My 125g Build

Sorry, I misread your original question.

About the sump. Well........ it's a giant biowheel based sump, something everybody here seems to frown on. Nitrate factory and all that. OTOH, I had a bioball wet/dry for 5 years, and had no problems with nitrate. This biowheel set-up has been running for 5-6 months, zero nitrates, no algae problems. Would I recommend it to myself? Absolutely. Would I recommend it to anyone else? Not in this forum :).

About the skimmer. It's rated to perform in water levels 3.5"-9" I believe. I can't really attest to anything above or below 5", since that's where the sump is designed to keep a constant water level for the skimmer section regardless of evaporation.
 
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haha, now couldn't you just take the wheel out? or use LR rubble insted or go no wheel? I'm kind of looking at one of the montery super systems and this is whats included, deciding between that or a custom lee mar...
 
Ok, so i have today off work, was going to finish the plumbing and water test today, BUT, i was shipped a faulty bulkhead :furious: so after some creative complaining one is being overnighted free of charge, so i have to wait till tomorrow to test. I guess i can run the plumbing, then when the new one show up, slide it in place and go. Guess i will have to get the leaves out of my yard after all.
 
ok so after a few failed bulkheads, 4 trips to lowes, and some plumbing trials, the plumbing is complete. Now a new issue came about and need some advice on the best way to level the aquarium. It was level when empty on the stand, but at half full and full it is just about 1/8in off end to end, so one overflow is moving full speed and the other is flowing slow. Any ideas?
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Also since i am going to have to empty the tank to level it i put the "dead" rock of a second rinse and tried out my DIY LED night lights. Man these have some power even with the cloudy water! :mixed:

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I didn't exactly like where my tank and stand were place by the delivery boys. So I got a bunch of those furniture mover sliders, and slid the tank to exactly where I wanted it. When I noticed the tank tilted ever so slightly backwards, I replaced those sliders along the full length of the back. The rubber and the plastic deformed, as did the underlying carpet, with the full weight of everything, but the tank is completely even. You can try that if you want. Aside from one drain going slower, you will also be able to see that the top water level in the tank will be lower on one side. So, you definitely want that tank even.

Those LED lights look good! I know next to nothing about LED wattage, number of LEDS/gallon, depth. etc. Where or what did you use as a resource?
 
Palting said:
I didn't exactly like where my tank and stand were place by the delivery boys. So I got a bunch of those furniture mover sliders, and slid the tank to exactly where I wanted it. When I noticed the tank tilted ever so slightly backwards, I replaced those sliders along the full length of the back. The rubber and the plastic deformed, as did the underlying carpet, with the full weight of everything, but the tank is completely even. You can try that if you want. Aside from one drain going slower, you will also be able to see that the top water level in the tank will be lower on one side. So, you definitely want that tank even.

Those LED lights look good! I know next to nothing about LED wattage, number of LEDS/gallon, depth. etc. Where or what did you use as a resource?
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I bought the LED kit off Ebay, i have no idea what the rating for LED's should be, but they sure light the tank up good. My light system also has them built in, 8 clusters of 5 LED. I havent installed the lights yet due to the leveling issue. BTW thanks for the input i think i am going to try that tomorrow, another trip to Lowes!!
 
Ok drained the tank today, made another trip to Lowes, and got some wood shims. Shimmed the right side up as well as the front and back to make all level. Tank is now full again, white sand added. Currently bringing up to temp, getting proper salt level. Tonight going to add the other half of the sand, went 50% white sand, and 50% live sand.
 
Wood shims are how I level my tanks. They work and don't have to worry about them once there.

LED look good to. Just hope your PAR value is up to snuff for what you might want to keep.
 
Chromey316 said:
HOw are you filling 125G tank in 1 day... Not using RO water?
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Had my well water tested at my LFS he told me dont bother with RO, He said it was some of the best water he has ever tested, and this is a guy that has been keeping SW for 20yrs, so i went with his advice, btw he was trying to sell me an RO unit before he tested my water. I do have a unit, but might return it if parameters hold steady.
 
rayn said:
Wood shims are how I level my tanks. They work and don't have to worry about them once there.

LED look good to. Just hope your PAR value is up to snuff for what you might want to keep.
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Yes once i got the shims in place i could tell once it was filled again that its not going anywhere, could shake the tank a little before when full, now i cant make a ripple if it tried.

As far as the LED, i have no idea, they look good, and were making the bottom of the tank no problem, it will be interesting to see once the water clears. they are just "lunar lights". Thanks!!
 
Ok so i put in the 50lbs of standard reef sand "white" after rinsing, tank cleared in less than 5mim. Put the 70lbs of live sand 3hrs ago and man looks like mud water!! Running 3 stages of filter pads, different grades to try and clear the water. But i am going to be working 7, 16hr days starting tomorrow so no hurry in the clearing, fish in a week!
 
Palting said:
Your twin overflows can handle a total of 1400 gph. Not so sure about your sump, though. It looks like an older version of the marineland model 2, max gph 700: I have the Marineland skimmer for 300 gals. I used it for the small footprint, and one of the few that can skim at a water depth of 5", the constant depth of my skimmer area.

I am running both of my pumps 95% open, my mods to the sump actually worked, I opened up the intake to the tower to 2.5in, and ran a "T" to it with both 1in drains running to it. also cut larger holes into the drip tray, you being familiar with the system there wasnt much from the factory. Everything is flowing great i would guess i am at 1100-1200gph, and completely quiet.

all of you have been great with your replies,we are all here to keep healthy ocean life and share ideas, thanks again.
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Updated Pic as of today 11-15-2010, had a battle with Nitrates for a few weeks, everything is under control now, brown algae is subsiding, and added a few creatures.
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-Scott- said:
Nice build, looking good. I love the look of drawers in the center.
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thanks Scott, i wish I would have made the drawers a swinging door it going to be hard to modify now, with the sump i am building, it is going to be hard to access part of the sump. But as with everything else, learning as i go.
 
some updates, added a couple starfish, a sand sifter, and a blue star. coral, also built my new larger sump. and water tested.
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