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cruelle

Long time no post

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by
cruelle
, 10-01-2013 at 05:48 PM (10596 Views)
Things have been crazy with busy the family and work over the last year. Not much has changed on my current 75 gallon set up but I have been felling the upgrade bug for awhile. So I went to ask a question at my local fish store about a pump issue I was having. Having not visited for a few weeks I was surprised to see a used 180 with all the fixings minus the heater for $1500 or make a offer and of course it peaked my interest. I asked what the story was and why it was here. After finding out that the heater went and the owner was away went in broke and lost most of everything the owner had enough and wanted out of the hobby. So I made an offer and brought in home on the 26th. I put in the basement in the finished room and cut a hole in the wall to picture frame it out. On backside I will be able to work on it on the plus side the drain and my R/O unit is in that area of the basement.


Click image for larger version Name: 001.jpg Views: 681 Size: 97.6 KB ID: 8749Front Click image for larger version Name: 002.jpg Views: 681 Size: 131.4 KB ID: 8750 back with lights

Now for the details...
180 gallon tank, custom stand, sump (40 gallon breeder) and little giant return pump and as an add bonus all of the old pluming
Lighting ---SunPod HQI metal Halide Fixture w/ lunar LED lights ...currently with 3- 150 watt bulbs not sure what kind and how old

Everything has tested in working condition and I can reuse some of the pluming with a good soaking and cleaning I will have to rebuild the returns to the sump and the same with the returns to the tank but that's not a big deal. so more pictures Click image for larger version Name: 004.jpg Views: 716 Size: 149.8 KB ID: 8751 sump Click image for larger version Name: 008.jpg Views: 700 Size: 120.8 KB ID: 8752 return pump Click image for larger version Name: 007.jpg Views: 713 Size: 123.4 KB ID: 8753returns old and new Click image for larger version Name: 011.jpg Views: 660 Size: 121.2 KB ID: 8754pluming partsClick image for larger version Name: 003.jpg Views: 703 Size: 136.1 KB ID: 8755 sump view Click image for larger version Name: 006.jpg Views: 704 Size: 134.4 KB ID: 8756side view
A few questions to.
Should I buy new bulbs or wait tell later when the tank is up a running ... the bulbs do have a good bluish color to them just not sure what kind and how old.
Also I have been told that I should oil my pump about once a month to keep the bearings lubed up. What area on the pump should I oil?
Just asking because I haven't work with either items before so new territory for me
Thanks much
Chris

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Comments

  1. cyano's Avatar
    congrats on the purchase and welcome back. as far as the bulbs are concerned you shouldn't have to worry about the LEDs unless they blow but I would replace the MH bulbs. You shouldn't have to run them until after the tank is cycled and about to stock the tank so in the meantime it wouldn't hurt to have new ones in there so you know that they are new and good and you know when it is time to change them. I am unfamiliar with external aquarium pumps but if it does need to be oiled (Melev would know better) then the areas that need lubrication should have an access to put in a recommended lubricant. Remember it is an external pump so don't add any lubricant to any primer points or if water comes out of it then no oil/lubricant ha ha. What kind of overflow is with it, a hang on back or a built in? just wondering I didn't see it in any of the pictures.
  2. cruelle's Avatar
    thanks cyano... I have 2 built in overflows in the corners. Do you have any suggestions on MH bulbs one brand better than the other. I plan on having a mixed tank. Will be posting the mock up pluming tonight and doing an order for misc. goodies.
  3. melev's Avatar
    Regarding the pump, that pump probably doesn't have a specific oiling port. I'd turn it on and see what it sounds like briefly. If it is quiet, leave it be. If you want to squirt some silicone spray on the driveshaft, that may not be a bad thing... if you can even see it to apply any. Not a lot, just a little bit should do.

    For the MH DE bulbs, what color do you prefer? The Phoenix 14,000K bulb is quite nice for the 150w variety.
  4. cruelle's Avatar
    melev...after looking over the pump and taking a test run with it, I will leave it be for now it is very quite. I guess I am looking for a white light (crisp look to it) with blue hue to it. After reading some it looks like phoenix bulb is the one I am thinking about going with. thanks for the advice.
  5. melev's Avatar
    The Phoenix 14,000K is very blue, but doesn't need supplementation. I had it on my angled tank and really liked the look, except for orange corals. My Montipora capricornis was bland and brown under that bulb, but everything else looked great. If you want crisp white, you'll want a 10,000K bulb.

    This is a tough purchase because you can't try out a bulb. They aren't cheap, and you just have to run with whatever you buy, usually. Some people sell the slightly used bulb if they can't stand it and buy a different spectrum.
  6. Hat39406's Avatar
    Het Chris, nice to see this post. I've been away about a year too. That's an awesome buy. Can't wait to see the progress!
  7. Hat39406's Avatar
    Hey* haha I'm blind! Lol
  8. cruelle's Avatar
    Hat- good to see you post---I will have a update soon with water