Willistein
Active member
So, I guess I should document the build of my 120 reef. It's been a loooooong time coming as I've been in the hobby 10 years and always wanted a big tank. I had a 10, a 20, a couple different 30s and now this. I've been collecting equipment for about a year and now the build is really underway. I will try to have a picture intense build since there's nothing worse than a thread with no pics.
The build so far...
120 Marineland tank with one overflow - standard 4' x 2' x 2'
The display tank will be in my new dining room so it's imperative that it is a.)quiet, b.)nice looking and c.) doesn't smell like Lake Ontario.
After much debate, I decided on locating the sump and equipment in a former laundry room that is about 5' x 6' and offers plenty of space for doing what I want. Because the plumbing was already there, I added a utility sink and relocated my RO unit. I built a plywood bench to put the return pump and sump on and it also gives me a little workspace.
Because the new fish room is separated from the DT by a hallway I had to run the plumbing down into the basement and back up, and since the sump is lower than the overflow it all works OK. One thing I am considering is lowering the sump position by about a foot to get more capacity out of the overflow. It seems to max out around 400 gph before it starts acting funny.
I made the stand myself - it's constructed of a 2x4 skeleton and has maple plywood and solid maple corners, trim, and top. In retrospect I should have just skipped the 2x4 part because it basically ended up being a piece of furniture. Oh well, it's a friekin' tank.
The build so far...
120 Marineland tank with one overflow - standard 4' x 2' x 2'
The display tank will be in my new dining room so it's imperative that it is a.)quiet, b.)nice looking and c.) doesn't smell like Lake Ontario.
After much debate, I decided on locating the sump and equipment in a former laundry room that is about 5' x 6' and offers plenty of space for doing what I want. Because the plumbing was already there, I added a utility sink and relocated my RO unit. I built a plywood bench to put the return pump and sump on and it also gives me a little workspace.
Because the new fish room is separated from the DT by a hallway I had to run the plumbing down into the basement and back up, and since the sump is lower than the overflow it all works OK. One thing I am considering is lowering the sump position by about a foot to get more capacity out of the overflow. It seems to max out around 400 gph before it starts acting funny.
I made the stand myself - it's constructed of a 2x4 skeleton and has maple plywood and solid maple corners, trim, and top. In retrospect I should have just skipped the 2x4 part because it basically ended up being a piece of furniture. Oh well, it's a friekin' tank.
