Shopping list?!? 180

[Melonbob]

So far, I've purchased the 180 tank
60g sump
72" 8X80 t5 lighting
reeflo snapper or dart for return
Octopus Extreme 200 skimmer
plumbing

What else do I need for this tank? I mean must haves, right now to start adding water? What about calcium reactors etc? I always used a two part. This is where things start getting grey to me....lol

[RyanG]

Keep using two part until the reactor is similar to the price of the two part you are using in a month or three. IMO. You need a return pump from the sump. The dart or snapper will suck dry very very quickly if used for a sump return, they are more along the lines of a closed loop pump.

[SSalty]

What are your plans for this tank?

SPS?
LPS?
Softies?

This can help determine how much flow you will need.

[Melonbob]

Snapper shouldn't dry out, its rated for 1500gph at 7 feet head, I have two 1.5" overflows.....I also have a mag 9.5, but was told that was too small

[RyanG]

My tank with a mag12 with a four foot head keeps perfect levelsthats with two 1.5" overflows. Id tell you the exact rate but I got banned from RC and cant use the calculator, I think. You would have to drill your sump to run the snapper too.

[hoopsdaddy]

About 250lbs live rock curing in some trash cans. Couple buckets of salt. 100lbs sand for 1" bed/360lbs for 4" bed.
Some obvious stuff but that is what I see.
Equip wise your making good choices. Listen to others as I have had very little experience with pumps.
What are you wanting to put in the tank. That will determine a lot of things.

[Melonbob]

I can still change pumps, it hasn't arrived at the store yet, what about mag pumps? I can go with a mag 18, but I am concerned about heat. I am running t5 only, but I'd be pissed if I had to drop 500+ on a chiller cause my pump is heating the water too much. I do like the idea of a submersible pump though so I don't have to drill

[RyanG]

You wont need a mag18, you will only get 600gph overflow from each overflow tops. Each bend and change in elevation will slow that down. Put that on a mag12 or similar internal pump and you will even out pretty close due to head height. You can get cooler running and more energy efficient pumps but mags are common. Maxi-jet just put out a good internal return pump FYI. You need something in the 1200gph range, not 950 or 1800.

[yote]

I dont know that a mag18 would produce enough heat to make a difference on a 180.I might be wrong,but I just cant see it heating up that much.
The corals you add will decide weather or not you need a calcium reactor.If your planning on a lot of SPS,then you may need one.If you like more softies,then you may not need it.

[Bifferwine]

I run a Mag Drive and have not had any heat issues with it.