Dragonvale's 125 long adventure....

Dragonvale

Dragonvale

New member
So I kind of grew out of the 50 gallon starphire rimless and an upgrade was imminent. My original goal was to get a traditional 120 tank with cherry hood and stand. Things changed when the other half saw the tank and preferred a longer tank and instead of cherry, an expresso color. So here it is.

<a href="http://s1297.photobucket.com/user/1Dragonvale/media/125pics_zps63858da8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag21/1Dragonvale/125pics_zps63858da8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 125pics_zps63858da8.jpg"/></a>

I really don't know how long this will take to get up and going. The main factor here is wether or not I use established live rock for the system, or wait for dead rock to endure a cycle....
 
Very nice! Woot woot!

Myself, I would plan for some cycle. With that much new surface area (don't forget plumbing and sump), I think some cycle is inevitable. As such, I would probably use new sand and some new rock. I would use some established live rock and seed the sand with a handful or two of sand from my established tank. Hooking up an established sump with rock might shorten cycle duration if cycle time is a concern for you. Or dosing some ammonia, though I've never tried that.

As you know, time for even a full cycle is still less than time for a new tank to mature, so no real hurry, IMHO.

It's going to be awesome!
 
That looks like a sweet tank. 6' in length gives you lots if room to work with.

I agree with Ken. I'd start with a lot of fresh rock and sand. I know if I ever up grade I'll start fresh. This will help me eliminate any pests that I wouldn't want transferred to the new set uo
 
Awesome tank I can't wait to see how you set this up so I can get some ideas on how I want mine to look. I have the same tank collecting dust in my brothers garage.
 
A not so quick google search provided many examples of electronic ballasts with 30% dimming capabilities changing the kelvin, shortening bulb life and stressing corals due to unpredictable peaks. Makes sense to me.
The following page didn't delve into dimming but does provide information that concurs with my understanding of HIDs but presents it better than I would.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/index.php
 
woodnaquanut said:
Does the spectrum of the bulbs change when you reduce the power to it?
Click to expand...

No idea? All I've seen is Grants and Tom's tank ran with 175 mh's and they looked great as far as kelvin.

jalisco said:
A not so quick google search provided many examples of electronic ballasts with 30% dimming capabilities changing the kelvin, shortening bulb life and stressing corals due to unpredictable peaks. Makes sense to me.
The following page didn't delve into dimming but does provide information that concurs with my understanding of HIDs but presents it better than I would.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/index.php
Click to expand...

I've seen two tanks ran like this one on a 210 and the other 120. Both reefers I highly respect with no negative information from either one of them based on the light setup.

***I'm referring to both Grant's and Tom's tank if anyone knew who I was talking about***
 
I do!

Dragon is correct about Tom and Grant. I've seen Grant's dimmable ballast. Wait, that doesn't sound quite right... ;)
 
The theme of the tank is going to be a family oriented one which I have never done since it's "MY TANK". Kind of a selfish thing to say huh? So with the wife picking out the tank and color of the stand/canopy. My daughter got her 2 cents in and she helped by picking out my plumbing (yes she did and pictures will follow but gosh she has expensive taste). A majority of items came in yesterday so the ball will be rolling.


ReeferItIs2 said:
Hope this turns into a SPS tank with zoas all over the sandbed...
Click to expand...

My goal which I highly doubt will materialize, is having a sand bed with nothing on it. Again it's a fantasy goal with odds 1:50 but I'm stating there is a chance LOL as for sps I'm shooting for 50% :)
 
Glad to see its progressing...50% of a 125g is still alot of sps and good luck not putting anything in the sandbed, I can see you filling this thing up within 6 months after the cycle lol then what? Lol
 
Dragonvale said:
The theme of the tank is going to be a family oriented one which I have never done since it's "MY TANK". Kind of a selfish thing to say huh? So with the wife picking out the tank and color of the stand/canopy. My daughter got her 2 cents in and she helped by picking out my plumbing (yes she did and pictures will follow but gosh she has expensive taste). A majority of items came in yesterday so the ball will be rolling.




My goal which I highly doubt will materialize, is having a sand bed with nothing on it. Again it's a fantasy goal with odds 1:50 but I'm stating there is a chance LOL as for sps I'm shooting for 50% :)
Click to expand...
I hear you on the goal lol.. I've never been able to keep that one =)..

Look forward to seeing what the little one picked out plumbing wise should be interesting.. My daughter is my little helper also and she is working towards a nuovo 16 for her room.. (she's only 3 lol)


As for the coral we were talking about and I actually have a large colony of the birds of paradise I'm going to get rid of so that could be a good start to your stocking if your interested.. Probably mini soccer ball size maybe a little smaller. I'll Pm you later with a list..
 
Dapg8gt said:
I hear you on the goal lol.. I've never been able to keep that one =)..

Look forward to seeing what the little one picked out plumbing wise should be interesting.. My daughter is my little helper also and she is working towards a nuovo 16 for her room.. (she's only 3 lol)


As for the coral we were talking about and I actually have a large colony of the birds of paradise I'm going to get rid of so that could be a good start to your stocking if your interested.. Probably mini soccer ball size maybe a little smaller. I'll Pm you later with a list..
Click to expand...

Nice let me know.


For people wondering why I'm getting common SPS. My goal is to get common faster growing SPS then slowly replace them with the uncommon slower growing SPS.
 
This project is taking longer than I thought. Did a big order with BRS to get rocks, plumbing, and new ro/di media along with membrane to make new water.

Plumbing was picked out by my daughter. She went with the purple PVC with schedule 90 fittings along with ball valves. I love these ball valves compared to the 80 ball valves. Their so easy to turn no matter how old the tank is. I was spoiled with the 250 being all schedule 90 so I have experience with them.

<a href="http://s1297.photobucket.com/user/1Dragonvale/media/20140622_215324_zps5c46ccaf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag21/1Dragonvale/20140622_215324_zps5c46ccaf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140622_215324_zps5c46ccaf.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s1297.photobucket.com/user/1Dragonvale/media/20140622_215429_zps0353664f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag21/1Dragonvale/20140622_215429_zps0353664f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140622_215429_zps0353664f.jpg"/></a>

Next was doing an acid bath and having to turn over the top rocks at the 30 min mark. Did a bath for an hour and actually going to do another tomorrow. I seriously had the experience of phosphates leaching out and it had to be one of the most frustrating things to deal with, its as bad as dealing with aiptasia.

<a href="http://s1297.photobucket.com/user/1Dragonvale/media/20140628_180009_zps43a92574.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag21/1Dragonvale/20140628_180009_zps43a92574.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140628_180009_zps43a92574.jpg"/></a>

Painting the inside of the canopy and stand. This thing is taking longer than expected which I'm using Kilz.

<a href="http://s1297.photobucket.com/user/1Dragonvale/media/20140628_205540_zpse8a6b725.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag21/1Dragonvale/20140628_205540_zpse8a6b725.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20140628_205540_zpse8a6b725.jpg"/></a>

Still need to drill holes in the hood for PC fans for circulation and other miscellaneous items......

Setup

125 Long

Sump
Going with a truvue platinum sump with duel filter socks due to the narrow width of this tank. Wanted a trigger or my own DYI 40b but the cost for a truvue was cheaper than a trigger (which was too big anyways) and almost the same cost as a DYI 40b when all ways said and done (plus a 40b wouldn't have fit also).


Lighting

3 x lumatek 250 watt ballasts
3 x Radions 20K
3 x lumenbrights reflectors
2x 36 length reefbrites blues (hope that's enough) just doing one front strip.

Filtration
BRS Dual canister GFO/Carbon
Filter socks

Skimmer
Skimz DC SM163

Return pump
Laguna max flo 2000

Tank circulation

Two old MP40w's

Large Tunze wavemaker

Return line will be connected to a seaswirl

Will also add two more powerheads don't know what I'll want to run with?
 
Looks like it's coming together nicely.. Your equipment list looks killer, the buy it once motto.. I try to follow (usually =) ..I have a skimz sk181 and it's a workhorse and craftsmanship is top notch imo so the dc should be nice..

How much did you get the reef bright pendants for? They are the mini's right? I think you will probably be good with just those 3 covering the tank without the strips.. I'd consider those a bonus lol..
 
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