120g - Watching it fill

Sweet Reef · 01-26-2006, 09:37 PM

Hello all..

I'm new here and basically this will be my first post in the forum except for a quick hello when I first signed up which Im sorry to say was quite awhile ago.

I am at this very moment filling my 120 with water again! This same tank was my own previous African Cichlid tank for the past 5 years. During a recent "honey lets redo the living room" It was decided to begin making the change from our loved FW to a SW tank. There was no deciding for us, a reef containing some hard and soft corals was the only way to go for us! We've been eyeing them for awhile now.

I decided to start with installing a closed loop system. After having the new holes drilled in the back of the tank, including the overflow I begain the plumbing work, adding valves and unions, praying along the way that they never have a leak. I added a Mag 18 pump to push the water through the 3 outlets (two high on the ends, and one low"er" middle). I also created my own ""custom"" return spray bar by routing a piece of pvc under my center support and t'ing it off as to provide flow from the front of the tank to the rear also. I went with another Mag 18 pump for this. In theory it looks good but it remins to be seen if it will do the job well.

I then purchased a 50g glass sump and a big-ol-skimmer along with some bag filters and installed that in the lower cabinet. I installed a 100gpd RO/DI system since its not like I wont be needing water and really dont want to be running out and buying everytime I need it anyways. I was also lucky enough to run across some very cheap established live rock and picked up 18lbs of it and have a 50lb box of uncultured due to arrive tomorrow. Concerning lights, Im still shopping around. Im positivly going with the MH though. My current canopy will be needing some modifications though. So that part is still in the works.

Now mind you this is my first SW tank and all this has been over the last three weeks, and its been a lot of work (after work and kids homework) every night to get to this point. Tonight I dumped in 4 bags of Carib sand and turned on the water at 2:35pm, Its now 8pm and there is a solid 6-7" of water in the tank and I just put the heater in.

I will try and add some pictures of my set up as soon as I can. I plan on sticking around and hopefully getting some time to sit and chat (learn) from/with you in the near future. I really have enjoyed this site and must say it has been a great source of information for me during all this and before even starting.

Feel free to make any comments or suggestions..
(Im so excited!!...funny how just water can do that to ya!)

Barcochris · 01-26-2006, 09:54 PM

Awesome!!!! That was the best feeling for me, I loved putting water in my tank.

Witfull · 01-26-2006, 10:36 PM

nothing like the first time~ i predict hours of staring in your future....wait till you get some live rock...get the red flashlight ready~

KimPossible · 01-26-2006, 10:41 PM

Fantastic Sweet Reef!
Looking forward to your progress

Yarr · 01-27-2006, 09:35 AM

You're doomed to be poor forever now! its great fun though

You will laugh and cry and cheer and weep.

It is all worth it though

blue_eyes53813 · 01-27-2006, 10:43 AM

How exciting,,,, Next you will be thinking of a bigger tank

Its like an addiction, woman and jewelry, men and cars,,,,,, Us and reefs.. Craziness, Best wishes for you and your new tank.

Woodstock · 01-27-2006, 11:12 AM

Way to go!!! Congrats on switching to a marine aquarium! You will not be sorry

....tell me you're filling it with ro/di water....

Dragon Wrasse · 01-27-2006, 11:12 AM

I remember when I set my tank up, me and my wife pulled an all nighter....buckets and tubes everywhere....mixing salt and arranging rock until the sun came up....WOW, what a night. Your set up sounds like its going to be cool, welcome back to the Reef.

Icebox · 01-27-2006, 11:50 AM

That is awesome. Man how slow it fills. It is always one of those things you want done yesterday.

Hey Welcome aboard.

Lets celebrate!!!

Sweet Reef · 01-27-2006, 11:13 PM

WOW!

Thanks everyone!...IM SO EXCITED....(to hurry up and wait...lol)

I Still have 5" to go to the overflow! Im happy to report the closed system is up and running smoothly with only having to plug it in! (yea!)

The new developments tonight have been the addition of the 50lbs of uncured Fiji live rock that I ordered! I was amazed to say the least. Most every piece was a good size and good looking and crawling with life. Sure wish I could see it (and not milk) in my tank though.

I actually enjoy this part of the set up process as well as the clear water times (okay..maybe not as much), building my own world, adding micro life so it can grow bigger life until hopefully a perfect balace is achieved and running smoothly. Its then you begin to appreciate it the most I think. Granted after a cool $1k+ upgrades to get us to this point I should appreciate it now but honestly none of that will matter when Im eating dinner and am able to stare at my reef.

I will work on getting some pics soon (not like its a big deal but you can atleast get a idea of what I have going)

jetaero · 01-28-2006, 02:15 AM

Sounds good. where are the pics?

-Josh-

Yarr · 01-28-2006, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Reef

Hello all..

.....I installed a 100gpd RO/DI system since its not like I wont be needing water and really dont want to be running out and buying everytime I need it anyways.....

Doni. it was in his inital post. as he has it i assume that the is using it

Sweet Reef · 01-28-2006, 11:58 AM

I just added the pictures to the forum last night. There on the front page still.

RO/DI?....sure am filling with it and almost done!

Latest news...blew up my new heater in the sump..so thats going back, had a interesting smell to it though...lol. Other than that all systems are running fine!

Water level is...(12:56pm)

Tank: full
Sump:1/3

Yarr · 01-29-2006, 09:34 AM

U can link the pictures that you uploaded to this thread so everyone can see them here

Sweet Reef · 01-29-2006, 06:20 PM

Sry about that..I had them right in my gallery.

My tank...

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/photopo...php?photo=7256

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/photopo...php/photo/7258

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/photopo...php/photo/7258

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/photopo.../7255/size/big

Everything is up and running great. Although I did have to make a small mod to the spraybar since it was trapping the surface water on the one side of the tank (duh) and I had to do some slight "tuning" work to the OF due to the water crashingby raising the inlet, problem is 75% better now.
I picked up another 100 lbs of live rock today at the LFS to go with the 50 I had. A layout was done and then a team effort to add it to the tank. Im waiting for it to clear so I can see to adjust. I think we have some great pieces!

01-26-2006, 09:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sweet Reef Fire Coral Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 77 View Gallery Karma Komment	120g - Watching it fill Hello all.. I'm new here and basically this will be my first post in the forum except for a quick hello when I first signed up which Im sorry to say was quite awhile ago. I am at this very moment filling my 120 with water again! This same tank was my own previous African Cichlid tank for the past 5 years. During a recent "honey lets redo the living room" It was decided to begin making the change from our loved FW to a SW tank. There was no deciding for us, a reef containing some hard and soft corals was the only way to go for us! We've been eyeing them for awhile now. I decided to start with installing a closed loop system. After having the new holes drilled in the back of the tank, including the overflow I begain the plumbing work, adding valves and unions, praying along the way that they never have a leak. I added a Mag 18 pump to push the water through the 3 outlets (two high on the ends, and one low"er" middle). I also created my own ""custom"" return spray bar by routing a piece of pvc under my center support and t'ing it off as to provide flow from the front of the tank to the rear also. I went with another Mag 18 pump for this. In theory it looks good but it remins to be seen if it will do the job well. I then purchased a 50g glass sump and a big-ol-skimmer along with some bag filters and installed that in the lower cabinet. I installed a 100gpd RO/DI system since its not like I wont be needing water and really dont want to be running out and buying everytime I need it anyways. I was also lucky enough to run across some very cheap established live rock and picked up 18lbs of it and have a 50lb box of uncultured due to arrive tomorrow. Concerning lights, Im still shopping around. Im positivly going with the MH though. My current canopy will be needing some modifications though. So that part is still in the works. Now mind you this is my first SW tank and all this has been over the last three weeks, and its been a lot of work (after work and kids homework) every night to get to this point. Tonight I dumped in 4 bags of Carib sand and turned on the water at 2:35pm, Its now 8pm and there is a solid 6-7" of water in the tank and I just put the heater in. I will try and add some pictures of my set up as soon as I can. I plan on sticking around and hopefully getting some time to sit and chat (learn) from/with you in the near future. I really have enjoyed this site and must say it has been a great source of information for me during all this and before even starting. Feel free to make any comments or suggestions.. (Im so excited!!...funny how just water can do that to ya!)

01-26-2006, 09:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
Barcochris Cabbage Leather Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 367 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 120g - Watching it fill Awesome!!!! That was the best feeling for me, I loved putting water in my tank.

01-26-2006, 10:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
KimPossible Golden Moray Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 2,549 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 120g - Watching it fill Fantastic Sweet Reef! Looking forward to your progress __________________ Kim ~My environment is a product of myself~

01-27-2006, 09:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
Yarr Neon dottyback Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Afghanistan Posts: 605 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 120g - Watching it fill You're doomed to be poor forever now! its great fun though You will laugh and cry and cheer and weep. It is all worth it though __________________ updating

01-27-2006, 10:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 7,241 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 120g - Watching it fill How exciting,,,, Next you will be thinking of a bigger tank Its like an addiction, woman and jewelry, men and cars,,,,,, Us and reefs.. Craziness, Best wishes for you and your new tank. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

01-27-2006, 11:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 24,164 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: 120g - Watching it fill Way to go!!! Congrats on switching to a marine aquarium! You will not be sorry ....tell me you're filling it with ro/di water.... __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

01-27-2006, 11:12 AM	#8 (permalink)
Dragon Wrasse Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 991 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 120g - Watching it fill I remember when I set my tank up, me and my wife pulled an all nighter....buckets and tubes everywhere....mixing salt and arranging rock until the sun came up....WOW, what a night. Your set up sounds like its going to be cool, welcome back to the Reef. __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* "A wise man learns more from a foolish question, then a fool learns from a wise answer" - Bruce Lee _____________________________ 75 gal SeaClear II Reef Tank (softy tank) - Coralife 125 Super Skimmer - Little Giant 2-MDQX-SC - Angstrom 2537 UV 15W - HOB Refugium - Eheim Pro 2228 - Red Sea Wave Maker w/Maxi-Jet 600 (X4) - 100 lbs Live Sand (DSB) - 100 lbs Live Rock - 260W PC lighting - 470nm lunar lights (X15) - AquaController II Custom 75 gal Starphire glass tank (SPS/LPS tank) - Custom 24 gal Refugium - Tuzne Wave box - JBJ Chiller - 390W PC lighting - 175W MH (X2) - Knop Cal. Reactor - AquaController 3 Pro - Aqua C Skimmer - Phosban Reactor - 18W Turbo-twist UV sterilizer - Sump - Sony Computer 5 gal Nano Hospital Tank - Eheim 2213 - Red Sea Prizm Skimmer - Live sand - Live Rock - Built in Refugium - 36W PC lighting

01-27-2006, 11:50 AM	#9 (permalink)
Icebox Torch coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Creston, NC Posts: 528 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 120g - Watching it fill That is awesome. Man how slow it fills. It is always one of those things you want done yesterday. Hey Welcome aboard. Lets celebrate!!! __________________ Mike

01-27-2006, 11:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
Sweet Reef Fire Coral Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 77 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 120g - Watching it fill WOW! Thanks everyone!...IM SO EXCITED....(to hurry up and wait...lol) I Still have 5" to go to the overflow! Im happy to report the closed system is up and running smoothly with only having to plug it in! (yea!) The new developments tonight have been the addition of the 50lbs of uncured Fiji live rock that I ordered! I was amazed to say the least. Most every piece was a good size and good looking and crawling with life. Sure wish I could see it (and not milk) in my tank though. I actually enjoy this part of the set up process as well as the clear water times (okay..maybe not as much), building my own world, adding micro life so it can grow bigger life until hopefully a perfect balace is achieved and running smoothly. Its then you begin to appreciate it the most I think. Granted after a cool $1k+ upgrades to get us to this point I should appreciate it now but honestly none of that will matter when Im eating dinner and am able to stare at my reef. I will work on getting some pics soon (not like its a big deal but you can atleast get a idea of what I have going)

01-28-2006, 02:15 AM	#11 (permalink)
jetaero Bryozoan Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 56 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 120g - Watching it fill Sounds good. where are the pics? -Josh- __________________ -Josh- Membership Chair / Web-Master of the: Puget Sound Aquarium Society ------------------- \| The Marine Reef \| -------------------

01-28-2006, 11:58 AM	#13 (permalink)
Sweet Reef Fire Coral Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 77 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 120g - Watching it fill I just added the pictures to the forum last night. There on the front page still. RO/DI?....sure am filling with it and almost done! Latest news...blew up my new heater in the sump..so thats going back, had a interesting smell to it though...lol. Other than that all systems are running fine! Water level is...(12:56pm) Tank: full Sump:1/3 Last edited by Sweet Reef : 01-28-2006 at 02:00 PM.

01-29-2006, 09:34 AM	#14 (permalink)
Yarr Neon dottyback Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Afghanistan Posts: 605 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 120g - Watching it fill U can link the pictures that you uploaded to this thread so everyone can see them here __________________ updating

01-29-2006, 06:20 PM	#15 (permalink)
Sweet Reef Fire Coral Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 77 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: 120g - Watching it fill Sry about that..I had them right in my gallery. My tank... http://www.reefsanctuary.com/photopo...php?photo=7256 http://www.reefsanctuary.com/photopo...php/photo/7258 http://www.reefsanctuary.com/photopo...php/photo/7258 http://www.reefsanctuary.com/photopo.../7255/size/big Everything is up and running great. Although I did have to make a small mod to the spraybar since it was trapping the surface water on the one side of the tank (duh) and I had to do some slight "tuning" work to the OF due to the water crashingby raising the inlet, problem is 75% better now. I picked up another 100 lbs of live rock today at the LFS to go with the 50 I had. A layout was done and then a team effort to add it to the tank. Im waiting for it to clear so I can see to adjust. I think we have some great pieces!

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