125 build
- Thread starter Kalen
- Start date
Kalen
New member
I think I've made a decision on my lighting. I going to do H.o. T5 mixed with leds.
Specifically the ATI 60 Inch 8x80W SunPower T5HO High-Output Fixture and the Reef Brite TECH LED Blue Strip Light - 60 Inch
Pictures are from marine depot.
Specifically the ATI 60 Inch 8x80W SunPower T5HO High-Output Fixture and the Reef Brite TECH LED Blue Strip Light - 60 Inch
Pictures are from marine depot.
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Kalen
New member
Last night I added my baffles to my 55 gallon sump. I'm going to be double checking to make sure all the silicone bonded well to the glass baffles.
Also this weekend I should be getting the 125 wet finally. I'll post pictures of the sump as well as when I get the tank wet this weekend.
The sump didn't come out as clean as I was hoping with the silicone, however it don't matter what it looks like as long as it is functional.
Also this weekend I should be getting the 125 wet finally. I'll post pictures of the sump as well as when I get the tank wet this weekend.
The sump didn't come out as clean as I was hoping with the silicone, however it don't matter what it looks like as long as it is functional.
bdevillier
New member
Build is looking good. I'm building a 125 myself. Although, with work being so busy, I haven't had much time to work on it. One thing to consider with the lighting is instead of doing t5 supplemented by led, go led supplemented by t5. I run a custom built fixture that uses a variety of different leds which are supplemented by a pair of t5s. When the 125 gets going I will expand the light to cover the 6' tank. It will have 6 channels of light control and will be controlled via my cell phone/tablet/laptop. If you're interested, shoot me a pm and I can give your more details.
Kalen
New member
Thanks, I've put some thought into it about my lighting and I want to give the combo unit of t5 and leds a chance. I have a hydra 52 over my little 30 and trying to find the intensity and right spectrum is a headache in its self.
As far as the build, thanks for taking the time read everything. Its been a long time coming my accident last year when I was building a stand for a 90 gallon and having to go to work when normal people are sleeping, its been tough and draining. But I pulled a all nighter and she is wet. I still have to add about 25 or 30 gallons then she'll be up and running which I'm expecting to happen around mid day or early afternoon.
I've been so excited for this day to come for a while and now it finally here, but I need to relax and calm down or I may miss a step and I don't want that.
So now it will start the cycling process and I will slowly add live rock to the tank as I can afford and money allows me to buy it, but will at Epic Ocean's is going to be giving me a huge deal on live rock, not sure what it will be. However either way will be great. He has helped me out so much and I have to say I'm impressed with his store is doing being a new store and running it with one other person he's doing a terrific and amazing job.
Anyways I'll post picture of the tank once she is fully up and running.
Thanks again
Kalen
New member
The 125 finally has water in it and is running. I'll start getting live rock probably next week. I put up a lesson 150W on the tank just to light it up for the pictures.
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Kalen
New member
I just got back from epic ocean's and will was great helped me pick out some live rock that he personally said would look great in my tank. However its not much but its a start.
Its the same picture, noticed that I forgot to resize the picture after I posted.
Its the same picture, noticed that I forgot to resize the picture after I posted.
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plantastic
New member
Just an FYI...be very careful with the black sand when algae wiping your tank. It can and will scratch that glass, more so than white sand. Be especially careful with any getting stuck in an algae pad or magnet.
Keep up the good work!
Keep up the good work!
Kalen
New member
Thanks for the advice
I have black sand in my 30 rL that I am upgrading from. I do appreciate the concern and am aware that any sand if caught between a magnet and glass can scratch the glass or acrylic sides of the the tank. When cleaning algae off the glass I normally use a razor blade but my 30 is so small it easier to do it that way. Now with the upgrade to the 125 I plan to use a tiger shark magnet. And I know that so magnet can even scratch a tank so I decided that I would clean the glass when I am fully awake and aware of things, not when I am half asleep as well as use a 50 micro pad between the glass and the magnet as a precaution.
Thanks again and it has been a long build that has consumed a lot of my time. Plus the stress that has went into the build as well. Having to listen to my girl tell me what a waste of money this is even though she is the one who got me into freshwater tanks then I was hooked and had a baby prior to this build. So ya it has been challenging spreading the money out evenly to make sure all the bills got paid.
Kalen
New member
Did my first water change of 25 gallons today as well as a full round of testing.
Tank has been online since
November 9, 2015
Sg = 1.0245 (I will be making adjustments to my sg as well. I prefer to keep a tiny bit high at 1.0255 or 1.026)
Tested with Api
Ammonia = .25
Nitrates = 0
Ph = 7.6
Tested with Salifert
Kh = 8.6
Ca = 440
Mg = 1275
Temp = 80°F ( will lower in a tiny bit after I'm done cycling the tank).
Salt = Red Sea Blue Bucket
I did not test for phosphates as I really didn't see a need to do so at this point.
I have been also ghost feeding a little as well. Not sure if it really helps the cycling process or if I am wasting food.
Tank has been online since
November 9, 2015
Sg = 1.0245 (I will be making adjustments to my sg as well. I prefer to keep a tiny bit high at 1.0255 or 1.026)
Tested with Api
Ammonia = .25
Nitrates = 0
Ph = 7.6
Tested with Salifert
Kh = 8.6
Ca = 440
Mg = 1275
Temp = 80°F ( will lower in a tiny bit after I'm done cycling the tank).
Salt = Red Sea Blue Bucket
I did not test for phosphates as I really didn't see a need to do so at this point.
I have been also ghost feeding a little as well. Not sure if it really helps the cycling process or if I am wasting food.
evo.howard2010
New member
Ghost feeding definitely helps cause as the food decays in the tank it turns into ammonia and the micro bacteria will begin to grow and eat up the ammonia! But I would use a lot of food to kickstart it I would buy a piece of shrimp a large one and place it in the tank! And use a product like micro Bacter 7 to help the bacteria grow a little faster this worked for me! Plus I really like brightwells products!
Kalen
New member
I've read about ghost feeding as well as using shrimp to help the cycling process. As far as using like brightwell I prefer not use products that are suppose to speed up the cycling process with beneficial bacteria. I prefer to do things the natural way. Adding chemical to the tank that really are not needed can cause problems later on down the road
The only thing that I was unsure of was how much to ghost feed the tank. However you did mention lots of food so that helps.
The only thing that I was unsure of was how much to ghost feed the tank. However you did mention lots of food so that helps.
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evo.howard2010
New member
Yeah I have not had a problem with it yet! I also like their carbon for my reactor
evo.howard2010
New member
The was I post about a guy selling dossing pumps! And he just said to make and offer? Yeah I want to get new lights
