120 in wall build

Dubble · Sep 1, 2014

Always nice to think how it will look full of coral

rayn · Sep 12, 2014

And now full of water! Let the cycle begin.

rayn · Oct 1, 2014

Well after a slight setback, I am going live this weekend I hope. Got the tank filled, plumbed, and tested the overflow pipes...just to have my overflow fall apart on me. The front wall caved in. After a small drain, some Weldon, I have a fully glued overflow now. Holding water again. Pics to follow once it is running.

rayn · Nov 2, 2014

Here she is in all her glory. Cycle is going fine, ammonia is now 0, nitrite is still off the charts.
First is FTS, second is the sump area, third is the control board for everything.

Things still needed. Air pump for the reactor, finish or figure out lighting, add a few more goodies to the apex.

rayn · Nov 13, 2014

Cycle has "finished" as nitrite is 0. Going to do as big a water change as I can tonight...30 gallons, and then order a cuc.

rayn · Nov 28, 2014

CUC arrived tonight and acclimating now. May head down to the lfs and see what they have for first fish. Already have a qt set up and ready.

rayn · Dec 26, 2014

Well basically a month has past and my cuc cleaned up the diatoms. I put a bicolor fox face through QT and added him to the tank. Already starting to see negative signs of algae in the tank. I started vodka dosing right away, but apparently I am not keeping up with it.

Nitrate at 8 ppm and PO4 at .30!

Still no corals, but I doubt they would thrive with those levels.

Here is my question. Do I continue vodka dosing and try to get the levels down, or add macro algae to the sump? I have a remote refugium just for this purpose. I would prefer not to strip the tank of the macro nutrients first, then add them and watch them die.

143MPCo · Dec 26, 2014

Finally found your build thread, now that is a project... lol... nice work!
Really want to know how that skimmer works out for you!

rayn · Dec 26, 2014

So far I can't complain a bit. Just going through cycle it started pulling gunk. Now with 1 fish and vodka dosing it is pulling quite a bit considering the low bioload.

I did learn after I got mine, they slightly redesigned the waste valve. They now come with a gate valve. Also none of the plumbing is glued at all. They do this to give the end user the ability to plumb the drain as they see fit.

143MPCo · Dec 26, 2014

Thx Rayn for that info... I have it down to either a beckett Skimmers or venturi... both work on a slightly similar principals so a little undecided.

rayn · Dec 26, 2014

I didn't go out for a Beckett, just what I ended with. I decided on the panworld for the return from almost the get go, then realized it would be enough to power the skimmer as well.

I saw a few of these in action before I bought as well, every one worked like a beast. Bashsea website isn't much, but watch his work on Facebook and he is into high end beautiful work.

rayn · Feb 14, 2015

Well this tank has morphed into a anemone tank. The sps destination changed once a 180 came to the house. First addition was a bi color fox face, second was a sabae anemone, third was a fu Manchu Lionfish, and tonight I added a ritteri anemone.

Acclimation was just over two hours after a float for temp acclimation. Just added to the tank an turned all powerheads off. Will post pics from the bag to the tank in a bit.

rayn · Feb 15, 2015

First pics

First is in acclimation, second is just after placement in the tank, third is after about a hour now me turning the pumps back on.

rayn · Feb 25, 2015

I figured I would update and show how it is going so far. Newest additions are the carpet anemone on the left and the acanthophyllia on the right. Both seem to be doing well so far. Also a good pic of the Fu.

143MPCo · Feb 26, 2015

Looks like a happy system... hats off to your hard work, keep the updates coming... and I know i don't need to say it but, more picture pls...lol

rayn · Mar 3, 2015

Did a 25 gallon water change tonight. Took this opportunity to add a few corals or frags I had from another tank. Couple acans, a acro that used to have nice color and I hope it isn't completely dead, and what I believe is a blasto? Maybe someone can give a positive ID.

Currently I am running two Kessil 360we and a dual T5, I have thought about switching over to MH. I have the dimmable drivers, so either 250 or 400 watt can be used. Two reasons for this, one I have the MH available and will sit otherwise and two my other set can't handle the MH in the canopy, but has room for the Kessil.

Also as for the corals coming from another tank,nth see are a few more coming over soon. A small brain, some zoas, some palys, and a little baby mertensii anemone. Also there are a pair of clowns in that tank. Anyone think I could mix 4 clowns (two pairs) in a 120 with multiple nems?

rayn · Apr 17, 2015

Everything is moving along slowly but surely. I am running into heat issues now. Tank is going up into the 83+ range. Just added on a fan for cooling to bring it down. Turns on if tank gets to 82.5.

So far the two pair of clowns are still going. I wouldn't say they are hanging out all together, but they seem to be around each other quite a bit.