My 120 dream tank build... Mods - DIY

[truebeliever71]

I was going to do a log for my build but things were crazy. I got my hands on a my dream 120 gallon (48x24x24) tank. To get it the way I wanted it, it took a fair amount creative DIY, and little trading and selling of extra stuff to fund the build.

Mod and DIY list:

- remove the ugly plastic bracing and replace with a slimmer 3/4 inch stainless steel brace. (No center brace!)
- drill the back for a DIY glass overflow and return
- 3/4 inch EMT conduit light hanger
- organized power panel (4 port American DJ switch panel, 1000va Battery back for heater and return pump.
- LED light fixture (work in progress) with programmable sunrise/sunset settings.

Next goals:
- build up the rock work to extend beyond the water with a waterfall, vegetation and tidepool
- finish LED light fixture

 

[nwrogers]

Very cool!! I love the rock work. Makes me want to redo my tank. Sweet!

 

[Piazzon12]

looking good, is that closed GSP in front or something else?

 

[truebeliever71]

Very cool!! I love the rock work. Makes me want to redo my tank. Sweet!

Thanks Nate!

 

[truebeliever71]

looking good, is that closed GSP in front or something else?

Thanks Adam. If you're referring to what is to the right of the Frogspawn, it's my toadstool mushroom. It's taken a few days for it decide that it likes it's new home and finally has opened up today.

Everything seems to be liking the new lights. I still think they're too blue/purple for my taste but the corals are over ruling my vote. :twitch:

 

[Dave VG]

Very sweet looking tank. What did you use for substrate. Are those the new style koralias and what size are they.

 

[truebeliever71]

Very sweet looking tank. What did you use for substrate. Are those the new style koralias and what size are they.

Dave,

Just the cheap crushed coral I picked up at Natures Best. The pump on the left is their 2 series and the on one the left is a Chinese 1200gph one.

Thanks.

 

[Kevin_Bullis]

more pictures!

 

[truebeliever71]

LOL. I'll work on getting more up tonight.

 

[Kevin_Bullis]

good since I can't see the first ones you posted for some reason

 

[truebeliever71]

As promised... here's a link to more photos of the tank.

http://s268.photobucket.com/albums/jj31/truebeliever71/120G Tank 112010/

Enjoy!

 

[tarvis]

looking good

 

[truebeliever71]

Finally got my LED fixture done!

Finally got my LED fixture done!

Here's a couple teaser photos of it taken with my phone. I'll get more detailed photos of the build process uploaded later.

 

[childofgod]

The pictures do no justice. I love the new leds.

 

[fatrip]

They look very nice. How much did the total project cost?

 

[truebeliever71]

They look very nice. How much did the total project cost?

I estimate around $350. I have total up all of the receipts.

 

[Breakbeats2334]

have you gotten a chance to do a par measure of the diy led fixture you created?

 

[truebeliever71]

have you gotten a chance to do a par measure of the diy led fixture you created?

I haven't been able to find a PAR meter. But I can say that they are much brighter than my dual 175W 14000K metal halides since I've noticed some bleaching of my corals and had to dial the LEDs down to 70%.

 

[cmof29]

hi,my name is eric.i'm usually on upstate ny site.i live in buffalo,ny.reef central to be exact.i like what i see,i was wondering about the program you mentioned for the sunrise/sunset.because i had the same idea where the lights would slowly come on until fully lite and after have them slowly turn down at night dusk to night.something like a dimmer switch would work or something along those lines.but i'm not that computor savvy to get a program up and running.but i thought it would be really cool to minmick the sunrise and the sunset juat like in real life.well good luck and keep me posted

 

[solRNY]

nice diy led fixture, i am just starting to play with some leds and boy they are loads of fun how did you end up mounting the leds onto the al bar?