Any 120 reefs out there?Pics..... [Archive] - Reef Central Online Community

reefer_for_life

10/10/2007, 07:01 PM

"watts per gallon" is overrated. its more about what type of light you have. depends what type of corals you want. lets say you have 500watts of VHO lighting. that wouldnt be as bright as 500watts of metal halide, but its the same watts. decide what kind of corals you want to keep long term, then decide what lighting to use.

kl3377

10/10/2007, 07:13 PM

I have a rr 120 with the same dimensions and run 2 175w 10k mh as well as 2 96w pc actinics. I have a mix of corals (frog, acro, stylophora, cup coral, leathers, mushrooms, star polyps, as well as anemones) and lighting does not seem to be an issue. That said if I didn't move the lights from my old tank I would have upgraded to 250's.

Chibils

10/10/2007, 07:27 PM

In the "I learned from MACNA..." thread, most people seriously overestimate how much light they need for their tank. That said, if you want to keep nems/sps on the bottom of the tank (assuming ssb/bb), I'd go 250. But 175s wouldn't be bad. It also depends on the reflectors, par of the bulbs, distance from the water, water clarity, etc. A 150w halide 4" from the water in a lumenarc would (I imagine) put out more light than a 175w 10" from the water in a cheap spider reflector.

People usually use the "watts per gallon" rule of thumb because almost all lights (except incandescent, which isn't really a choice) convert between 80 and 90% of their energy to heat (or 10-20% into light). It's also easier to estimate that than in lumens, which is actual light output. :)

In conclusion, if you plan to keep the lights, I'd add T5 or T12 actinic supplementation. That's what I'd recommend instead of buying/trading a new fixture, since MH+actinic is usually better color and equal light to stronger MHs.

AMIFL

10/11/2007, 05:55 AM

My curent light has actinics also. I think that I will get the 120 and keep my lighting. If it doesn't work, I will go 250 retro with the canopy that comes with the tank. Sound good?

fishysteve

10/11/2007, 06:03 AM

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/1/63944DSCN2006.JPG 150's are fine.

AMIFL

10/11/2007, 06:09 AM

Thanks Steve. That is exactly what I've been looking for. Are you running 150s?

fishysteve

10/11/2007, 06:15 AM

Yes they are 150s, but they are a lot brighter than they look in the picture. My pictures always look dim.

nauticac4

10/11/2007, 07:05 AM

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x200/nauticac4/DSCF1260.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x200/nauticac4/DSCF1256.jpg

This is my 4X2X2.

I run a Dual 250 halides setup with hamilton 14ks

Wish my tank looked like steves

Wrench

10/11/2007, 07:44 AM

Here's my 120g. It's been setup for 3 weeks today so things need to grow in a little bit. Everything was transferred from my 45g. For lighting I use 2 175w XM 10000k Halides.

http://www.pbase.com/tonybracci/image/86656101.jpg

AMIFL

10/11/2007, 07:54 AM

Do you transfer your sand too? Or did you start over with new sand, keeping everything else?

Thanks for the pics guys. Its such a great size for a reef tank.

AMIFL

10/11/2007, 07:55 AM

Soory, that should have said " did you transfer the sand too?"

cateyes

10/11/2007, 07:56 AM

here's my 120....
http://fishman.smugmug.com/photos/136434533-M.jpg

Wrench

10/11/2007, 08:34 AM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10948957#post10948957 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AMIFL
Do you transfer your sand too? Or did you start over with new sand, keeping everything else?

Thanks for the pics guys. Its such a great size for a reef tank.

I used different sand. 70# of live rock came from my previous tank, 40# came from Dr.Macs that I cured, and the other 80# came from a club member that tore down his tank. I also used about 40g of water from my last tank. I saw no cycle at all.

H2OLUVSME

10/11/2007, 10:44 AM

Steve. what temp are your bulbs? brand? I assume since its 150w they are DE, right?

How is your SPS growth? ie, How long did those corals take to get that big? Did you grow them from frags?

BTW, thats a beautiful tank!

Wrench, How do you keep the water line constant (and above the drain intakes) without an overflow box?

Nice tank too!

JokerGirl

10/11/2007, 10:49 AM

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s110/JokerGirlsPhotos/IMG_3766.jpg

fishysteve

10/11/2007, 12:01 PM

H2OLUVSME - Thank you. They are Ushio 10K bulbs. My SPS growth is pretty good. If you look in my gallery you can see how fast they grew. But I have sold a lot of frags in the past couple months, especially the yellow acro and the tortuosa, they would be a lot bigger if I hadn't fragged them so much. I'd say most of the growth has been in the last 6 months.

Wrench

10/11/2007, 04:48 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10949980#post10949980 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by H2OLUVSME

Wrench, How do you keep the water line constant (and above the drain intakes) without an overflow box?

Nice tank too!

The drains work the same as if they had a skimmer box built around them. The only reason they're below the water line is to keep them quiet. I've also got a Durso behind each drain pipe. The setup I have on my tank eliminates the need for a ball valve on the return to match the flow of the drains. Since I'm nowhere near the maximum capacity of two 1" drains, the flow between them and the pump equalize one another automatically. For example, if I put a stronger return pump on the tank right now, the water level would rise. The increase in pressure would cause more water to drain faster and it would equalize in a few minutes. I know because I've had a mag7, 9.5 and 12 on the tank and have never had to use a ball valve. The downside to using a stronger pump is that it would cause a higher level in the tank and if something were to happen with the drains it wouldn't be flood proof.

Shooter7

10/11/2007, 06:17 PM

Here's mine:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v385/DavidW/DSCN1017.jpg

fishysteve, those are 10k ushios? They look so blue for that bulb. Do you have a lot of actinic supplement?

fishysteve

10/11/2007, 06:41 PM

shooter7 - Besides the Ushios, I have one 96 watt PC actinic, one 96 watt PC 10k, one 28 watt T5 actinic, one 28 watt T5 10k, and one 18 watt PC actinic. There are also 5 very bright blue moon lights.

MarkGP

10/11/2007, 07:08 PM

Here is my one year old 120 with 2-175 watt XM 10Ks and 2 Geissman 54 watt actinic plus overdriven on an icecap.
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j48/markgp/DSCN2839.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j48/markgp/DSCN2841.jpg

AMIFL

10/12/2007, 06:46 AM

I'm looking for a 120 now to buy. If anyone knows of a good deal, I live in Jacksonville, FL and don't mind driving. Thanks for posting all the great pics.

fishdoc11

10/12/2007, 07:17 AM

Here is an old pic of mine:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y247/fishdoc11/DSC01852.jpg
Chris

AMIFL

10/12/2007, 07:29 AM

Wow! Thats a sic tank.

fishysteve

10/12/2007, 07:30 AM

fishdoc11 - That is beautiful. Any recent pics?

AMIFL

10/12/2007, 01:57 PM

Any opinions on getting a rimless 120?

fishdoc11

10/12/2007, 02:35 PM

Thanks guys:)
Unfortunately I lost almost all my Acros treating for AEFW's over the summer so the new pics don't look nearly as good as the old ones.
I don't any experience with rimless but if you go with an AGA I would suggest getting the corner overflows. You will loose some flow to the sump but gain a bunch of room in the tank. You will have to special order the tank and it will take a while. I special ordered but the tank just didn't come in in time for us to move to our new house.

Chris

Paulairduck

10/12/2007, 03:31 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10959070#post10959070 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AMIFL
Any opinions on getting a rimless 120?

I recommend going rimless (ELOS), bring your checkbook. it is my plans:eek1: :bum: :eek2:

lvpd186

10/12/2007, 03:38 PM

Here is a not so great photo of my 120,

http://members.cox.net/neblueknight/new_pics/New_120_FTS.jpg

Shooter7

10/12/2007, 07:32 PM

Ditto what Chris said on the corner overflows. As you can see in my pic, I have the two overflows on the back wall and now that I've had it awhile I really don't like it.

And Chris, I was going to ask if it hurt to post pics of the old tank. :(

fishdoc11

10/12/2007, 07:35 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10961083#post10961083 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shooter7

And Chris, I was going to ask if it hurt to post pics of the old tank. :(

It feels better than posting pics of the way it looks now:lol:

But seriously I'm over it.....lots of new little frags to watch grow out:D

saltwaterfishlover

10/12/2007, 07:40 PM

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/8359Image2.jpg

2 400wt 15k halides
4 110 wt actinic vho's
250 lb rock

45commando

10/12/2007, 09:06 PM

here's my 120,lit by 2 x 250 wt XM 10K's & 330 wt VHO actinic.http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m224/45commando/DSCN0882.jpg http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m224/45commando/DSCN0883.jpg http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m224/45commando/DSCN0885.jpg http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m224/45commando/DSCN0886.jpg http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m224/45commando/DSCN0887.jpg
thanks for looking.

dogstar74

10/12/2007, 10:48 PM

45 that is a gorgeous tank.

fishdoc11

10/13/2007, 06:37 AM

Nice tanks everyone:)

Mr..Tang

10/13/2007, 06:51 AM

Heres mine lighted with 2 250 watt DE HQI 20,000 and 220 watts actinic vho's I recently transfered my livestock from an 55 gallon. So things seem a little open. Its been about three months since these pics were taken and corals have grown quite a bite in that time!!

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o192/mikebharris/Picture038.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o192/mikebharris/IMG_0012.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o192/mikebharris/IMG_0014.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o192/mikebharris/IMG_0003-1.jpg

AMIFL

10/14/2007, 12:54 PM

I like them and now I am sure to get one. I just need to find a good deal. I always see them on craigslist.

AMIFL

10/15/2007, 05:18 PM

Starting to look at some 150 longs. I like the size, 60" x 24" x 25". Sound like a good size?

fishdoc11

10/15/2007, 06:51 PM

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10978104#post10978104 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AMIFL
Starting to look at some 150 longs. I like the size, 60" x 24" x 25". Sound like a good size?
If you are going to do that you might as well get a 180 (6'x2'x2')
You will probably want 3 halides anyway. IMO it's best to stick with increments of 2' to help with lighting choices:)
150 sounds like a good choice otherwise though.

Chris

AMIFL

10/16/2007, 06:42 AM

Thanks Chris. I want the 180 real bad but my fiance has a little trouble with it. I have been watching for a good deal though and if the deal is a 180, the thats what I'll have.

LargeAngels

10/16/2007, 09:28 AM

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/11732Acro-side-shot-2.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/11732Left-side-120.jpg

Shooter7

10/16/2007, 10:05 AM

Really nice acros, LargeAngels...care to post equipment, lighting, maintenance specs? :cool: Hoping to get mine looking like that some day soon.

Uncle Boo

10/16/2007, 10:11 AM

Here's my fairly new tank.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r15/Savure/DSCF0498.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r15/Savure/DSCF0500.jpg

LargeAngels

10/16/2007, 10:35 AM

shooter7: 3x400 watt halides, 220 watt VHO, calcium reactor, Reef devil skimmer, chiller, sump/refugium (reverse daylight hours.) 25% water change/month.

Shooter7

10/16/2007, 10:46 AM

Thanks!

3x400w MH? Holy crud, and here mine seem like they're getting too much light with 2x250w 10k's. What temp are your lights?

Do you have much of a bioload in your tank? I'm looking for those deeper colors out of my acros, but mine are kinda pale. Although, I've only had my ca reactor maybe a couple months now.

LargeAngels

10/16/2007, 11:12 AM

2-10k's, 1-6500. One actinic blue, one actinic white. Yeah, lost of light, maybe overkill. Couldn't do it w/out the chiller. I feed my tank pretty heavy.

mike888705

10/16/2007, 12:18 PM

LargeAngels

Do you have a center brace on your 120 or is it euro braced? I'm setting up my 120 now and have 2 400 watt halides but would really like to run 3...

LargeAngels

10/16/2007, 12:23 PM

I don't have a brace on that one. I meant 20K, not 10K.

Shooter7

10/16/2007, 02:26 PM

I was scratching my head wondering how you were getting all that blue out of 2 10k's and a 6500! :lol:

AMIFL

10/25/2007, 06:23 PM

Nice tanks guys. I found a combo package for 600 from LFS. Drilled tank, stand, and canopy. At least I will know its not scratched like the used ones I'm looking at.

ReefJunkieOK

10/25/2007, 07:38 PM

If I could figure out how to post pics, I would show you mine! Could someone show me the way?!

AMIFL

11/02/2007, 10:05 PM

Got a 120. Found a good deal and set it up yesterday. Here it is

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1239851

AMIFL

11/06/2007, 01:34 PM

Any more 120's out there?

marino420td

11/06/2007, 03:47 PM

Here's mine. Setup July 2006

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b39/marino420td/120%20Gallon%20Set%20Up/Full%20Tank%20Shots/mini-IMG_9244.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b39/marino420td/120%20Gallon%20Set%20Up/Full%20Tank%20Shots/mini-IMG_9248.jpg

Bax

11/06/2007, 08:30 PM

Great 120's everyone!

Here's mine from a few weeks ago.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/120Oct07FTS03.jpg

An end view.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/Sept07endOK2.jpg

An actinic shot at first light.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/bax01/Aug07aniversarypics003.jpg

I started with 10K 175 Ushios under LA minis but switched to 400w 10K Ushios in February. I'd like to try 14K XMs.