT : Flavio at ORG is selling a 180g tank. And he's also an authorized Euro-Reef dealer. I would suggest giving him a call, or going out to the store sometime.

[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.

[BlueNWhite]

Wow, I can't believe how openly helpful you guys/gals are on here.

I do have five years of experience in SW, but I wouldn't really call it five years because it was all under my old set up of undrilled and sumpless and NO lights.

So this Saturday, I will be picking up a used 180g from Mugster on Aquariumpros.ca. Actually, it was from that site that I found out about this one. The used 180g is drilled with overflows and bulkheads, but not drilled for closed loop. I think I understand what closed loop is, but I am not sure if I should have it drilled for it (for future use) or not. The purchase includes a DIY canopy with moguls sockets, brackets and reflectors (but without ballasts), DIY stand, 55g sump (but no refugium in it), and manifold for the return with loc-lines.

I plan to eventually stock heavy on fish with easy corals, so I will be concentrating on spending most of my future budget on the skimmer. I am not sure about MH because of the cost factor. My mushrooms, zoos, polyps, frogspawn, and candy canes seem to be doing fine under my current lighting, so I am thinking about going with something similar in the 180 to start but maybe with a couple more bulbs.

Is it necessary that the sump be drilled? Currently it is not.

Should I try to transfer as much of the water from my current 130 in the 180?

I plan to go without gravel on the bottom, as I've found that there is way too much detritus at the bottom of the tank when I have my 1" of aragonite in my 130. It doesn't look as natural, but I am more concerned with trying to minimize any nitrite (or is it nitrate) build up. What do you think?

Many more questions to come.

I am still in awe of all of the warm welcomes that I've received already.

Thank you,
Raymond

[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!

[cheeks69]

Welcome to RS

I should have it drilled for it (for future use) or not.

If it's an acrylic tank then I would say go for it because it'll eliminate the use of unsightly Powerheads but if it's glass then it's a little tricky and should be done by professionals unless you have experience drilling glass.

Is it necessary that the sump be drilled? Currently it is not

It's not necessary you could use a submersible pump like a Mag drive pump which I also use, but these can transfer heat to the tank, external would be better but it's not a big deal.

Should I try to transfer as much of the water from my current 130 in the 180?

Yes I would since your livestock is already acclimated to those water conditions.

I have my 1" of aragonite in my 130. It doesn't look as natural, but I am more concerned with trying to minimize any nitrite (or is it nitrate) build up. What do you think?

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.

[BlueNWhite]

Originally Posted by JKreef

Welcome BlueNWhite!

RS is a great place to learn about everything that you need, and everyone is more than willing to help out.

Enjoy your stay at RS, and post some pics of your current setup as well as some specs.

Jason

I will try and post pics of the (slow) progress, but unfortunately, I do not have a digital camera yet, so they'll be a little slow in coming.

I did pick up the 180 with stand and canopy this weekend. I'll have some cleaning, sanding, painting, staining, and plumbing to do.

Thanks.

[BlueNWhite]

Originally Posted by Travis

Welcome!

My advice would be to look into getting the tank drilled before you set it up. If not, you might well regret it later.

I have a 180 with a mag 12 return pump, does a good job for me but I'm not one of them SPS freaks either.

Travis

I'm still not sure if I am going to get the tank drilled for a closed loop or not. If I do, what is the ideal locations for the holes and what size?

I am going to try my hardest not to become an 'SPS freak', so if I can resist, would that have any affect on how the holes should be drilled. The bottom line is that I do want to minimize any deadspots.

Thanks,
Raymond