120 Gallon build thread -- building stage!

Yes, pellets, flakes. Overfeeding can be a problem. If you're worried about overfeeding, I would not get Anthias. Get Chromis...just know that they will dwindle down.

 

Finally got around to finishing the room. I installed a floating wall (will be behind the tank)
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knKD4L43Dfo


Then installed the floor and made a picture of all reef-stuff combined..



Started building the stand.



I now need to put the oak trim around the stand and seal it.

once that's done, the tank can finally be put into it's place..


maybe 5-10 days away from water exciting!

 

Stand is completed.. Finally!

Just finishing the closet for the filtration system now (drywall/mudd/paint/ceiling/floor).

I should have some water in this system by monday



Actinics on in combination with the backlight from the floating wall

 

Very cool setup. Digging the back-lit floating wall! The Razors look nice. Haven't seen many using them yet.

 

^ Agreed! You should paint the drain/return pipes with the matching color. Keep up the good work!!

Get it wet now!!

 

Alright! some updates:

I spent the entire last week working on the closet and the fish-tank. Figured I had about 5-10 hours worth of work left.. turned out to be a LOT more.... It's still not done either, will leave a bit early from work today to get the final touches on the water-flow going


First: Added Dry Sand, Live sand, Dry rock and Live rock to the tank:
(this is not the final stack! the water was too cloudy to stack properly)



Full tank/stand:




Then started working on the back-room/closet.. Mounted the battery backup for the 2 vortechs, mounted the BRS reactors, mounted the Apex & PM2

still have to clean all the wiring and hosing up, I have clips and clamps but haven't gotten time for it yet...





Some issues that I ran into:

Rodi unit is WAAAAAAAAAAY too slow.. I will purchase a booster pump and upgrade to the 150GPD volume...

My concern is that the DI part/crystals have already all turned light-brown, even though it has only output maybe 120 gallons worth of water... TDS on output now reads "2" ..

I have ordered replacement filters, just in case, but I feel it should not have happened this fast, does the lack of flow contribute to this problem????


Secondly, Temperature readings... I have 2 temperature probes from Apex and 1 standard glass thermometer..
Apex Temp 1 reads: 77.5
Apex Temp 2 reads: 78.2
Glass Temp reads: 75-76

All were in the exact same spot in the tank.

I set the 400w heater to 79

I'm wicked confused at this point.. no idea what's right or what isn't....

Tempted to just buy 5 glass thermometers, drop them all in the tank, and calibrate the apex's to the result i see most often on these...

Thoughts??

 

Nice build

The overflow is ideal/superb!
** NIce jog on your overflow/bean sytle return- IMO- better than a RR tank!- more surface skimming

No real advice here on the temps.- you'll get it figured out

 

I didnt know you had a fish room behind the wall! Great job. Have you tried the Short Pulse Mode with the MP40s?

I have had a similar situation with temp difference, but never owned the second probe with the module.. hmm..

I would crank up the temp setting on the heater all the way, and let the Apex control on/off.

Looking great tho!

 

Found the first Amphipod yesterday when cleaning the filter-sock, never thought such a tiny shrimp-like creature could make me so happy

also have quite a few vermetids and feather worms in the tank, on the live-rock pieces that I bought.

Unfortunately, also have some GHA that I'm hoping will disappear once the tank is more stabilized.... Worst case scenario I will purchase a UV unit to help with that.

So far so good... All systems are up and running, and have been for 2-weeks now..

 

Oh. I should add.. I had a Diatom bloom not too long ago, it's disappearing again, but the entire tank was covered for a few days..

Love the pumps! love the overflow! love the tank!