My now BRAND NEW 120g Build!

[bwbixby]

Some of you may have seen my 112g build with the used tank that went pretty sour quickly, so i bit the bullet and bought a brand new tank. Heres the start of my build:


120g 48.5x24.5x25 Visio Glass Tank, with Trapazoid Overflow, 1 Drain and 4 Returns.

 

[bwbixby]

Here is the basic stand structure in Construction. It stands 36" in tall to allow great viewing even for us tall guys!!

Yes I did put the girlfriend to work sanding!!

Here is the old tank we are upgrading from:

That is a Reef Octopus B300F on the back, I might be selling it if anyone is interested its only a couple weeks old, wasnt planning on having a new tank this soon. 225 shipped or 200 picked up in HB or Cypress.

 

[Bebo77]

hahahha she looks ready to pass out...

 

[bwbixby]

Couple lighting related questions, if someone can maybe put in there 2 cents.

I will be going with MH's with VHO's(or T5) for acintics. Do you guys feel a set up like this would be sufficient: http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...ingle_Ended_Bulbs-250_Watt_Units~vendor~.html

I plan to run either 2 14k bulbs with 50/50 VHO's or 2 10k with full actintic VHO's.

I will soon be sheeting the outside of the stand and than building the canopy once i decide on lights. I want to install at least 4-6 fans in the canopy to help keep the tank cooler. Can anyone maybe link me to somewhere or show some pics of how they have all their fans wired up?

I think thats all my questions I have for now.....

 

[bwbixby]

Sorry link isnt working to marine depot, but it is

4ft Captive Sun Retrofit Lighting System - 2x250W MH Bulb + 2x110W VHO (Bulbs NOT Included)

 

[bwbixby]

HAHAHA Bebo, ya she was pretty beat, she claims the belt sander she was using after that palm sander was too much for her! Oh well shell get over it!!!

 

[Bebo77]

you going to keep SPS?

 

[bwbixby]

Eventually, this is going to be my first reef, i plan to do mixed reef, starting with soft corals and LPS, but definately want to get into SPS once i can handle the Softies and LPS okay. I have an extreme fascination with Acros.

 

[bwbixby]

4ft Captive Sun Retrofit Lighting System - 2x250W MH Bulb + 2x110W VHO (Bulbs NOT Included)
Item Code: CP4224
Usually ships the same business day $369.20

2x UVL 46.5 Inch VHO Super Actinic Bulb (110 Watts)
Item Code: UF3465
Usually ships the same business day $20.99

2x 250 Watt 10000K Metal Halide Bulb - Blue Life SPS (South Pacific Sunlight), Mogul Base
Item Code: MB6419
Usually ships the same business day $69.99

2x Two Little Fishies Phosban Reactor 150
Item Code: TL4311
Usually ships the same business day $37.99

ASM G-3 Protein Skimmer w/ Sedra 5000 Pump
Item Code: AG1171
Usually ships the same business day $309.99

Two Little Fishies Hydrocarbon 2 Granulated Activated Carbon 4 L
Item Code: TL1173
Usually ships the same business day $34.99

Two Little Fishies PhosBan Phosphate Removal Media 454 g
Item Code: TL4113
Usually ships the same business day $39.99

2x Jager 200 W Heater 15 inch UL Approved
Item Code: EJ1119
Usually ships the same business day $28.99

Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155
Item Code: TZ4111
Usually ships the same business day $195.59

KNOP Calcium Reactor Package 2
Item Code: KNCPKG2
Usually ships the same business day $489.00

Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper 2 Controller
Item Code: DA1111
Usually ships the same business day



That is my current shopping list besides all the plumbing and pump for my return and possible closed loop. Suggestions are welcome!

 

[babyjess210]

I have a 2 bulb tek retro with icecap reflector.
lmk if you are interested
Kenny

 

[mangus7175]

Sounds like you're off to a good start....can't wait for more pics on the progress.

 

[Sold4JC]

You should check out the MSX200 skimmer at marinesolutions dot com. There is a thread about the skimmer on the boards here. I just got one and it rocks. I think it will be a better choice then th ASM.
You might be able to find a good deal on a used light setup and controller in the selling forum.

 

[bwbixby]

Thanks Sold4JC ill check those out...Still really confused about lighting, its what i understand the least about reefing as there is so many different opinions out there. Not trying to start a MH vs T5 battle, but if a couple people could maybe give there personal experiences with both id appreciate it...I am trying to do it all right the first time with equipment and dont want to be limited on what i can have in my tank by any equipment being subpar. Of course price is always a concern, not going to penny pinch it, but want to be reasonable too!

 

[Sold4JC]

If had to chose between VHO and T5 I would go with T5. I believe the par value on T5 is greater then VHO.

The MSX200 skimmer is in the $359 so its not that much more then a ASM but it is worth that extra $60.

 

[Sold4JC]

Here is the link for the skimmer thread I was telling you about.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1379328&goto=newpost

 

[bwbixby]

i understand the t5 over vho for main lighting...im more interested in the t5 use for main lighting over MH...ive read alot of people are getting equal results on their sps with either one..than i read MH blows t5 out of the water for sps growth and coloring....its all a bit confusing for semi new guys like me! of course i am not going to jump into throwing expensive sps into my tank off the bat..but dont want my lighting to limit what i can put into my tank if tha makes any sense...

 

[Mchava]

have you looked into the luminarc minis + sls galaxy ballast. I would look into that since I think you will get a better lighting combo. Also look into the radiums that way you dont have to run any supplimental lighting. I've used both t5 and mh, both work great and can keep sps but for some reason I got better and deeper color using MH. Only draw back with mh is you might need a chiller. Nice tank build keep up the good work.
Mario

 

[bwbixby]

I really want to avoid using a chiller if at all possible. Not so much because of the cost, just because I am not too far from the beach that i would only use it MAYBE 20 days a year, so i want to keep heat from the lighting down if at all possible and use built in fans in my canopy and a clip on type if i have to on the really hot days.

Its a matter of efficiency.

 

[CHASDB]

If you run MH you could have fans come on for evaporative cooling controlled by you controller and the hotest days have it set to turn off the lights when it gets too hot. You could buy the JBJ auto top off to save a few bucks and a Kalk reactor instead of the calcium reactor- a little easier to set up and use untill you have a huge demand for calcium. Maybe a better skimmer- Bubble Master or one of those new Warner Marine skimmers with an Eheim needlewheel, but I'm sure there are thousands of options out there. Oh and I second that the luminarc/galaxy/radium combo- it's a winner.

 

[bwbixby]

I see for the new Lumenarc Mini's they are offering an A/C kit to run through them. Has anyone tried it out? is it worth the extra $50 per reflector?