HighTide's 120G Build

HighTide610 · 09/28/2013, 07:14 AM

Well, after what has seemed like an ETERNITY, I am FINALLY starting my build! Started the build Sept 8th, hoping to be filling the tank in 3 weeks (time will tell if this works out for me ???), but below chronicles the build of a hybrid kind of in-wall build. We have a space that since we bought the house always puzzled me, a small nook that didn't serve much of a purpose. Wife offered up the idea of placing the tank there (space was ~38" wide), after a few days of investigating, there were a couple of issues that prevented me from doing what I wanted (and I struggled finding the right size tank.)

I wanted something at least 90G, 24" deep and at least 24" tall, as it turns out, 120 (48x24x24) was easier to find ;D .

The reason for the spot, was right behind it was a small closet that could house all the equipment and keep things neat and out of site. During the first day of construction, we decided to take things a step further and found an additional space, making the "fish room" a little larger and also providing for a few more REALLY cool things!

Main goals:
• LED Lights (so I can keep heat to a minimum)
• external pumps (were possible)
• space for hospital/quarantine tank and frag tank
• sump big enough to do at least a 10% water change and never shut a return pump off
• construction to give the appearance as though the tank was there from the day the house was built

Probably a tall order... but what the heck.. go big or go home right?? :

Equipment
•120G Marineland 48"x24"x24"
• Custom built 75 Gal Sump with refugium
• Ecotech Radion xr30pro (x2)
• Reef Octopus 10500 DC Pump
• Reef Octopus Skimmer
• Neptune Apex Controller
• Spectrapure Dual Chamber GFO/Carbon Reactor
• Custom made auto-feeder (***an idea that I have been toying with)
• Dosing Computer for ATO/2 part calcium/buffer
• Hydor wavemaker and circulation pumps

I will try and post the pics in order, but the plan was always to remove the one wall, but after taking it out and talking about how I was going to run power into the space, we toyed with the idea of the "void" under the stairs. As it turns out, our AC return didn't consume as much space as I had anticipated, so we took the second wall down. Its not going to be a "working space" as much as it will serve as a place to store mixing cans for saltwater and shelves for storage.

http://s135.photobucket.com/user/cfb...eshow/Aquarium

HighTide610 · 09/28/2013, 07:30 AM

09/28/2013, 07:14 AM	#1
HighTide610 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orange Park, Florida Posts: 6	HighTide's 120G Build Well, after what has seemed like an ETERNITY, I am FINALLY starting my build! Started the build Sept 8th, hoping to be filling the tank in 3 weeks (time will tell if this works out for me ???), but below chronicles the build of a hybrid kind of in-wall build. We have a space that since we bought the house always puzzled me, a small nook that didn't serve much of a purpose. Wife offered up the idea of placing the tank there (space was ~38" wide), after a few days of investigating, there were a couple of issues that prevented me from doing what I wanted (and I struggled finding the right size tank.) I wanted something at least 90G, 24" deep and at least 24" tall, as it turns out, 120 (48x24x24) was easier to find ;D . The reason for the spot, was right behind it was a small closet that could house all the equipment and keep things neat and out of site. During the first day of construction, we decided to take things a step further and found an additional space, making the "fish room" a little larger and also providing for a few more REALLY cool things! Main goals: • LED Lights (so I can keep heat to a minimum) • external pumps (were possible) • space for hospital/quarantine tank and frag tank • sump big enough to do at least a 10% water change and never shut a return pump off • construction to give the appearance as though the tank was there from the day the house was built Probably a tall order... but what the heck.. go big or go home right?? : Equipment •120G Marineland 48"x24"x24" • Custom built 75 Gal Sump with refugium • Ecotech Radion xr30pro (x2) • Reef Octopus 10500 DC Pump • Reef Octopus Skimmer • Neptune Apex Controller • Spectrapure Dual Chamber GFO/Carbon Reactor • Custom made auto-feeder (***an idea that I have been toying with) • Dosing Computer for ATO/2 part calcium/buffer • Hydor wavemaker and circulation pumps I will try and post the pics in order, but the plan was always to remove the one wall, but after taking it out and talking about how I was going to run power into the space, we toyed with the idea of the "void" under the stairs. As it turns out, our AC return didn't consume as much space as I had anticipated, so we took the second wall down. Its not going to be a "working space" as much as it will serve as a place to store mixing cans for saltwater and shelves for storage. http://s135.photobucket.com/user/cfb...eshow/Aquarium __________________ "An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made in a very narrow field." - Niels Bohr Current Tank Info: 120G Reef

09/28/2013, 07:30 AM	#2
HighTide610 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orange Park, Florida Posts: 6	Some more pics __________________ "An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made in a very narrow field." - Niels Bohr Current Tank Info: 120G Reef