Finally my 120 build

[kaspm]

After years of wanting a reef tank and many years off and on reading the forums I have finally decided to start my tank. It helps it christmas time and my son loves going to the aquarium, so getting the ok from the wife was almost easy lol.

Tank: standard 120 reef ready
Sump: Adhi Model 45 (recommended)
Stand & Canopy: May build myself not quite sure yet
Skimmer: Skimz 201 (recommended)
Return Pump: Mag 18 - will that give enough flow?
Lighting: still up for debate, can't decided between T5, hybrid or LED

What powerheads would work well for flow for mixed reef but more lps?

Fish List: Haven't started a list yet but open to suggestions.

I know I'm skipping a few things so if any one has any input about anything feel free to comment. I will post pictures of the progress once things getting moving. I will be picking up the tank next weekend.

Thank you all in advance for any suggestions I greatly appreciate the vast knowledge and support this forum gives.

[Deftones2015]

Congratulations! Enjoy the build. Make sure to get what you want the first time, it will save a lot of money in the long run.

The mag 18 should be plenty.
As for power heads, if you have the money, go vortech for sure. If you're on a budget, I would buy jeabo. They're controllable, way cheaper. Only downside I have seen on mine is more direct flow rather than the more dispersed flow of the Eco tech marine vortechs provide. Tunze is another good brand of power head.

[kaspm]

I will look in to those thanks. I will also be using Apex controller. I'm not sure where ill be placing this in my house. I have a bi-level so if I go upstairs the weight shouldnt be a problem do you think? The tank would be parallel to the floor joists. If i go downstairs it would be in the same room as a fireplace, would that be a problem?

[Bogue Chitto]

Good luck on your new adventure. There are a lot of good topics in the stickies that will help you out as well.

[kaspm]

Anyone have any suggestions for led lights that would be in a canopy?

[billdogg]

The choice of LED's will depend on your plans for the tank. If you are wanting to go with stony corals (especially SPS) you will need stronger lighting than you would with soft corals. If it will be a fish only, then whatever will work. The fish don't really care.

I use 2 x AI Sol blues on my mostly SPS 120g tank and have very good growth and color.

As for the Mag18 - yes, it will provide plenty of flow. It will also provide a lot of heat (they are notorious for that) There are a number of viable options for return pump depending on internal/external pump and drain style (Durso/Herbie/Beananimal)

[kaspm]

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y303/kaspm16/802AEEED-FA56-4E09-9180-174A0184B634_zpsdm7xg1qd.jpg
http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y303/kaspm16/8CAC40B4-A35C-432B-A5BF-FBA9C42AE1FC_zps53hw0lah.jpg

Started working on overflow plumbing, not sure if it's correct. Please let me know if you notice a mistake. The reducer adapter seems loose.

[kaspm]

I know it depends on how much flow I want/need but should I remove the plate blocking the teeth on the overflow? Also should I knock out the "U" shaped part so the return tube fits better? Thanks
http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y303/kaspm16/83D6DBEE-929E-4B26-8E85-893FD6F1A043_zpsbwcnqebx.jpg

[kaspm]

So I think I've settled on the type of lighting I want. Now I need to narrow down to the actual fixture. I'm going to go the LED route which I'm sure will upset some on both sides of the discussion.

However what is the best product out there for the least amount of $$$?

Ive been reading discussions all weekend about LED v T5 v MH. I also read on one of those posts that with a 48" tank that you could use a 36" fixture. I'm not sure if that is entirely accurate.

[CafeReef]

best LED's for the least amount of money you will be looking at the china ebay fixtures or ReefBreeders. Personally I would go ReefBreeders when budget's are taken into consideration.

[kaspm]

Would the reefbreeders photon be programmable with an Apex? I've come to realize lighting is probably going to be the most difficult choice to make and want to make sure I get it right the first time especially due to the cost involved.

[davocean]

Most of us don't rely on a return pump for majority of flow, in fact about 5x turnover is plenty IMO, and also you need to keep in mind you can only pump what your drains can handle, check the calculator on home page here to see what max flow is on your size drain.
Eheim, Tunze, are my fav returns I've used, sicce and fluvals get good reviews too.
Keep in mind when buying gear watts equal heat, that will all add up.
I personally like T5/LED combo best
Check DIY forum for rocketengineers DIY stand template
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1567110

[kaspm]

So I think I have narrowed my lights down to Radion Gen 3 Pro, Kessil AP700, Kessil 360, but then I say to myself if I'm going to spend that much why not get an ATI Sirius x6. Would anyone who has used any of these lights please give me your pros and cons. I think by the time I decide something else will change my decisions lol

[kaspm]

So I decided on lights. I'm going to go with Reefbreeder Photon 48.

I also worked on finalizing my overflow plumbing, however maybe I'm just paranoid or there is a mistake but it seems like my return line sits to low and I have to twist the return nozzle up before pointing it towards tank.
http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y303/kaspm16/3D1590D2-3A84-4A89-B7A1-33AF9EF0F975_zpsyfdsy5ij.jpg

[Mrramsey]

So I decided on lights. I'm going to go with Reefbreeder Photon 48.

I also worked on finalizing my overflow plumbing, however maybe I'm just paranoid or there is a mistake but it seems like my return line sits to low and I have to twist the return nozzle up before pointing it towards tank.
http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y303/kaspm16/3D1590D2-3A84-4A89-B7A1-33AF9EF0F975_zpsyfdsy5ij.jpg

Thats what the little U shaped knock out is for just to the right of the nozzle in the pic. the return sits there. You will like the reefbreeders I have the same one on my 120. I think I have a link to my build in my sig. I

The mag 18 will be fine for that set up as well. I can also vouch for the jebao circulation pumps. I run 2 rw-8's in my 120.

[kaspm]

That's what I thought but didn't want to pop that off if not. I'm glad you like the light, That's been my hardest decision so far.

[Indymann99]

Tank: standard 120 reef ready

Sump: Adhi Model 45 (recommended)
**** I have an ADHI and its a good sump however if I were to do today I would look at Trigger systems sumps.

Stand & Canopy: May build myself not quite sure yet
**** I would recommend stand NO shorter than 36in in height - need to leave room for skimmer maint and general access to sump


Skimmer: Skimz 201 (recommended)
Return Pump: Mag 18 - will that give enough flow?
**** A Mag18 will be plenty, I run a Mag9.5 and its even dialed back 15% or so. I would go with a Mag9.5 and save some room in the sump (and heat in the water).


Lighting: still up for debate, can't decided between T5, hybrid or LED
**** I would go LED, I just moved 6mo ago from T5 to LED and love it (no T5 bulb changes every 9-12mo). I went with AI Hydras (wanted APEX control) but there are many others out there at all price points.

What powerheads would work well for flow for mixed reef but more lps?
**** low cost hard to beat Jebao (I run 2xRW8 and cant turn them past 60%), EcoTech are top notch (and top $), many others to choose from. I personally dont like Korolia's (I ran them for 4 yrs and they need cleaning often).

Couple of other items.

on your return, you want to keep the outlet (loc-line) as close to the surface as possible. when you shut off your return pump the DT (display tank) will back siphon into the sump till the water reaches the output of the loc-line. You need to make sure your sump can handle the water capacity with the return pump OFF. DONT rely on a check valve on the return line...

picture of loc-lines up at water line to limit back siphon
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/Fish%20Tank/SurfaceAgVideobyIndymann99_zps63fa14a9.jpg (http://s300.photobucket.com/user/Indymann99/media/Fish%20Tank/SurfaceAgVideobyIndymann99_zps63fa14a9.jpg.html)

picture of sump return section. PUMP OFF is the water level with the return pump OFF.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/Fish%20Tank/A381D014-66FE-444B-ABB2-C6CC7BACEBE2_zpswm136u6q.jpg (http://s300.photobucket.com/user/Indymann99/media/Fish%20Tank/A381D014-66FE-444B-ABB2-C6CC7BACEBE2_zpswm136u6q.jpg.html)

Tank stand height. (my tank is inwall but concept is same for sump under tank stands) you want plenty of room to service skimmer and other sump equip. Also think about ATO.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/Fish%20Tank/TankCabOpen.jpg (http://s300.photobucket.com/user/Indymann99/media/Fish%20Tank/TankCabOpen.jpg.html)

Welcome to the group.

[chimmike]

Convert that durso overflow to a herbie ;)

run a return line over the back.

I have a standard 120 with a custom coast-to-coast on back and will run beananimal overflow. Probably run a vectra pump even though I don't NEED it...i'll run a manifold off it to flow to reactors and stuff.

I plan on doing LED's too.

[kaspm]

I've been reading heavily about herbie overflows and am highly considering switching

[chimmike]

Do it before your setup is running. It's quieter and will get more turnover than the standard durso.

[Indymann99]

+1 I also run a Herbie. dead silent. :-)

[Herbie]

:thumbsup:

If going with a "herbie" overflow, a Sea Swirl is a perfect return to use .


Good luck with the build . 120 is a great size tank .

[chimmike]

sea swirls use a lot of head pressure from the pumps do they not?

[Herbie]

sea swirls use a lot of head pressure from the pumps do they not?

Hmmmmm....... not in my experience. Any pump return to the tank will have to make at least 2-3 90deg turns to get to the water. Pretty much the same as a Seaswirl . Seaswirls mount to the tank pretty rigidly and the erratic flow is great for a reef .

I wouldn't do a "Herbie" set-up without a SeaSwirl, they work great.

[kaspm]

So the sump is delayed until Tuesday, however this did arrive today.
http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y303/kaspm16/Mobile%20Uploads/F7409EC7-3B93-4A9F-9FB8-9D957C57CB5E_zpsjdwdx3va.jpg

[chimmike]

Hmmmmm....... not in my experience. Any pump return to the tank will have to make at least 2-3 90deg turns to get to the water. Pretty much the same as a Seaswirl . Seaswirls mount to the tank pretty rigidly and the erratic flow is great for a reef .

I wouldn't do a "Herbie" set-up without a SeaSwirl, they work great.

finally, can the sea swirls mount with a canopy? I know they're generally over-the-rail

[Herbie]

finally, can the sea swirls mount with a canopy? I know they're generally over-the-rail


I dont know about that. I know they mount pretty good by clamping on the rim of a tank. They do make different mounting options for acrylic tanks with the overhanging lip, and also make some kind of corner mount .
Any canopy I ever had , there was more than enough room to mount them on the tank .