Alex's 125 gallon upgrade

[snibitz]

I started posting on Canreef about a year into my saltwater venture, therefore in starting this tank journal I think I should at least briefly explain what happened from the beginning, with pictures of course in chronological order, starting two years ago. This is how it happened.

You see.... it all started two years ago when i went to visit some work friends I had not seen in about a year. Sitting there in the garage at my friends was a 10 gallon aquarium that he was going to get rid of. I had recently been infatuated with another friends saltwater aquarium, so I decide I would dabble in freshwater.

Thats where it started anyway, so from here on is the quick version.

Three weeks later upgraded to a 20 gallon freshwater
Four weeks later upgraded to 33 gallon freshwater
Ten months later switched to 33 gallon saltwater

Two months later upgraded to my current 72 gallon bow, that I bought from CL as a complete setup. Inexperienced at saltwater, I didnt know that all the equipment that came with it was less than desirable.

Filter: Fluval 404 with all kinds of old rotten carbon, and nitrate ridden sponge

Light: 48" Unknown brand, probably purchased from ebay 2x250 hqi 4xpc who knows when the last time the bulbs were changed piece of crap that is falling apart. (Glad I got that off my chest)

Ballasts: 1x Vertex (good) 1x stock very bad and changed with a new Vertex

Skimmer: Coralife 220 HOB http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/ima...ons/icon13.gif
Heater: Some identified piece of crap that was the cause of my first tank meltdown.

Even with all the garbage equipment, the tank was thriving and healthy and looked good, until one daymy wife called me at work and told me there was something wrong with the tank. Everything in the tank was all closed up and my giant branching hammer was sliming all over the place.

Thanks be to Lana, she saw a puff of smoke come up from the heater and out of the tank, and the problem was solved after three days and losing about 70% of corals.

I rebuilt the tank almost from scratch at that point and have been upgrading all the equipment along the way.

New equipment

Skimmer: Deltec MCE 600
Powerheads: 3x Korillia
Filter: Same fluval 404 but only running ceramic
Timer: DA Reefkeeper lite
Dosing: 1x doser for alkalinity
Light: Just paid for and waiting for new 48" Vertex Illumina 260
Tank: Just bought 5' 125 gallon

Pics to come tomorrow

[snibitz]

Im not a computer savy as i once was, im try in figure out how to post pic without having just a link show up on the thread

[subman]

Check out this video (just found it I'm not into marbles lol)
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=9xRXe...%3D9xRXezQkV4w

[snibitz]

Here is the progression from where it all started with a 10 gallon fresh two years ago, to 20 gallon, to 33 gallon, to saltwater, to 72 gallon, to the meltdown, to the rebuilding.

Next pics will be the start of the 125 gallon, im having the tank drilled tomorrow, and we are off to the races.

[snibitz]

Thank you Subman for the link on how to post photos. It made it very easy

[subman]

No worries love the pics tanks all look and looked great!

[snibitz]

Well my tank is getting drilled as we speak, and then on to building my overflow. Im going with the ultra quiet Herbie overflow, using 1.5" bulkheads.
I have a friend with a machine shop, so I hope he will cnc some acrylic for me for a nice clean looking overflow.

[snibitz]

So I picked up my plumbing supplies for my overflow, which to my surprise was really inexpensive, except for the schedule 80 gate valve was costly but I think necessary. Im going to set up the overflow plumbing first then get my supplies for the return, after I figure out the return pump im going with. Im thinking of the Laguna 2400, it relatively cheap and super quiet.

[snibitz]

Well im a little behind in the plumbing, I have been very busy. BUUUT I finally got my new Illumina today, and i must say im very impressed with the look and feel of this fixture. It has a very sturdy feel to it.I can say one thing for sure.... WOW this is BRIGHT... Wayyyy brighter than my 2x250 MH. I hung it already over the 72g to see how it looks and I must say, I have never seen colors like this in my corals, especially my zoos. I need to figure out how to take pics with my DSLR of the colors without it all turning purple in the pic.

Amazing light, anyone on the fence about this light needs to remember the nike slogan.... Just DO IT.

Anyone with some photography experience who knows how to solve this problem feel free to let me in on the secret.

[snibitz]

Ok everyone, im in a bit of a bind here, I am moving within a week or two and need to finish plumbing the new tank. To do that I need a sump tank which is kind of an odd ball size 36x16x16. I only need the tank, no baffles... nothing just the tank any condition that holds water well. Does anyone have a tank of this size they want to sell/get rid of? Even a dimension close to it. My stand wont fit anything more than 36 long 16.5 deep 17 high without going in from the top. Otherwise Im going with a rubbermaid or 33 gallon, both of which im trying to avoid. I want 40 or more gallons for the sump. Thanks