Plans for a new tank build

[af0929]

I have just fallen in love with the sw tank hobby and am planning on building a large (for me) predator set up. I've got my eyes on a 180 gallon (6'x18"xsomething lol) that i plan on using. I'm gonna build a custom stand and hood. For a filter im gonna purchase an 84 gallon that seems to be long enough to include all nessessary filteration and have a built in refugium. I'm gonna get a ~300 gallon skimmer just to make sure its well filtered. and load it with live rock, live sand, and bio balls.

I have yet to come across a good method for maintaining temperature in a set up that size. I really dont want to break down and spend the money on a chiller but i will if i have to. Does it make scince to put maybe 2 in water heaters?

Also i would like to set up an overflow system for the tank. In all of the pictures i have seen everyone is just using bulkheads for there intakes/returns. i would like to eventually house bamboo sharks and such so which would be better for the larger predators? (yes i know its too small for adults, i plan on getting larger tank once it gets to that point)

Basically I want to know if i sound like I know what I'm doing lol. I want to make sure I have enough information prior to getting started. Please post with any advice that you have from personal builds. Thanks

 

[BIGgourami]

just stayaway from the shark for a few years (aside from needing to acrew another $3-5K for the tank, they are one of the most sensitive fish out there)


putting 2 heaters in 1 tank is not ridiculous, it's generally advised if one has the means, as it maintains a more stable temp, and can be a back up in case something happens to the first heater

the tank will likely run hot enough with all of the pumps and lights and bells and whistles going on.. i'd let it all run for a few days and see what temp it run at normally compared to the air temp.. and buy heaters accordingly


for the overflows, most (if not all) 180 that i've seen come pre-drilled, or reef ready (RR).. so the overflow part shouldn't be an issue

 

[sweeTang21]

you could also customize your tank, and run a Coast to Coast overflow system. If you order the tank, custom you pretty much can do what ever you want.

180 gallon standard tanks are 6' by 2' by 2' which is a fairly large tank. As its been mentioned before id start slow only because this is your first tank. Going large is the best option you have, so good job on that decision, but for the shark, id say no for a while until you get your feet wet with water conditions and equiptment needed for these systems. Its also recommended to keep sharks healthy, that you house them in the tank, they can spend there life in. IE 16,000 gallons for a shark the requires that amound of water. Its just best for the animal.