Tang Tang's Tank Upgrade

[tangtang clown]

I am currently upgrading from my 75 to a 125. At the moment I am reinforcing the stock stand with 2x4s. I think the largest sump I can fit will be a 55. How would you divide you sump for a skimmer section, fuge, and return section?

Also, I currently run 48" VHOs and I am thinking about getting a 24" set on VHOs to add to the new tank.
What do you think about this idea?

Also, this tank is not drilled, should I use the same CPR overflow box or should I try to install one myself?
I have a lot of pics coming.

 

[A.VOID]

drill it before it gets set up. worth it!

 

[Charlie Davidson]

Hi there my friend!
www.glass-holes.com sell kits. tank is easy to drill.
Spend the money to get 6ft bulbs if you want to stay VHO

I would do MH and use your 4ftvho as artinic supplement

 

[rguyler]

+1 on the drilling. +1 on glass holes. If you need help Tang, you know where to ask.

 

[tangtang clown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15296037#post15296037 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Charlie Davidson
Hi there my friend!
www.glass-holes.com sell kits. tank is easy to drill.
Spend the money to get 6ft bulbs if you want to stay VHO

I would do MH and use your 4ftvho as artinic supplement

Where would you mount the MH?

 

[Charlie Davidson]

You have Pic of inside of hood?
125g 6ft? (3 bulb) or 120g 4ft? (2 bulb)

 

[tangtang clown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15302820#post15302820 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tangtang clown
Where would you mount the MH?

Where would I drill the holes? Do I need to get an overflow kit?

 

[tangtang clown]

It is is a 6ft 125. I haven't built the canopy yet. Just bought tank last week.

 

[sjm817]

Get the 1500 GPH kit from glass-holes. It comes with everything you need. You drill the back near the top. You could position the overflow anywhere along the back that you wish.

 

[tangtang clown]

Will the glass still be strong after I drill?

 

[sjm817]

Not a problem. Lots of people do it.

 

[tangtang clown]

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1358

would this be sufficient?
If so, which MH bulbs should I get?
Are TRU T5s any good?

 

[SWINGRRRR]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15302820#post15302820 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tangtang clown
Where would you mount the MH?

Chances are you have a foot or so wide center glass support? Just center the MH between this and the end of the tank.

I run 2X250 SE with 2X60" VHO for supplement. Im thinking of adding 2 more 48" VHO's. I already have the bulbs and ballast. I think its just hard for the 60"s to punch through the 10KMH so I wanna add some more blue.

 

[Charlie Davidson]

http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=530

If your building hood, buy 3 of these, mount them inside of hood centered over each 2ft section of tank.
You can also mount the vho you have, off to the sides, for artinic.

 

[tangtang clown]

My current vhos are 48". Could I mount those in the middle and two MHs, one on each side?

 

[Charlie Davidson]

Would not look balanced. you would do better putting one MH in middle! If you doing a 4ft tank for slump, in a stand, a 33g may be easier to use. IE, better access

 

[Charlie Davidson]

I did not like the TRU t5's. burnt out quickly
As for bulbs,
(electronic ballast)
175w Iwasaki 15k
250w 14k Aquaconnect
400w many diff. bulbs (20k Reeflux, Radium, etc)

If you go MH what ballast are you looking at?

 

[tangtang clown]

I guess a 250 watt ballast. Do I need MHs if I keep mostly softies?
You would say use a 33g rather than a 55?

 

[sjm817]

This is a 60" x 18" 125? I would go with a 4' sump. Watch out for 55Gs. They are often tempered on all 5 sides and are not drillable. If you aren't going to put in a bulkhead and will use a submersible pump, you are fine.

33L = 48 x 13 x 12
40L = 48 x 13 x 16
55G = 48 x 13 x 20

 

[Charlie Davidson]

Naw, you could go t5, vho, pc. I ran 6ea-6ft VHO in my 125. It was fine till I went to sps and clam.
the 55 is just not a good in stand-under tank slump. its too tall to allow you to "work in the slump". Hope that makes sense
the 4ft 33g or the 3ft 30g long is a better choice for you.
Many stands can not fit either, so make sure you put it in before you fill display!