Geoff's 125g build

[saltysailor2329]

Hello to everyone...this first post is going to be a quick one because I want to figure out how to get photos posted. This is my 125g build and I hope to learn some things along the way from everyone here on RC. I will add additional information later tonight once I stop working on the tank.

Tank/Gear/etc.

Tank - 125g (6')
Sump - 40g breeder
Stand - Custom made from 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 (Curious if I should add a vertical brace)
Return pump - Mag 24
Skimmer - SWC 160 Extreme
Flow - Vortech MP 40 x 2
Lighting - Aquamedic 3 x 250 watt (10k) and 2 x 150 watt (14k) (Not sure if I am going to run all of these at the same time or not or work out some sort of combo).

I'm open to lots of suggestions on the lighting as I got a deal on this light that I couldn't pass up; however, I would like to stick with this lighting overall, but am willing to supplement additional if needed.

So you can see from the pics that the stand is pretty much built, I just have to skin it. I'm not sure what I'm going to do for that because the wife has to approve. I like the look of the light hanging from the ceiling, but the wife wants me to build a canopy...anyone know of a good canopy plan that can support the monster ballast that came with this light? Let me know.

I'll go all into the types of livestock I will be keeping later.

Also, I know that the line of questioning regarding cost always seems to come up so if this line of questioning does arise, then I will answer them and be honest. I think it is important that people know the true cost of running a tank of any size little own pretty decent sized.

For now here are some pics and I will be more than happy to answer any questions, take any criticism or praise you may have.

I hope these pictures come through. If not will someone try to help me out please?

Again, I look forward hearing what everyone has to say...good and bad.

 

[Reef264]

Great sounding!Try again with the pictures, they no work out so good.

 

[ssilcox]

I've been looking at that fixture myself. Does the blue of two 14k's keep up visually with the 10k's, or does it still have a yellowish tint to it?

 

[jacob.morgan78]

Any way to put the ballast outside of the canopy so you don't have to worry about the extra heat and corrosion? I use t5s so have no experience however.

With the pictures... I upload to photobucket.com and then they make it real easy to post in forums from there (with a link)... HTH

 

[ssilcox]

Imgur.com is a great picture host as well

 

[saltysailor2329]

http://emob1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg489/saltysailor2320/IMG_4034.jpg

 

[saltysailor2329]

Hello to everyone...this first post is going to be a quick one because I want to figure out how to get photos posted. This is my 125g build and I hope to learn some things along the way from everyone here on RC. I will add additional information later tonight once I stop working on the tank.

Tank/Gear/etc.

Tank - 125g (6')
Sump - 40g breeder
Stand - Custom made from 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 (Curious if I should add a vertical brace)
Return pump - Mag 24
Skimmer - SWC 160 Extrem
Flow - Vortech MP 40 x 2
Lighting - Aquamedic 3 x 250 watt (10k) and 2 x 150 watt (14k) (Not sure if I am going to run all of these at the same time or not or work out some sort of combo).

I'm open to lots of suggestions on the lighting as I got a deal on this light that I couldn't pass up; however, I would like to stick with this lighting overall, but am willing to supplement additional if needed.

So you can see from the pics that the stand is pretty much built, I just have to skin it. I'm not sure what I'm going to do for that because the wife has to approve. I like the look of the light hanging from the ceiling, but the wife wants me to build a canopy...anyone know of a good canopy plan that can support the monster ballast that came with this light? Let me know.

I'll go all into the types of livestock I will be keeping later.

Also, I know that the line of questioning regarding cost always seems to come up so if this line of questioning does arise, then I will answer them and be honest. I think it is important that people know the true cost of running a tank of any size little own pretty decent sized.

For now here are some pics and I will be more than happy to answer any questions, take any criticism or praise you may have.

I hope these pictures come through. If not will someone try to help me out please?

Again, I look forward hearing what everyone has to say...good and bad.

 

[saltysailor2329]

Great sounding!Try again with the pictures, they no work out so good.

Ok...ask and you shall receive. Here are some pics for everyone.

I'll post my comments on each of the pics in the next post. I'm still trying to figure out these pics and posting underneath them. Let me know what you guys think..

 

[saltysailor2329]

Ok so the first pic is just to show the simple plumbing. 3/4" return and dual 1" drain. Ball valves on each of the return lines.

40g breeder sump. Right side is skimmer section, middle section is return and left side is refugium. Skimmer section is 10" wide by 12" tall. Skimmer will sit on egg crate to get it at about 9" of water level, return is 14" wide and refugium is 12" wide as well.

Plan on some sand and rubble in the refugium.

Third, is me trying to figure out how far off the water the lights should be. First time with MHs so any help here will help me.

Fourth, is the lights at close to full power. Amazingly bright and not sure if I can rock all 5 of them at the same time. There are each independently switchable so I may try and figure out a different schedule.

Last pic is what I'm thinking for rock scape. The right side is empty because I have about 60 more lbs in my current 40g breeder DT that will go there.

Ok folks so let me know all your thoughts.

 

[saltysailor2329]

I've been looking at that fixture myself. Does the blue of two 14k's keep up visually with the 10k's, or does it still have a yellowish tint to it?

Hopefully the pics answer your question. If not, let me know.

 

[saltysailor2329]

Any way to put the ballast outside of the canopy so you don't have to worry about the extra heat and corrosion? I use t5s so have no experience however.

With the pictures... I upload to photobucket.com and then they make it real easy to post in forums from there (with a link)... HTH

Yeah I definitely could but I'm looking for a place to hide it besides sitting beside the stand. I don't want to put it under the tank because I want room for other things...dual reactor, ATO, controllers, etc.

I may just have to build a side table and hide it in there. Something to ponder for sure.

 

[saltysailor2329]

Ok so this question is for all you electricians out there or at least someone with some good experience...

I want to know if a 15 amp circuit is large enough to handle everything I'm running. The fish tank equipment is the only stuff on the circuit. See gear above and a fugue light, maxi jet 1200 for the dual reactor, couple 250 watt heaters, ATO.

 

[ssilcox]

Hopefully the pics answer your question. If not, let me know.

They do, thanks. Looks like it is a very nice combo.

 

[saltysailor2329]

They do, thanks. Looks like it is a very nice combo.

Yeah I was very happy with the overall look. Once I get the tank loaded with water, rock, sand and livestock I'll have a better opinion. What I do really like though is the fact that each lamp is independently switchable. So I'll be able to mess around quite a bit. I was also looking at supplementing some LEDs in the setup as well.

 

[Reef264]

Wowser!Looks insanely great!

 

[edward45]

Ok so this question is for all you electricians out there or at least someone with some good experience...

I want to know if a 15 amp circuit is large enough to handle everything I'm running. The fish tank equipment is the only stuff on the circuit. See gear above and a fugue light, maxi jet 1200 for the dual reactor, couple 250 watt heaters, ATO.

Well watts = volts times amps. So you just take 120 times 15 which equals 1800. So your 15 amperage breaker should be able to handle close to 1800 watts. So you should be good with the equipment your running.

 

[saltysailor2329]

Well watts = volts times amps. So you just take 120 times 15 which equals 1800. So your 15 amperage breaker should be able to handle close to 1800 watts. So you should be good with the equipment your running.

Edward,

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but you mean it should be able to handle a constant 1800 watts or a peak of 1800 watts? Also, this may seem dumb, but if I'm running a 250 watt MH am I pulling a full 250 watts?

 

[saltysailor2329]

Wowser!Looks insanely great!

Thanks Ray! Love that movie.

Hopefully, it will turn out how I hope it does. I can't wait to get water in it real soon. Had to order a few more plumbing pieces from BRS so those should be here on Wednesday. Once I get those I will be hooking it all up and running with fresh water to make sure we don't have leaks...then comes the salt, sand, rocks and fun stuff.

 

[edward45]

Well I wouldn't run it constantly so close to 15 amps, you wanna give yourself a little wiggle room so when your girlfriend plugs in the vacuum she doesn't trip the breaker (this actually happened to me). You should load your breaker at about 80% anything more than that can weaken the breaker over time, which will cause it to trip at lower amperages. Your 250 watt MH won't draw exactly 250 watts but it should be pretty close.

 

[saltysailor2329]

Well I wouldn't run it constantly so close to 15 amps, you wanna give yourself a little wiggle room so when your girlfriend plugs in the vacuum she doesn't trip the breaker (this actually happened to me). You should load your breaker at about 80% anything more than that can weaken the breaker over time, which will cause it to trip at lower amperages. Your 250 watt MH won't draw exactly 250 watts but it should be pretty close.

Thanks Edward I appreciate the electrical knowledge.