Seamonster’s 120 gallon build thread

seamonster · Aug 2, 2018

Hi guys! I hope everyone and their oceans in a box are doing well! This is my first build thread. I am starting over after a system crash so now is the perfect time to keep me motivated and to show you what ive done so far...

Diesel · Aug 2, 2018

Ain’t looking bad my friend.
Tell us a bit more about this system!

NY_Caveman · Aug 2, 2018

Nice! That is a very cool, interesting aquascape.

SPR1968 · Aug 3, 2018

Looks very nice so far and I like the aquascaping and the arch

seamonster · Aug 4, 2018

Diesel said:
Ain’t looking bad my friend.
Tell us a bit more about this system!

Thanks! Well this tank is actually going on 5 years old. After dealing with phosphate issues, algae problems, heater issues i came to a general conclusion. My mistake is that i started out mostly with dry rock. I had live rock from a previous, smaller system and i was prepared to get more live rock for this one. I had barely even heard of starting a system with dead, dry rock but it is way cheaper and there are no pests. Also at that time i had less money to start with so i had to go the cheapest route. So i used old sand and new live sand plus the dry and live rock. Since then i have had weird stuff go on that i had never experienced with an all live rock system. Weird stuff is finally winding down....I think after all the crap ive been through this system is finally coming around. Stay tuned! [emoji41][emoji106]

seamonster · Aug 4, 2018

seamonster said:
Thanks! Well this tank is actually going on 5 years old. After dealing with phosphate issues, algae problems, heater issues i came to a general conclusion. My mistake is that i started out mostly with dry rock. I had live rock from a previous, smaller system and i was prepared to get more live rock for this one. I had barely even heard of starting a system with dead, dry rock but it is way cheaper and there are no pests. Also at that time i had less money to start with so i had to go the cheapest route. So i used old sand and new live sand plus the dry and live rock. Since then i have had weird stuff go on that i had never experienced with an all live rock system. Weird stuff is finally winding down....I think after all the crap ive been through this system is finally coming around. Stay tuned! [emoji41][emoji106]

Oh...and a cheap, underpowered heater. I thought that since i live in so cal, that wouldnt be a problem...heater ****** up finslly and wiped out a powder blue tang that i had for over 3 years, among my other fish and acros. Heater wouldnt turn off and water was hot! Most of my corals bleached out! Never again!! Today i have a titanium heater that is rated for 200 gallons ( i think) that is way overpriced! Lol!

Djhype97 · Aug 4, 2018

Good looking tank! What kind of lighting are you running?

Flippers4pups · Aug 4, 2018

seamonster said:
Oh...and a cheap, underpowered heater. I thought that since i live in so cal, that wouldnt be a problem...heater ****** up finslly and wiped out a powder blue tang that i had for over 3 years, among my other fish and acros. Heater wouldnt turn off and water was hot! Most of my corals bleached out! Never again!! Today i have a titanium heater that is rated for 200 gallons ( i think) that is way overpriced! Lol!

Nice tank! Heaters, oh yes...... I'm not a reef controller user, but I do think that using a heater controller is one tool that all reefers should use.

After years of not having one, alot of research and limited funds, I decided on a Inkbird itc 308. It's very reliable, accurate once calibrated and relatively cheap, around $30. Heaters failing are a real potential problem, as you already know.

hdsoftail1065 · Aug 4, 2018

Nice tank! Trying to avoid the bad heater issues and went with the inkbird 308 after reading recommendations on R2R. Nothing like a little piece of mind on the heater.

seamonster · Aug 5, 2018

Djhype97 said:
Good looking tank! What kind of lighting are you running?

6-bulb T-5 fixture...thats it! Thanks!

seamonster · Aug 5, 2018

Flippers4pups said:
Nice tank! Heaters, oh yes...... I'm not a reef controller user, but I do think that using a heater controller is one tool that all reefers should use.

After years of not having one, alot of research and limited funds, I decided on a Inkbird itc 308. It's very reliable, accurate once calibrated and relatively cheap, around $30. Heaters failing are a real potential problem, as you already know.

Ya they are.. im considering getting a controller too so it doesnt happen again.. ive been reefing for 15 years or do and a heater failure has never happened until 2 years ago... I’m constantly looking to see if the geater is on in this hot weather.. its set at 78 so it hasnt turned on at all for a couple of months...

seamonster · Aug 5, 2018

SPR1968 said:
Looks very nice so far and I like the aquascaping and the arch

Ya i plan on putting a variety of zooanthids on that arch! I think itll be pretty cool..thats real tonga branch rock btw..had that peice for 15 years or so!!