I thought I would start a thread, just to keep track of $$$$ and the process, basically for me, but join in if you like. 1st of all I'm a FW guy, with 2 self contained SW tanks running at the moment(120g and 55g). The 55 is being the upgrade tank. I'm selling all my FW stuff, and have netted some moola from sales. I've sold about $1300 worth, and have another $400-600 to go "hopefully". So here we go.
I decided to get a RR 125g to replace a non RR 125g. I've never plumbed a tank, but I'm gonna learn how. I got a new AGA 125g with dual overflows for $320, but PU was in Chitown so with gas it hit $360 and includes glass tops. Happy with the price. For the sump, I am using a 40g breeder($25 years ago) that was a fry growout from my cichlid breeding days. I wanted to use my 55, but only one I have is currently a running SW "coral propagation/LR tank".
For the stand I used a 125g "barebones" stand that already housed a 40g breeder beneath. So the skeleton was already in place. My house is very old and the stand was on concrete floor(very unlevel). So I needed to adjust leg heights and add a bottom panel to disperse the weight on my 1st floor(somewhat unlevel). Used a 6'x2'sheet of "shelving" material from menards. So I think I have $35 into the stands structure altogether. A pinch outta level, but not by much.
Now its time to wrap the stand. Oak plywood front and sanded plywood sides, oak trim all around. Cost in material was $110 and stain was $12. I went with Bombay mahogany, as it appeared darker than ebony. I cut 1 huge door, that would accomadate the 40g to slide in and out, and 1 smaller door. I used the cutout pieces to make 3 doors, all approximately 19"x24". Doors are done, but stand needs 1-2 more coats.
I decided on the MSX 200 skimmer($309), so time to baffle the sump. Glass was $$ I'm not happy with($30). I've got 3- 9.5" baffles from the entrance/skimmer section(13"x17") to the return section(11.5"x17"). The baffles are over/under/over. That left me with about 8"x17" for a fuge on the other side that is baffled with a 12" tall piece of glass.
Plumbing. As I've never plumbed a tank, I went the easy route.I had to go with Megaflow for the tank side. The overflows are 1.25" vinyl tubing(to sump). 1 goes directly down into a 3" PVC in the sump that has holes drilled near the bottom and is filled with rubble rock to reduce bubbles. The other is directly into the side. My 40g was convienently drilled at the top back right, and I used an extra bulkhead from the overflow(Megaflow) kit, to plumb it in. Reduced to a .75" pvc line that T's off with a ball valve to control flow to the Fuge side. The rest goes to the 3" pvc on the skimmer side. Plumbing parts are about $20 and the Megaflows hit me for $100.
For the return pump, I went with the Eheim 1262($140 shipped). Not a ton of flow, but will make up with Korilias in the tank. The return lines are 3/4" vinyl with a T to go to both returns.
Thats about it for now, and I will post some pics soon.
I decided to get a RR 125g to replace a non RR 125g. I've never plumbed a tank, but I'm gonna learn how. I got a new AGA 125g with dual overflows for $320, but PU was in Chitown so with gas it hit $360 and includes glass tops. Happy with the price. For the sump, I am using a 40g breeder($25 years ago) that was a fry growout from my cichlid breeding days. I wanted to use my 55, but only one I have is currently a running SW "coral propagation/LR tank".
For the stand I used a 125g "barebones" stand that already housed a 40g breeder beneath. So the skeleton was already in place. My house is very old and the stand was on concrete floor(very unlevel). So I needed to adjust leg heights and add a bottom panel to disperse the weight on my 1st floor(somewhat unlevel). Used a 6'x2'sheet of "shelving" material from menards. So I think I have $35 into the stands structure altogether. A pinch outta level, but not by much.
Now its time to wrap the stand. Oak plywood front and sanded plywood sides, oak trim all around. Cost in material was $110 and stain was $12. I went with Bombay mahogany, as it appeared darker than ebony. I cut 1 huge door, that would accomadate the 40g to slide in and out, and 1 smaller door. I used the cutout pieces to make 3 doors, all approximately 19"x24". Doors are done, but stand needs 1-2 more coats.
I decided on the MSX 200 skimmer($309), so time to baffle the sump. Glass was $$ I'm not happy with($30). I've got 3- 9.5" baffles from the entrance/skimmer section(13"x17") to the return section(11.5"x17"). The baffles are over/under/over. That left me with about 8"x17" for a fuge on the other side that is baffled with a 12" tall piece of glass.
Plumbing. As I've never plumbed a tank, I went the easy route.I had to go with Megaflow for the tank side. The overflows are 1.25" vinyl tubing(to sump). 1 goes directly down into a 3" PVC in the sump that has holes drilled near the bottom and is filled with rubble rock to reduce bubbles. The other is directly into the side. My 40g was convienently drilled at the top back right, and I used an extra bulkhead from the overflow(Megaflow) kit, to plumb it in. Reduced to a .75" pvc line that T's off with a ball valve to control flow to the Fuge side. The rest goes to the 3" pvc on the skimmer side. Plumbing parts are about $20 and the Megaflows hit me for $100.
For the return pump, I went with the Eheim 1262($140 shipped). Not a ton of flow, but will make up with Korilias in the tank. The return lines are 3/4" vinyl with a T to go to both returns.
Thats about it for now, and I will post some pics soon.
