[DerektheDiver]

So I figured i should start a build thread for my new 120 gal tank.

The dimensions for the tank are 48x24x24 (glass)

This is more of an upgrade than a build since most of the stuff is going to be straight from my 72gal bow front, but there will also be adjustments to try and make the set up as good as possible.

First task I was faced with was a stand. I bought the tank used and it came with a very unsafe 2x4 stand. So sketchy that i worried about the tank sitting on it when the tank was empty.

So I came up with this design, its a little overkill but is very sturdy and should last as long if not longer than the tank.

This drawings are somewhat to scale, the skinny beams are 2x4's and thick ones 4x4's

Sorry the pic is sideways, but the top 3rd is the top and bottom of the stand, the middle is the front of the tank and the bottom is a side view.

This is the back.

One thing i messed up on was measure where the bulkheads are and so i had to make a little extra space.

One its was all said and done this is what i have for the frame of the stand. The real work starts soon, trying to make it into a nice cabinet!

http://www.thereeftank.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=33181&c=505

 

[DerektheDiver]

 

[DerektheDiver]

dont know y it didnt work the first time lol

 

[CDKT]

Nice start. Keep the pics coming.

 

[kamoto_55]

I have a 120 that I will be starting soon(I hope). Following along

 

[DerektheDiver]

Well here is the progress ive made so far today. All thats left is making a door and staining it. For my rookie craftsman skills i think it turned out pretty darn good!

 

[DerektheDiver]

Got one coat of stain on the stand, no door yet

 

[kamoto_55]

what is the plan for the tank, reef or FOWLR? what about equipment?

 

[DerektheDiver]

Its going to be a reef tank.

For equipment I have

Deep Blue solar max light? i think its called solar max but im to lazy to get up and look
3x hydor korali 750gph PH's
Iwaki#3 return pump
i have to protein skimmers to choose from, depending on the fit i will b going with the bigger one

Estimate of rock going in is about 100#. Not sure on the weight i have.
Also bunch of corals, all soft except 1 SPS and 1 x LPS
Fish:
2x occ clowns
juv tailspot butterfly
sailfin tang
midas blenny
princess parrot
sixline wrasse
blue tang
and a brown strip wrasse?

Its mostly just transfering stuff from my 72 bow to the new 120.

The tank has dual over flows, but i think im only going to use one return line, until i upgrade my return pump.

 

[DerektheDiver]

Well i got another coat of stain on the stand, a friend is coming to help with the making of the door tomorrow or wednesday, but for now im just stuck as school wishing i was home working on the tank.

Im still undecided if i want to buy a sump or use the one i have on my 72. It would be an easy decision to stick with the one i have, but i want to modify it, but the sump is to big to get out of the stand.

I also have a 40 breeder i have been thinking about using as a sump, but i dont know if it can be drilled or not. I think i better just search craigslist for a nice used sump

 

[DerektheDiver]

Well here is the progress so far.

Still no door, and i need atleast one more coat of stain.

 

[DerektheDiver]

Well I got a couple coats of sealer on the stand, and attached the bulkheads to the tank. I know its not as much progress as I would like, but better than nothing.

A big part of the delay is I traded a 40 breeded for a proclear 200 wet/dry, but the guy has to set the breeder up before he can take the sump out from his tank. Ideally i would like to have the wet/dry before I start setting the tank up, but I dont know if i can wait so i might just have to use the wet/dry i have now so i can start the set up this weekend.

Plus the quicker i get it set up the quicker i can sell my old tank and buy some led's!

 

[DerektheDiver]

Just ordered a spectrapure ro/di unit. I have been using water from my lfs, but with the 120 i think evaporation is going to lead to atleast a gallon of water a day lost, so it was time to get a ro/di.

I also had an idea, which im going to try out. Im so sick of working under the tank in the stand and not be able to see anything without a flashlight, so i got some tube lighting im going to put around the top in the stand. Hopefully it will do the trick, and since its weatherproof the possibility of water damage to it wont matter.

 

[DerektheDiver]

So this is what i came up with for lighting the stand to make it easier to work in.

 

[OHBA]

That works. Stand looks good Derek.

 

[DerektheDiver]

Ya for my first time building something, other than my random ranger construction when i was in the army, i think it turned out pretty good. I still have to do the door, I think thats gonna be tomorrows project.

Im also thinking about getting some conduit to bend to hang the light from since what i have now wont work.

 

[DerektheDiver]

Well today i got the water picked up, and will hopefully set the tank up tomorrow since i have a break from finals. So far this is the only real progress, made some light posts out of some conduit. I attached them to the back of the stand so that i could get my light out over the center of the tank, without having to get larger "L" brackets for my wall.

The light height will be higher, but this was the first time i put them on the posts. What do you think?

 

[DerektheDiver]

So today was the day! Finally set up the 120. I couldnt stand it being in my garage and not in my living room. So far the fish seem happy, prolly cuz they arent in buckets anymore, however i have yet to see the sixline swimming around tonight. Only issue i have now is that for some reason the pump for my skimmer isnt working. Probably just needs to be cleaned so thats my next task. But here are some pics from today. Also still no door on the stand yet, but that has to wait til finals are over.

getting ready for the swap!

Full shot. The fish have so much room to swim now

 

[DerektheDiver]

Well i got the protein skimmer pump working this morning, adjusted the light height, put some construction paper on the over flow areas and now am ready to clean up the mess in my garage from the past few weeks of work. Also gotta clean out the 72 Bow front so i can get it on craigslist so i can make some money to put toward some LED's!

 

[DerektheDiver]

So i got my old tank all cleaned up and ready to sell. Once it sells i think i want to use the money to buy some LED's for the 120. I always read about people trying different colors and what not, but is there anything that is just plug and play that doesnt cost a fortune?

Also going to be upgrading my return pump to an Iwaki 40rlt. Anyone see any issues with this pump?