Mota's 125 Tank build thread(custom)

[Aqua Keepers]

I have to do the same to my 125. I noticed that the top left corner seal is bad. I can pretty much pull it apart like you. This is an old tank that I got cheap and has some minor scratches like yours. So, I have a couple questions.
I trashed the top trim as I removed it (know where to get new?).
How do I remove the bottom trim without trashing it?
Where do you get Superox 100T Cerium Oxide powder?

 

[cdentii1]

man you guys are giving me the urge big time to get my 125 up and running. I have lot of projects that I want to get done in order first.... I cant hardly wait.

 

[Michael Mota]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8332728#post8332728 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pito
I have to do the same to my 125. I noticed that the top left corner seal is bad. I can pretty much pull it apart like you. This is an old tank that I got cheap and has some minor scratches like yours. So, I have a couple questions.
I trashed the top trim as I removed it (know where to get new?).
How do I remove the bottom trim without trashing it?
Where do you get Superox 100T Cerium Oxide powder?

OK as far as the trim goes I would say contact an aquarium manufacture and see if they would be willing to sell the trim. If you can get the top trim then maybe it would be worth it to get the bottom trim piece also that way you could just rip it off and not worry about breaking it. Other than that try to find a spot on the trim where it is poorly attached to the tank and try to pull it off slowly working it with a razor blade to help cut as much of the silicone as you can.
Do a google.com search for the cerium powder but be forewarned this stuff only removes very fine scratches and will polish the glass to like new but it will take a lot of elbow grease, believe me. I also found that having a buffer which is made for this type of work will make the task much easier to accomplish rather than using a drill with a small buff pad on it. Also when you do the google.com search you will get a lot of info on how to do it. Just search for glass polishing/scratch removal on glass or aquariums.
Good luck,
Mike

 

[Michael Mota]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8334488#post8334488 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cdentii1
man you guys are giving me the urge big time to get my 125 up and running. I have lot of projects that I want to get done in order first.... I cant hardly wait.

I hear you loud and clear!! Due to work and family commitments this tank build will be slow and steady but since I have my 90 running and doing well I am in no hurry to accomplish this reef. I actually enjoy the part about building the tank and putting it all together. I actually built a lot of my equipment for the 90 reef and for this tank I am going to build almost all of the equipment. So keep watching the thread, enjoy and maybe when your ready to build yours you can use some of these ideas for your own system.
Take care

 

[Aqua Keepers]

Well I guess since only my front panal will be viewable, polishing would'nt be worth it. It only has a couple very small scratches. They probably wont be visable with water in the tank.
I decided not to replace the top trim as I want to add a eurobrace and plan to have my hood overlap the top portion of the tank. I cant find a lose spot on the trim at all and I cant even get to any of the silicone. Looks like I need to contact a manufacture. I think the tank is a perfecto but can't find any contact info. You would'nt happen to have it? By the wat what thickness is that glass? Mine is 1/2"

 

[douggiestyle]

perfecto is owned by marineland.and as a matter of fact i have there # in a file of use and care manuals right here next to my puter.
800-322-1266

my lfs ordered one for me. try your lfs.

 

[Aqua Keepers]

Thanks Doug. I actually just found perfectos web site through marinlands. Gonna drop them an email.

 

[Michael Mota]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8336371#post8336371 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pito
Well I guess since only my front panal will be viewable, polishing would'nt be worth it. It only has a couple very small scratches. They probably wont be visable with water in the tank.
I decided not to replace the top trim as I want to add a eurobrace and plan to have my hood overlap the top portion of the tank. I cant find a lose spot on the trim at all and I cant even get to any of the silicone. Looks like I need to contact a manufacture. I think the tank is a perfecto but can't find any contact info. You would'nt happen to have it? By the wat what thickness is that glass? Mine is 1/2"

Polishing is a real pain in the buttocks thats why I only did the front glass pane. I too have a few scratches but they are on the outside and I really think they will not distract from viewing the tank. I think home depot may sell a chemical that can help to loosen/remove the silicone. I have no experience with using chemicals to soften/loosen silicone so maybe someone else can chime in on this. As far as the trim try the all glass aquarium site and contact them to see if they sell it or maybe that company called glasses cages. I am not sure who sells the trim but thats were I would start again maybe some one who has purchased trim before can pm you with more info. The euro bracing will work well and eliminate the plastic braces from the original trim which will allow the light to shine through the tank with out shadows. My glass thickness is 1/2" but this is a custom built/homemade tank, the guy I bought it from actually made the tank.

 

[Michael Mota]

Got the tank together!! The silicone is mostly dry but I will wait seven days before doing anything to the tank. I did clean it up today. I also decided that I need to drill one more hole for another 1" bulkhead so that way I will have two 1" bulkheads going into a 1 1/2" pipe to feed the Dart closed loop pump. After doing that I just have to cover the hole in the lower portion of the overflow. Got the acrylic but still waiting on the adhesive to arrive (weld on 3).

 

[Aqua Keepers]

Looking good my friend. I also plan on useing the dart for my closed loop as well. However, I'm useing a 2" bulkhead to feed it. What size return pump will you use to feed the sea swirl?

 

[Michael Mota]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8339764#post8339764 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pito
Looking good my friend. I also plan on useing the dart for my closed loop as well. However, I'm useing a 2" bulkhead to feed it. What size return pump will you use to feed the sea swirl?

The closed loop dart pump is actually running on my90 reef, I will just be transfering it over t the 125. Same for the return pump, I will be using the mag 1800 for a return pump. Now before you guys say thats too much flow let me say I actually use this pump to run the chiller, calcium reactor, denitrator and ofcourse the return to the tank. I really like the mag 1800 because it is very quiet and in three years this pump has given me no problems ( I just jinks myself, lol):eek1: I am entertaining the idea of getting a ocean runner pump for the return because it uses less electricity but the only thing that is holding me back is I do not know anyone who uses this pump, nor do I know how reliable these are so for this reason I think I will be staying with the mag1800.
I am just waiting for the silicone to cure and then i can finish up the tank and begin on the stand. I do plan on painting the back and sides of the tank a true blue color. This tank will only be viewed from the front. Oh and thank you for the comments. On a good note I have aquired most of the parts I need to begin making the calcium and the kalk reactors. Stay tuned theres more to come.
Mike

 

[Michael Mota]

Painted tank

Painted tank

OK I have had some time these past few days to do a few things to the tank. As you can probably see I finished drilling the final hole and installed all of the 6 bulkheads. I also gave the back and sides a coat of royal blue rustoleum paint using a roller. I figure two more coats of paint should do very nicely. Once that is done I will check the tank to make sure it holds water even though I am confident it will. Remember this tank will only be viewed from the front thats why all three side are being painted.
I am still undecided on the type of wood to use for the cabinet/wall unit. I was thinking that oak would look nice but after seeing a piece of maple wood I fell in love with the grain of the maple. The thing is I am not sure if maple would hold up to the moisture and abuse of the salt water. Any one who is experienced with wood could give me some insight as to whether maple would be good enough for a cabinet, that would be appreciated.
Here is the tank getting it first coat of paint:

 

[Michael Mota]

Cabinet Design

Cabinet Design

Here is what I drew up as far as what the cabinet may look like. I am still playing with this design and I am undecided about a few things. The whole idea is to make this more like a wall unit. It will house all the equipment and maybe some extra room for extras. Any feed back will be appreciated.

 

[cdentii1]

I would place the electronic Ballast by the power center and the refugium where the ballast are that way you can feed the refugium directly to the tank for minimal pod loss.
Chiller is fine however most people will not place a chiller in the cabinet due to heat build up in most cases it is almost like defeating the whole purpose instead place the chiller outside of the cabinet and have a larger sump.
This is just my 2cents worth.

 

[cdentii1]

Even better yet you could get one of those tall skimmers such as a ASM G6, Aqua C EV400, or a ETSS 900, just to name a few Skimmer. and do away with the book shelf or relocate it to shelf between the refugium and frag tank.
Man I am getting excited and cant hardly wait to see what you will be doing.

 

[Michael Mota]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8352353#post8352353 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cdentii1
I would place the electronic Ballast by the power center and the refugium where the ballast are that way you can feed the refugium directly to the tank for minimal pod loss.
Chiller is fine however most people will not place a chiller in the cabinet due to heat build up in most cases it is almost like defeating the whole purpose instead place the chiller outside of the cabinet and have a larger sump.
This is just my 2cents worth.

Yep that seems viable, placing the refugium up top like that would be better for the pods but would also require an additional pump unless I can feed it off of the return pump some how. Definitely something to think about.
The chiller will be a complete DIY setup and will have a vent to the outside during the summer months and in the winter I will remove the vent and just have the heat go back into the room to help with heating of the home in the winter. I plan on setting it up so it actually removes air from under the cabinet and vents it to the outside.
Thank you for the opinion and I will really think about the refuigium idea for I think it is a good one.
Thanks
Mike

 

[Michael Mota]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8352413#post8352413 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cdentii1
Even better yet you could get one of those tall skimmers and do away with the book shelf or relocate it to shelf between the refugium and frag tank.
Man I am getting excited and cant hardly wait to see what you will be doing.

I will be keeping my skimmer I have now which is running on the 90. I do not feel the need to spend more money than needed, lol Book shelf must stay cause I really want one built into the cabinet. Got some books that really need a home. Bear with me my friend, this project will take some time to complete thanks to my job that I have to work. I hate work:sad2:

 

[Michael Mota]

New cabinet design

New cabinet design

OK here is the new design, I changed a few of the equipment places due to a suggestion from a fellow reefer. Thanks for the idea, looks like it will work out really well.
Here is the new design:

 

[cdentii1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8352510#post8352510 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Michael Mota
I will be keeping my skimmer I have now which is running on the 90. I do not feel the need to spend more money than needed, lol Book shelf must stay cause I really want one built into the cabinet. Got some books that really need a home. Bear with me my friend, this project will take some time to complete thanks to my job that I have to work. I hate work:sad2:

Yea I know the feeling I also have a 125g and it is still sitting empty in the living room as we recently moved and there are some projects the we need to get done first like wiring needs updated and actually thinking about getting a substation, fish room in basement ect (just thinking ahead for the really large tank), and the wife wants new carpet as well however the home had a addition put on and it settled so now we have to jack up the addition before carpet and don't really want to tear down a 125 for a couple of months delay and not to mention the risk of livestock loss. so until then I will be lurking about gathering new ideas and so forth.:bum: as far as the skimmer I can understand.

 

[cdentii1]

Re: New cabinet design

Re: New cabinet design

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8352593#post8352593 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Michael Mota
OK here is the new design, I changed a few of the equipment places due to a suggestion from a fellow reefer. Thanks for the idea, looks like it will work out really well.
Here is the new design:

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