onux20 April 4, 2009 Share April 4, 2009 I just picked up a 120 the other day and want some advice on how to set it up. Nothing is concrete so comment on anything as often as you like. The plan is to drill this tank for overflows and a closed loop. Overflows will be 2 X 1.5in in each corner. Plumbed to a 55gal sump via 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zygote2k April 4, 2009 Share April 4, 2009 Go skimmerless. Incorporate a large 'fuge in the sump and go with the loop. Don't be afraid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhcorals April 4, 2009 Share April 4, 2009 First off dont try and rush anything. When you go to buy something make sure its enough for your set up. If i were you i would go over sized on the skimmer, and really take your time picking out your lights. Its the really costly equipment you want to choose correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zygote2k April 4, 2009 Share April 4, 2009 First off dont try and rush anything. When you go to buy something make sure its enough for your set up. If i were you i would go over sized on the skimmer, and really take your time picking out your lights. Its the really costly equipment you want to choose correctly. Why go oversize on a skimmer? A bigger skimmer can't pull out more gunk than an appropriately sized skimmer. Skimmers don't need to be costly either. An ASM G2 will be sufficient for a 120 and it costs far less than Euro-reefs, Deltecs, etc. It also will outperform either of those. As far as lights go, get a MH/T5 combination and you'll be able to grow anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onux20 April 4, 2009 Author Share April 4, 2009 Why go oversize on a skimmer? A bigger skimmer can't pull out more gunk than an appropriately sized skimmer. Skimmers don't need to be costly either. An ASM G2 will be sufficient for a 120 and it costs far less than Euro-reefs, Deltecs, etc. It also will outperform either of those.As far as lights go, get a MH/T5 combination and you'll be able to grow anything. Zygote...its nice that you have moved from "skimmerless" to "appropriately sized"! Not rushing in to anything here. Just trying to get some opinions from the experts. Best case scenario is Sept/Oct ish. Lights: leaning toward the Outer Orbit 2X250 with 4 X54 T5's. But also considering 2 X 250 lumenarc stealth Skimmer: Leaning toward the SWC 250 or the ASM G-3 Thanks for looking and the comments. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite April 4, 2009 Share April 4, 2009 Good luck with this new project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coral Hind April 4, 2009 Share April 4, 2009 I recommend the G3. Mine has been a great skimmer and it would be sized right for your display and frag tank tied to a common sump. I got mine at fishnreef.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onyx April 4, 2009 Share April 4, 2009 Congrats on the new setup. Let the fun begin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhcorals April 4, 2009 Share April 4, 2009 Zygote...its nice that you have moved from "skimmerless" to "appropriately sized"! Not rushing in to anything here. Just trying to get some opinions from the experts. Best case scenario is Sept/Oct ish. Lights: leaning toward the Outer Orbit 2X250 with 4 X54 T5's. But also considering 2 X 250 lumenarc stealth Skimmer: Leaning toward the SWC 250 or the ASM G-3 Thanks for looking and the comments. Ron I am using the the current lighting system on the 265 Gal. It has 3 X 250 MH, 8 X 39 w T-5. The reason i say go over sized on the skimmer is if you ever want to go bigger you have what you need. I am running the Octopus ( SWC ) with the 3000 pump. It does a very nice job. I think what you are considering are good choices. That is just my opinion. I'm not a salty water expert but i have played as one on T.V. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onux20 April 22, 2009 Author Share April 22, 2009 Will this work? Better way to build? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onux20 May 25, 2009 Author Share May 25, 2009 I hope everyone is enjoying the day off. I have two questions. 1. Does anyone know the correct size drill bit I would need to drill two 1.5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveoutlaw May 25, 2009 Share May 25, 2009 Johnny at BRK has them. Plus he can give you all the advice you need about drilling it yourself. It's not hard to do, you just need to go slow. Go out and see John and his staff and they can help you out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefmontalvo May 25, 2009 Share May 25, 2009 I hope everyone is enjoying the day off. I have two questions. 1. Does anyone know the correct size drill bit I would need to drill two 1.5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onux20 May 25, 2009 Author Share May 25, 2009 Were do you plan to drill the tank as in were to do you plan to place the holes? I recently finished setting up a 120 in my house the tank has one corner over flow box. I plan to put one in each corner on the back panel. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onux20 May 25, 2009 Author Share May 25, 2009 Johnny at BRK has them. Plus he can give you all the advice you need about drilling it yourself. It's not hard to do, you just need to go slow. Go out and see John and his staff and they can help you out. that was my original plan, but as I was looking a the site the bit sizes dont seem to match the bulkheads...unless I am reading it wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onux20 June 6, 2009 Author Share June 6, 2009 Just drilled my 1.5in overflows!! WHOO HOOO... They are a little off line but I think they will work just fine! It was far easier than I expected. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoozilla June 6, 2009 Share June 6, 2009 Just drilled my 1.5in overflows!! WHOO HOOO... They are a little off line but I think they will work just fine! It was far easier than I expected. Ron Woots! Congratz! After the 1st or 2nd hole, you'll be itching to drill out more tanks. Pics please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onux20 August 11, 2009 Author Share August 11, 2009 As I get closer to the day I can begin putting up the 120. I have another question for WAMAS. Can I put the tank on a carpeted floor, shim it level, and feel comfortable the weight of the rock and water will be fine? Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onux20 August 11, 2009 Author Share August 11, 2009 Also I am looking to borrow a .75" or .5" and 2" drill bits for my planned sump and frag tank. Can anyone support that? Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoozilla August 11, 2009 Share August 11, 2009 As I get closer to the day I can begin putting up the 120. I have another question for WAMAS. Can I put the tank on a carpeted floor, shim it level, and feel comfortable the weight of the rock and water will be fine? Ron How thick is the carpeting and/or padding? If it's relatively thin and the subfloor is level, over time, the weight of the tank and water alone will naturally mat and level out the carpet it sits on. I've had a 120 reef set up on a carpeted living room with concrete subfloor for years with no stability issues. If the subfloor is level, shimming may not be necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onux20 August 12, 2009 Author Share August 12, 2009 (edited) How thick is the carpeting and/or padding? If it's relatively thin and the subfloor is level, over time, the weight of the tank and water alone will naturally mat and level out the carpet it sits on. I've had a 120 reef set up on a carpeted living room with concrete subfloor for years with no stability issues. If the subfloor is level, shimming may not be necessary. I am putting the tank in the basement but i am sure the floor aint level that woudl be too easy. I am most worried about the shims holding up. Can I swing by sometime? Ron Edited August 12, 2009 by onux20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoozilla August 12, 2009 Share August 12, 2009 Can I swing by sometime? Sure thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onux20 August 26, 2009 Author Share August 26, 2009 Something I did not think about until now... Can a standard 55 gal glass tank survive a 2" hole? I am using a Dart as a return pump and a glass 55 for the sump. Is this a recipe for disaster? I already have a 1.5" diamond bit, can I drill that then step it up to 2" for the input to the Dart? Will that half inch really matter? Opinions please. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khalid August 26, 2009 Share August 26, 2009 I drilled the bottom of my 40 breeder for a 2 inch bulk head and so far no problems but I haven't filled it up yet but definitely don't currently see any problems. Fingers crossed I guess. Something I did not think about until now... Can a standard 55 gal glass tank survive a 2" hole? I am using a Dart as a return pump and a glass 55 for the sump. Is this a recipe for disaster? I already have a 1.5" diamond bit, can I drill that then step it up to 2" for the input to the Dart? Will that half inch really matter? Opinions please. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onux20 August 27, 2009 Author Share August 27, 2009 Okay, I think I am going to do a 1.5" bulkhead and step it up to the 2" input for the Dart. Now I just need to drill the tank and buy the plumbing. Thanks again to everyone for the advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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