Converting A Rio 180

[callum_parsons]

i am planning to convert a rio 180 to marine. i dont want any hard corals maybe a mushroom or 2 and i will be getting about 25kg of live rock.
so what extra equipment may i need except for a protein skimmer which is obivious.
i am not sure if i need an extra external filter because the live rock and sand will be the natural filter and i will use the juwels internal filter for additional media.

 

[skitzzzz]

Hi callum
i have just converted my rio 180 to marine tank at the mo iam ready for clean up crew arrives on wednesday
tell you what i got if it helps as everything going great so far
took out the internal filter sharp razor did the trick and slowly
external filter - teratec ex700 - found it really easy can swap media etc dead easy to change etc - in at mo rowaphos/filter wool/activated carbon
seio m820 powerheads - great flow - - did have 2 maxijet 600 but not strong enough
t8 arcadia blue t8 arcadia white - lights
origional heater that came with tank
20kg live rock
fine crushed coral then 2 bags of olitee live sand on top
5kg ocean rock for base
salifert test kits also saltmaster one
instant ocean 8kg bag salt - enough for start and good 25% water change after cycle bit left over
glass hydrometer for testing salt
painted back tank blue
think thats it hope it helps
oooo forgot bought seaclone 100 skimmer its doing good job took couple days to settle tweaked it a bit now ok but iam gonna upgrade soon to the aquamedic turbo float when funds allow
heres pic my tank if it helps

 

[N1z]

hey i converted a rio 240, despite the horrid cyano atm ive got i still love it. i cut out the filter and took the lights off. but for u keeping softies they would be fine on the juwel lights but put reflectors on.
i also then run a ehiem 2224 with just seachem products : purigen, matrix and phosphate remover.
then i ran 25kg of LR but tbh i want more but im worried it will fall through the floor lol.

as for sand bed to make it like working perfect u need it like 4 inches+ so it kinda ruins the look of the tnak i think so i stayed with 1.5 inches. dont use crushed coral as ive used it and once it gets algea on it its a nightmare to get off! plus it can becmore a nitrate factory.

you can use carbon but its used up in under a weke i read as there are so many organics or summit or other.
but in filter terms i would say go with eheim as they are the dogs nads they cant go wrong plus very easy to use.

and for pumps use sieos like 1 m820 and 1 m620 tbh i think that be ok. depends really.
as for skimmers i wouldnt touch the seaclone its a bit old now and really u can get more for the same price i run a tmx v2 400 skimmer it works well really. but have a look at my secs down below

 

[davys]

hey i converted a rio 240, despite the horrid cyano atm ive got i still love it. i cut out the filter and took the lights off. but for u keeping softies they would be fine on the juwel lights but put reflectors on.
i also then run a ehiem 2224 with just seachem products : purigen, matrix and phosphate remover.
then i ran 25kg of LR but tbh i want more but im worried it will fall through the floor lol.

as for sand bed to make it like working perfect u need it like 4 inches+ so it kinda ruins the look of the tnak i think so i stayed with 1.5 inches. dont use crushed coral as ive used it and once it gets algea on it its a nightmare to get off! plus it can becmore a nitrate factory.

you can use carbon but its used up in under a weke i read as there are so many organics or summit or other.
but in filter terms i would say go with eheim as they are the dogs nads they cant go wrong plus very easy to use.

and for pumps use sieos like 1 m820 and 1 m620 tbh i think that be ok. depends really.
as for skimmers i wouldnt touch the seaclone its a bit old now and really u can get more for the same price i run a tmx v2 400 skimmer it works well really. but have a look at my secs down below

Hi Guys,

Got a Rio 180 myself and I'm now at the stage of researching what I'll need for a marine set up (got a few months research to do and some serious saving!). Can you let me know if you have had to cut the hood of the Rio 180 to accommodate any equipment, or did you get away with keeping it complete. Many thanks for your help.

 

[callum_parsons]

Got a Rio 180 myself and I'm now at the stage of researching what I'll need for a marine set up (got a few months research to do and some serious saving!). Can you let me know if you have had to cut the hood of the Rio 180 to accommodate any equipment, or did you get away with keeping it complete. Many thanks for your help.
[/quote]

you would have to cut the hood if you want to have a hang on protein skimmer but this is a really simple task to about 10 min for me and it looks good.

 

[N1z]

Yes you probs will have to, however they will still sit fine, i had to but tbh i get annoyed with it. So ive got a luminaire coming now! IF THE SOD OF A SUPPLIER GETS OFF HER BUTT! (been waiting over 2 weeks)