Josm's "I want stability" 125g Build

[Josm315]

I never really had issues with my 1.5g pico jar the last few years, but my 20g long nano has always been driving me crazy over stability. Especially when the Acro bug bit me, I've lost a lot just trying to get a nano to work long-term with them. Devastation over things like temperature swings pushed me to ATO, alkalinity to an automatic doser, temperature to a controller. But I've been slowly building over-kill equipment to gain the extra stability I needed: volume.

My wife and I had a recent boost in finances, so this weekend I finally picked up a 125g (72"x 18"x 21"). The original plans were to get something custom built 36" x 24" x 24", but the 125g grew on me and was readily available at the local LFS.

Next step is to drill the overflow and return holes and paint the back of the tank.

I'm quickly filling in some gaps in equipment, plumbing, and stock-list ideas, but any suggestions or feedback is appreciated.

The plan is to go with a SPS dominant tank with a bare-bottom. The idea of it being easy to clean has me hooked, but my wife hates the idea of going sand-less so I may give in my resolve before I'm cycled.

Pre-build purchased equipment:
2x MP10ES --> Upgraded to QuietDrive Controllers
MP40WQD (Thank you R2R Partner Membership Giveaway!)
2x 150W Eheim Jagers
Jaebo Automatic Dosing Pump
Neptune Apex Controller
Autoaqua Smart ATO
DC-9000 Jebao DC Return Pump (Is this going to be enough?)
Bubble Magus Curve 5 Skimmer (May need something bigger)
ATI 36" x8 bulb Dimmable Sunpower (Going to need to get something longer...)

Purchased and in transit:
70lbs Pukani rock from BRS
16" 1500GPH Synergy Overflow

Planned purchases:
Trigger Systems Emerald 34 Sump
ATI 60" x6 bulb Sunpower
1" Schedule 40 Plumbing for beananimal overflow and split return.

Desired fish stock:
Kole Tang
Yellow Tang
Solon Fairy Wrasse
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse
A couple of Ocellaris clowns
Falco Hawkfish (From 20g long)
Lawnmower Blenny (From 20g long)
(Looking for more compatible wrasse choices that can do without a sand bed)

 

[Tahoe61]

Sounds fantastic, looks like a wonderful tank. I hope you find it more easily managed than a nano.

 

[Josm315]

Sounds fantastic, looks like a wonderful tank. I hope you find it more easily managed than a nano.

Thanks! I'm really excited to actually have a sump and skimmer. The equipment options for a sumpless 20g just had too many sacrifices on space.

 

[Josm315]

Played with the rock last month and ended up settling on this. I took a hacksaw to the bottoms so that it sits evenly on the glass.

Drilled the tank and painted the back a couple of weeks ago.
Received my Trigger Emerald 34 sump 10/31. Lined the bottom of the cabinet with pond liner and added some thick industrial rubber mat for vibration dampening. Finished plumbing the beananimal overflow just now. I'll probably try and finish the return plumbing tomorrow morning and tap water leak test not long after. I broke down and ordered the Reef Octopus Regal 200SSS, and it should be in after a week or two. It will be a tight fit in the skimmer department, but should serve my skimming needs several times over. Pretty exciting, getting closer!

As always, thoughts or tips are appreciated!

 

[Josm315]

Finished plumbing this afternoon and ran it through the a quick leak test. Main bulkheads were leaking pretty bad. I put the 2nd pair of gaskets on the inside of the outside box instead of between the outside box and glass. I may have also over-tightened them. Drained some of the water and reset them and will try again tomorrow to see how they fair. Pictures of finished plumbing sometime tomorrow maybe.

 

[Josm315]

Was able to solve my overflow leak problem with changing the way the gaskets were placed. Ran into another issue where the main drain was not draining at all. Turns out the drain to the sump was too deep under water. Cutting them closer to 1-2" under the surface fixed the issue.

At this point I'm just running the system to make sure there aren't any additional leaks while I plan my next steps leading up to stocking. So far, no leaks on my pvc welds.

To help me get my thoughts straight, here's what's next:
1. Drain the tap water from the tank.
2. Replace the standard outlet with a GFCI outlet with a cover.
3. Touch up any chipped paint on the tank.
4. Push the tank against the wall.
5. Organize what electronics I can, including switching over the 20g long to the used Reefkeeper so I can use the Apex on the 125g.
6. Manage cables and build cabinet shelves for doser..
7. Start filling the tank with RODI/Saltwater.
8. Assemble the rock/aquascape
9. Start cycling the tank.
10. Add any remaining misc. equipment. (Skimmer/Reactors/etc)
11. Finish cycle
12. Make final lighting choices and add to tank.
13. Stocking / transfer.

I will need to finish setting up the 40g breeder propagation/quarantine system and try to get rid of any algae on existing stock in the 20g long during this process.

 

[Bugsy_Barboza]

Im about to order the same overflow. I installed a glass holes overflow on last tank. How easy was it to install the synergy overflow. Any tips? How do you like the jebao pump?

 

[Josm315]

Im about to order the same overflow. I installed a glass holes overflow on last tank. How easy was it to install the synergy overflow. Any tips? How do you like the jebao pump?

I don't think you'll see too much difference between installing any other overflow. The ebay overflow I ordered for the quarantine/propagation system was similar in installation. The Synergy does come with a template to follow, which made it simpler. Just keep in mind, you'll get the best results if you're centered in the middle of the template. It does have a little bit of wiggle room in terms of how big the hole saw is vs. the size of the template hole.

I've had the Jebao pump sitting around for about a year now waiting for a new build. It didn't seem to want to start up the first time I plugged it in. Before jumping ship and ordering a new pump, it did start working. This is my first return pump, so I don't have much to compare it to. It works and was much cheaper than other alternatives, though.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Cool build! Following!

 

[Josm315]

Cool build! Following!

Thanks for following!

New skimmer came in! Man, does this thing make my tank volume feel inadequate!

Made sure the pump on the skimmer worked and started draining the water from the tank.

Not normally one for "selfies", but the rough day, booze, and topical t-shirt convinced me. (No focus on this one, but honestly I don't mind.)

 

[Josm315]

Sorry for the radio silence. Holidays keep you busy!

Bought a bigger RODI unit to keep up with my bigger demand for water.

Saltwater!

Fill
Feed
Wait
...
...
? ? ?
Cycle!

Took exactly a month even after seeding with some filter media from the 20g's HOB filter.

Popped the fish in Thursday. Lubbock wrasse still pretty shy and only ventures out of the center rock structure occasionally. Hung the lights Sunday.

Need to test water again soon. Not sure if I want to transfer any corals from the 20 yet or wait until I have the 40g QT/Frag system plumbed and running. If I don't wait, anything I move is getting dunked in bayer and peroxide.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Awesome build! I'm looking forward to more!

Sorry for the radio silence. Holidays keep you busy!

Bought a bigger RODI unit to keep up with my bigger demand for water.

Saltwater!

Fill
Feed
Wait
...
...
? ? ?
Cycle!

Took exactly a month even after seeding with some filter media from the 20g's HOB filter.

Popped the fish in Thursday. Lubbock wrasse still pretty shy and only ventures out of the center rock structure occasionally. Hung the lights Sunday.

Need to test water again soon. Not sure if I want to transfer any corals from the 20 yet or wait until I have the 40g QT/Frag system plumbed and running. If I don't wait, anything I move is getting dunked in bayer and peroxide.