125 build guidance

[rickbrown85]

Hey guys I am fairly new to the hobby and I was thinking about doing a 125 gallon build. I nowhere come close to knowing all the stuff I need to know, but I am a very fast learner. I want to do a reef fish mix. I'm the kind of guy who wants to do what I want the first time and not have to worry about wishing I did this and that later on. Is this something I should pursue or is this too much for me on my first build.

 

[maddmaxx]

hello there.... first question will be, what is your budget? looking for all high end equipment? or good equipment that is priced just right? never set up an aquarium on the cheap. it only cost more in the long run....


also to put out there. its better to start this hobby off with a bigger tank then it is with a nano...leaves more room for error when its a larger system...

 

[maddmaxx]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

 

[ReefKeep66]

hello there.... first question will be, what is your budget? looking for all high end equipment? or good equipment that is priced just right? never set up an aquarium on the cheap. it only cost more in the long run....


also to put out there. its better to start this hobby off with a bigger tank then it is with a nano...leaves more room for error when its a larger system...

Agreed, you can good and you can be cheap, but you can't be both. Not meaning you have to have the most expensive equipmen, just getting quality equipment the first time will save you some headaches down the road. I don't think a 125g would be too much if your willing to learn. Bigger can be better though, more water=more stability.

 

[maddmaxx]

Do lots of research before constructing your tank. make sure you have all angles covered before you actually start the build..

couple things to research

Lighting: do you want LED, Metal Halides, T5s?
Powerheads: do you want high end like vortechs or tunze? or middle road like jebao?
Skimmer: many options out there
Sump: do you want a sump? if so do you want a fuge inside the sump?
Stand & Canopy or open top? if canopy and depending on lighting, you may need fans for cooling
Heaters: not something you wanna go cheap on
Controller: several types of reef controllers out there
Return Pump: several types to choose from

 

[CHizer]

My best advice is make sure to do lots of research on the fish and corals you want. Many that are beautiful don't go well together or are hard to keep in captivity.

 

[ReefKeep66]

Looks like you have a lot of research to do lol you also want to take into consideration where your going to place your tank and you want to place it somewhere level and can hold the weight. A 125g with just saltwater, weighing 9 pounds a gallon, it'll weigh 1,125lbs. Not including rock, sand, and and your sump. Although you aren't going to have exactly 125g due to displacement from the rock and sand, but you get the idea.

 

[rickbrown85]

Thank you so much for all the replies guys! Yes I do have a lot of research to do. Im not looking to go the cheapest route at all, but in saying that im not wanting to go with the most expensive stuff either. As far as the weight i will be bracing up my crawlspace up under where the tank will be placed. I want to go with leds it think. I also want to do a sump as for as the fuge idk what do you guys think? I am also wanting to try to do an open top.

 

[uncleL]

Hello and welcome to salt! If you want to go cheap or save on money let us know your setup. My setup just to give you an idea. I'll add another filter and light to my 125G

Tank, Stand, Hood, light and sand 3” $250.00
. Filters Marineland (2) Hot Magnums $120.00 (1) 350 $24.95 ON SALE Skimmer AquaC (350gph)Protein Skimmer w/ Drain + Mag-Drive 3 $260.00
PowerHeads (3) 950gph $150.00
Heater (2) Aqueon 250w $40.00
24uv ster$20.00
Lighting 48” MarineLand LED Reef Capable $300.00
Test Kit $30.00
Sea Salt $50.00
Thermometer: $5.00
Hydrometer:$10.00
Power strip $25.00
Nitrifying Bacteria for Saltwater (Dr. Tim’S) $30.00
Live rock/base rock $200.00

 

[Sk8r]

Go to the SETTING UP sticky above. It has a ton of info for you.

 

[Wryknow]

Part of the process is learning what works for you unfortunately so don't think that you're going to get it 100% perfect the first time (no matter how hard you try ) There's plenty of great advice on the forums. Just keep reading and you'll be an expert in no time!

 

[ShannyG]

If I learned anything in this process it's to add livestock sllloooowwly. One thing at a time and wait several weeks. My tank is tiny but it seems to be true of any size.

 

[rickbrown85]

Hello and welcome to salt! If you want to go cheap or save on money let us know your setup. My setup just to give you an idea. I'll add another filter and light to my 125G

Tank, Stand, Hood, light and sand 3” $250.00
. Filters Marineland (2) Hot Magnums $120.00 (1) 350 $24.95 ON SALE Skimmer AquaC (350gph)Protein Skimmer w/ Drain + Mag-Drive 3 $260.00
PowerHeads (3) 950gph $150.00
Heater (2) Aqueon 250w $40.00
24uv ster$20.00
Lighting 48” MarineLand LED Reef Capable $300.00
Test Kit $30.00
Sea Salt $50.00
Thermometer: $5.00
Hydrometer:$10.00
Power strip $25.00
Nitrifying Bacteria for Saltwater (Dr. Tim’S) $30.00
Live rock/base rock $200.00

Awesome thank you for that information and yeah I plan on taking this process very slow. My daughter is only 1 month old, and that is who i am building it for. So I have a while to get everything set up before she will be able to truly enjoy it.

 

[wij]

The support under the floor is a good idea I had to do the same thing and it also allows you to put the sump in your laundry if you have one close or a room to put your sump in? Reduction in noise allway good it's all good fun building it though good luck

 

[AquaFrenzy]

I am also in the middle of building a 125AGA with Dual Overflows with the matching stand, feel free to hit me up with any question you many have if you end up going that route!

 

[Jritter02]

My advice would be use RO water not tap. I bought a small RO unit after starting my 24g nano. I originally used tap and had bad issues with algae. I'm sure the whole cycle process had a lot to do with that too but I got a unit for 30$ off craigslist. Saves you a lot of time and money too as far as not having to run to the lfs for water.

 

[rickbrown85]

Thank you aquafrenzy and yeah a RO/DI unit is going to be my first purchase after the tank lol. I found a 125 on Craigslist for $100!! Here is a picture of my first thing which is bracing my floor joist up.

 

[rickbrown85]

IDk why it didnt show the image but here is the bracing I put in the crawl space up under where the tank will go.

 

[rickbrown85]

And another thing. The tank im getting is not drilled. Should I try to drill it? I want it to look as clean as possible.

 

[ReefKeep66]

And another thing. The tank im getting is not drilled. Should I try to drill it? I want it to look as clean as possible.

That depends if you want bulkheads to run your return and drain plumbing. If you decide too, do some extensive research before trying. Make sure the glass isn't tempered.