ZoaFan08's 120g Build Thread!

ZoaFan08

ZoaFan08

In Memoriam
Well we are going to upgrade our 55g to a 120g and got started on it today!

Here is our current 55g:
2866


The new 120g is going to be in the exact same spot as the 55g so we are going to have to put all the livestock in a couple different holding bins to do the transfer. I have 80lbs+ of LR in the 55g and have another 100lbs of LR that are cured and in trash bins waiting for the new tank. I bought the tank, stand, and canopy form a local reefer and will not be using much equipment from the 55g. I am going to build a new sump for the 120g and get all new pumps except powerheads. The 120g is drilled with one 1.5" drain and four 1" returns. All the returns are right under the waterline and there are two on each side of the overflow. Well onto the pictures...

After cleaning the tank:
2941

2942


Installed two 5" fans in the canopy, one on each side and one blowing and on sucking:
2944


Installed my American DJ power center:
2945


Tank on the stand and canopy on and the back painted a flat black:
2943


This project will be done in 2 weeks so it is not a long build. I am placing the order for new pumps, heaters, lights etc this weekend and hopefully next weekend do the switchover. This is my first tank upgrade so I hope I don't loose anything!
 
First question is this:

I have 4 holes drilled in the back of my tank for returns. I am not interested in running a closed loop but instead have 4 1" return lines going into the tank from the 1.5" drain. The pump I plan on using is a QuietOne 9000 with a rating of 2328gph, I will have an estimated 12ft of head which brings down the gph to around 1200. A 1.5" drain is perfect for 1200gph overturn according to my calculations. Does this sound like a good return plumbing plan? Would I be better only using 2 return lines? I would just like to limit myself to 2 powerheads in the tank and I think this is the way to do it....
Any info is appreciated, thanks.
 
the only problem with not using a closed loop on the four return lines is that you tank is going to drain to that level in case of a power outage. you will need quite a bit of room in your sump to allow for that. There may be a way to keep it from draining but i am not aware.
 
True but all 4 holes are at the same height and are barley below the water line, so if I have 4 or 2 the water level will drain to the same level :)
 
this is true, i just think you will be suprised actually how much water that actually is for every 1" of water that is about 5 gallons plus watever may be in the plumbing. I guess thats not too bad as long as you are aware of it when building a sump. What size sump are you going to use?

I am tagging along as i am building a 120 too.
 
I have not designed the sump yet but I hoping for a 40g. My current tank is a 55g and I run a 35g sump but it takes up every inch of room that I have. I would like to have more room this time around :)
 
What do you think about this light setup?

2x Lumen Bright 3 DE Metal Halide Reflector (These do have hangers on top right so I can hand them from my canopy?)

1x 250watt Dual Electronic Ballast- Coralvue ( What is the difference between Electronic and Magnetic ballast?)

2x 14,000K Phoenix HQI "Double Ended" - 250W (I like the blue look)

Is this everything I need? Will everything work together? Would you suggest anything different?
 
According to my math my 1.5" drain will flow 1325gph into my sump, I am using a QuietOne 9000 which flows 2328gph with zero head. Since I have a combined 7ft of head, 12 90*s, and a reducer from 1.5" to 1" this pump will flow right around 1300gph with the way I have it plumbed. The QuietOne 9000 comes with a 1.5" fitting for the output which will be plumbed into a 1.5" pipe and then tees off to to 1" pipes. Should I have them tee off to two 3.4" pipes to keep a 1.5" the total diameter?

Please critique me and tell me yes, no hell no and even feel free to say I'm crazy :)

2946
 
Well I was just not getting enough flow through each outlet so I decided to cap 2 off and just use 2 returns and put PHs near the outer 2. It just wasn't pushing enough water.

God news is that tomorrow I get to pickup the new goodies for the tank! After tomorrow I'll have everything I need to get the tank up and running! I hope to break down the old tank mid week!
 
Welcome to the party Mr Exclusive!

I also changed my plumbing on the return. I ordered a OceansMotion 4 way and will be using 4 returns but they will rotate. So nozzle 1&3 and then 2&4 and then 1&3 and then 2&4 etc etc etc. I will get a lot more random flow and with the addition of powerheads it should keep the flow moving nicely!
 
i'm subscribed...you're welcome to check out my thread of a similar build. i think you may end up doing a CL with those extra outputs
 
I hope I like them! I want some blue but I also want my corals to grow faster :p

I also switched out the ballast, I didn't get the coralvue I went with the IceCap 250w ballast. I did not research them though but I was told they are HQI, is that true?
 
I hope I like them! I want some blue but I also want my corals to grow faster :p

I also switched out the ballast, I didn't get the coralvue I went with the IceCap 250w ballast. I did not research them though but I was told they are HQI, is that true?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
New 55g setup. Advice for fish appreciated
Replies
6
Views
441
Uncle99
Uncle99
Guygettnby
How old of a tank to buy?
Replies
8
Views
887
griss
griss
Niven
I'm back....and ready to jump back in, feet first in the deep end, speedo, everything!
2
Replies
24
Views
752
griss
griss
Niven
Am I allowed to bring live sand/live rock home from Mexico?
Replies
12
Views
292
Uncle99
Uncle99
A
Reef Tank Brainstorming
Replies
4
Views
3K
Uncle99
Uncle99
Back
Top