Newbie to hobby - 120 gal. build thread.

[Kimmer322]

Well here goes: New to salt water and fish in general. We decided to do a 120gal. reef tank. This is the beginning.

Have been reading and researching and asking questions for a month. First items purchased (tank and stand) were our first rookie mistakes.

Tank: not drilled, but I already painted it so we are going with the overflow box.

Stand: totally wrong for the sump and skimmer. So we returned the stand and proceeded to build a stand from steel.

Here are some shots.

[Kimmer322]

Next are more shots of the prep. and finished stand.

Making little trigger fish:



Finshed Fish:



Some other adornments for the stand:



The Sea Horse, fish and shark are made from Stainless Steel hand cut with a plasma cutter and ground down for a shiny finish against the black painted stand.

Here is the shark:



Here is the stand finished and in place.



The Sharks (we made two) are going to be used to make a hanger for our new 48" aquactinics TX5. Got it this week and it is awesome. The hanging brackets should be done this week. Will post more photos as we finish things.

[rkelman]

Nice work! Tagging along..

[Kimmer322]

The bulbs for the TX5 we purchased are as follows:

Front:
ATI Aqua Blue
UVL Super Actinic
UVL Aqua Sun
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aqua Blue

I am at a stand still now as we are awaiting for the sump, skimmer and overflow box we ordered to some in.

We got the ASM G2 Skimmer
Large Octopus Reef sump with dual filter sock

when everything I ordered comes in I have someone coming in with the live rock and live sand to help me put it all together. I learned while researching that I have limits and don't trust myself to do it all myself yet.

Will keep this updated as things progress.

[kwaters]

Sweet metal work! You are definately an artist!

PS...I would still get it drilled. Friends say no to Friends wanting overflow boxes.


Things can be repainted and you'll be happier in the long run.

Kris

[Kimmer322]

Originally posted by kwaters
Sweet metal work! You are definately an artist!

PS...I would still get it drilled. Friends say no to Friends wanting overflow boxes.


Things can be repainted and you'll be happier in the long run.

Kris

Thanks Kris

Also it is because of the paint we didn't return the tank - were going to drill it but the bottom is tempered and didn't want to drill the sides - as recommended by my fish guy. In all my researching it seems you can ask a question and get as many answers for as against any recommendations. Going to have live and learn some things. But thanks for the comments!!

[rkelman]

You could take a razor blade and clean off the paint then return it... I have to agree with Kris.

[EvMiBo]

http://glass-holes.com/product.sc;js...=3&productId=7 (not sure if 1500gph is overkill or not, if so then grab the 700gph kit)

do it

[AquamanE]

Originally posted by EvMiBo
http://glass-holes.com/product.sc;js...=3&productId=7 (not sure if 1500gph is overkill or not, if so then grab the 700gph kit)

do it

I agree this is an excellenbt option for you. overflow boxes are NOT worth the trouble.

Excellent steel work, beautiful. Pardon my metal ignorance though, what is the potential for rust? Saltwater is usually nasty on metals, and trust me, saltwater WILL spill.

[Kimmer322]

EvMiBo - that looks awesome - think I'm gonna get it if they will ship overnight. Live Sand and Live Rock coming Friday so I want this set to go.

AquamanE: Yes rust is always a concern, we really should have sent the stand to be powder coated but the build was last minute and rushed. I did have it suspended and gave it 4 coats of spray rustoleum before I rolled on two final coats of hammered rustoleum. I think we will be ok. I can touch up any rust as it comes.

Thanks for all the great recommendations - you all have been very helpful.

[ashleychartrand]

Great job, I wish I had the talent to build that. Looks beautiful.

[chad508]

do yourself a favor a get a gl*******s overflow box and drill the tank. you will not regret it i just installed one on my new 120 and love it. over the tank overflow boxes are a problem waiting to happen.

[Kimmer322]

I ordered the glass holes overflow today!!

[Nanz]

Very nice! You obviously know how to sculpt. I dont think I could draw what you made out of metal. Very nice work and I'm definitely tagging along.

+1 on the drilled holes.. You'll sleep better at night

[Ratpack]

Cool stand, tagging along to see the rest.

[scapes]

that's very impressive metal work you have done!!!

[AquamanE]

we really should have sent the stand to be powder coated but the build was last minute and rushed

I would have loved to see what you could have done with that stand if this was not a "rush" project!!

Be careful with you selection of lighting. If im not mistaken 120's are 24" wide, 5 bulbs might be enough for lps and softies but borderline for SPS. I have 6 T5s on my 65 that is 18" wide, I am successfully keeping SPS but the 6 bulbs covers most of the tank top. MAybe you 5 are well spread, i dont know. Just food for thought.

[chad508]

as far as lights 8 t5s would be perfect. thats what i have found to work and plan to put on the 120 im setting up

[Speedway_06]

wow..that is very impressive. If I only had the time

[Kimmer322]

Unfortunately,I don't have any more to show my tag-a-longs. waiting on glass-holes now - which shipped today.

Rookie question: Can I be certain the whole tank isn't tempered? There is a sticker on the bottom saying "Tempered glass do not drill" Am I safe assuming that is only the bottom? Don't want any surprises when I drill the back. I think the tank in a Top-Fin.

As for the lights I got the TX5 48" fixture with 4 bulbs. The tank is actually 18" and not 24" so hopefully that will work out with whatever we decide to go with regarding SPS or LPS.

Nanz: Don't be fooled we traced the fish onto the stainless then kinda freehanded with the plasma torch. I can't even draw a stickman with out tracing.

Now we are working on a custom hanger for the light. Something with the sharks....still a work in progress in our minds.

Thanks for all the help and kudos!!

[chad508]

what are all the measurements of the tank. also what brand is it. most companies do only temper the bottoms, but i have heard of a few cases of a side being tempered by mistake. if you have a pair of polarized glasses you can look at the panel and tell. if its tempered you will notice black dots like you do on car windows.

[Kimmer322]

OK Let me continue - Had camera problems and had to wait for glass-holes. Everything is moving along today.

Here is a pic. with the lights on (the blue ones.) and you can see the new glass-holes overflow box installed.



This next shot it from behind of the newly cut tank. Got to be honest we had a glass company come and cut the tank with a drill press. I was too nervous.



We received the sump and skimmer this week. Unfortunately with the placement of the bracing behind the stand the sump (which is 36") did not fit! I almost cried. But have no fear, we carried the stand to the back deck and cut out the bracing. (during that time my camera was out of service.) This photo on the bottom left you can see where the bracing was located (little square silver area)



Here is the new brace installation:



Here it is all fixed - just primed not painted.



sump slides in and out now without issue

[Tangweed]

Very nice Keep posting pictures.

[Kimmer322]

Friday we really got moving.....Got water?



Got Rock??



Got Sand??



Rock Placement:



Another Angle:



Here comes the liquid: (little styrofoam so as not to make a mess of the sand.)



Bit more water:



First night photo: NO LEAKS!! (for some reason I was nervous)



Say hello to my little friend: We call him Harry - Anyone know what he is?? See his leg in the hole? I love him.



Here is a picture from today - yes there is water in there.



Bit of a glare there - I will try after the sun moves. Water looks clear. I haven't tested yet - got a new kit not sure how it works. If I tested I'm not sure what I would be looking at anyway. Going to read up on that.

Only thing I can say is it seems a bit loud. Could be water falling down the overflow. Going to see what we can do about that.

Looking for input on when to get and what to get for a clean up crew.

Thanks for following along. Comments are welcome!!

[rkelman]

Harry looks like a Serpent Star. The tank looks great. Good job.