PoonTang's 120G Build [Archive] - Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board

PoonTang

11-04-2009, 03:18 AM

Well my tank crash last summer afforded me the oppurtunity to upgrade and to do things a little bit differently.
I started off by selling off my old 90G with stand and sump and in return I purchaced a used 120G Seastar with Euro Bracing, Dual Overflows, Oceanic #3 sump, Reeflow Dart return and stand.
While I was waiting to get the new tank i had an Electrician friend come and help me put in 2 dedicated circuits for the tank. I will be running 4 separate GFI's. I learned my lesson the hard way about running too many things off a single GFI :sad:
I started by giving everything a good clean and replaced the bulkheads in both of the overflows.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1020448.jpg

I decided that the Silicone in the front corners looked a little ratty so i re did them in their original black.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1020449.jpg

The Stand was a little rough in places and especially on the inside of the cabinet so I refinished the stand with 3 coats of 2 part marine epoxy. Next job was to get it all in place and start to hook everything up.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1020452.jpg

hillegom

11-04-2009, 03:23 AM

looking good so far.
Is that a 4x2x2?

PoonTang

11-04-2009, 03:28 AM

looking good so far.
Is that a 4x2x2?

Yep standard 4x2x2. I would have liked to go bigger but I dont think the floor would handle it there. My joists are running parallel to the tank and its on the second floor.

PoonTang

11-04-2009, 03:43 AM

Made some modifications to the sump. Added baffles and built a Bubble box and Filter Bag Holder out of Acrylic. The skimmer will be going in the first compartment so I deliberately made the first baffle an "Under." The reason being is that I found that in my previous sump the baffles have a tendency to skim off the top. Seems kind of silly to me that we skim off our tanks to remove the junk then skim off the sump and send it all back up top again. Now anything that gets skimmed off the tank will hopefully stay in the skimmer chamber. I will be building a standpipe for my skimmer pump that will draw the water off of the chamber hopefully making everything more efficient.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1020476.jpg

PoonTang

11-09-2009, 09:48 PM

Solved another problem ! Stainless steel cabinet hinges. No more rusty hinges having to be changed out every 6 months.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1020477.jpg

JDigital

11-09-2009, 09:55 PM

Wow... all these new tank builds... Exciting!

christyf5

11-09-2009, 10:09 PM

Solved another problem ! Stainless steel cabinet hinges. No more rusty hinges having to be changed out every 6 months.

LOL yeah I thought so too, you'll get a year to 18 months out of those, unless you baby them.

Can't wait to see this tank up and running, looking great so far :biggrin:

Delphinus

11-09-2009, 10:12 PM

Hahaha no doubt. Hopefully it's not indicative of what kind of winter we're in for if all the Canreefers are all out upgrading their reef tanks !!! :lol:

Looking good so far PoonTang, can't wait to see more. :cool:

PoonTang

11-09-2009, 10:21 PM

Heres the skimmer intake mod that I am going to try out. It should surface skim the sump chamber hopefully making the whole process a little more efficient.http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1020497.jpg

christyf5

11-09-2009, 10:42 PM

Heres the skimmer intake mod that I am going to try out. It should surface skim the sump chamber hopefully making the whole process a little more efficient.

Ooh I like that idea!!:biggrin:

Lance

11-09-2009, 10:50 PM

Looks like you've got a good start. Nice work.

PoonTang

11-10-2009, 02:10 AM

Hooked up the plumbing and did the mandatory leak test. Just a couple of minor issues that a little teflon tape will fix. The biggest problem that i have is that the overflow boxes dont seal 100% from the tank.Where the overflows thread into the bulkheads they are leaking past the threads I think because there is a constant dripping into the sump from the drain line. I need to get that fixed or when the power goes out I will eventually flood the sump.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1020500.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1020499.jpg

globaldesigns

11-10-2009, 04:02 AM

Nice, another build thread.

Very nice work, very clean. The refinishing of the stand looks marvelous.

I want more pics, keep us posted.

PoonTang

11-18-2009, 01:22 AM

Well I started the aquascaping. Man is that frustrating, like a giant jigsaw puzzle. Well I have it basically finalized, lots of depth and nice coral mounting shelves, caves etc. I will still need to add a few pieces of LR to seed it once I get the water in but I wanted to basically get it all placed while its still dry. Actually the picture doesnt really do it justice, it is much more 3 dimentional than the picture shows.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1020518.jpg

Lance

11-18-2009, 02:34 AM

I like it! Especially that triangular piece on top with the hole in the middle of it.

Leah

11-18-2009, 11:21 AM

Is that chair really small or is the tank really huge???? I am jealous nice set-up! Can't wait to see this up and running...I like your aquascaping can you come do mine! :biggrin:

PoonTang

11-19-2009, 02:13 AM

Is that chair really small or is the tank really huge???? I am jealous nice set-up! Can't wait to see this up and running...I like your aquascaping can you come do mine! :biggrin:

LOL ya its a leftover from when my kids were still little. It gives me just enough boost to easily reach the bottom of the tank.
I picked up 6 pounds of LR today to seed my tank with (just a few small shelf pieces). The tank is currently filling with water, man the RODI sure takes a long time to put out 120+ gallons. Sometime tomorrow it should be full. Add the rock and sit and wait.

PoonTang

11-29-2009, 12:04 AM

All filled up and running now for 10 days. Sure wish it would hurry up, I miss my fish and corals.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1020520.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1020522.jpg

christyf5

11-29-2009, 01:05 AM

Wow that looks awesome!!! I missed out on what you were running for lights?

PoonTang

11-29-2009, 12:17 PM

The Canopy has a single 250 Mogul and 2 VHO actinics. I wont be leaving the canopy on once i get livestock/coral in the tank. Too many heat issues and I have a very nice 2 x 250w aqualite pro with brand new phoenix 14k bulbs that came off of my old tank.

PoonTang

12-14-2009, 11:28 PM

Added a fish and small cleanup crew to deal with the rapidly developing hair algae problem.
Juvi Kole Tang
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1020549.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1020552.jpg

fishytime

12-14-2009, 11:32 PM

Awwww...hes still got his baby spots....very good "worker" fish...

Lance

12-14-2009, 11:45 PM

Looking good Darren. You'll fing that Kole Tang a great little cleaner-upper.

Lance

12-14-2009, 11:46 PM

Looking good Darren. You'll fing that Kole Tang a great little cleaner-upper.

er......find not fing.

PoonTang

12-15-2009, 12:14 AM

:) a recent field trip to powell river convinced me that a Kole would be on my stocking list. My last trip to the LFS I found all 3 tangs that I was wanting but I resisted and only bought 1.

PoonTang

01-07-2010, 11:39 PM

Found a good deal on a purple tang which just happened to be on my stocking list. And well it was time to add another fish anyways. He seems to be adjusting to his new home just fine.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1020685.jpg

PoonTang

01-07-2010, 11:44 PM

I built some covers for my overflows out of smoked acrylic. I hate the little splashes that dry everywhere from them. Will stop me from having to clean the lights so often as well as keeping the snails out and cutting down on any algae growth in there.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1020673.jpg

Leah

01-07-2010, 11:47 PM

Just wondering how the two tangs get along?
Love"n" the little Kole, and fattens up! ha ha!

Skimmerking

01-07-2010, 11:57 PM

nice looking setup man well done.

PoonTang

01-08-2010, 12:04 AM

Just wondering how the two tangs get along?
Love"n" the little Kole, and fattens up! ha ha!

They seem to get along just fine. The Kole is a hyper little bugger always trying to get little bits of algae off the glass. The Purple seems to be very quiet and peaceful, just mosyin around, a nibble here and a nibble there.

Lance

01-08-2010, 12:17 AM

They seem to get along just fine. The Kole is a hyper little bugger always trying to get little bits of algae off the glass. The Purple seems to be very quiet and peaceful, just mosyin around, a nibble here and a nibble there.

Yeah, the Koles remind me of a mouse or something. They don't stop moving from lights-on to lights-off!

PoonTang

01-08-2010, 03:17 AM

Yeah, the Koles remind me of a mouse or something. They don't stop moving from lights-on to lights-off!

My tank is currently going through the " I have to clean the green dust off the glass everyday" stage. Looks really funny because by the end of the day its just covered in little kiss marks from him.

Lance

01-08-2010, 03:45 AM

My tank is currently going through the " I have to clean the green dust off the glass everyday" stage. Looks really funny because by the end of the day its just covered in little kiss marks from him.

Yup, they are hard-working little buggers.

fishytime

01-08-2010, 04:45 AM

PoonTang

01-09-2010, 02:54 AM

Little??? Koles have got some big arse lips....IMO:lol:

Lol not when their only 1 1/2" long they dont. I wonder if when I grows up if I should name it Mick or Pamela :twised:

PoonTang

03-21-2010, 10:02 PM

Tank is slowly starting to take shape. Cant wait for all of the frags to grow. Here is the latest FTS :biggrin:
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/fts1.jpg

And here is my new toy. This is gonna be fun once I get it all hooked up and programmed.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1020830.jpg

Lance

03-21-2010, 10:09 PM

Tank is coming along nicely Darren. Starting to get some coralline on the back glass.
Where did you get that nifty nori feeder from? :mrgreen:

PoonTang

03-21-2010, 10:12 PM

Tank is coming along nicely Darren. Starting to get some coralline on the back glass.
Where did you get that nifty nori feeder from? :mrgreen:

Funny you should ask, I just happen to know the manufacturer very closely, so he gave me a super deal. :wink:

fishytime

03-22-2010, 02:52 PM

Funny you should ask, I just happen to know the manufacturer very closely, so he gave me a super deal. :wink:

Annnnnnnnnnnnd????????

FTS looks great man! love that horseshoe cove look.....

Lance

03-22-2010, 03:47 PM

Annnnnnnnnnnnd????????

FTS looks great man! love that horseshoe cove look.....

He is the manufacturer! :mrgreen:

PoonTang

04-06-2010, 11:03 PM

Well I didnt want to put my new Apex inside my stand where it is all corrosive and wind up having another tank crash. So a separate cabinet was required because I hate seeing a bunch of messy wires and the tank is in the main room of the house.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/cab.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1020900.jpg

hillegom

04-07-2010, 12:59 AM

Looks very neat. No humidity either.

Lance

04-07-2010, 01:08 AM

:thumb:

Zoaelite

04-07-2010, 01:24 AM

Annnnnnnnnnnnd????????

FTS looks great man! love that horseshoe cove look.....

+1 The aquaculture is pretty dope! Crap, this might cause me to go do something drastic to the tank :neutral:.

Greenmaster

07-06-2010, 09:53 PM

I like the look have you had any growth of the corals in the last 3 months? Everyone likes photos... how about another FTS?

PoonTang

07-07-2010, 03:52 AM

Yes its been a few months now, so time for a FTS update. Not very good picture but I am actually suprised at the growth. :mrgreen:

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/FTSJUL10.jpg

Greenmaster

07-07-2010, 04:10 AM

Yes its been a few months now, so time for a FTS update. Not very good picture but I am actually suprised at the growth. :mrgreen:

Wow at that rate you'll be fragging in no time :D Looks great!

Lance

07-07-2010, 04:13 AM

Coming along great Darren. I like your nori feeder. I have one just like it. :mrgreen:

PoonTang

07-07-2010, 04:19 AM

Coming along great Darren. I like your nori feeder. I have one just like it. :mrgreen:

Thanks Lance. Yes, its become my life long dream that everyone has at least 1 of these things in each their tanks. :wink:

Lance

07-07-2010, 04:21 AM

Thanks Lance. Yes, its become my life long dream that everyone has at least 1 of these things in each their tanks. :wink:

How many of them have you made so far? And are you getting bored yet?

PoonTang

07-07-2010, 04:28 AM

How many of them have you made so far? And are you getting bored yet?

I've probably made 30 or so of them so far. Dont really get bored, i enjoy making them plus i made some other things too like the bubble box in my sump and a photo/viewing box for Christie. I also used some black acrylic and made covers for my overflow and a shelf that hangs off the back lip of the tank and holds my 3 cooling fans. Always looking for more things to make, its part of the enjoyment of the hobby. :)

Lance

07-07-2010, 04:35 AM

I've probably made 30 or so of them so far. Dont really get bored, i enjoy making them plus i made some other things too like the bubble box in my sump and a photo/viewing box for Christie. I also used some black acrylic and made covers for my overflow and a shelf that hangs off the back lip of the tank and holds my 3 cooling fans. Always looking for more things to make, its part of the enjoyment of the hobby. :)

I wanted to make covers for my overflows but couldn't find anybody who would sell me a smaller piece; only the whole sheet. Where did you get yours?

Greenmaster

07-07-2010, 04:37 AM

I wanted to make covers for my overflows but couldn't find anybody who would sell me a smaller piece; only the whole sheet. Where did you get yours?
Industrial Plastic and Paint here in Courtenay has the cut to order... I could probably pick it up for you and you pay me at the ferry...

P.S. sorry for hijacking your thread but it's what I do... till you tell me no more posting in your thread :-p

Lance

07-07-2010, 04:46 AM

Industrial Plastic and Paint here in Courtenay has the cut to order... I could probably pick it up for you and you pay me at the ferry...

P.S. sorry for hijacking your thread but it's what I do... till you tell me no more posting in your thread :-p

If you don't mind; that would be great. One piece of black acrylic 30"x6" would do both overflows. Let me know when you're coming and we'll make arrangements where to meet. Do you walk on or drive?

Greenmaster

07-07-2010, 05:30 AM

If you don't mind; that would be great. One piece of black acrylic 30"x6" would do both overflows. Let me know when you're coming and we'll make arrangements where to meet. Do you walk on or drive?
Got your PM.
No more hijacking today :D

PoonTang

09-14-2010, 03:32 AM

Picked up 2 clams yesterday for my tank. First time I have ever actually had them although I have wanted 1 for some time. Man my photography skills suck.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/Clams.jpg

And a few random shots seems how I had the camera out anyways.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1030800.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1030798.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1030797.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1030796.jpg

PoonTang

10-13-2010, 11:59 PM

Picked up a couple of new fish. A green corris wrasse to help with the pyramid snail infestation.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/GreenCorris.jpg
And a pair of Blue Throat Triggers. Here is a picture of the female, she seems to have adapted quite well to her new home. Her husband on the other hand is still spending more time in the rocks than out and about.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/MrsTrigger.jpg

I also picked up a pair of Evo 1400 to supplement my K4's and am going to run them on my Apex on a wave program to see if I can get a wave happening or at least create some more random flow by cutting them across the streams of the others and then switching them on/off.

Lance

10-14-2010, 12:25 AM

PoonTang

10-14-2010, 01:07 AM

Hubby will be out and about soon: They're too greedy to hide for long.
I hope you have better luck with your Evos than I. I bought three of them and two will not restart after turning power off without taking them apart. I hate them!

so far they are working ok. I have been playing with the timing a little, even as far as cycling them off and on every second.

PoonTang

10-15-2010, 08:27 PM

HaHa so I am sure all of you DIY freaks have seen the threads on RC on this little project so I will spare you all the boring details. If not then just zip on over there and read all 3000 pages of posts LOL.
Start with one dead Seaswirl (instead of making your own box) Thanks Christy:wink: Add a Microwave turntable motor to the guts. Thanks Borderjumper :wink:
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/FS1.jpg
Add a power head of your choice. In this case I am using a seio 620 but maj change that to a MJ of some form in the future.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/FS2.jpg
Make little mounting brackets for SeaSwirl to attach it to the euro bracing.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/FS3.jpg
And voila! The finished product.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/FS4.jpg

Here is a video of it running.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/th_P1030843.jpg (http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/?action=view&current=P1030843.mp4)

Lance

10-15-2010, 08:37 PM

:thumb::thumb::thumb:

Zoaelite

10-15-2010, 09:06 PM

Wow, what an amazing little modification! I think your name description needs to be changed to Henry Frankenstein :lol::lol::lol:.

christyf5

10-16-2010, 12:35 AM

That is awesome!! Glad to see you got it working. Watch for salt creep on the bottom of it, I think thats what did it in the first time (although I think I used it for about 5 years before it croaked). :biggrin:

Delphinus

10-16-2010, 01:27 AM

That's awesome. A microwave turntable motor ... very resourceful!

Chaloupa

10-16-2010, 02:22 AM

That is freakin fantastic!!! OMG I love it!!! NICELY DONE

PoonTang

01-07-2011, 02:44 AM

So lookee what my kids bought me for Christmas. :mrgreen:
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1030994.jpg

Out with old and in with the new.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/P1030996.jpg

Poo away you nasty fish! :twised:

Lance

01-07-2011, 02:53 AM

Nice kids. Do you lend them out?

PoonTang

01-07-2011, 03:06 AM

Ya sure but their not too good at cooking or cleaning or homework or listening or or or... trade for a beagle? :twised:

freezetyle

01-07-2011, 04:04 AM

that thing is a monster compared to the old one! SWC seems to make an awesome skimmer

PoonTang

01-07-2011, 05:10 AM

yep its a beast alright, rated for 175-350 G . It just barely fit into the stand, i had to take off all the parts to get it through the doors.

Borderjumper

01-07-2011, 05:17 AM

Nice!! You must have been a very good Dad all year!

PoonTang

07-14-2011, 03:51 AM

Just a few random photos of the tank that i took while playing with my daughters new camera.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/IMG_0019.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/IMG_0018.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/IMG_0017.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/IMG_0015.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/IMG_0013.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/IMG_0011.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/IMG_0010.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/IMG_0009.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/IMG_0008.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/IMG_0007.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/IMG_0006.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/IMG_0005.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/IMG_0004.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/IMG_0003.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa28/m3bimmerboy/Corris.jpg

fishytime

07-14-2011, 02:17 PM

wow!.....love that pic of the green wrasse!

lastlight

07-14-2011, 04:00 PM

Those colonies are really looking great. Tank has a mature look to it and your colours are really nice. Where is the FrankenSeio gone that was a sweet DIY project?

Skimmerking

07-14-2011, 04:30 PM

Tank looks great buds hows the green wrasse doing I used to have one. He was a huge digger. love the triggers that you have wish that i had a pair.

HINT HINT FISHYTIME

PoonTang

07-14-2011, 07:14 PM

Those colonies are really looking great. Tank has a mature look to it and your colours are really nice. Where is the FrankenSeio gone that was a sweet DIY project?
It keeps burning out the motors. Apparently tou need the ones that are geared for about 1 rpm. All of the ones that I have been using are in the 3-4 rom range and i think it is just too much for them.
Tank looks great buds hows the green wrasse doing I used to have one. He was a huge digger. love the triggers that you have wish that i had a pair.

HINT HINT FISHYTIME

Ya this guy is a huge digger too but i doesnt seem to be a problem. However he has been very sick lately. Develoved a large bump on his side and behind his head. dont really know what it was but it had a real dark core and lasted about 3 weeks. His swimming is totally messed up now, he swims almost vertical in the water, doesnt use his tail at all, and seems to have balance problems. I dont know if his swim bladder is shot, or he has nerve damage or both. There doesnt seem to be any improvement but i will give him another week or so then Im afraid i will have to dispach him if there is no improvement. Hate to do it but he really does seem to be struggling.