OneReef's 120g DreamReef
- Thread starter OneReef
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OneReef
Reef Guru
My background idea is starting to take shape. I found an awesome airbrush expert thanks to Logiq. I am thinking right now that I make a small shadowbox, 4'x2'x2" only a couple of inches deep, put hardboard on the back, airbrushed with rock on it, with smooth hazy edging to the rock. Then on the front of my box will be a sheet of frosted blue acrylic, maybe buffed up with fine steel wool to be hazy. Then I put a strip of LED blue and whites on the top of the box shining down between the acrylic and the hardboard. Attach to the back of my tank, and it will give the perception that my tank goes on for miles...... Should be an interesting trial and error build.....
reeffreak25
New member
I'm anxious to see this come together. I'm a little jealous, I bought all of my equipment before all of this fancy stuff was on the market. What'd you think about the Aqua-C that you used? I've been running an Aqua-C EV180 for about 5 years and I expected a little more with all of the hype that I heard.
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OneReef
Reef Guru
I didn't keep the Aqua-C long enough to get a good impression as far as skimming ability. It was loud, because it was the Urchin Pro model and used a spray method, which was a loud hissing that bothered me while in a quiet room. I opted for a more traditional and quieter skimmer at that point.
fishman 77
New member
I am doing the exact same size tank and really appreciate all the info you have posted. Hope you don't mind if I follow some of your recommendations.
I have a question about the overflow in the tank you ordered. The tank I purchased has one overflow box in the center of the tank. It has a 1" drain and 3/4" return. I plan on using the Eshopps Refugium setup. I see you have a 1-1/2 drain. What is the reason for the larger drain? What is your return size? Will you have (2) returns and (2) drains? As you can see I have some confusion regarding the overflow size.
I also plan on using (2) MP40’s. Appreciate the advices and help!
I have a question about the overflow in the tank you ordered. The tank I purchased has one overflow box in the center of the tank. It has a 1" drain and 3/4" return. I plan on using the Eshopps Refugium setup. I see you have a 1-1/2 drain. What is the reason for the larger drain? What is your return size? Will you have (2) returns and (2) drains? As you can see I have some confusion regarding the overflow size.
I also plan on using (2) MP40’s. Appreciate the advices and help!
Mako Shark II
Fish are Friends not Food
Fish, where are ya' from?
Welcome!
I have a 120-brick as well. Great shape tank!
Welcome!
I have a 120-brick as well. Great shape tank!
fishman 77
New member
You caught me. Sorry not very close to Tennessee but hopefully the Carolinas are close enough.
I have the exact same setup and just curious regarding some of the choices. I had to move forward with the tank so hopefully the single drain and return setup will be okay.
I have the exact same setup and just curious regarding some of the choices. I had to move forward with the tank so hopefully the single drain and return setup will be okay.
OneReef
Reef Guru
Hey, in regards to your questions I do have one 1 1/2" drain and one 1" return. Just gives me more options for optimizing my drain/return rate. I just decided to go with a 1 1/2" to allow for faster drain and flow if I wish. I can limit how much is draining and returning just by my return pump, letting it run wide open or slightly choked back with a ball valve. With you running a 1" drain and 3/4" return will be no problem, as you have plenty of flow in the tank with the MP40's. I have never felt that how fast water drains and returns is that important (unless that is your primary flow for the tank), as you can regulate flow within the tank with powerheads. All the drain and return is for to me, is to get water to the sump filtration, such as my skimmer and the pellet reactors. I feel you don't want water ripping through your sump too fast, as the skimmer needs time to clean what is being drained down there. To me, I feel as long as the water in the sump is being adequately cleaned and I can make it as silent as possible, that is my main concern. So I think you're perfectly fine with your set up.
I am going to have my 1 1/2" drain split off into two 1" drains right at the sump, simply because my sump has two filter socks with 1" drains into them. On my last tank, a 150g, I had a 1 1/2" drain and it just all went from that pipe into a big filter sock. It doesn't really matter. You're good. Good luck! Keep me updated.
fishman 77
New member
Cool thanks for the update. I am going with the Eshopps Refugium and deciding on there protein skimmer or the Octopus one.
Thanks for confirming, the aquarium manufacture kept saying this is fine and you don't want high flow through a refugium. Just nice to confirm. I should have no problem getting about 500GPH through the refugium which is recommended by Eshopps.
Thanks for confirming, the aquarium manufacture kept saying this is fine and you don't want high flow through a refugium. Just nice to confirm. I should have no problem getting about 500GPH through the refugium which is recommended by Eshopps.
OneReef
Reef Guru
No problem. Eshopps makes good stuff, I really like their sumps/refugiums. I have not seen one the the Eshopps protein skimmers in action, nor have I read any reviews on them yet. However, Octopus makes really a good skimmer and you read nothing but good things about them. I am not saying you should pick it over the Eshopps, just pointing out that there is more evidence of Octopus' reliability and quality since so many people use them, and they have been around for a while.
SaltwaterGoby
New member
Jay where did you buy your sand? I am looking for a good place that is not going to kill me on shipping cost.
OneReef
Reef Guru
In preparation for my new tank, I decided to change out my RO/DI filters. It was only putting out 02 TDS, but I wanted to start fresh so I refilled all the filters and the DI resin with new. Looks good now, putting out 000 TDS.
Here are the filters I pulled out. They looked pretty nasty. By the way, I am using the Bulk Reef Supply 5-stage Plus unit, 75 GPD, with a built in TDS meter and water pressure gauge, as well as a flush valve. My filters seem to last along time, must be that Memphis water is lower TDS than most cities.
Here are the filters I pulled out. They looked pretty nasty. By the way, I am using the Bulk Reef Supply 5-stage Plus unit, 75 GPD, with a built in TDS meter and water pressure gauge, as well as a flush valve. My filters seem to last along time, must be that Memphis water is lower TDS than most cities.
ihavtats29
New member
i have to change out my pree filter every 6 months cause it will stop up and allow some tds to slip by , we seen to have allot of rust in the water.
The stand/canopy was built by Richard at Memfish, tank custom built by Perfecto.
OneReef
Reef Guru
Lighting:
I installed the LED lighting into my canopy today. I am using three Aqua Illuminations SOL Blue units. They will be run on a AI controller. I used the AI hanging rail system, which will make it very easy to slide them back and forth into the position that gives the best coverage. The hanging cables are supported by two eye hooks screwed into the top of the canopy. There is about 4 inches of space above the AI units, so as to allow airflow. Here are some pictures of them at different angles.
I installed the LED lighting into my canopy today. I am using three Aqua Illuminations SOL Blue units. They will be run on a AI controller. I used the AI hanging rail system, which will make it very easy to slide them back and forth into the position that gives the best coverage. The hanging cables are supported by two eye hooks screwed into the top of the canopy. There is about 4 inches of space above the AI units, so as to allow airflow. Here are some pictures of them at different angles.
