Itche scratche 180 gallons diy build

[mfinn]

So you planning on a 2-3 day freshwater test?

 

[itche_scratche]

Planning to have 1 day 1/4 full, 1 day 1/2 full and 1 day 3/4 full.

 

[itche_scratche]

Here the pics of the tank



Here the pic of the plumbing, after the valve are all flextube

 

[mfinn]

I always liked doing a freshwater test with all the pumps running for a couple days.
Not only for leak test, but just to make sure I was happy with the plumbing and pump noise.
Listening to it during the day, then at night when it's a lot quieter.
A good time to tweek anything before adding saltwater.

 

[itche_scratche]

My tank still only at a half full water test. I should be make 80% water test sometime this Thursday or Friday.
Meanwhile, i opened my ati sunpower 8 bulb that i purchase from Sea king a month ago.
I will try to figure out how to hang it up and fit in side the hood.
Here is the picture.

 

[N1Husker]

My tank still only at a half full water test. I should be make 80% water test sometime this Thursday or Friday.
Meanwhile, i opened my ati sunpower 8 bulb that i purchase from Sea king a month ago.
I will try to figure out how to hang it up and fit in side the hood.
Here is the picture.

Those are really nice units. If I only had the money.

 

[mfinn]

ATI T5's are probably the best T5 fixture available. I really like mine.

I'm surprised you didn't do a tap water test first.
Flush out the lines, tank and sump.

 

[itche_scratche]

I actually dont have an option to run thru all plumbing until the move date. Because of reusing the existing sump.
Hopefully everything go ad planned on the move date.
Cross the finger.
For now, my tank is at 3/4 full today. I will stay there for 2or 3 days.

 

[makeme1098]

Are you going all T5 for your new set-up?

 

[itche_scratche]

Yes all ati sunpower t5 8 bulbs. I might add diy uv rapid led later to get some pop.

 

[itche_scratche]

Rock and sand are in. I ordered some more sand, will arrive sometime next week. Mean while sit back and wait for cycle. It shouldn't be much of a cycle. I used new sand and rock that been cycle with rock from current aquarium 4 weeks.
Here is the pics.

 

[NanaReefer]

Yes all ati sunpower t5 8 bulbs. I might add diy uv rapid led later to get some pop.

Have you looked into the new E5's? Adding 1-2 to your unit will definitely give you that pop without having to supplement.

 

[itche_scratche]

I heard about it. But has not look into it? Have you use it before? I would love to hear some feedback on euroquatic e5.

 

[mfinn]

I heard about it. But has not look into it? Have you use it before? I would love to hear some feedback on euroquatic e5.

I've considered giving them a try. I think a honest test for my T5 fixture would be to replace 2 of the 6 bulbs with the E5's.
But I don't have a extra $100 atm.
There is a thread on R2R about them.

 

[makeme1098]

I'm thinking about giving Blue Pop a try soon. I run 250 Radium with 6 T5s now so maybe run 4 Blue Pop + Giesemann Super Actinic

 

[NanaReefer]

Life of the E5 alone make them worth looking into. 5-8yrs!

 

[itche_scratche]

I spent last night and read about euroquatic e5. It's very new not many people really using it yet. I'm not much of blazing the trail person. I will keep my eye on it. It would be nice not to have to change tub for 5-8yrs with 3x the price. May be my next bulb changing i will loo at it again.

 

[itche_scratche]

After 2 weeks everything seem good. The feather worm from the seeded rocks and mat doing good. Look like time for me to migrate the tank. Tomorrow I'm going to move sump first and going to connect the rest of plumbing. Sunday i will move the live stocks.

 

[itche_scratche]

I ended up didn't move the sump on Friday. Find on too much work involve. And work call me to come in to work so i didnt have time for it.
I got half friday off, so i decided to move the live stock.
First go all the coral in 5 tube, then put the fish in those tube. Then move the rock.

I didnt not reuse any water or sand.
After 6hrs of moving, here is what it got.

 

[itche_scratche]

Today i was planning to hook up the sump, but found out the a leak in my changing station pump. My carpet got about 20gal on it. Lucky it was a basement. I decided to rent a carpet cleaner and clean my carpet while im at it.
Boy, cleaning carpet is a lot of work. Especially have to suck out 20gal of water also.
Anyway that pretty much all i do. Also sit back and enjoy the tank a little bit. Remind me while i like this hobby.