Upgrading to a 120g
- Thread starter mjoener
- Start date
I have a 120g with 40g breeder for a sump.
I recently purchased a Vertex IN180 skimmer. It is really nice build, big and didn't cost huge $$$. I almost went for a more expensive cone skimmer but wanted to see what the $300 model would do. Time will tell.
I use a Mag 9.5 with Sqwd for my 2 returns. Seems like just enough water through the sump. Not sure how the sqwd will hold up in the long run but it's working great for now.
For lights I have 2 Coralvue Lumenbright 250w 20k bulbs. Awesome pendants. huge difference from the 150w HQI I was using.
I have 3 pumps in the tank to move water. 1 Vortech MP40 (awesome pump and I'll be adding another in the future with battery backup), 1 maxi-jet 1200 with mod. and a Korilia 3 I use to move water behind the rocks.
Now this is what I use in my tank. I try and get the best bang for buck when doing my tank. I'm sure I could have spent more money on equipment but for me I couldn't see spending $1200 for a skimmer, another 1200 for lights...etc
HTH
-Bob
I recently purchased a Vertex IN180 skimmer. It is really nice build, big and didn't cost huge $$$. I almost went for a more expensive cone skimmer but wanted to see what the $300 model would do. Time will tell.
I use a Mag 9.5 with Sqwd for my 2 returns. Seems like just enough water through the sump. Not sure how the sqwd will hold up in the long run but it's working great for now.
For lights I have 2 Coralvue Lumenbright 250w 20k bulbs. Awesome pendants. huge difference from the 150w HQI I was using.
I have 3 pumps in the tank to move water. 1 Vortech MP40 (awesome pump and I'll be adding another in the future with battery backup), 1 maxi-jet 1200 with mod. and a Korilia 3 I use to move water behind the rocks.
Now this is what I use in my tank. I try and get the best bang for buck when doing my tank. I'm sure I could have spent more money on equipment but for me I couldn't see spending $1200 for a skimmer, another 1200 for lights...etc
HTH
-Bob
reefer31
New member
I set up my 120 almost a year ago now. I recently upgraded from my lil asm g1 to a monster octo extreme 250 skimmer. Now, i would recommend a 40 gal breeder as a sump b/c of added room and water volume. I think if you have the money go with the ext 250 or even the 200 since both are very nice skimmers and are HUGE while staying relatively low on costs. I also have 1-vortech, just waiting on funds atm for another. I use 2-250 watt ab hqi 10k bulbs with 2-54 watt t5 actinics. I wanted to get the aquamedic mh hqi fixtures but they were sold out of them and were upgrading to another fixture and so would not have them for a few months. So, I got the hamilton hqi pendant thingies instead. I would recommend the aquamedic pendents tho, very nice looking. As for return pump, i just bought a mag 12 i believe. Another option for skimmer would be the newer cone skimmers coming out, or even the huricone skimmer. I have heard good results from both of these. But from personal experience you cant go wrong with the extreme skimmers for quality and price.
I hope this helps
I hope this helps
