Eric's 120 Mixed reef build

[EricTMah]

So I've been working on this project since Oct 2013. I didn't want to start a thread until I had some decent progress.

A little background. I currently have a 65gal mixed reef with a 35gal sump/refugium.

Sorry for the blurry pic taken from my phone. But here's my tank now


The new system will be a 48"X24"X24" 120gal with a 90gal DIY sump/refugium. The sump is located in my laundry room directly behind the tank.
Other equipment:
Mag drive 9.5 return pump
SWC Skimmer
2X Ehiem Jagger 300w heaters
Vortech mp40
2X Korillia 1050gph power heads
2X Maxspect Razor 120w 10k LED's

Some other things I've been working on for the tank are a DIY reef wall and DIY cement rocks and rock structures.

Here are the rock molds I made out of paper mache and styrofoam to form distinct structures out of cement:






DIY Rocks










DIY Reef wall

 

[EricTMah]

Sump/Plumbing/Placement










I had a friend help me lay down a patch of ceramic tiles for where the tank will sit.

Currently I'm in the process of filling the system with RO water. Hopefully I can start the cycle by the end of this week and possibly begin the transfer from my old system to the new one within the next month or so.

Some special thanks to Aquariums By Design (The Aquariums by Design Store). I work for this company heading up their service department. I have to say a special thanks to my boss/owner, Stace Bleich. He helped me a lot in getting products in I needed in a timely manor and also extending such a great price for all items purchased.
Also have to thank three of my good friends, Kevin, Brent and Mike. Brent has helped a lot in terms of getting all my plumbing needs and his expertise has been very valuable. Mike has helped with the flooring and also was an excellent help when bouncing ideas back and forth. Last but not least, Kevin. Has been a friend of mine for over two decades and we both share the passion for this hobby. He's been a great help with ideas, being able to have another hobbyist to discuss ideas and plans with. Two sets of eyes are always better than one. Also he was the one who had to help me move tanks and sumps.

I'll keep this updated as progress moves along.

Thanks for looking
Eric

 

[EricTMah]

Update
Reef wall floats like crazy. Had to drain the system today and silicone it in place. Now I'm delayed another week while silicone cures.

 

[EricTMah]

Updates:

I had to drain the tank and silicone the reef wall to the bottom of the tank. It floated no matter what I did. So 4 tubs of silicone later... It's not moving!

 

[EricTMah]

I also picked up a 3000K Par38 bulb at Home Depot for the refugium.





I also made a couple of boxes out of egg crate to hold my macro algae's in the fuge. I hated how this stuff floated around and made a mess in my old system.

 

[EricTMah]

I also picked up a pair of Orange Skunk Clowns to start the cycle. I've always liked these clowns and they should be fine when I move my percula pair over.

 

[EricTMah]

I'm so excited to move my stuff over to the new system. But, it's so bitter sweet because I love the way my tank is now in my 65gal. But I'm sure I'll get over it once I start moving things.