New 120G Build..need some advice

Just bought a 120G Cornerflow reef tank ..currently have a 29 gallon
Got a great deal on it $150 for a used one ...superclean with holes drilled and all the fittings
Im gona have to buy everything really

Thought you guys could advise me on some stuff.
I picked some stuff out ... give me your honest opinion, because its my first major build i wna do it right.

I want to have auto topoff and sump aswell. Im gona pick up a stand here locally i think and a canopy.

One thing i have a problem with in my tank now is controlling the temperature.

But anyway here is the stuff i picked out.







SKIMMER
AquaC EV-180 Protein Skimmer w/ JG Fitting + Mag-Drive 7 Pump $450




LIGHTING

48 inch Current USA Nova Extreme 8x54W T5HO with 4 Lunar Lights

$400




or

Aquatraders Metal Hallide $359.00

Fixture Size: 47.50 x 15 x 3
Support: 2x 250W DE HQI, 4x 65W Compact Fluorescent, 6x Dual Bluemoon LED
• External 250W Electronic HQI Metal Halide Ballasts with On/Off Switch
• Internal Compact Fluorescent Ballasts
• Three On/Off Switch, 1 for CF, 1 for LEDs, 1 for Cooling Fan
• Individual Power Cords for Separate Timer Setup
• Non-Corrosive Powder Coated Aluminum Housing
• Heavy Duty Cooling Fan
• Tempered Glass and Clear Acrylic Lens Covers
• Highly Polished Reflector
• Mounting Legs Included
FREE ITEMS w/ Metal Halide System Purchase
2x Odyssea 250W DE HQI Bulb 15000K
4x Odyssea 65W Compact Fluorescent Bulb Actinic Blue
6x Dual Bluemoon LED

 

Nice tank
I know nothing about that skimmer so no help there
I would go with the 6x Nova Pro on the T5s,or better if you get a canopy do a retro with SLR reflectors.

 

the ev180 is pretty nice, theres one currently for sale in the classifieds on here for $235 includes a mag 9.5, i paid 400 for mine, pick up a good skimmer for cheap good luck

 

Nice tank. Great price for it. With the 120g, you can still go T5s on it. I have a 90g with roughly the same dimensions (24" deep), and am going with the Tek 8x54W with UVL bulbs. Talk to Tangster. It's just another option. You will hear opinions of all types with lighting.

With the skimmer, the AquaC EV-180 is good. Make sure you get the JG fitting just to increase your options and a Mag 9.5. Not the Mag 7. If you need to, you can dial the 9.5 down a bit with a ball valve. That is what I did for my ETSS. But, given the choice of all the skimmers out there, I would go with the PM Bullet-2 with a Mag 18. IMHO, it is a better all around choice. And don't buy the collection container. You can make one for ten bucks.

 

Thanks for the input guys.

The reason i picked the Aqua C is because i have a Remora that is absolutely amazing
so i figured its a good company to go with..but people have been telling me i can get a better one for that price.

I want a canopy so a fixture is not an option right? or can i still use one?

I found some ...let me know what you think

Fixture
48 inch Current USA Nova Extreme 8x54W T5HO with 4 Lunar Lights

Description
Current USA NOVA EXTREME™ High Output T5 Lighting Fixture
European style high output T5 lamps
Performance Driven electronic ballast
Moon White Lunar Light for nocturnal viewing
German parabolic reflector
Fan cooled for maximum efficiency
Energy Efficient
Includes adjustable mounting legs
Experience a whole new level of brightness with Nova Extreme, the first ever 24 hour, high output T5 lighting fixture. These high output lamps will pump so much light into your aquarium that your fish will need sunglasses.

Performance is Everything
Powered by an advanced electronic ballast, the high output T5 lamps are driven to their maximum potential while ensuring long lamp life. The patented circuitry inside each ballast ensures consistent high performance and low energy consumption while meeting FCC standards with EMI protection and low THD. All components are the highest quality available, meeting ISO 9001 standards, and are potted to reduce thermal stress and increase ballast life expectancy. German parabolic reflector increases light output up to 99%. Integrated fan cools both ballast and lamps for efficient operation.

The Ultimate Spectrum
SlimPaq high output T5 lamps generate the ultimate spectrum for living reefs. Our proprietary blend of Nichia tri-phosphors provides maximum watts per lumen output, promoting high coral growth and excellent color rendition. Each fixture includes two 460nm Actinic Blue and two Daylight 10,000K SlimPaq high output T5 lamps.

Night Vision
Integrated Moon White Lunar Lights provide the perfect environment for nocturnal viewing, providing rhythmic moon luminance for increased spawning and reproduction. Casts a crisp moon glow for optimum nocturnal simulation and nighttime viewing.

Total Control
Two independent ciruits with six foot grounded power cords independently control 10,000K Daylight lamps and 460nm Actinic Blue lamps. Moon White Lunar Lights operate on their own transformer, providing complete control of timing periods.
Bulbs: 4x54W-10,000K Daylight / 4x54W-460nm Actinic
Lunar Lights: 4 x Moon White
Total Watts: 432W
Total Amps: 3.72A
Independent Control: Yes
Cooling Fans: Yes
Dimensions (L x W x H): 48" x 14" x 2.5"


OR

48" 6x54W SLR T5 High-Output Retrofit Kit w/ Bulbs
$449.00

Manufacturer: IceCap
Dimensions: 46.8" x 15.0" x 2.8" (L x W x H)
Availability: In Stock - Usually ships in 24 hours
Item #: IC0051
T5 high-output fluorescent retrofit kit complete with IceCap SLR individual parabolic reflectors for each bulb made from 96% German reflective aluminum, three electronic ballasts (Universal AccuStart or Vossloh-Schwabe), a power-cord and color-coded wire bundle for each ballast, moisture proof end-caps, standoffs and choice of bulbs from any of our current selection of high-quality lamps. Kit sold complete except for mounting screws. Some assembly required. Ballasts engineered specifically to run T5 high-output bulbs for optimal performance and longer lamp life. (Don't settle for inferior T5 electronic ballasts, like the Workhorse, that are commonly sold with other T5 retrofit kits.) Multiple ballasts allow for independent lamp control. Runs cool and produces virtually no noise. Warranty: 1 year.


OR



48" 2 x 54w T5 HO Retrofit Kit

Price $105.00

 

I have the 8x54. I like it, although I did just return for a replacement. But I suspect it was a power surge that zapped the original. I didn't want the radiation and heat from the MH, and this puts off great light for my 110. Yes, Luna I said 110..

I have the EV180 and so far I like it.

Can't help with the plumbing and all the holes you drilled in a perfectly good tank, so good luck with that....


Cheers

 

Thats an awesome price, you almost stoled it from that person. Great skimmer(AquaC), I have the same skimmer and its awesome. I do have one Q thou, what reason did he give you why he was selling it? Dont forget to fill it up with FW and let it sit for a day or two before setting it up with SW. Luna

 

Good idea. He bought a 270 gallon...its awesome.

For this tank...he paid $500 for the tank $300 for the holes and $200 for the fittings thats a $1000 tank. He wanted $300 for it but i offered $100...he said $150..and i stfu lol

He told me when i left that i will eventually realize the deal he game me haha...it was awesome...and the tank was only 6 months old and super clean.

 

If it's possible, I would try to clean out the piping well, run hot water through the piping, and wipe down the inside of the tank with alcohol or bleach solution to kill any possible algae and/or fungus spores that may be hibernating. I see some algae on the durso already. As for the lighting, if you use a canopy, go with a retrofit that will suit your needs, just make sure you add ventilation holes in the canopy on the sides, and fans to circulate the hot air out. If you are electrically inclined, you can gut the fixture and make it into a retro, since it is a better system with 8 filaments vs. 6. I also have the EV-180 and it is great. Don't forget a chiller, if you need to stabilize your temps. Good luck with the tank.

 

In setting up a 120g to replace my 75g I will re-use the 8x54 Current light set (good lighting and low heat).

With the sump, refug, and frag tank, the estimate is 200 - 250g working volume so I will upgrade my Aqua-C with a Mag 9 to a bullet - 3 running off an external return pump.