Help with new 125 gallon build

tassod

tassod

New member
Hey Everyone,

Wondering if there is anyone out there willing to help with setting up new 125 gallon reef tank. I will be getting the tank and stand tonight. I have also ordered Eshine LED's for lighting but that's about it that i have for equipment.

I still need:
Sump/refugium
Skimmer
Return pump
powerheads (thinking of going with MP40's or Tunze's)
Reactors (not quite sure what i need as minimum to start with)
heaters
RO/RODI unit
ATO unit


I'm probably missing stuff in this list but I'm new to all this so still learning. I will also need help setting all this up plumbing wise. The tank i am getting is reef ready with built in corner overflows. I will post pics once i get it and moved in my basement. I would appreciate anyones help on this!
 
Before we get too ahead of ourselves with equipment, what are you looking to keep in the tank. Could you post some inspirations? Maybe a TOTM you like. That way we'll know how many fish, what kind of corals, how much flow etc.

If you need physical help with setting stuff up, I can probably swing by.
 
Get the sump from Anthony at nano sea creations. I would go with 2 mp40 for the pumps and ehiem 1262 for the return pump. That's what I did and it works Great.
 
Kribs said:
Get the sump from Anthony at nano sea creations. I would go with 2 mp40 for the pumps and ehiem 1262 for the return pump. That's what I did and it works Great.
Click to expand...

Before getting the sump, I think he should figure out how big of a skimmer and refugium area he needs. Should there be socks on the overflows? Will he be good about switching them?

There are also a lot of questions about those pumps as well. The Eheim at 4 feet is under 800 GPH. The question then is can the sump handle 800 GPH, should it be more, should it be less? A comparable Mag pump is half the price, what's the advantage of the Eheim?

The MP40s are pretty expensive. If he is planning on doing a lot of SPS and doesn't mind the extra noise, then sure, he should go for them.
 
I agree, planning and knowing where you want your tank to be down the road is key to you enjoying your tank.
 
Got my tank tonight and got it down in the basement (thanks Pool_Shark for your help in carrying it!). I have to level out the stand because my floor is slightly sloped where its going to be. I will also need to get the bulk heads and overflow pipes as the tank did not have them although it is drilled for it. My goal eventually is to have a mixed SPS and LPS reef with a mixed amount of fish and invertabrates. Would a 30 gallon sump/fuge be enough or would a 45g be better? Once i cleanup the tank and get it settled i will start posting pics.
 
tassod said:
Got my tank tonight and got it down in the basement (thanks Pool_Shark for your help in carrying it!). I have to level out the stand because my floor is slightly sloped where its going to be. I will also need to get the bulk heads and overflow pipes as the tank did not have them although it is drilled for it. My goal eventually is to have a mixed SPS and LPS reef with a mixed amount of fish and invertabrates. Would a 30 gallon sump/fuge be enough or would a 45g be better? Once i cleanup the tank and get it settled i will start posting pics.
Click to expand...

SPS and LPS require different environments, but better than SPS and Softies. Now that we know the species, how about picking a fish list? From there we can choose a Skimmer. With the Skimmer we'll know what size sump we need based on the skimmer's footprint. Knowing the skimmer will also tell us how much flow should go through the sump.
 
I like clowns, Gobies/Blennies, Anthias, Niger Trigger and of course Tangs. I'm a newbie at this remember though so i'm not really familiar with all reef safe fish. I'm definitely open though to suggestions on what i should have in there and what i shouldn't.
 
tassod said:
I like clowns, Gobies/Blennies, Anthias, Niger Trigger and of course Tangs. I'm a newbie at this remember though so i'm not really familiar with all reef safe fish. I'm definitely open though to suggestions on what i should have in there and what i shouldn't.
Click to expand...

Niger Trigger isn't a reef safe fish and needs a minimum 180 gallon tank. Getting more than 1 Blenny in a 125 might not be a good idea. Multiple Tangs is also something I'd consider against. Clowns should also be limited to just 2. I'd also recommend reading

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783397

Browse around liveaquaria to get a good list going. Once you do post it on

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2068112&page=186

Remember, the most important part in this hobby is patience. Taking the time now to figure everything out will save you thousands of dollars and hours. If it takes a month just to pick out the fish, that's a good thing. It means you're taking your time, and thinking about everything you do. Something else, learn to love

http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=104

it's just a great list of expensive mistakes you could make, done by someone else.
 
SimonSKL said:
I have built a 125g in March this year. Here is a link to my build thread. May be you can learn from my mistakes or use it as reference. I am also using Eshine lights and have good growth and coloration with my sps. Good luck!

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2133241
Click to expand...

Hello Simon,
Yes i have seen your build thread and it is quite an impressive build. Can you give me a complete list of all the equipment you are using? Also what fish do you have?
 
DopeCantWin said:
Niger Trigger isn't a reef safe fish and needs a minimum 180 gallon tank. Getting more than 1 Blenny in a 125 might not be a good idea. Multiple Tangs is also something I'd consider against. Clowns should also be limited to just 2. I'd also recommend reading

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783397

Browse around liveaquaria to get a good list going. Once you do post it on

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2068112&page=186

Remember, the most important part in this hobby is patience. Taking the time now to figure everything out will save you thousands of dollars and hours. If it takes a month just to pick out the fish, that's a good thing. It means you're taking your time, and thinking about everything you do. Something else, learn to love

http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=104

it's just a great list of expensive mistakes you could make, done by someone else.
Click to expand...
This is great advice and will definitely post my intended fish purchases on the forum before i consider buying anything. This forum is definitely awesome and will always come here first before i ask any LFS for advice. I'm definitely in no rush and will take my time to do this right.
 
Pool_shark said:
You should also consider setting up a quarantine tank since you'll be adding several fish in the near future.
Click to expand...

Yes i will definitely be doing that and have that on my checklist, thanks Pool_shark.

By the way, thanks again for the tank and helping me and my friend move it to my basement. :thumbsup: Do you know off hand what size bulkheads I will need for the overflows since the plumbing kit did not come with it?
 
DopeCantWin said:
If you need physical help with setting stuff up, I can probably swing by.
Click to expand...

DopeCantWin, I may take you up on this as I will most likely need help setting this up. Looks like i'm not to far from you. I am leaning towards mirroring my setup like SimonSKL's.
 
I got a undulated trigger you can have... I'm sure ill set the forum on fire with that one.


Martini and Rossi Asti Spumante
 
I got a undulated trigger you can have for free. I'll even bring him to you. O and what about a controller.


Martini and Rossi Asti Spumante
 
tassod said:
Would a 30 gallon sump/fuge be enough or would a 45g be better? Once i cleanup the tank and get it settled i will start posting pics.
Click to expand...

I would get the biggest sump you have room for. I have a 55 gal tank as sump on my system. You can buy glass baffles and glue them in yourself. I have 3 compartments in my sump... refugium, return pump and skimmer.
 
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