nicks 120 build

exoticaquatix · 03/26/2008, 11:08 PM

well, its been in progress for a couple weeks now but I havent really had time to post my progress. actually i dont have time now but sleep and home work will have to wait. I finally got a photobucket account and can post pics so now it is time.....

After debating on what size of tank to get I settled on a 120 due to its depth and the fact that a 180 would be much harder to move and that much more expensive to run. with the cost of power climbing steadily here in MD i just can't afford upkeep on a bigger tank.

I currently have a 75 gallon rr running 2x250 watt 14k Hamiltons and will be using the same IceCap ballasts on the new tank. I am upgrading to Lumenarc Minis (instead of LumenBrites) due to the appearance of the raw reflector. I wont be building a canopy any time soon and I dont have much ceiling clearance so spreading out the light is important.

the tank is a standard Perfecto/Marine Land 120 measuring 4x2x2

The overflow is three sided and measures 4"x11 1/2". it was custom built by Chuck at Clear and Present Plastic here in Baltimore. I have two 1.5" holes drilled in the center of the back of the tank for a herbie style overflow.

I built the stand using plans and inspiration found here on RC.

pics to follow......

exoticaquatix · 03/27/2008, 01:21 AM

Here are some pics of the stand. i used 2x6's for the headers 2x4's for the vertical supports and bottom frame and 2x2 for screw strips to hold the vert supports together. i sheathed the sides in1/4" ply and Luan.

these are the doors I ordered...sort of.

my original order was for these doors. i then changed my order over the phone and got these anyway. i still need to talk to the place i got them. they aren't custom but shipping them back might be cost prohibitive. we'll see what happens. i just need to find the time to call them. between school, work, the GF, the dog and all the other tank stuff that still needs doing the doors are the least of my worries.

exoticaquatix · 03/27/2008, 09:14 PM

ok, so i saved alot of money by getting a perfecto instead of an All-glass(now aqueon) or an oceanic but i never really realized the diff until now CHECK OUT this horible edge on the tank. all 4 corners looked like this....

i own an ALL-Glass and an oceanic and this is no where near what they look like.

So i searched around and found some aluminum oxide sand paper, spent a few hours sanding and it looked a little better....
so then i figured i would put some of my new diamond cut-off wheels to use and ended up with this.

not perfect but now im not worried about cutting myself

just one more "custom" part of my tank i guess.

exoticaquatix · 03/27/2008, 09:24 PM

i also did some work on the sump which i was lucky enough to get for free from work. It was an old acrylic tank from PetCo i guess. It had a blue spout on it, prob from one of their multi-level plant systems. It is made of nice thick acrylic, good looking seams and it holds water. can't ask for much more than that.

I wanted to make sure i didnt have any floods (more than normal anyway.

so i cut off the spout....

And patched it with some scrap acrylic that has been laying around my Apt for the last couple years.

finally got to get some practice with the weld-on #16

im still fine tuning the baffle design. Any recommendations?
Im thinking a 2 baffle "bubble trap" between the skimmer section and having a big return section. the fuge will be a 10 or 15 gallon tank located just above and to the side of the sump. it will be fed by a "T" in the return pump and gravity drain back into return section.

exoticaquatix · 03/29/2008, 01:41 AM

tank is drilled and the overflow box is done. here is a little taste of the state of my Apt at the moment.....

Drilling aftermath

Living room

i feel bad for my roommate, haha.

its all coming together

exoticaquatix · 03/29/2008, 01:48 AM

here is the overflow box being installed. unfortunatly the silicone i got was bad and i had to glue it twice. stuff had been sitting around too long and had begun to cure in the tube. I used the black again on the outside for looks and used clear inside for actual strength. I know its prob a bad idea but it held water.

box was a little too tall on account of this extra ridge under the support. one more thing i have only see on a perfecto.

of course, theres nothing a little dremeling cant handle

exoticaquatix · 03/29/2008, 01:52 AM

time for the plumbing......

just in case my neighbors didnt think i was weird

painted and installed

this is the "herbie" method, supposed to be really quiet, no bubbles in the sump and safe. I am using 1.5 inch drain lines which is prob overkill considering my overflow would be maxed out long before the pipes.

exoticaquatix · 03/29/2008, 01:55 AM

picked up a few frags at work the other day. figured id show them off

A.hillae

favia

monti

exoticaquatix · 03/29/2008, 07:13 PM

got water and sand in today. waiting for the water to clear up overnight and then im transferring everything over. It can't be as bad as moving...i hope.

-nick

46FiatYamaha · 03/29/2008, 08:05 PM

very interesting, I am in the middle of building the same size tank, only 60 x 18 instead of 48 x 24. I built the stand and canopy so I know the feeling of having tools and sawdust and stuff laying around everywhere. It's sooooo nice to have it all put together and cleaned up afterwards though

exoticaquatix · 03/29/2008, 08:08 PM

finally some love on my page!!! thanks bud.

Ill have pics of it set up soon. lots more to work on despite it being fuctional. it never ends....

-nick

46FiatYamaha · 03/29/2008, 08:16 PM

No problem, mine isn't functional yet, got the sump and EV-180 skimmer in, and just ordered 2 250w metal halides, and probably a sequence reeflo snapper return pump. I bought everything as is for my 46, so doing all the work myself on this bigger tank is actually quite satisfying to say the least

chrismunn · 03/29/2008, 08:24 PM

your insane! you do realize your going to have to move one day right?

please dont take that the wrong way, im not saying that your doing anything bad, but you have a 120 in an APARTMENT!

maybe you wont have to move soon, but before i bought my house, i moved apartments like once every year! i couldnt imaging doing that with a 120!

in any case im looking forward to seeing it all said and done!

exoticaquatix · 03/29/2008, 11:13 PM

dude, when i moved my 75 i had 80 different bags of corals and fish!!!!!! that was a nightmare!! it took me an entire day to move the tank 12 miles. i would have bought the 180 if i had stronger friends and a penchant for self abuse. LOL i dont plan on moving for another year but i am def moving after that.

i really have got the "tank move" down after doing it myself and for a few clients/paid jobs. its not that hard to do it right if you know what you are doing, you have the time and its not too far.

i have def weighed the pros and cons of having a "big" tank in an Apt but this "hobby" has consumed me for many years and i feel that an inconvenience once a year is worth an awesome tank the other 364 days of the year.

-nick

exoticaquatix · 04/03/2008, 12:39 AM

ok, tank is up and running. im def over due for pics.

due to some problems with the GF i had to leave the tank overnight in the middle of the move and the temp dropped to 75 due to crappy (brand new) heaters. in turn my clown tang got sick and had not been seen for 48 hours. of course im not expecting to see him again.

he went from great to crap in less than 2 days, i tried to net him out to put him in his own tank for recovery but no luck, just too many dam rocks.

on the bright side corals and every body else is looking great.

i am still waiting on my lumenarcs and my octo ps-200 skimmer from work, can't wait. ill def be posting pics when those arrive.

-nick

chrismunn · 04/03/2008, 07:40 PM

i still think your crazy!

but i know how "the hobby" goes.

cant wait to see some update pics! are you getting excited?

MeuserReef · 04/03/2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 46FiatYamaha
very interesting, I am in the middle of building the same size tank, only 60 x 18 instead of 48 x 24.

I am also building a 60" x 18" 120 gallon. Do you have any pics of your progress?

exoticaquatix, Things are looking good. I too have had weird PVC structures hanging in my garage before and Im sure the neighbors thought I was crazy.

As far as the quality of your tank, Im surprised to see that it was that poor. My Perfecto/Marineland tank came in really good shape. Too bad you didnt notice this prior to drilling or you could have returned it. You recovered very well anyway though!

bguile · 10/24/2008, 10:15 AM

Nick,

pm me should you return to this thread! Lol.

almees · 10/24/2008, 10:47 AM

Looking good. Your brave to move your tank once a year, Im scared to move my tanks from 2 55's to my new 125 in a couple weeks. Your build is looking good, keep up the pics.

JAustin · 10/24/2008, 03:56 PM

Looking great, can't wait to see new pics!

03/27/2008, 01:21 AM	#2
exoticaquatix Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: baltimore, MD Posts: 536	Here are some pics of the stand. i used 2x6's for the headers 2x4's for the vertical supports and bottom frame and 2x2 for screw strips to hold the vert supports together. i sheathed the sides in1/4" ply and Luan. these are the doors I ordered...sort of. my original order was for these doors. i then changed my order over the phone and got these anyway. i still need to talk to the place i got them. they aren't custom but shipping them back might be cost prohibitive. we'll see what happens. i just need to find the time to call them. between school, work, the GF, the dog and all the other tank stuff that still needs doing the doors are the least of my worries. __________________ This dude either has two glass eyes or he's wearing his patch on the wrong sa-sa-sa-side. -Aesop Current Tank Info: 120gal 500w MH 10K XMs 30g sump, MSX-200 skimmer, vortech MP40w and Tunze nanostreams; 9 gal, 29gal FW planted tanks

03/27/2008, 09:14 PM	#3
exoticaquatix Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: baltimore, MD Posts: 536	ok, so i saved alot of money by getting a perfecto instead of an All-glass(now aqueon) or an oceanic but i never really realized the diff until now CHECK OUT this horible edge on the tank. all 4 corners looked like this.... i own an ALL-Glass and an oceanic and this is no where near what they look like. So i searched around and found some aluminum oxide sand paper, spent a few hours sanding and it looked a little better.... so then i figured i would put some of my new diamond cut-off wheels to use and ended up with this. not perfect but now im not worried about cutting myself just one more "custom" part of my tank i guess. __________________ This dude either has two glass eyes or he's wearing his patch on the wrong sa-sa-sa-side. -Aesop Current Tank Info: 120gal 500w MH 10K XMs 30g sump, MSX-200 skimmer, vortech MP40w and Tunze nanostreams; 9 gal, 29gal FW planted tanks

03/27/2008, 09:24 PM	#4
exoticaquatix Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: baltimore, MD Posts: 536	i also did some work on the sump which i was lucky enough to get for free from work. It was an old acrylic tank from PetCo i guess. It had a blue spout on it, prob from one of their multi-level plant systems. It is made of nice thick acrylic, good looking seams and it holds water. can't ask for much more than that. I wanted to make sure i didnt have any floods (more than normal anyway. so i cut off the spout.... And patched it with some scrap acrylic that has been laying around my Apt for the last couple years. finally got to get some practice with the weld-on #16 im still fine tuning the baffle design. Any recommendations? Im thinking a 2 baffle "bubble trap" between the skimmer section and having a big return section. the fuge will be a 10 or 15 gallon tank located just above and to the side of the sump. it will be fed by a "T" in the return pump and gravity drain back into return section. __________________ This dude either has two glass eyes or he's wearing his patch on the wrong sa-sa-sa-side. -Aesop Current Tank Info: 120gal 500w MH 10K XMs 30g sump, MSX-200 skimmer, vortech MP40w and Tunze nanostreams; 9 gal, 29gal FW planted tanks

03/29/2008, 01:41 AM	#5
exoticaquatix Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: baltimore, MD Posts: 536	tank is drilled and the overflow box is done. here is a little taste of the state of my Apt at the moment..... Drilling aftermath Living room i feel bad for my roommate, haha. its all coming together __________________ This dude either has two glass eyes or he's wearing his patch on the wrong sa-sa-sa-side. -Aesop Current Tank Info: 120gal 500w MH 10K XMs 30g sump, MSX-200 skimmer, vortech MP40w and Tunze nanostreams; 9 gal, 29gal FW planted tanks

03/29/2008, 01:48 AM	#6
exoticaquatix Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: baltimore, MD Posts: 536	here is the overflow box being installed. unfortunatly the silicone i got was bad and i had to glue it twice. stuff had been sitting around too long and had begun to cure in the tube. I used the black again on the outside for looks and used clear inside for actual strength. I know its prob a bad idea but it held water. box was a little too tall on account of this extra ridge under the support. one more thing i have only see on a perfecto. of course, theres nothing a little dremeling cant handle __________________ This dude either has two glass eyes or he's wearing his patch on the wrong sa-sa-sa-side. -Aesop Current Tank Info: 120gal 500w MH 10K XMs 30g sump, MSX-200 skimmer, vortech MP40w and Tunze nanostreams; 9 gal, 29gal FW planted tanks

03/26/2008, 11:08 PM	#1
exoticaquatix Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: baltimore, MD Posts: 536	nicks 120 build well, its been in progress for a couple weeks now but I havent really had time to post my progress. actually i dont have time now but sleep and home work will have to wait. I finally got a photobucket account and can post pics so now it is time..... After debating on what size of tank to get I settled on a 120 due to its depth and the fact that a 180 would be much harder to move and that much more expensive to run. with the cost of power climbing steadily here in MD i just can't afford upkeep on a bigger tank. I currently have a 75 gallon rr running 2x250 watt 14k Hamiltons and will be using the same IceCap ballasts on the new tank. I am upgrading to Lumenarc Minis (instead of LumenBrites) due to the appearance of the raw reflector. I wont be building a canopy any time soon and I dont have much ceiling clearance so spreading out the light is important. the tank is a standard Perfecto/Marine Land 120 measuring 4x2x2 The overflow is three sided and measures 4"x11 1/2". it was custom built by Chuck at Clear and Present Plastic here in Baltimore. I have two 1.5" holes drilled in the center of the back of the tank for a herbie style overflow. I built the stand using plans and inspiration found here on RC. pics to follow...... __________________ This dude either has two glass eyes or he's wearing his patch on the wrong sa-sa-sa-side. -Aesop Current Tank Info: 120gal 500w MH 10K XMs 30g sump, MSX-200 skimmer, vortech MP40w and Tunze nanostreams; 9 gal, 29gal FW planted tanks

03/29/2008, 01:52 AM	#7
exoticaquatix Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: baltimore, MD Posts: 536	time for the plumbing...... just in case my neighbors didnt think i was weird painted and installed this is the "herbie" method, supposed to be really quiet, no bubbles in the sump and safe. I am using 1.5 inch drain lines which is prob overkill considering my overflow would be maxed out long before the pipes. __________________ This dude either has two glass eyes or he's wearing his patch on the wrong sa-sa-sa-side. -Aesop Current Tank Info: 120gal 500w MH 10K XMs 30g sump, MSX-200 skimmer, vortech MP40w and Tunze nanostreams; 9 gal, 29gal FW planted tanks

03/29/2008, 01:55 AM	#8
exoticaquatix Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: baltimore, MD Posts: 536	picked up a few frags at work the other day. figured id show them off A.hillae favia monti __________________ This dude either has two glass eyes or he's wearing his patch on the wrong sa-sa-sa-side. -Aesop Current Tank Info: 120gal 500w MH 10K XMs 30g sump, MSX-200 skimmer, vortech MP40w and Tunze nanostreams; 9 gal, 29gal FW planted tanks

03/29/2008, 07:13 PM	#9
exoticaquatix Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: baltimore, MD Posts: 536	got water and sand in today. waiting for the water to clear up overnight and then im transferring everything over. It can't be as bad as moving...i hope. -nick __________________ This dude either has two glass eyes or he's wearing his patch on the wrong sa-sa-sa-side. -Aesop Current Tank Info: 120gal 500w MH 10K XMs 30g sump, MSX-200 skimmer, vortech MP40w and Tunze nanostreams; 9 gal, 29gal FW planted tanks

03/29/2008, 08:05 PM	#10
46FiatYamaha Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Matthews NC Posts: 990	very interesting, I am in the middle of building the same size tank, only 60 x 18 instead of 48 x 24. I built the stand and canopy so I know the feeling of having tools and sawdust and stuff laying around everywhere. It's sooooo nice to have it all put together and cleaned up afterwards though

03/29/2008, 08:08 PM	#11
exoticaquatix Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: baltimore, MD Posts: 536	finally some love on my page!!! thanks bud. Ill have pics of it set up soon. lots more to work on despite it being fuctional. it never ends.... -nick __________________ This dude either has two glass eyes or he's wearing his patch on the wrong sa-sa-sa-side. -Aesop Current Tank Info: 120gal 500w MH 10K XMs 30g sump, MSX-200 skimmer, vortech MP40w and Tunze nanostreams; 9 gal, 29gal FW planted tanks

03/29/2008, 08:16 PM	#12
46FiatYamaha Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Matthews NC Posts: 990	No problem, mine isn't functional yet, got the sump and EV-180 skimmer in, and just ordered 2 250w metal halides, and probably a sequence reeflo snapper return pump. I bought everything as is for my 46, so doing all the work myself on this bigger tank is actually quite satisfying to say the least

03/29/2008, 08:24 PM	#13
chrismunn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 4,200	your insane! you do realize your going to have to move one day right? please dont take that the wrong way, im not saying that your doing anything bad, but you have a 120 in an APARTMENT! maybe you wont have to move soon, but before i bought my house, i moved apartments like once every year! i couldnt imaging doing that with a 120! in any case im looking forward to seeing it all said and done! __________________ Marine Aquarists Association of South Texas Austin Reef Club PBITAWA... Current Tank Info: 14g bio cube

03/29/2008, 11:13 PM	#14
exoticaquatix Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: baltimore, MD Posts: 536	dude, when i moved my 75 i had 80 different bags of corals and fish!!!!!! that was a nightmare!! it took me an entire day to move the tank 12 miles. i would have bought the 180 if i had stronger friends and a penchant for self abuse. LOL i dont plan on moving for another year but i am def moving after that. i really have got the "tank move" down after doing it myself and for a few clients/paid jobs. its not that hard to do it right if you know what you are doing, you have the time and its not too far. i have def weighed the pros and cons of having a "big" tank in an Apt but this "hobby" has consumed me for many years and i feel that an inconvenience once a year is worth an awesome tank the other 364 days of the year. -nick __________________ This dude either has two glass eyes or he's wearing his patch on the wrong sa-sa-sa-side. -Aesop Current Tank Info: 120gal 500w MH 10K XMs 30g sump, MSX-200 skimmer, vortech MP40w and Tunze nanostreams; 9 gal, 29gal FW planted tanks

04/03/2008, 12:39 AM	#15
exoticaquatix Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: baltimore, MD Posts: 536	ok, tank is up and running. im def over due for pics. due to some problems with the GF i had to leave the tank overnight in the middle of the move and the temp dropped to 75 due to crappy (brand new) heaters. in turn my clown tang got sick and had not been seen for 48 hours. of course im not expecting to see him again. he went from great to crap in less than 2 days, i tried to net him out to put him in his own tank for recovery but no luck, just too many dam rocks. on the bright side corals and every body else is looking great. i am still waiting on my lumenarcs and my octo ps-200 skimmer from work, can't wait. ill def be posting pics when those arrive. -nick __________________ This dude either has two glass eyes or he's wearing his patch on the wrong sa-sa-sa-side. -Aesop Current Tank Info: 120gal 500w MH 10K XMs 30g sump, MSX-200 skimmer, vortech MP40w and Tunze nanostreams; 9 gal, 29gal FW planted tanks

04/03/2008, 07:40 PM	#16
chrismunn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 4,200	i still think your crazy! but i know how "the hobby" goes. cant wait to see some update pics! are you getting excited? __________________ Marine Aquarists Association of South Texas Austin Reef Club PBITAWA... Current Tank Info: 14g bio cube

10/24/2008, 10:15 AM	#18
bguile Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: York PA Posts: 308	Nick, pm me should you return to this thread! Lol. __________________ -Bguile Current Tank Info: 210G FOWLR, 40G Reef

10/24/2008, 10:47 AM	#19
almees Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Palm Bay Posts: 228	Looking good. Your brave to move your tank once a year, Im scared to move my tanks from 2 55's to my new 125 in a couple weeks. Your build is looking good, keep up the pics.

10/24/2008, 03:56 PM	#20
JAustin Acropora Nut Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 1,628	Looking great, can't wait to see new pics! __________________ 211g Planet Aquariums Hybrid PVC bottom 48"x34"x30" and steel stand from CustomReefCreations - Reeflo Super Dart - OM 4way - SRO XP3000 External - ATI Dimmable 8x54w - Apex.