180 Reef converted, Planted w/ Sump, BGK, Ropefish, Roselines, etc.

[Kput]

Really bad ass build! You did a great job cleaning the tank up and your equipment is top notch. I can see your building this FW setup like youd build a reef!
One thing I will caution is that you don't have a lot of plant mass, be careful starting right off with c02 injection, daily fert dosing, and high lighting. I have found that unless you already have something like 50% plant density, algae will just explode with all that plant growth equipment and not enough plants to soak it up. Getting the balance of light fert and c02 can be just as intricate and fragile as getting your water stable in a reef, I actually found it more difficult when I tried both setups at once, ended up shutting down the high-tech planted tank and keeping the reef going. Your sterilizer is something I didn't have that might be a big help in that regard.
Keep updating! Coming along very nicely

Thanks for the info. This is my first time doing the "high-tech" thing. My other planted setups are generally only lights, no co2 or ferts with the exeception of a small tank I tried growing a monte carpet in.
I'm hoping I don't run into any significant algae problems, but will deal with it if I do. I've been running Phosguard since I added the sand to pull all the silicates and hopefully help keep diatoms at bay. I should probably pull it out now that I'm dosing ferts though.

Time will tell! I'm still trying to get this cerges reactor dialed in. I'm getting a full point drop in PH when running the co2, but it's not dissoving the bubbles well so I've got a nice sprite effect going. I need to mess around with the plumbing of it and swap my ball valve onto the feed line of the reactor instead of the return. Hopefully this solves my problem.

 

[Kput]

Starting to see some plant growth, and lots of nice brown algae. I'm assuming diatoms, however I've never seen diatoms get long and hairy like this.

Any suggestions? Likely going to just let it keep going and see if it'll take care of itself. I will be picking up come cleaning crew members once the QT is cycled. Planning on some Apple snails, Amano shrimp, and still trying to track down some freshwater limpets. I can't stand fast reproducing snails, or the eggs nerites leave everywhere so my options are limited.

 

[Kput]

I haven't updated this thread in a while, sorry I've been somewhat frustrated with it lol.

I've added a BGK, and 6" Red Bruno Pleco. The BGK has been doing great for over a month, but as of now I haven't seen him in over a week which is unusual. I'm worried he's died.

I got my algae growth under control, the lights were too close to the surface and blasted everything. I've raised them up and all algae has stopped growing. I was going through Co2 tanks like crazy, so I picked up a new regulator after trying to find a leak.. turns out I'm just not getting it diffused well with my cerges style reactor. I bought a large ceramic diffuser and am just going to try a basic method, and will probably lower some of the surface agitation to get my plants to start growing again.

My 55g QT tank has FINALLY cycled, idk what the issue was. I'm having new flooring installed next month, so once my expenses go down and after I move the 180 for a day to do the flooring, I'll start adding more fish.

 

[Bluesandtwo]

I've really enjoyed your build thread so far - you've done a fantastic job. I can't wait to see the next updates!

 

[Nilsafeller]

Getting closer to being 100% done!

Picked up my glass strips. After looking at them in the tank, I did wish I went with 1" instead of 3/4 tall. I remedied this by taking strips of the plexiglass I did a bad job at cutting, hot glued them together to make platforms, and attached everything in the tank. It gave me two substrate boxes, with drainage channels in the bottom.
Dumped in the Ecocomplete, surrounded by sand, and started my scaping.

Honestly didn't spend too much time, it came together and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Took about 2 hours to fill, and now everything is running. It's been almost 3 days and the heater has finally gotten the tank up to 84 degrees (was 58). Gyre is running smoothly, currently at 40%. Might try higher or lower once I get plants and livestock in the tank.
Cleaned up the lids, and mounted the lights as well.

For the lighting I am planning on running a 5 hour split schedule. On at 8am, off at 1, on at 6pm, off at 11. This is similar to the 6 hour split I run on my salt tank. I work 12 hour days most days, so it gives me viewing time when I'm home, without running 14 hour schedules.

After researching plants, fertilizer, etc. I've decided I will need to run co2 to match up with my high light, as well as daily dosing fertilizer. I've decided on Thrive+ for the time being, over APT Complete and EasyGreen due to cost. Thrive will cost me roughly $1.50 a week dosing into 180 gallons, versus $4~ for the other two.

I do need to pick up a co2 reactor still, I've already got the tank and manifold and such from another setup.

I've placed plant orders and expect stuff to arrive early next week. Went with the following so far;

Balansae
Taiwan moss
Spiralis
Nana Petite
Chain Sword
Pinna TC
Limnophilia Belem
Sao Paulo
Eichornia diversifolia
Hydro Japan (floating)
Jungle Val

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Bro! Where did you get the octopus painting from? Lol looks like something my boy Dan did... swear to god lol you live in alberta?

 

[Kput]

Bro! Where did you get the octopus painting from? Lol looks like something my boy Dan did... swear to god lol you live in alberta?

My stepdad is a tattoo artist, I commissioned him to paint it for me lol. Jason Morrow, Omaha NE.

 

[Kput]

Finally started adding some fish. All these guys are currently in QT until I get the 180 moved and moved back after my new flooring goes in...

Leopard Bush Fish - Leopard Cetnomopa
Featherfin Squeaker Catfish - Synodontis Eupterus
Syodontis Eupterus x Agelicus Hybrid
Black Ghost Knife

I also have 8-10 banded Kuhli loaches in QT, and a red Bruno Pleco in the display.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Wow! I just read all the posts, and you pit time and effort into everything! You truly are dedicated! What pther fish are you gonna put in their?

 

[Kput]

Wow! I just read all the posts, and you pit time and effort into everything! You truly are dedicated! What pther fish are you gonna put in their?

The only thing left to purchase will be;
10~ Roseline Barbs
10~ Assorted Rainbow Fish
3-4 African Butterflies
4~ Ropefish
2~ Plecos (Blue Phantom and ???)

I've also been breeding endler guppies to throw in, hoping I can keep a good number of them breeding in the tank and assuming a lot will end up as snacks too.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

K Kput , WOW! I love Ropefish and get a Green Phantom Pleco. Those are awesome!