120 gal reef build

[slough shark]

Jan.09

So I finally decided to make the switch from FW. Took A Lot of convincing but the wife finally agreed. So my first step was research. I read the book "the contientuous aquarist" by Robert Fenner, I would reommend this book to any newbies such as myelf. The first pic is my tank being drained.

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv58/derekschram/IMG00550.jpg

Mid Jan.09

Took my tank into Bow Valley Aquariums to have it drilled and they broke it. So with a lot of arguing and a little cash, my 90 gal, turned into a 120 gal. For those who are starting out and live in Calgary go to Bow Valley and pay cash. Good deals. So this pic is my new tank.
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv58/derekschram/newtank007.jpg

Beginning of Feb.09
So I got all of the plumbing set up, inclusive of gate valves. My sump tank is a 33 gal with a super skimmer, due to **** poor planning I bought this thing unaware that they were bottom of the line. however its good for now. I will upgrade down the road, just have to muck up front cost right now setting up. Pic of the sump running
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv58/derekschram/forsale024.jpg

Mid feb 09
I found a bunch of live rock on Can Reef so in my tank I have about 160 lbs of it. I filled the tank and the cycle beins. I watched it close for about about 3 weeks. I also added 3 k4's. Pics of the tank cycling.
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv58/derekschram/forsale017.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv58/derekschram/forsale018.jpg

Beginning Mar. 09
So after numerous testing I got all of the tank parameters( ammonia, Nitrare) down to 0, SG 1.023. I had a little problem with pH ( 7.8) but I sorted that out. Plus all of my LR is being covered with brown and green algae right now. After a good 3 weeks of cycling I decided to add my first convicts. 2 black clowns. They seem to be doing well and eating like champs. The next step for me is lighting, although my wife has settled down a little now that there is life in the tank, she will however, come unglued when she finds out the money i spent on the tek t5 ho 8 bulb unit. I've ordered the lights and cant wait. Pic of the the clowns.
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv58/derekschram/forsale028.jpg

Mid Mar. 09


I've posted this thread so I dont make any big mistakes, everyone on this site has been very helpful so far, and i will continue to post pics of my build in hopes that I can catch any problems before they happen. Enjoy
Derek

[banditpowdercoat]

got some info???

[slough shark]

Here is the tank info:
120 gal (4'x 2' x 2'), 160lbs ish LR, 2" overflow,33 gal sump, macro cheato, 225 super skimmer ( will be switched out soon), mag 9.5 return, 3 k4's, 2 clowns and tek t5 HO 8 bulb unit on the way( ordered of J&L).

[slough shark]

oops. I wanted to post this in the tank journal......
Can I move it?

[muck]

oops. I wanted to post this in the tank journal......
Can I move it?
I can do it for you... :wink:

Nice looking build so far, love the 120 footprint.

[slough shark]

thanks so much.

[Lance]

Looks like you're off to a good start. Have fun!

[slough shark]

Question:
I just bought the Tek Light t5 8 bulb unit. The system comes with 2 switches one to control each ballast, I'm assuming. I would like to run 2 actinics and 6 10000k whites. However, if each ballast controls 4 bulbs, its kinda tough. Is there a way I can switch my ballasts to control 2 lights and 6 lights respectively. The unit didnt come with any instructions.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Derek

[tang daddy]

I personally would not muck with the unit as this will void your warranty!!

you can still run 6 10k and 2 ati just put 2 timers so one will go on 2 hrs before the 10k and depending on the firing location you will have 2 atinics and 2 10k which will look pretty blue alternatively run 3 atinics and 1 10k on 1 timer then the other 4 10k on the other.

[slough shark]

Great Thanks.
One switch runs the 4 inside and the other switch runs the 4 on the ends (2 on each end). Does it matter where the Actinics go.
Thanks for the help

[JDigital]

Most people that I know with T5 units 6 or 8 bulb interchange the bulbs all the way across. I'd recommend a bulb combo similar to the following:

Actinic
Fiji Purple
10K
Fiji Purple
Reef Blue
10K
Fiji purple
Actinic

Or any variation of different bulbs they choose.. I think 6 - 10K's would be overpoweringly bright. Just IMO.

[Pazil]

Most people that I know with T5 units 6 or 8 bulb interchange the bulbs all the way across. I'd recommend a bulb combo similar to the following:

Actinic
Fiji Purple
10K
Fiji Purple
Reef Blue
10K
Fiji purple
Actinic

Or any variation of different bulbs they choose.. I think 6 - 10K's would be overpoweringly bright. Just IMO.

X2

That tank is looking great so far.

Cheers

[slough shark]

If I stager the bulbs across the unit, (10k, act, 10k, act, ect.) How do I make the actinics come on first and stay on late?

[JDigital]

If I stager the bulbs across the unit, (10k, act, 10k, act, ect.) How do I make the actinics come on first and stay on late?


Well you would have to have you actinics and fiji purples on the outer 2 sections... plug the cord that powers those bulbs into a timer, then plug the cord for the 10K's (that would be in the inside 4) into another timer. Set your timers accordingly.

It's not CRUCIAL where you put what bulbs as they will all spill over each other anyways. Just don't install 10Ks on your outsides if you want to have actinic lighting come on first and go off last.


Actinic (Timer #1)
Fiji Purple (Timer #1)
10K (Timer #2)
Fiji Purple (Timer #2)
Reef Blue (Timer #2)
10K (Timer #2)
Fiji purple (Timer #1)
Actinic (Timer #1)

[slough shark]

gracious.

[slough shark]

Tek Light 8 bulb t5 HO fixture. 4 Actinics and 4 11000k bulbs.
A good day.
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv58/derekschram/newtank019.jpg
http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv58/derekschram/newtank020.jpg

[slough shark]

Looking for a clean up crew. Was thinking of some snails maybe a couple dozen and a few cleaner shrimp. Does that list sound pretty good or should i switch it up a little. Also, who has the best price for this stuff, i would suspect these critter are fairly common therefore prices will be even accross the board.
Any help would be much aprreciated.

[Rbacchiega]

Looking good!

I would head over to Red Coral and get some Red Strip Trochus snails for sure. I make Trochus snails a staple in my tank. If they've got nassarius snails, grab some of them for your sand bed. I've got a few algae hermit crabs in my tank that I picked up today from there.

Oh how I wish the days when my tank sides were that clean....

[sharuq1]

NIce to see you joining the salty side slough shark!

[slough shark]

Thanks!
It's like a freaking drug though, once you get started.........

[digital-audiophile]

what legs are you using? Did Tek change their legs?

[slough shark]

Nope, I didnt want to spend the 70 bucks on the tek legs, so i picked up universal legs from Big Al's (12 bucks). they just drill into the metal housing. 4 metal screws and it took 10 minutes.

[digital-audiophile]

Not a bad cheap mod.. and they look great, better than the tek legs I have for sure!

[slough shark]

Has anyone had any experience with this skimmer?
Am upgrading my Super skimmer and this one seems to have a footprint that would fit in my sump.
It's for a 120 gal set up, eventually heavily stocked.
Any help would be much appreciated.

[JDigital]

I've heard nothing but good things regarding the Hydors. I will probably be going with one (the 1000) for my next tank.

[slough shark]

Am looking to build a new sump. Drew this up but was wondering if I'm missing anything. Measured my cabinet and this is the largest the tank can be.
Any help would be much appreciated.

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv58/derekschram/sumpModel1.jpg

[Rbacchiega]

what's the spacing between the baffles measure in at? Looks fairly small. I try and keep mine around 1" inbetween each baffle. Not sure why, I've just always done it this way. It'll cut back on the size of your fuge, but not by such a durastic ammount that the fuge will become useless.

Other than that, looks good!

[my2rotties]

NIce tank, my Picasso trigger is going to love it!!!

[slough shark]

http://i85.servimg.com/u/f85/13/45/73/84/dscn2541.jpg
http://i85.servimg.com/u/f85/13/45/73/84/dscn2542.jpg
skimming like a champ. will have some nog ready to drink tomorrow who ever is interested. I would suspect it tastes like Jagermifter.

[slough shark]

http://i85.servimg.com/u/f85/13/45/73/84/dscn2543.jpg

http://i85.servimg.com/u/f85/13/45/73/84/dscn2544.jpg


http://i85.servimg.com/u/f85/13/45/73/84/dscn2545.jpg

picked these guys up from GeoFrog. Everyone is doing well and enjoying their new digs. Thanks again!

[Rbacchiega]

Looking good Derek.