120 mixed reef tank swap

[Arricefe]

So I decided to stop just lurking around and actually participate. I'll use this thread as the "build" thread for my current tank. It's a 120 gallon 4x2x2 tank that I just setup and swapped from a 125 6 foot tank. This will be a "reverse" thread, where it is now and the how I got here with progresss pics along the way.

 

[geddavis]

cool
I'll be watching this one

 

[SPR1968]

That looks very nice

And welcome to R2R as well by the way, it’s great to have you with us!

 

[Jeight]

Welcome to R2R!!

 

[Arricefe]

I stumbled into reef aquariums almost by accident: first a fresh water tank, then a 55 gallon salt water fish only tank, then a 75 gallon, then a 90 with fish and softies, then a 125 fish, softies and LPS. I bought some fish from someone breaking their tank down and she gave a piece of monti cap. I didnt want it at first, I was sure I was going to kill the poor thing but she said she would have to throw it away if nobody took it. So for me reef tanks started with a 125 I bought from Craigslist, they were moving and didn't want to take it with them; I had tank with fish, softies, LPS and now an SPS frag.

 

[DSC reef]

Very nice and welcome @FelixA

 

[Arricefe]

I use Facebook strictly for the groups in one of the local groups someone was selling their entire setup: 120 gallon tank, custom stand, all the livestock, rock, sump, lights, skimmer, pumps, RO/DI, test kits and what caught my eye a 2016 Neptune Apex. I had been thinking about getting an Apex so I gave him what he was asking with the thought of parting it out and keeping the Apex. I had no problem selling the livestock but I had the hardest time selling the tank so I decided to keep it.

 

[Arricefe]

I rebuilt the stand because it was very poorly built, it was not square and it wasn't sealed.

 

[Arricefe]

After deciding to keep the tank I knew I wanted to put in the same place where my 125 was currently sitting so I had some work to do. I drained some water and placed all the livestock in to some totes then drained more water into some barrels I have, I moved the tank to a temp spot and put everything back. I put the 120 where I wanted it to be, I bought some new sand and put it in the tank, I also put some dry rock that I had and for the next couple of months I added the "old" water from my water changes and cycled the tank.

 

[Arricefe]

Today starts the 3rd month of my tank swap. It’s looking good so far the new rock I add is going through an ugly stage but hopefully it will start looking better soon.

 

[Arricefe]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/let-it-flow-let-it-flow-let-it-flow-tunze-giveaway.665694/

 

[Arricefe]

 

[AptasiaLover3000]

You have a nice tank

 

[Arricefe]

FTS I've learned a lot with this tank but I’m about to embark on an upgrade to a 180. I’m going to go a little more SPS with but still mixed reef.