Chris' 125 Build Thread

[ckusnierek]

Horray for me! I got a 125 this week so....

HERE IS MY BUILD THREAD

The tank is a AGA 125 (72x23x18)
The tank will be SPS dom with a few softies thrown in.
I will use much of the equip from my 75 the only thing I will need is a this 250w MH and a larger sump (rubbermaid stock tank) and CLS pump if I go that route. My current skimmer will be fine on a 125 (Octo NW-200) And my Ca reactor will also handle 125g.
This build will be over a few months and I hope to transfer from my current 75g sometime late fall/early winter.

I have a lot to do and a lot of decisions to make.

Were to put the tank?
Along a wall or room divider?
CLS?, Wave box? Powerheads? etc...

The tank is used so it needs a little bit of work.
One of the braces is cracked so I will be replacing it. After removing the old frame but before installing the new one I will reseal the tank cornners.

Like I said this will be a slow build and I will take many pictures...

[ckusnierek]

Ok so here is what I have done so far:

Got the tank in the garage (wife not happy about loosing her parking spot)




I also got the top frame off. I used a razor and went all the way around the inside and outside then realized that the top of the glass had silicone on it too and the problem was that there was no way to get a razor up there since the frame had a recess in it for the glass to fit in. Since I did not have a razor blade shaped like a "Z" I used a jigsaw to cut the inside lip of the frame of. after that it was easy. It took about 45 mins to get off but 2-3 hourse before I figured out to use a saw.... :doh"










HORRAY!!! THE TOP FRAME IS OFF!!!!!




Now I need to get about 100 razors and get to wirk on all that old silicone.
I place to do that this week and reseal as well. I will also order the new frame this week. The bad part about that is the frame costd $35 but it's going to cost $40 just to ship it



More to come as I get time to work on it...

[crvz]

Looks like a fun project! And good thing you have that ping-pong ball to let you know how far to pull the tank into the garage.

[ckusnierek]

I cannot figure out why no LFS in my area will order me the top frame????

They all Say "my disributor cant get it" I called Aqueon and complained and there was nothign they could do but tell me some online places to buy it from....

Oh Well....

Going to order it this week and hope to have it by next weekend.

I really need to decied on a place for the tank. Since the next setp will be drilling it
If I make it a room divider I will drill it from the end and if it's along a wall it will be drilled on the back.

I'm looking HERE for the diamond drills and bulkheads. There really cheap especially the bulkheads. Has anyone ever used them before???

[ckusnierek]

Well I got all the silicine out from teh corrners tonnight. Tomorrow I will got to Lowes and get seom silicone remover to clean any residue off and the clean the corners real good then lay tape about 3/8" from each corner and the apply the new silicone. I will take lots of pics of this incease anyones has been curoius about doing it....

[crvz]

Look forward to seeing the work, cleaning silicone is the worst part of dealing with it, though. I hope it comes out well!

[ckusnierek]

Well I saw some silocone remover at lowes the other day I was going to try it. I just hope it does not eat the seal between the panes....

[crvz]

if it comes down to it, just don't clean those areas with the product, just with the razor. that way there's no issue (assuming it something like a wipe on or spray product).

[ckusnierek]

I'm going to try around the top where the frame was. If it works like I hope I will use it on the corners. If not I do have the prety clean already with just the razor blade.

[Loverotties]

Looking good!

[ckusnierek]

Decided not to use the silicone remover. It seemed to harsh for a aquarium. Ir required good ventalatioin, and needed to be handled with gloves. I just cleaned to glass real good. Going to do the seals right now....

[ckusnierek]

Ok I just resealed the tank!
It went very well. Better than expected

I'll start from the begining and maybe move this post to the DIY forum incease anyone else ever wants to reseal a tank.

The tools:
Long flexible razorblade
Standard razorblade
Shop vac
Tape
Windex
Silicone
Lots of paper towels

Fist use the long flexible razor the cut the silicone in the corners from each side.




Be careful not to lay the blade too flat when cutting the side were the blase cout cut thru the seal betweee the two panes.

Then use the standard blade to clean up the corner and get all the silicone cut as close to the corner as possible. I also used this blade to do the final cleanup of the silicone. Just use a sharp blade and push hard into the glass.

Notice how I keep the blade at about 45 degrees.



After all the silicone is removed use the shop vac and clean all the debris. Then clean the glass with windex or another glass cleaner. I cleaned it about 4 times just to make sure.

Next I used painters tape 2" wide you could use masking tape but I like the blue and I like it wider. I used the "scum" lines that were left after removing the old silicone when I placed the tape. If you dont have any lines for reference I suggest you measure from the cornners to and bottom and mark the tank with a sharpie.

Here is the tank all taped up:




Now for the messy part. Apply a liberal bead of silicone up the corner. Then use your finger to smooth it out. I ran my finger up the seam 2-3 times to get it smooth and even. Remove the tape asap as the silicone will begin "skin" quickly. Is the silicone sets too much it will pull as you remove the tape. It's pushing 90 degrees here today with low humidity and I did this in the garage. Yet after 5 mins the silicone had already began to skin over.




Here is the finished corner




In all the project took less than 2 hours and most of the times was removing the old silicone.

I was a little leary to try this but it was really peice of cake!

I will be ordering the new top frame this week and as soon a I install it I wil water test the tank. I also need to clean it with vinagar.

If I failed to mention anything please ask any questions...

[ckusnierek]

Ordered CLS pump today. Reeflo Dart (3600gph)
Premium Aquatics has them in the clerance section since the new Gold series came out. Og tit for $150

Also going to order diamond drill sand bulkheads today. I'm thinking 4 1" for the CLS with 2 1" returns (6 1" holes total) And 1 1.5" for the overflow return...

[ckusnierek]

Got the Dart. Should have the bulkheads and diamond saws today.
I decided to go with a 1.5" overflow return
2 1.5" CLS pickups
4 1" CLS into tank.

I really wanted to cut the holesthis weekend. but the top frame wont be in for another week or so. I dont wat to risk laying the tank on it's side witout the top frame and especially the braces. Oh well I'll wait till the frame coems in.

I'm really excited about this tank so I think thigs are going to happen much sooner. Probally have the tank filled and running by october....

[crvz]

Good thinking on waiting for the trim. Hope it comes in promptly for you!