Upgrade to a 120?

[gaucho30]

I just came across a HELL of a deal.
-125 gallon glass tank 48x24x24 with stand
-40 gallon sump tank that fits under stand
-Current SunPod 48" Metal Halide lighting (2) 150watt at 14k and (9) Lunar lights
-(2) High output 110watt Florescent lights 48"
-ASM G-3 protein skimmer
-Rio 32HF sump pump (used to return water from bottom tank to top)
-SCWD- Squid wavemaker 3/4"
-(2) ViaAqua Phosphate Reactors
-(2) Seio 820 power heads

all for $450

Here is my main question, I know most people say ~1lb live rock per gallon, do tank dimensions effect this rule of thumb? I have ~40-50 lbs live rock right now in my current tank along with about a 2 inch sandbed. How much sand/live rock would I need to add? Also could I add bagged sand and let the current sand convert it to live? I really want this system I just need a rough estimate of how much more $$ I am going to need to get this up and running. Thanks!

[DPalm3]

sounds like a good deal, I would take it. you can't really set a budget on a reef tank because it's a never ending money pit.

sand and rock are all preference, those rules of thumb are more guidelines for beginners. there are calculators on the home page.

if you want a more open look, with bigger corals and more swimming space for your fish, less rock. if you want more of a rock structure but compromise open water and room for corals to grow, add more rock

[DPalm3]

also, you can add that sand and the live sand will seed your sand

[ReefWreak]

You'll end up spending at least another $2550 getting it to where you want it. But that'll be over years of time.

I know. I started with a $350 120g ebay rig. Now I've got a full blown SPS reef tank, huge skimmer, big halides, big chiller, phosban, zeo, acropora, 150+lbs of rock, 11 fish, expensive tank controller, etc. Good stuff

It's worth it. Buy that tank now, keep it as it is, learn more, read more, figure out what you want to do with your tank, plan it out, and execute over time.

[ReefWreak]

Oh and I wouldn't add sand, but that's because I'm waiting for my sand to dissolve so I'll be having a barebottom tank. It may happen, it may not. Also definitely don't go anywhere over 2" of sand. Really no point. DSB is dead according to new information. De-nitrification occurs in the top 2 inches of sand, not the bottom. If you want hardcore denitrification, get a RDSB in a bucket.

[noahm]

Good deal. Go for it. Go ahead and get the sand you need, and add more cured LR if you want. You can always add some a little at a time. The rule of thumb for LR can definitely be bent. Just don't go crazy on the livestock until its settled in for a bit

[davocean]

Smokin deal, I'll take it if you don't!LOL
120g is such a cool footprint, great for scaping.
If you add sand, I would prefer dry, and let old seed it.(shipped LS has too much dieoff IMO)
Add rock as budget allows, 1-2lbs(I like 1.5)
I'd swap the rio for about anything, eheim, or oceanrunner.

[gaucho30]

Ok cool thanks for the advice, I did not realize that DSB are now a thing of the past. I def do my fair share of reading (more than i should be doing considering I am supposed to be reading a lot more for school). Hopefully I will be able to get a couple hundred out of my current 40g breeder + can filter + aquac HOB + 36" sunpod. I was planning on getting a mp40w but that will have to wait now =) Also thank you to everyone who has dealt with what probably seems like an endless spew of questions in my first few months of saltwater!

[gaucho30]

So I bought the tank. I even got 80lbs of live rock for $50 on top of it. I cant set it up until juky 7th when I move into my new place! I cant wait to get this bad boy setup!

[ReefWreak]

Very nice, and congratulations! You could start cooking the rock now to get any and all biological waste out of them, or just bleach them, let them dry out, and let them start the re-colonization process all over again.

HOw are you planning on keeping the liverock alive witout the tank set up? Or are you just gonna let it dry and re-seed it? If you're going to dry it out, might as well bleach it anyway, just to get phosphates and what-not else and organic matter out too.

[gaucho30]

I have the live rock sitting in a big tub with a couple power heads. Does anyone have any advice on the cheapest option for adding around 70 lbs of sand? I already have around 50 or 60 lbs of live sand so I would just need non-living sand.

[aqua_reef_01]

that is a killer deal. i just set up a 120 gallon. the same as yours but i am still trying to find lighting. everything else is done. and so far i have well over $1500 invested i would not let that deal pass you by. just use your current sand/live rock for now. but add more live sand. 9 have 120 pounds of live sand in mine right now and will add more later. if you hold off on the live rock and buy it piece by piece you will be better off. just so you can figure out if you want more coral in the tank, or fish. fish are territorial and need good hiding spots. coral need room to grow. good luck with this.

[ReefWreak]

Buy just plain old aragonite sand in the big 20lb bags. Should be about the cheapest way of having decent sand in your tank. Let the rockwork and existing sand seed your new sand.

[aqua_reef_01]

so its all in how you arrange the tank. and again good luck