120 upgrade......

Nicely done!

I just bought a 120g tank with the same dimensions and was thinking of just copycatting what you've done so far.

Couple questions:
What are these called?(yellow arrow)
4pumhu.jpg

- Why did you only use 1 valve instead of 3?
- What size/make pumps are you using?
- Where did you get the tinted acrylic pieces?
- Did you use bulkheads on the return for the overflow and tank?
- Can you provide a list of the plumbing parts?
- You painted the inside back of the aquarium, right? What paint did you use, does it matter?
- Any tips?
 
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knight2255, thanks. I would recommend you read http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1541946
This is the style overflow I put on my tank. So much good info in this thread I couldn't even begin to summarize.

I only used one drain valve cause that is really all that is needed. The main drain is the only one here that I need to control. The secondary drain should make noise and needs to flow full force to make that noise, same with the third 'emergency' drain.

Currently for pumps I am running two. One a mag 5 that I got used, but works great. Second is a Rio 2500 that also T's off and feeds my refuge area in the sump. Maybe someday I'll go with one big pump to handle it all, but for now all seems to work good.

The tinted acrylic I got at menards where they have all the other acrylic. The 90 degree bend I put in I did with a blow torch and folded it around my outside stairs and then ran the hose over it to cool it and hold in that position. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the two pieces I had to use to complete the C2C. However, it wasn't enough of a complaint to warrant the 125 bucks for a sheet big enough to do it in a single piece.

Bulkheads were used everywhere PVC was ran so yes. Total bulkheads in my system are 7. Five in the glass and two in the overflow.

As far as a parts list, for what? Overflow, beananimal supplied that in the overflow thread. As for the overflow pvc, you'll have to measure your tank and buy accordingly.

I painted the OUTSIDE back glass. DO NOT paint the inside. Lots of folks on here used krylon. I used what I had around and it was rustoleum. I used a foam roller that I got from menards for about five bucks with a little tray. If your tank is empty and you can get it outside you can spray it too, just tape off real well.

Tips, hmmmm. Patience. Check out for used anything. MH lights I got for less then half price compared to new, pump too. Only item I cautious about getting used is the skimmer. For the price I'm gonna spend new or used I want to make sure it works. New guranteed, used you have to hope. Use the biggest sump you can. I have a 55 under mine, still wish I could have gone bigger, but no more room. I don't have it, but probably will soon, get a auto top off. I go through about 3 gallons in two days with the heat we have been getting. My guess is run a GFO reactor. I have one lined up ready to go, just gotta do it. QUARENTINE!!!!!! No matter what! My other tank is a 55 that went great for about 5 months till ich came in. Now I have to QT the fish in there and let it go fallow to get rid of the ich. Nothing will touch my 120 without QT.

Hope that helps, anything else just ask. :bounce1:
 
So just a quicky update. So far all is good. Everyone is happy and swimming around getting used to their new home. The blue tang found her hiding spot in the LR and goes there to sleep, while the skunk clown scared the crap outta me this morning sleeping. I happened to run across a thread in the anemone and clownfish section talking about clowns sleeping on their side. Found mine like that this morning. Thought crap at first, then remembered that thread. All is good tonight though and he is swimming and eating well.
 
Wow looks awesome Rayn. Any new updates. Im finishing up the set up of my new 125 from my 55. I feel like a copy cat upgrading same time you do except yours is alot nicer than mine
 
Not sure what the mag 12 gph is. I would think it would be okay. Are you planning to T it off and run two different return lines? I went with two seperate pumps to safeguard against one going bad. Also I have the second rated a little higher on gph to help run water to my fuge.
 
Wow looks awesome Rayn. Any new updates. Im finishing up the set up of my new 125 from my 55. I feel like a copy cat upgrading same time you do except yours is alot nicer than mine

If I remember correctly we both started 55's about the same time too. Only update right now is the other fish and corals I have in QT. Black yellowtail blenny and powder brown tang. Then clove polyps a leather disc type coral.
Working on getting my fuge running. Bought sand for the DSB tonight and am going to steal about half the cheato from my 55 and place it in there. I'll get pics later, hopefully tonight.
 
Here as promised
<a href="http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/?action=view&current=ac629ab6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/ac629ab6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
it cleared up quicker then I thought it would, wish I could say the same for my DT :sad2:
<a href="http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/?action=view&current=021b6d57.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/021b6d57.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
Finally hooked up my GFO reactor. About half full of GFO then left the other half of the tube empty to let the GFO tumble.
<a href="http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/?action=view&current=bcc3528f.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/bcc3528f.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
It is on the skimmer side. Wasn't sure if that was best, but in the end that is where it would fit. It is actually outside the sump, just plumbed into it.
 
Well here is a update for you. I ended up getting ich in my system and had to take the fish out. Then the very next day my 55 started to leak, so all that had to quickly be transferred to the 120. Then I got a little coral happy and have pics of them too. Skimmer should be here friday, I got a warner marine k2. I'll post pics when it comes.
Full shot
<a href="http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/?action=view&current=IMG_20100914_205959.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/IMG_20100914_205959.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
sun coral
<a href="http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/?action=view&current=IMG_20100914_210144.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/IMG_20100914_210144.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
hammer and frogspawn I believe
<a href="http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/?action=view&current=IMG_20100914_210008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/IMG_20100914_210008.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
leather that is a little ticked cause I was in the tank
<a href="http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/?action=view&current=IMG_20100914_210027.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/IMG_20100914_210027.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
small candy cane
<a href="http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/?action=view&current=IMG_20100914_210046.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/IMG_20100914_210046.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
another leather
<a href="http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/?action=view&current=IMG_20100914_210153.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/IMG_20100914_210153.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
something I can't remember, but the shroom hitchhiker behind
<a href="http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/?action=view&current=IMG_20100914_211541.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/IMG_20100914_211541.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
Then the new ones I just got today from austin aqua farms.
acans
<a href="http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/?action=view&current=IMG_20100914_210116.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/IMG_20100914_210116.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
zoas
<a href="http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/?action=view&current=IMG_20100914_210148.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/IMG_20100914_210148.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
palys
<a href="http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/?action=view&current=IMG_20100914_210203.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/IMG_20100914_210203.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


There are also two RBTA in there, but they are hard to get good shots of. Maybe later.
 
have you thought about putting in a refrigium in your sump? also, i have seen a larger sump with a frag grow compartment in it with lighting thought that was pretty cool use of space vs. cluttering up the big tank with small frags... we upgraded our 90 gal to a 125 gal and did a lot of research as well. one thing i would have done differently was to have all the electrical more organized at the plug if possible --- we had an electrician come out to ensure the circuit could handle all the new equipment (2 18 mag drive pumps (husband didn't want any powerheads/wires showing in the tank - had to get a larger overflow box to handle the flow), g4 skimmer, refrigium, led lighting, chiller, etc.). once he upgraded it, we backed the tank up and plugged in only one surge suppresser into the wall and didn't use the second plug available --- rrrrrrrr.... of course, now everything is setup and we can't get to it and have surge supressers plugged into each other... other cool item was to have a light on teh underside of the tank/cabinet ceiling. this is nice to be able to see for clean-up etc. you can also use those free standing tap lights from any hardware stores.

good luck with your tank and keep doing your research. it will be worth it =)
 
quite an assortment. Where are able to get the 55 fixed?

Assortment, yeah. I am probably done or close to it. I haven't had time to play with the 55 yet. Son as I can I hope to put the fish in QT.

have you thought about putting in a refrigium in your sump? also, i have seen a larger sumvp with a frag grow compartment in it with lighting thought that was pretty cool use of space vs. cluttering up the big tank with small frags... we upgraded our 90 gal to a 125 gal and did a lot of research as well. one thing i would have done differently was to have all the electrical more organized at the plug if possible --- we had an electrician come out to ensure the circuit could handle all the new equipment (2 18 mag drive pumps (husband didn't want any powerheads/wires showing in the tank - had to get a larger overflow box to handle the flow), g4 skimmer, refrigium, led lighting, chiller, etc.). once he upgraded it, we backed the tank up and plugged in only one surge suppresser into the wall and didn't use the second plug available --- rrrrrrrr.... of course, now everything is setup and we can't get to it and have surge supressers plugged into each other... other cool item was to have a light on teh underside of the tank/cabinet ceiling. this is nice to be able to see for clean-up etc. you can also use those free standing tap lights from any hardware stores.

good luck with your tank and keep doing your research. it will be worth it =)

I have a fuge in my sump and my fuge light illuminates the bottom quite well.
 
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