Doc's 125g reef set-up

docjones · 01/01/2008, 02:21 PM

Well I finally got my 125 up and running. It has been a long process due to cost, time, and the holiday season. I am just going to run down my thought process and implementation to see what people think. Thanks in advance for all the comments.

First and foremost my goal was to create a "open" tank to accommodate swimmers such as Tangs and Triggers. To do this I decided to make rock pillars (three in total) so that I can maximize tank space. I did this by buying 1/4 inch fiber glass rods from McMaster-Carr . Once I got them I cut them to length and placed them in pre-drilled paver stones. The stones were bought at Lowe's in the garden section for about 56 cents. I then just simple used a masonry bit and drilled the holes in the center to place the rods in.

Note: I did place a piece of Acrylic between the tank and paver stone to avoid any scratching or chips.

After I got the pillars done I moved to plumbing the over flows. The tank itself is a 125g Perfecto with the Mega-flow pre-drilled. I just did the basic plumbing down to a 30g sump I made out of a old tank. the one thing I did add to the plumbing was a ball-valve to the return that simple ran back to my skimmer section. This was so I could adjust my pump encase the pump was to strong (Mag 18).

The big problem I faced was that I had or more wanted to put my 125g where my 55g was sitting. So the way I swapped them was simple make about 110g of RO/DI saltwater and get it up to temp. I think drained the 55g into another trash can and placed all the live rock into the trash can. I did not keep the sand since it was older than 6 months. I think moved the 55 and put the 125 in place. put the pillars in, place the sand in, and finally add the 55 gallon water followed by my pre-mixed water. This all came out without a hitch for the most part. I did have a small leak in the return I fixed but other than that I was ok. I did drill holes in the live rock as I placed it in so that they could slide and be moved around the pillar stands.

Well, this is the tank 2 days after install.

As you can see I had some micro-bubble issues but that is now fixed. All water parameters in check and the fish are eating as if nothing happened. I will update this post as the tank settles in. Here is a some basic tank info..

125g Perfecto with corner over-flows W/ 30g sump
3 Koralia power heads @ 850gph each
ASM G2 skimmer
2 150w heaters (one is back up)
Mag-Drive 18 for return line, 1800gph @ zero head loss
42" Current Sunpod (modified from my 55g till I get new lights)

Fish stock
Volitan Lion Fish
Niger Trigger
Lawnmover Blenny
Clown Fish
White BTA
Misc snails and hermits (Niger leaves them alone)

Thanks for reading!!!

Zestay · 01/01/2008, 02:55 PM

wow.
lets hope those paver stones dont leach anything harmful into your tank.

annewayne · 01/01/2008, 03:06 PM

I like the look. I was just wondering about ph problems with the pavers. Looks awesome though.

docjones · 01/01/2008, 07:19 PM

Many people have used pavers before. I actually got the idea from multiple threads on here.

01/01/2008, 02:21 PM	#1
docjones Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sanford, NC Posts: 133	Doc's 125g reef set-up Well I finally got my 125 up and running. It has been a long process due to cost, time, and the holiday season. I am just going to run down my thought process and implementation to see what people think. Thanks in advance for all the comments. First and foremost my goal was to create a "open" tank to accommodate swimmers such as Tangs and Triggers. To do this I decided to make rock pillars (three in total) so that I can maximize tank space. I did this by buying 1/4 inch fiber glass rods from McMaster-Carr . Once I got them I cut them to length and placed them in pre-drilled paver stones. The stones were bought at Lowe's in the garden section for about 56 cents. I then just simple used a masonry bit and drilled the holes in the center to place the rods in. Note: I did place a piece of Acrylic between the tank and paver stone to avoid any scratching or chips. After I got the pillars done I moved to plumbing the over flows. The tank itself is a 125g Perfecto with the Mega-flow pre-drilled. I just did the basic plumbing down to a 30g sump I made out of a old tank. the one thing I did add to the plumbing was a ball-valve to the return that simple ran back to my skimmer section. This was so I could adjust my pump encase the pump was to strong (Mag 18). The big problem I faced was that I had or more wanted to put my 125g where my 55g was sitting. So the way I swapped them was simple make about 110g of RO/DI saltwater and get it up to temp. I think drained the 55g into another trash can and placed all the live rock into the trash can. I did not keep the sand since it was older than 6 months. I think moved the 55 and put the 125 in place. put the pillars in, place the sand in, and finally add the 55 gallon water followed by my pre-mixed water. This all came out without a hitch for the most part. I did have a small leak in the return I fixed but other than that I was ok. I did drill holes in the live rock as I placed it in so that they could slide and be moved around the pillar stands. Well, this is the tank 2 days after install. As you can see I had some micro-bubble issues but that is now fixed. All water parameters in check and the fish are eating as if nothing happened. I will update this post as the tank settles in. Here is a some basic tank info.. 125g Perfecto with corner over-flows W/ 30g sump 3 Koralia power heads @ 850gph each ASM G2 skimmer 2 150w heaters (one is back up) Mag-Drive 18 for return line, 1800gph @ zero head loss 42" Current Sunpod (modified from my 55g till I get new lights) Fish stock Volitan Lion Fish Niger Trigger Lawnmover Blenny Clown Fish White BTA Misc snails and hermits (Niger leaves them alone) Thanks for reading!!! __________________ Periodic table, with a center peace of mind! - Clutch Red house= pictures Current Tank Info: 125g reef

01/01/2008, 07:19 PM	#4
docjones Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sanford, NC Posts: 133	Many people have used pavers before. I actually got the idea from multiple threads on here. __________________ Periodic table, with a center peace of mind! - Clutch Red house= pictures Current Tank Info: 125g reef

01/01/2008, 02:55 PM	#2
Zestay Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: gainesville, FL Posts: 1,622	wow. lets hope those paver stones dont leach anything harmful into your tank.

01/01/2008, 03:06 PM	#3
annewayne Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Des Moines Posts: 237	I like the look. I was just wondering about ph problems with the pavers. Looks awesome though.