99 replies to this topic

[kveille]

I figured I would start my build thread for a 120g I bought from WilliamJacobs. I am excited about upgrading from my 34g Red Sea Max to a bigger tank. If only the wife felt the same way  :roll: I think she will become more excited once she realizes the fish selection is much greater in a bigger tank. The tank is going to go in the den where my current tank and Christmas tree is located so it won't be moved there until after Christmas.

My equipment List:
120g Oceanic
40L Sump
Canopy
48" 8 bulb T5 Fixture (will probably use the Kirk Combo)
Ehiem 1262 Return Pump
Reef Octopus SRO3000INT
3 BRS reactors with 3 MJ1200
2 x MP40s
150lbs of Tropic Eden Reeflakes Aragonite Sand

Next Steps:
So, I have just about everything I need. I will probably buy 100-150lbs of Marco Rock in the next two weeks and also get 3 BRS reactors for the BRS pellets, Carbon and GFO. During this time I am going to begin laying out the plumbing. I have never plumbed anything before, so I will probably be asking a lot of questions. Once the plumbing is complete, I will set it up and start the cycle.

Here are some of the fish I am interested in:
Blonde Naso
Blue Tang
Yellow Tang
Purple Tang
Blue Jaw Trigger
Wrasse (The pictures and tanks on LARC have got me thinking I want a lot wrasses)
Golden Rhomboidalis Wrasse
Mystery Wrasse
Fairy Wrasses
1-2 unique clownfish (TBD)
Sailfin Blenny
Bicolor blenny
Flame Hawk
Bluedot Jawfish
Green Mandarin

A lot more research will have to go into my fish selection, but these are a few that I like. Any suggestions or feedback is appreciated.

Coral:
I plan to keep a mixture of SPS, LPS and zoas



My early Christmas Presents to myself
3 MJ1200


Ehiem 1262 Return Pump


2 x MP40s


Reef Octopus SRO3000INT

[kveille]

Response from JT:


Kevin, I'll be glad to provide you a little feedback. As far as your fish:

Here are some of the fish I am interested in:
Blonde Naso - they get too big, IMO, for a 120. I wouldn't do one myself.
Blue Tang - great fish but similar concern to the blonde naso. This one is lesser of a concern, though.
Yellow Tang - great fish, very common, easy to keep... should be good for that size tank
Purple Tang - same as yellow tang
Blue Jaw Trigger - these got popular awhile back and it seems some people are having aggression issues with the now. I'd take that as a possible concern area since you only have 4' of horizontal swim space.
Wrasse (The pictures and tanks on LARC have got me thinking I want a lot wrasses) - lots of wrasses are fun, that is how I will stock my 120 again for sure.
Golden Rhomboidalis Wrasse - gorgeous rish, bring cash  
Mystery Wrasse - I don't like them. Overpriced and overplayed. Check out a pink-streaked pygmy wrasse. Similar look, far less aggressive, and much cheaper. Again, just my opinion so don't get bent out of shape over my comment.
Fairy Wrasses - LOVE THEM!!!
1-2 unique clownfish (TBD) - Love the idea! Go with something truly unique and you can't go wrong. Try to plan for a nem as a host for them as well.
Sailfin Blenny - Blennies are cool and easy to add to give a lower dimension fish in the tank.
Bicolor blenny - Same as above
Flame Hawk - I love hawkfish. My personal fave is a red lyretail hawk. Give them a look if you want something more unique.
Bluedot Jawfish - gotta run a depper sand bed, which you should have with 150# but it is a large grain size and I think that may possible be an issue.
Green Mandarin - I would NOT do mandarins in a tank loaded with wrasses. The wrasses eat pellets and flake but will decimate a pod population. If you have the ORA mandarins eating pellets you may be okay but it is a risk that I won't be taking in my 120.

I hope you find this helpful. I konw that I can speak my mind with you but this is more of a public show. Hopefully nobody gets their feelings hurt over what I said here. I'm not speaking for everyone, just myself. These are all based on my research and personal experience. Don't try this at home...

[kveille]

Update 12-20-10

Here are some pics of the tank when I got it and after I cleaned it. I don't ever think I want to clean a tank again. It was a pain in the a$$. Plus it sucked when my wife, parents and other friends didn't understand what Coralline algae was and why I would buy a tank that had it. It drove me crazy that they thought I bought a bad tank.

Before






After







Tank sitting inside

[kveille]

Update 1-13-11

It has been awhile, so I thought I would update my thread. I finally sold all of my livestock out of my Red Sea Max and I have someone coming by Saturday to pick up the tank. So, I will probably start working on the plumbing this weekend or next week. I plan to order my salt and a Apex Controller this within the next week.

What is the recommended way to mix in the salt? Should I just fill the tank up with water and mix it with or without sand?

I took advantage of some Christmas and New Years sales and bought some more equipment. I was able to pick up two BRS deluxe reactors (carbon and GFO), 120 lbs. of BRS dry rock (Fiji, Eco, and Shelf), Hanna phosphate and Alk checker and calibration fluid, hammerhead algae scrubber, easy blade attachment, 300w Finnex heater, 4 54w ATI Blue Plus and 4 54w ATI Purple Plus.

Shelf Rock



Eco Rock (very nice)



Fiji Rock



BRS GFO and Reactor


BRS Carbon and Reactor


Hanna Alk and phosphate checker, heater, hammerhead algae scraper


T5 bulbs

[kveille]

Update 2-1-11

Sorry, it has been awhile. I have all of my equipment in minus the plumbing. After hearing Shane's story, I am going to use PVC piping. I am going to order some new bulkheads from BRS this week. Are schedule 80 bulkheads necessary? Also, I had 1000g of salt delivered, so I guess I will be set for a loooong time.

Also, Josh (jrl) has inspired me to begin building a stand. I have been using his design to give it a shot. I had all of my wood cut and I am beginning to put it together. This is my first woodworking project, so it is taking a long time. If I can frame it correctly, I will buy a compound miter saw to finish everything else.

Salt


Stand

[kveille]

Update 2-12-11

I think I am doing the longest stand build ever or at least it feels that way. My plan is to have everything done by next weekend and begin filling the tank up. I painted the interior tonight and will attach the plywood tomorrow. The door holes are already cut on the ply wood, so I will just need to construct the doors, stain and attach it all. I feel like I am in the home stretch. Here are a few shots from tonight.




Door cut outs

[kveille]

Update 2-21-11

I have just about everything built. I messed up and added the boards I was going to use for the lip for the bottom trim. I don't think it is going to be a problem other than the fact I have to go buy a replacement board. I am also going to add some shoe molding for the inside of the cabinet doors.

I have also been practicing with two stains. I think I like the one that is more red. My test pieces weren't sanded or pretreated, so I am hoping the rings won't show up as much once I do it right.

I am still trying to figure out what is the best way to stain the entire stand, since it needs to lay flat. I am thinking I will be able to get two sides one day and another side the next.

[kveille]

The only thing I have left to do one the stand is to stain it and apply a few coats of urethane

[Stang66GT]

This thing is going to be a beast Kev!

[SHANE_96INTEGRA]

You still dont have water in this thing?

[kveille]

I know, it is pretty pathetic. I have off the next 5 days, so I hope to complete all of the staining and sealing by then. Plus, Greg is waiting on a piece of shelf rock.

[SHANE_96INTEGRA]

Im hoping to have water flowing in mine by next weekend. Pump should be here tues. Looking good though man.

[kveille]

Finished applying the stain last night, so I am ready to apply the polyurethane tonight and will probably do 2-3 coats. I am excited to think that I could have it all setup this weekend. The last thing to do will be the plumbing, but I don't anticipate that to take very long.

Door



Stand




Pine for the lip around the aquarium

[SHANE_96INTEGRA]

looks good man

[kirkleigh84]

Stand is looking good Kevin. I like the color.

[kveille]

The stand is finished and in the house. I am pretty happy with it, especially since it was my first woodworking project. The only thing left is putting on the lip to the stand, but I am going to wait until I have the aquarium positioned on the stand.

[Jaytizzle]

Good work, bro... if only you could be as good at CoD as you are at woodworking...

[Reef_Tank_Greg]

That stain is very VERY nice. Looks like it's gone into a nice house too!

[Stang66GT]

Dude that is awesome!!! I hope when I redo the trim on the fowlr it comes out half that nice :text-datsphatyo:

[Jaytizzle]

Dude, why didn't you stain the insides of the doors?  Are you going to seal them with something else?