Its time....my first build thread!!

[Tank14]

I have been in this hobby on and off for five years. I have learned a lot from the members on here. I am planning on upgrading my 55 gallon to a 120 gallon tank. I already have a tank and stand sitting in my dining room (thanks ricky!) but before I continued purchasing items, I wanted to tap into the wealth of knowledge in our group.

I am looking to have a sump inside the stand. Stand dimensions inside could accommodate 36"L x 18"W x 23"H. I was thinking a 30 gallon breeder could fit well. A 40 breeder may work but don't think I would have enough clearance to get a skimmer in and out of there. Am I correct in thinking of using a 30 instead of a 40?

Speaking of skimmers, What would be a good skimmer for this setup? I looked at the Reef Octopus but am not sure if its too tall to fit inside the canopy. Any thoughts on this or another quality skimmer?

The tank itself has one corner overflow which I really like especially where the tank is going to go in the house. Overflow box is 9"x6" and has a durso standpipe.

I am very excited about my first build and hope to bring everyone along for the ride :wave: I am completely open to any suggestions and experiences that anyone may have and will post updates as I can.

 

[cameron0611]

I am also making the upgrade as well to a 120. But I am upgrading from a 75. I am using a 30 gal sump but only because I got one for free.

 

[pascal32]

I like the SRO XP series, in your case a 2000 is probably the right size. if you go in the sump (not external) the water level to the skimmer is something like 5.75-6" which at 22" tall puts you at 28" from the sump, plus 2 minimum to the the cup out (which is pushing it) you would need 30" which you likely cant fit.

Touch base with mojo~ here for skimmer advice, he knows which can run deeper. i believe the tech-i are shorter and work very well. he should be able to help!

starts here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1589426&highlight=sro2000+water

ends 181 pages later : http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1589426&highlight=sro2000+water&page=181

for a sump I'm partial to a 40 breeder minimum for a 120, the 30 is pushing it, I mentioned that here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2115663

 

[Tank14]

Thanks for the link Blurry. I am going to see if I can get one that can go in deeper water.

 

[Tank14]

well, it has been a bit since I started the build so I figured I would post some updates...
Was able to procure some nice pieces of equipment over the past 6-8 weeks. I now have my 40 breeder for a sump along with a reef octopus skimmer and TEK lighting fixture. I have sanded down the stand a little bit to prepare it for painting as well as scrape the glass on the tank of old coralline. I have cut a hole in one side of the tank to allow entry for the sump.

I ordeedr some necessary plumbing pieces from BRS which should be here sometime this week. The next thing I have left to do is figure out the baffles situation for my sum and then plumb everything. I believe the only major other piece of equipment I will need is a return pump. Looking at the Eheim 1262.

So far things are going slow but well. Hope I will be able to find more time over the next few weeks to really get this thing going....such a long process but I know its worth the wait.

That's all for now!

 

[pascal32]

if you are considering blacking/bluing out the back of the tank skip on paint and use this: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19785

You will need a friend to help put it on, and it can be a bit tough at first, at the end you will enjoy it! paint scratches off, this stuff holds up pretty well!

 

[Haffs09]

+1 on Blurry's recommendation. I used blackout window tint on the back of my DT. It was a difficult getting it on, but I think that is largely due to operator inexperience and trying to deal will an 94" x 30" piece! A 48"x 24" piece will be very manageable.

 

[Capt_Cully]

I like rustoleum high gloss black paint and roll it on. I've done it on 4 different tanks and have been happy with the outcome. FWIW all of the tanks at ABC Reefs have been done this way as well as the Rosamond Gifford Zoo reef tank. I won't say who got the idea from who, but I think it looks very nice.

Not a fan of blue back rounds. Takes away from the colors in the tank. Ever go diamond or jewelry shopping. When they take stuff out for your inspection, it's always on a black velvet mat. Just makes stuff pop and sparkle.

 

[jfl14609]

I normally just go buy black sheets of paper at a store it does get wet over years and looks a but off but its 50 cents and by the time it looks bad coraline has taken over

 

[MuzzleFlash]

I will be tagging along on this build for sure. I am also in the process of gathering equipment for a 120gal. What Reef Octopus did you go with? Once it is up and running I would love to hear what you think about the skimmer (noise level, quality, tuning, Ext..) Is your tank the 4’x2’x2’? Good luck with the build.

 

[jfl14609]

Any shots of the sump area with a 40 breeder i am thinking about doing the same to mine but I have a large box that holds all my led drivers I need to fit in there as well

 

[Tank14]

Luckily, the tank itself already has had the back glass painted black. I am not exactly sure how it was done but it is tough to get out. I am ok with black background on the tank. I am currently using large pieces of black construction paper on my 55. I will look into the rustoleum to paint the stand.

I bought the Reef Octopus 200 that Jon (backdraft) was selling. I was looking at the JNS sk2 skimmer and the SRO 2000int, but I just couldn't spend that type of money knowing that I had to buy a bunch of other things to get everything set up. I think this skimmer will do great for my needs right now and look forward to setting it up. My tank is the standard 120 (4x2x2)

 

[Tank14]

Any shots of the sump area with a 40 breeder i am thinking about doing the same to mine but I have a large box that holds all my led drivers I need to fit in there as well

I will try and get pictures up in the next day or two. I know when I look at peoples build threads, it helps me to see it visually. I want to make sure I provide that in my own thread :thumbsup:

 

[Capt_Cully]

I was referring to painting glass with rustoleum, sorry for any confusion. :thumbsup:

 

[Tank14]

no worries....is there any preferred paint for the stand? I figured oil based paint would be the best way to go but not sure

 

[Capt_Cully]

I painted the inside of my hood with this combo primer & enamel by Behr that is mold resistant. I went with white for reflectivity and heat reduction. It comes in many colors if I recall correctly. Got it @ HD.

Might not be a bad way to go.

 

[Tank14]

cool. I will give them a look and see if I can find a black. Thanks!

 

[Tank14]

kinda embarrassing....well it has been over three months and I am finally getting back to this project. It's amazing how easily build projects go on the back burner when other stuff comes up.

Now that the family is healthy and the house is put back together, I am back to (hopefully) finish this project off before summers over.

I will try to post pictures of what I have gotten to do so far.

 

[SkiFletch]

Lookin forward to pics Chris

 

[Tank14]

Here are a couple pictures of the start of the sump job and the tank/stand as it is right now.

I had to take off some of the old paint from the stand because salt crept underneath and made the paint bubbly/flaky. I sanded down that area and am hoping I can paint it this weekend.

To fit the 40 breeder sump, I decided to cut a hole in the side of the stand. The 40b just wouldn't fit through the door openings. Havent decided if I am going to hinge the side piece or leave it open. The way the tank will sit it my living room will actually have the other side facing out, so I may cut a hole into that side as well and hinge that for easy access to the sump.

I siliconed in the first baffle for the sump. Took me a couple tries but I got it leak proof :celeb1: