120g Tank Build!!!

tiller25 · 10/10/2008, 11:50 PM

O.K. guys here are some pics of the plumbing i have laid out for my 120g. This is my first time with designing for a big tank so please tell me what you think and ANYTHING i have done wrong or I might want to improve. please i won't be offended. my pump is a mag 12 and a ASM G-3 protein skimmer with a sedra-5000 pump. I chose the plumbing size i did b/c i bought the tank used and the bulkheads, drain pipe and return pipe were already installed in the overflow. the sump is a 40g breeder without the baffles installed yet, don't worry they will be there. let me know what you think. thanks. i wouldn't be at this point if it wasn't for RC and everyone that has help me get this far!
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ludnix · 10/11/2008, 12:06 AM

I did a very similar build, 120gallon, 40 gallon sump, mag 12 return, you can see my build thread here:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...2#post12561892

Looks like you're on the right track so far! The main thing I would have changed if I could have done the build over again is I would have built in a drain bubble tower for my returns so I wouldn't have to use filter socks.

Here's a model of a sump with a bubble tower.

http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/s...p_model_a.html

tiller25 · 10/11/2008, 12:21 AM

hey thanks a lot for the fast response. I am going to build in the bubble tower. its going to be behind the protein skimmer is where the elbow is there. i just wanted to post the pics of what i had so far before i get too long ahead. i will check out your build and compare notes. with this being me first "big" tank i just wanted something pretty simple and build from there. thanks.

w16227 · 10/11/2008, 12:27 AM

Hey -

I am in the same boat - I am starting a 125

The only advice that I have so far - the mag12 might be too much. The old owner of my tank used a mag10 (bought it used) - and that is too much. Water turnover through sump are should be 5-6* the water capacity in gph. 100 gal tank =500 to 600 gph (after head loss). The drains may be able to handle more - but the efficiency drops.

tiller25 · 10/11/2008, 01:03 AM

yeah i was wondering about that. i had some people say that it wasn't enough and i had some that it was too much, so we'll see. one addition i see coming in my plumbing will be a tee with a ball valve in my return line back to the return area if flow seems to be too much.

ludnix- how do you find your mag 12? do you feel it was too much for your tank. by the way it is a very nice set-up. funny enough i was planning on build a very similar stand (but without the figures on the doors, one of a kind...nice) but i ended up being a used set-up. great build.

ludnix · 10/11/2008, 01:09 AM

The mag-12 seems to work just fine. At first I had it closed off a little bit with a ball valve but now it's fully open and seems perfect. I can't see really wanting a whole lot more flow and while less wouldn't hurt the full power of the mag-12 doesn't seem to hurt anything.

tiller25 · 10/11/2008, 10:48 AM

sounds good thanks for the insight. also i might have to use a similar top-off container that you have due to the lack of room so thanks for posting that.

10/10/2008, 11:50 PM	#1
tiller25 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NC Posts: 137	120g Tank Build!!! O.K. guys here are some pics of the plumbing i have laid out for my 120g. This is my first time with designing for a big tank so please tell me what you think and ANYTHING i have done wrong or I might want to improve. please i won't be offended. my pump is a mag 12 and a ASM G-3 protein skimmer with a sedra-5000 pump. I chose the plumbing size i did b/c i bought the tank used and the bulkheads, drain pipe and return pipe were already installed in the overflow. the sump is a 40g breeder without the baffles installed yet, don't worry they will be there. let me know what you think. thanks. i wouldn't be at this point if it wasn't for RC and everyone that has help me get this far! [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] __________________ I know that one day, human beings and fish can coexist peacefully.

10/11/2008, 12:06 AM	#2
ludnix Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,031	I did a very similar build, 120gallon, 40 gallon sump, mag 12 return, you can see my build thread here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...2#post12561892 Looks like you're on the right track so far! The main thing I would have changed if I could have done the build over again is I would have built in a drain bubble tower for my returns so I wouldn't have to use filter socks. Here's a model of a sump with a bubble tower. http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/s...p_model_a.html __________________ -Eric Sutter Current Tank Info: 14g Biocube

10/11/2008, 12:21 AM	#3
tiller25 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NC Posts: 137	hey thanks a lot for the fast response. I am going to build in the bubble tower. its going to be behind the protein skimmer is where the elbow is there. i just wanted to post the pics of what i had so far before i get too long ahead. i will check out your build and compare notes. with this being me first "big" tank i just wanted something pretty simple and build from there. thanks. __________________ I know that one day, human beings and fish can coexist peacefully.

10/11/2008, 01:03 AM	#5
tiller25 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NC Posts: 137	yeah i was wondering about that. i had some people say that it wasn't enough and i had some that it was too much, so we'll see. one addition i see coming in my plumbing will be a tee with a ball valve in my return line back to the return area if flow seems to be too much. ludnix- how do you find your mag 12? do you feel it was too much for your tank. by the way it is a very nice set-up. funny enough i was planning on build a very similar stand (but without the figures on the doors, one of a kind...nice) but i ended up being a used set-up. great build. __________________ I know that one day, human beings and fish can coexist peacefully.

10/11/2008, 01:09 AM	#6
ludnix Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,031	The mag-12 seems to work just fine. At first I had it closed off a little bit with a ball valve but now it's fully open and seems perfect. I can't see really wanting a whole lot more flow and while less wouldn't hurt the full power of the mag-12 doesn't seem to hurt anything. __________________ -Eric Sutter Current Tank Info: 14g Biocube

10/11/2008, 12:27 AM	#4
w16227 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: chicago Burbs Posts: 479	Hey - I am in the same boat - I am starting a 125 The only advice that I have so far - the mag12 might be too much. The old owner of my tank used a mag10 (bought it used) - and that is too much. Water turnover through sump are should be 5-6* the water capacity in gph. 100 gal tank =500 to 600 gph (after head loss). The drains may be able to handle more - but the efficiency drops.

10/11/2008, 10:48 AM	#7
tiller25 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NC Posts: 137	sounds good thanks for the insight. also i might have to use a similar top-off container that you have due to the lack of room so thanks for posting that. __________________ I know that one day, human beings and fish can coexist peacefully.