Equipment list for a 120

[Sobo's Reef]

Hey guys, I’m still waiting for my custom 120g tank to be delivered.. still have about 5 weeks until then. I plan on using a lot of the equipment I had from my old 57g tank and I just wanted to see what you guys thought.

-2 mp40qwds
-1 500w titanium heater
-2016 apex with many add ons
-Skimz UP34 sump (30g)
-Skimz SK181 skimmer
-Cor15 return pump
-36” Aquatic Life hybrid T5 fixture
-2 AI Prime HD
-Klir DI-4 filter(new for this setup)


That’s it for the most part. Does anyone think anything needs to be changed or upgraded for the new tank? I’m keeping the sump bc I’m modifying it to fit the Klir DI4 filter.

 

[acro-ed]

Depending on what you are going to keep you may need another powerhead, and you may want to swap out the Primes for 26's/52's, but you should be fine to set it up with what you have and feel that out as you go. Good luck with it!

 

[Sobo's Reef]

I didn’t even think of upgrading the primes.. something to consider. The one thing I was thinking of was the skimmer. BRS states the SK181 is rated as follows
Heavy bioload - 70 gallons
Medium bioload - 90 gallons
Light bioload - 120 gallons

I do plan on having a decent stock list so maybe this will be something I upgrade down the line somewhere.

 

[Scurvy]

You could go with Apex WAV’s and use the savings on an upgraded skimmer and/or 48” hybrid.

 

[JDtimk]

I would try to add a larger sump if you can and since you have some time before the tank arrives. I built my stand to accommodate a 75 gal sump under the 120 and it is nice to have extra water volume for stability.
Depending how you are arranging your lights between the t5s and the AI primes, you might have some shadowing on the ends of the tank. Obviously 48" bulbs would be better, but I know sometimes we have to build with what we have for the time being.
Maybe add another heater and put it on a separate outlet. You can manage the situation in which a heater sticks in the on position with your controller, but if the heater quits on you and that's your only one, you might be in trouble if you are away for the weekend or something.
Also if you are planning on lps or sps coral at some point, most tanks are over skimmed anyway. You might be able to get by on the skimmer you have depending on your feeding and other husbandry routine.

 

[Sobo's Reef]

I would try to add a larger sump if you can and since you have some time before the tank arrives. I built my stand to accommodate a 75 gal sump under the 120 and it is nice to have extra water volume for stability.
Depending how you are arranging your lights between the t5s and the AI primes, you might have some shadowing on the ends of the tank. Obviously 48" bulbs would be better, but I know sometimes we have to build with what we have for the time being.
Maybe add another heater and put it on a separate outlet. You can manage the situation in which a heater sticks in the on position with your controller, but if the heater quits on you and that's your only one, you might be in trouble if you are away for the weekend or something.
Also if you are planning on lps or sps coral at some point, most tanks are over skimmed anyway. You might be able to get by on the skimmer you have depending on your feeding and other husbandry routine.

The stand I built was to accompany the sump I already have so as far as adding a bigger one wouldn’t work. Another reason why I’m keeping it. I do have a 300w heater I was using for the old tank so I have that as a back up.

A skimmer upgrade I’m not worried about so much right now.. that’s something I can always upgrade down the line if need be.

 

[Sobo's Reef]

You could go with Apex WAV’s and use the savings on an upgraded skimmer and/or 48” hybrid.

Never thought about the WAV pumps. I hear good things about them but I’m so used to not having wires in my tank lol

 

[Scurvy]

Never thought about the WAV pumps. I hear good things about them but I’m so used to not having wires in my tank lol

I hear ya. Mounted on the back glass though you likely wouldnt even notice. If you already had the MP-40's then it makes total sense.

I recently debated the same for my 110 and went the WAV route. Very happy with them.

 

[Sobo's Reef]

I hear ya. Mounted on the back glass though you likely wouldnt even notice. If you already had the MP-40's then it makes total sense.

I recently debated the same for my 110 and went the WAV route. Very happy with them.

Yeah i had both mp40s in my old tank so it’s what I’m used to.. if I found a good deal on the Wav’s then I’d consider but I’m not going out of my way for them ya know?

 

[acro-ed]

I didn’t even think of upgrading the primes.. something to consider. The one thing I was thinking of was the skimmer. BRS states the SK181 is rated as follows
Heavy bioload - 70 gallons
Medium bioload - 90 gallons
Light bioload - 120 gallons

I do plan on having a decent stock list so maybe this will be something I upgrade down the line somewhere.

I think long term you may want to upgrade the skimmer, but it should also work for quite awhile as you get the tank going. I had this same skimmer on a 60g cube and it was WAY overkill. I think it is undersized for a 120g, but it may very well get you through the first 6-12 months.

 

[cedwards04]

I dont think the primes will be near enough light for the tank. Im putting together a similar build (48x24x20 100g). I will be using 3 hydra26hd's turned front to back, and will likely add a fourth once things start growing out. For a softie tank and most lps, you might be ok.