Here we go, 125 budget build!

[IvanL]

After 2 years with a 32 gallons Biocube then few more with 90 gallon, finally upgrading to something that can support more corals and more fish. Keeping it simple and fun. Tank will be going in the wall which will be the background to a basement bar. The tank will be fully accessible from my basement workshop.

To start, I picked up a new 125 gallon TopFin from someone who never got it up and running. They bought it and never got around it for 3 months, allowing me to take it off their hands for $150.

Drilled the glass today and setup the Fiji Cube Overflow.

 

[MDAquatics]

looks good! Can't wait to see the rest!

 

[Devaji]

great score!
i do miss how light those type of tanks are compared to the 3/4" glass alot of have to haul around.

I had a 125 once you will enjoy the length so will your fish!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Best of luck with the build!

 

[Asm481]

Not sure if your stand will hold up! That tank will hold more water with the open side up! Yes I am jealous!

 

[IvanL]

Slowly building out the cutout in the wall for placement and building the stand. Pictures to come as soon as I can clear out some of the wall destruction.

 

[IvanL]

great score!
i do miss how light those type of tanks are compared to the 3/4" glass alot of have to haul around.

I had a 125 once you will enjoy the length so will your fish!

Yeah much easier. I have been just moving this one by sliding it around from one folding table to another lol.

 

[ChuzUThisDay]

Any updates?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Curious about updates as well!

 

[IvanL]

Sand came in. Had 2 Viparspectra lights, bought a third to have enough for even coverage. Waiting on rock which won’t come until next week. I’ll have some pictures of the stand build next week. Right now it’s just hole in the wall.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Sand came in. Had 2 Viparspectra lights, bought a third to have enough for even coverage. Waiting on rock which won’t come until next week. I’ll have some pictures of the stand build next week. Right now it’s just hole in the wall.

Following along! Looking forward to updates! 125's are such awesome dimensioned tanks! A 125 mixed reef is on my bucket list someday!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Sand came in. Had 2 Viparspectra lights, bought a third to have enough for even coverage. Waiting on rock which won’t come until next week. I’ll have some pictures of the stand build next week. Right now it’s just hole in the wall.

Glad to see the sand came in!

 

[IvanL]

Had to take a pause with work and kid’s sports schedule. Built a stand and ran a new electrical circuit from the panel. Did a test fit tonight. Hoping to finish up reinforcing the stand and drywall and trim work. Then finalize the placement of outlets. Idea is to build a bar in front of the tank, so tank will be the backdrop. Workshop will be shared as the maintenance fish room. Trying to figure out whether to paint the back or clean up the mess and allow for viewing pleasure from the shop area?

 

[IvanL]

Haven’t updated in a bit but it’s been a slow coming with a busy life of having few kids and one too many hobbies.

We have some perm plumbing and some temp plumbing for return. During this time I had 3 tangs go through QT and added them today as the first addition. Rest of the fish from the 90 will move over next few weeks slowly. Finally then the sump will be reused. Current sump is just a plastic tub.

Going to tidy up and lay out wiring for perm placement this week. Bar is slowly coming along too!

Sailfin, Powder Blue, and Blue Hippo have established their home as of today!

 

[IvanL]

Tank was cycled for a month as fish have been in QT and getting treated just in case. But all dry rock in display, 10lbs live rock in sump, one bottle of Dr Tim’s, lost count of sand. Fine live Fiji on bottom then little larger sand over the fine to keep away dust clouds and sand off coral.