Dave's build thread! - upgrade to 120 gallons.

[DaveTheReefGeek]

Okay, here we go!
After some long planning, timing and decision making the time has come.
As promised, I have already started to get things going this past weekend and will have descriptive details and pictures through my every step.
(As we all know how much everyone here loves pictures!)

Here is a list of what equipment I will be using for my build:
- Tank – 120 gallons RR (dual overflow) measures: (L-W-H) 60”x18”x26”
- Stand – DIY with 6” fan, measures: (L-W-H) 61”x19”x36”
- Canopy – DIY with 2x 6” internal fans
- Sump – 40 Gallon aquarium DIY
- Protein Skimmer: Octopus NW200 with gate valve mod
- 2x 100watt Jager heaters
- Mag 5 return pump
- Auto top off – DIY
- DSB or BB... Haven’t decided yet
(awaiting input to help make up my mind!)
- 3x Koralia 1 power heads (400gph/each)
- Natural Wave (timer for power heads)
- 2 x 400watt metal halides (either 10k or 14k)
- 2x65watt PC (both running actinic-03)
- 2x dual 1watt blue LED moonlights

Critter’s list:
- 50 – 55 Lbs. Live rock (plus the 38 – 40 lbs. That I currently have)
- Various LPS
- Various SPS
- Various Softies
- Various fish
- Clean-up crew (snails, hermits and maybe a few emeralds)

To everyone who will be tagging along, I hope you enjoy!
Ok, let’s get to it!!

[dobejazz]

I can;t wait to see it come together !

[JY13131]

Done yet?

[DaveTheReefGeek]

Getting started...
It’s been a long wait for this build to happen. The biggest hold up was figuring out how long our family was going to be living in our current home. Wouldn’t want to build a reef to tear everything down in 9 months! Since we have figured that we are going to remain where we are for the next couple years, things are good to go! Besides, all this gives me is good reason to upgrade in 2 years when we move!

Now that the big obstacle was out of the way, it was time to move on to the “less big” obstacle; my current 120 gallon fresh water tank which would have to be torn down to make room before the new build could start.



I had thought of keeping my current 120, drilling it and building some over flows as it is the same dimensions as the tank that I had decided on for this build. I figured why mess around just go for a reef ready unit.

[DaveTheReefGeek]

I put my whole fresh water set-up up for sale and it was sold in 3 days. I figured that it would have taken at least a week or two but, just goes to show you never know!

Here is a picture of the void where the new set-up will go.

[aquawolf]

It sounds good to me, but I do have a couple of questions for you.

1) Do you think the Mag 5 is going to produce enough return flow for that size tank? I am curious as I am actually using a Mag 9.5 on my 75 gallon system and it doesn't really seem that strong.

2) Do you know how to make the Koralia power heads run silently? Mine make a lot of noise at start up and for that reason I am not running them on my wavemaker. When I visited Fat Tony he had a piece of airline tubing in front of the impeller on his to keep it from flying forward. I am going to try this during next weeks maintenance and see if it stops the noise so I can turn my wavemaster back on.

Good luck with everything, I will definitely be tagging along on this one.

[Loverotties]

Sounds good!

[DaveTheReefGeek]

Originally Posted by aquawolf

It sounds good to me, but I do have a couple of questions for you.

1) Do you think the Mag 5 is going to produce enough return flow for that size tank? I am curious as I am actually using a Mag 9.5 on my 75 gallon system and it doesn't really seem that strong.

2) Do you know how to make the Koralia power heads run silently? Mine make a lot of noise at start up and for that reason I am not running them on my wavemaker. When I visited Fat Tony he had a piece of airline tubing in front of the impeller on his to keep it from flying forward. I am going to try this during next weeks maintenance and see if it stops the noise so I can turn my wavemaster back on.

Good luck with everything, I will definitely be tagging along on this one.

With regards to your questions:
1. With regards to sump return flow, I am not looking to turn over a fantastic volume of water through my sump, only about 4-5 times tank volume per hour. Since the sump is where the particles in the water column go to settel (hopfully), you don't really want too high of flow. In the display, I will have a total water movement of aprox. 1700GPH which will be mainly controled by the 3 power heads in my display.

2. I didn't know there wat a problem with the Koralia power heads making noise on start up. This is the first I've ever heard of it. Maybe someone else will chime in and give their input.

Glad your tagging along and thank you for the input on the Koralia's, please let me know how the mod to your Koralia's goes when your done, I will have to start doing some research!

[crvz]

Good luck with the build! I'll be watching.

In terms of the return pump, a mag 7 or 9 may be a better choice, but if there's very little head loss the 5 may be enough. I use a 9 on my 150, but it's dialed way back with a gate valve. Note that the 5 and 7 have the same outlet, but if you do decide to upgrade to the 9 you'll have to redo a little plumbing (from 1/2" to 3/4" I believe). Otherwise, if you've already got the 5, I'd hook it up and see how it works. If you're buying it, start with something a little more powerful.

[DaveTheReefGeek]

Originally Posted by crvz

Good luck with the build! I'll be watching.

In terms of the return pump, a mag 7 or 9 may be a better choice, but if there's very little head loss the 5 may be enough. I use a 9 on my 150, but it's dialed way back with a gate valve. Note that the 5 and 7 have the same outlet, but if you do decide to upgrade to the 9 you'll have to redo a little plumbing (from 1/2" to 3/4" I believe). Otherwise, if you've already got the 5, I'd hook it up and see how it works. If you're buying it, start with something a little more powerful.

Thank you Chris,
Regarding the pump, I already have the Mag5. I was able to purchase it cheeeeap!! That's why I have it. I figure give it a try, if it seems to be under-powered I will be upgrading to a Mag 9.5 and govern it accordingly.

[ScottDWH]

One suggestion is that if you want to keep SPS, you may want to upgrade those Koralia's to #3 or #4's instead of #1's. Also, thats alot of stuff that has to be plugged into one outlet. Everything else looks great.

[DaveTheReefGeek]

Originally Posted by ScottDWH

One suggestion is that if you want to keep SPS, you may want to upgrade those Koralia's to #3 or #4's instead of #1's. Also, thats alot of stuff that has to be plugged into one outlet. Everything else looks great.

- Starting with Koralia 1's, will add/upgrade where needed.
- All the lighting will be powered seperatly.

[DaveTheReefGeek]

Ok, got home with the wood for the frame and have begun construction.


Here is the top and bottom of the frame.


And on we go...

[DaveTheReefGeek]

I was messing around with the camera over the weekend and took some pictures of my current 30g setup. I guess I have Hop to thank for this one, as he has inspired me to take some clown/anemone pic's with the beautiful ones that he posted recently.

[aquawolf]

Originally Posted by DaveTheReefGeek

2. I didn't know there wat a problem with the Koralia power heads making noise on start up. This is the first I've ever heard of it. Maybe someone else will chime in and give their input.

The impeller is actually loose on the shaft, so when you first start them up it flies forward and bangs abainst the housing some until it gets up to speed and slides back down into its proper position. I will try to fix mine this weekend and let you know how it goes.

Your not wasting any time getting this build started.