Building my first 120 gallon reef tank

[Lindsay1126]

Primed both the stands with shellac primer, I had to put 3 coats on the one I stained. We have decided to go with something a little different. I am hoping it turns out nice. Will keep updating.

 

[Deep Reef]

Looks like a great start

 

[iemsparticus]

Very very nice start! And welcome to R2R!

I’m glad you’re going with 2x 3/4” returns drilled in the back... you will love it. That’s exactly what I did with my 120 (build thread is in my signature if you would like to have a look).

Your stock list looks great, just be aware that the dwarf angel can decide that Corals = food. There is a great video BRS released of Austin LaVavre’s lecture on keeping benthic feeders like angels in a reef tank, if you are interested. He’s a huge angel guy and won’t ever have reef tanks without them.

The AP700 will be great for softies and LPS. If you do decide to dive into SPS at some point you will want to get some additional light over your reef, whether it be T5s to go with it, or a second AP700.

Keep it up, you and your family will love it!

 

[Lindsay1126]

Will definitely watch the video, thanks. I was aware they could nip, but I was willing to take the risk bc they are just so sag on beautiful. The stand has taken much longer than expected, but all good things take time.

 

[Lindsay1126]

So, this is our twist. Both the DT and QT will be in our family room. We are both huge Carolina Panthers fans, so we went with their colors. The rest of the room has a lot of there decor, so it fits right in. Still have to do the silver trim and a whole second coat on the DT. Things are taking so much longer than I imagined, but it will be worth it to have it done right. Should be picking up all my stuff and setting up this week.

 

[Lindsay1126]

Finally finished painting!!! We are going to add the panther emblem in the middle somehow. I am really happy. I may put contact paper over the top, bc I didn’t get the wood edges smooth as I wanted, so the paint doesn’t look great. I’m going to be working on the sump next. My LFS got behind over the holiday so I’m still waiting to pick up my tank drilled. It works out bc I am so behind.

 

[iemsparticus]

A small amount of wood glue and some finishing nails would hold the logo on nicely.

 

[Lindsay1126]

Yeah we are going to get a small piece of wood cut in a circle and paint it gray and mount it to that. We want it to look similar to their helmet . But thanks for the tip.

 

[Lindsay1126]

So the QT is cycling with some seeded media from an established reef and biospira. It seems to be doing well, it has turned my ammonia (pure ammonia) into nitrates today. I’m going to keep dosing and testing, to make sure it is fully cycled, but it’s amazing how fast it can happen when you have established bacteria. Got my rock soaking in RODI today will be giving acid bath tomorrow. Also, I will be picking up my glass baffles for the sump and getting that ready to go. We decided to have tank delivered bc I don’t want the headache of trying to get it down the stairs. It hopefully will be here Friday morning. Post more soon.

 

[Lindsay1126]

So sadly my LFS didn’t do the return holes, I didn’t know until it was delivered and I just got irritated and accepted it. So it looks like I am going to have the returns go over the top. I still have to paint the back, and get the sump set up. Will be doing to acid bath tomorrow for the rocks.

 

[Lindsay1126]

So I have everything except my 2 200 watt cobalt heaters. My LFS accidentally ordered 2 150s so they had to reorder. I have 100 lbs of ocean direct live sand too.
My rocks have had a bleach bath, then acid bathed and are now curing in RODI until there are no trace of phosphates. My husband installed my RODI In my laundry room (one room away from tanks). Things have moved so slowly with all the bad weatcher and it being the holiday season. Hopefully I will have DT cycling by the end of the month, but we will see.

 

[Lindsay1126]

So I tested my phosphates today and they were at 0.28. Im not really sure if that is good or not, so if anyone has info please let me know. I know that is too high to put in tank, but Im not sure if its normal reading a few days after bleach bath then acid dip. Thanks.

 

[Mark Gray]

nice looks great

 

[Lindsay1126]

So things are going so slow. Trying to get anything done during the holiday has been hard. I did get the back glass painted, I am getting all my plumbing pieces today. I am using mostly black pipe, but need to pick up some white fittings and spray paint it with krypton paint. Things should much more quickly now that Christmas is over and everyone is gone.

My husband has got to the point where he is in disbelief how much prep there is to set up a reef. I think he is starting to think I am crazy, but keeps helping none the less. It will all be worth it when it is all up and running.

My quarantine has it First residents. 2 firefish, 2 ocelleris clowns (one Picasso and one true). I had a royal gramma but she had internal parisites and didn’t make it. I am treating the tank with API cure now and then, copper. I have decided I want to take my time and try my best not to introduce a dormant sickness into my tank. I even set up a 10 gallon coral and invert quarantine (yeah I know I am probably going way overboard). Just wanted to update.

 

[Neo Jeo]

Looks great! I ordered a 120g with 1 corner flow. Still waiting on my stand to be made. I went with some of the same equipt. as you lol. Good luck!

 

[Lindsay1126]

Got my refugium light today. I’m super excited to see how it works. If it works good on the chateo, I may get one to grow herbs inside in the winter.

I had originally planned to get a clip on lamp and fluorescent bulb, but realized I would need 2 for my size fuge. This light was only about $7 more and looks much better, so I went with it’s.

 

[Alewis81]

Staining soft woods can be tricky - they get 'blotchy' easily. A light 'sanding sealer' coat first can help prevent it.

I’m a floor guy by trade. And just got into the hobbie and if you want a clean look with your stain you want to use a conditioner/ minwax or you can you water but with just water you have to have straight lines. Also everyone thinks thinks to use the 100 or 220 grit that’s the worse thing all that does is close the pours of the wood. And will make a uneven stain I recommend 80grit and then a light rub with a old 60grit to open the pours of the wood and you’ll see a nice even stain doesn’t mater if it’s maple walnut or oak wood

 

[Heuristic]

Great thread, love that you guys went with the Panters theme(even though I'm a Bears fan)

 

[deedubz]

Great thread, love that you guys went with the Panters theme(even though I'm a Bears fan)

I'm also diggin' the Panthers theme. Unfortunately, a Chiefs themed fish room would make for one hideous display lol. Looking good so far!

 

[Heuristic]

I have a sports room where one wall is Chicago Bears orange, the other blue, the other wall purple and the next black for both the Kings/Bears. It's certainly a sight to see. LOL