starting a 120 need advice

schoch79 · 06/03/2007, 06:55 PM

Ok, so I'm not new to the hobby but not super experienced either. I am looking to start a 120 gallon reef tank. The dimensions I found for it are 48 x 24 x 24. I think this would be a good tank because I don't really want to go more than a 4 foot tank for space reasons and because it would be easier to light a 4 foot tank with just some 48" bulbs instead of two sets of bulbs. I am definately going with t-5's, but I don't know what fixture. So now for the questions.

1) I would imagine this setup would be able to fit the most light on the tank because of how deep the tank is and how little height there is. Am I mistaken? What other size tank would be better?

2) Also if anyone out there has a comparable size tank ie. 100-125ish gallon, could you tell me what equipment you are using? ie what kind of return pump, powerheads and how many, skimmer, all that good stuff? Any info would be great because my experience with reef tanks has all been under 30 gallon tanks so I have no idea how to start with the equipment.

Thanks for any help you could come up with.

Avi · 06/03/2007, 07:38 PM

I've got a 120-gallon reef and I think the size is ideal. Take a look at

www.aquactinics.com

I have the two 250-watt MH fixture which has t5s for actinic suplementation, but now they offer straight t5 fixtures also (I have one of those on a freshwater planted tank.)

There are lots of good skimmers available...I have an Aqua-C EV-180 and I'm very satisfied with that. The return pump is a Mag7, which is one of the pumps recommended for that specific skimmer.

currentking · 06/03/2007, 07:41 PM

also look out for the new T-6 bulbs. They put out more light

twomenandatank · 06/03/2007, 07:44 PM

i have a 120 been set up for 3 years now. no power heads. i had the back of my tank drilled for a closed loop, ran by a quite 4000 i believe. a little giant 4 MDXQ-Sc for return. 30 gal sump MRC skimmer, 2 MH 250w, 2 VHO super actinic

Henry Bowman · 06/03/2007, 07:49 PM

I had a 120 of the exact same dimensions that you are talking about. Due to moving around etc for my job, I ended up selling the whole thing back to a LFS in the DFW area.

Anyway, to give you my opinions on your ideas..... here goes.

1) I think it is a very flexible size for lighting. Whether MH or T5 lighting, the area you will have to work with is "the most flexible" as far as fixtures. The tank is not too deep (top to bottom) to run good T5's and have a successful SPS tank (with the right unit, reflectors etc...) I own an aquactinics solar flare now. I have it on a 90 and it would be great on a 120 also. My tank is 48X18X24 (the 18" is front to back) the light just fits the top of my tank. If you put a solar flare on your tank with either the legs avaliable or the hanging kit (also avaliable) and it would be a great light on the 120. In my opinion.

The only issue with this size tank is "does it have a center brace?". If the tank does have a center brace, it can affect the light penetration. Something to consider...

2) For this tank I would plan on the following. A reef ready tank with overflows (2 of them one in each corner). An Japanese motor pressure rated Iwaki pump for somewhere in the neighborhood of 2000 gph (keep in mind it wont actually push this through the plumbing). Or a similar quality pump. I would put Tunze 6100's (2-3 of them) with a controller. I like H&S skimmers. A recirculating model would be optimum.

That's a pretty general (and expensive) list but your question(s) leave it relatively open. Folks here will have varying opinions regarding specific pumps and skimmers. The discussions regarding especially skimmers get pretty opinionated and heated. Take it all with a grain of salt, including my opinions.

That pretty much sums up my .02 cents worth. FWIW

schoch79 · 06/03/2007, 10:56 PM

Thanks for all the input guys. It all sounds good and I'm just looking for some general info like what you gave me. I would probably invest some time comparing the different info and choose for myself what I feel comfortable with I just needed somewhere to start. I never considered about the center brace. I may be wrong but I would assume that even the area under the brace would still get considerable lighting from the sides of it only limiting me in which corals could go directly under it and not eliminating corals completely from that zone. I definately like the idea of a closed loop system and the t-6's too. Thanks again for the input. If anyone else has something feel free to still chime in. I'm still in the research stage and everything helps.

twomenandatank · 06/05/2007, 04:23 PM

i made my own hood and stand for my 120. it's the same dimensionsas yours. i painted the inside of my hood with a high gloss white to reflex even more light equally. just an idea on the closed loop just make sure you put a screen over the intake to the pump so nothing gets sucked up. i'm talking from experience. let me know if you want pics of my set up.

schoch79 · 06/05/2007, 05:07 PM

Definately a good idea on the screens over the intake, thanks. I would have learned the hard way. Also I would love some pics of your set up. Whatever angles you could get would be great. Thanks again.

06/03/2007, 06:55 PM	#1
schoch79 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: hegins,pa Posts: 1,071	starting a 120 need advice Ok, so I'm not new to the hobby but not super experienced either. I am looking to start a 120 gallon reef tank. The dimensions I found for it are 48 x 24 x 24. I think this would be a good tank because I don't really want to go more than a 4 foot tank for space reasons and because it would be easier to light a 4 foot tank with just some 48" bulbs instead of two sets of bulbs. I am definately going with t-5's, but I don't know what fixture. So now for the questions. 1) I would imagine this setup would be able to fit the most light on the tank because of how deep the tank is and how little height there is. Am I mistaken? What other size tank would be better? 2) Also if anyone out there has a comparable size tank ie. 100-125ish gallon, could you tell me what equipment you are using? ie what kind of return pump, powerheads and how many, skimmer, all that good stuff? Any info would be great because my experience with reef tanks has all been under 30 gallon tanks so I have no idea how to start with the equipment. Thanks for any help you could come up with.

06/03/2007, 07:38 PM	#2
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	I've got a 120-gallon reef and I think the size is ideal. Take a look at www.aquactinics.com I have the two 250-watt MH fixture which has t5s for actinic suplementation, but now they offer straight t5 fixtures also (I have one of those on a freshwater planted tank.) There are lots of good skimmers available...I have an Aqua-C EV-180 and I'm very satisfied with that. The return pump is a Mag7, which is one of the pumps recommended for that specific skimmer. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

06/03/2007, 07:49 PM	#5
Henry Bowman Reefing since '87 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Allegheny Mountains of VA Posts: 2,162	I had a 120 of the exact same dimensions that you are talking about. Due to moving around etc for my job, I ended up selling the whole thing back to a LFS in the DFW area. Anyway, to give you my opinions on your ideas..... here goes. 1) I think it is a very flexible size for lighting. Whether MH or T5 lighting, the area you will have to work with is "the most flexible" as far as fixtures. The tank is not too deep (top to bottom) to run good T5's and have a successful SPS tank (with the right unit, reflectors etc...) I own an aquactinics solar flare now. I have it on a 90 and it would be great on a 120 also. My tank is 48X18X24 (the 18" is front to back) the light just fits the top of my tank. If you put a solar flare on your tank with either the legs avaliable or the hanging kit (also avaliable) and it would be a great light on the 120. In my opinion. The only issue with this size tank is "does it have a center brace?". If the tank does have a center brace, it can affect the light penetration. Something to consider... 2) For this tank I would plan on the following. A reef ready tank with overflows (2 of them one in each corner). An Japanese motor pressure rated Iwaki pump for somewhere in the neighborhood of 2000 gph (keep in mind it wont actually push this through the plumbing). Or a similar quality pump. I would put Tunze 6100's (2-3 of them) with a controller. I like H&S skimmers. A recirculating model would be optimum. That's a pretty general (and expensive) list but your question(s) leave it relatively open. Folks here will have varying opinions regarding specific pumps and skimmers. The discussions regarding especially skimmers get pretty opinionated and heated. Take it all with a grain of salt, including my opinions. That pretty much sums up my .02 cents worth. FWIW __________________ Have a good'un Current Tank Info: 90 gl SPS dominant / upgrade in the works

06/03/2007, 10:56 PM	#6
schoch79 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: hegins,pa Posts: 1,071	Thanks for all the input guys. It all sounds good and I'm just looking for some general info like what you gave me. I would probably invest some time comparing the different info and choose for myself what I feel comfortable with I just needed somewhere to start. I never considered about the center brace. I may be wrong but I would assume that even the area under the brace would still get considerable lighting from the sides of it only limiting me in which corals could go directly under it and not eliminating corals completely from that zone. I definately like the idea of a closed loop system and the t-6's too. Thanks again for the input. If anyone else has something feel free to still chime in. I'm still in the research stage and everything helps. __________________ We'd better get back, 'cause it'll be dark soon, and they mostly come at night... mostly.

06/05/2007, 05:07 PM	#8
schoch79 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: hegins,pa Posts: 1,071	Definately a good idea on the screens over the intake, thanks. I would have learned the hard way. Also I would love some pics of your set up. Whatever angles you could get would be great. Thanks again. __________________ We'd better get back, 'cause it'll be dark soon, and they mostly come at night... mostly.

06/03/2007, 07:41 PM	#3
currentking Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Palm Bay Florida Posts: 868	also look out for the new T-6 bulbs. They put out more light

06/03/2007, 07:44 PM	#4
twomenandatank Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: illinois Posts: 59	i have a 120 been set up for 3 years now. no power heads. i had the back of my tank drilled for a closed loop, ran by a quite 4000 i believe. a little giant 4 MDXQ-Sc for return. 30 gal sump MRC skimmer, 2 MH 250w, 2 VHO super actinic

06/05/2007, 04:23 PM	#7
twomenandatank Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: illinois Posts: 59	i made my own hood and stand for my 120. it's the same dimensionsas yours. i painted the inside of my hood with a high gloss white to reflex even more light equally. just an idea on the closed loop just make sure you put a screen over the intake to the pump so nothing gets sucked up. i'm talking from experience. let me know if you want pics of my set up.