120G Reef from scratch - 48x24x24 - basement sump - 175g total volume

[Fishable]

Looking good. You will love the basement sump. Hides all the mess, noise, and spills.

Yep! My biggest concern was our wood floors in the new house, I'd be fishless if I damaged those by spilling a bucket of water. I did manage to minimize the floor holes to a single board so if I do ever get rid of the tank I'll just have to swap a single floor board.

 

[Fishable]

Changed the plumbing diagram to include a hookup under the tank for a handheld gravel siphon, no buckets!

Installed the bulkhead in the holding tanks and the float valve for the RO/DI water. Filled about 20 gallons in 10 hours which is about what I expected given temp and slightly less than ideal water pressure.

 

[Fishable]

Anyone have any suggestions for an external pump for my mixing setup? I will be running it full time to keep the saltwater moving so a lower wattage pump with about 4 feet of head would be great! most i've found are submerged use only or are way over sized.

 

[Luno]

Have a look at the jebao DC pumps may fit the description and lighter on the wallet

 

[Fishable]

I actually got the jebao dct-15000 Already for the return pump, but I've heard mixed reviews about them being only submersible, not external pumps, so I'm not sure yet if it would be good for the mixing station. I'm leaning towards yes but I'll probably look into it a little more. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Fishable]

I think updates will be limited until I pick up my old 55g tank for the sump over christmas. Still working on some of the plumbing downstairs but i'll post pictures once i'm finished.

 

[Fishable]

Just snagged an ASM G4X protein skimmer for $60 from a local seller. This thing is huge! Should handle the bioload nicely as I believe it's rated for 400 gallons.

 

[carpetlayer719]

Oh yeah I run a asm g1x on my 120 system and it does a great job

 

[Flippers4pups]

Coming along nicely! I love my basement sump! You will too!

 

[Fishable]

Oh yeah I run a asm g1x on my 120 system and it does a great job

Yeah, i love this skimmer. So simple, plenty of replacement parts available. I'll probably lube up the ceramic shaft since i think the speed is a little restricted right now due to rubbing on the bushings, it seems like it has a tendency to seize from a cold start right now but runs fine once its going. worst case scenario I get a whole new impeller for $50 and still have a crazy cheap skimmer.

 

[Fishable]

Been reading a bunch of build threads to get myself prepared to start cycling once I finish the build in the next few weeks. It blows me away with how many times I read the story: Bought big tank, filled with multiple grand of fish right away, tank crash, just to repeat the cycle again. It's sobering and really helps me focus on how slow this whole process really should be taken. They even know better but still push everything to the max. That said i'm looking forward to just having water and rock in the tank soon, nothing is more sad than an empty tank.....except maybe petco tanks

 

[Fishable]

Bad news, I guess I got rid of the 55 gallon I was expecting to pick up over Christmas. So I'll need to look for a used one or splurge on a new one. I did still have the stand which is nice. Also found a few new fish stores in my hometown area which is always good to see.

 

[revhtree]

You'll feel better about a new one anyway!

 

[Fishable]

Bad news round 2, my old rock was thrown away I guess so I only have like 15lbs total instead of 200+lbs. I'll add more as I'm cycling

Good news, gravel is rinsed and in and 55 gallon sump stand is ready. Also received my wavemaker today and Installed the covered Gfci outlet. Slowly getting there

 

[Quartapound]

Following! I've got a 48x24x24 on the way as well, upgrading from my 45g cube.... I have a basement sump as well. interested in seeing yours progress... I'll start a new tank thread when it's delivered.

Good luck!

 

[Fishable]

Following! I've got a 48x24x24 on the way as well, upgrading from my 45g cube.... I have a basement sump as well. interested in seeing yours progress... I'll start a new tank thread when it's delivered.

Good luck!

Give me a heads up when you start your thread, I'd love to follow it. We can be 120 buddies haha

 

[Fishable]

Updates!

Found a great deal on a new topfin 55 kit, $110 incl tax from petsmart after 40% special and 15% off online purchase/pickup in store. I'm super impressed with the quality of the seams, much better than the all glass/Aqueon 55 tank I bought like 10 years ago.

I also received the jebao 36W inline UV filter and heaters to go with the temp controller I got last week. I went with 2 500w finnex titanium heaters and they seem to be really good quality, this was one part I wasn't going to even think about cheaping out on. Probably get to building the baffles this weekend if i can find a local place that sells 1/4" glass. Pics below

 

[Fishable]

Just a quick update since its been awhile. everything is setup and the tank is cycling. Very happy with the mixing station, saves so much work. it did take 3 days to build up enough RO/DI water to get the tank and sump filled. Leak tests went great, no issues. Things seem to be going pretty good for total of a month and a half in the project. I'll post some pics soon.

 

[Quartapound]

Give me a heads up when you start your thread, I'd love to follow it. We can be 120 buddies haha

I've got my thread going! I think it's time for an update on your tank too!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/quartas-120g-reef-tank.372900/

 

[Fishable]

I went AWOL for a bit but I have some pics!

Cycling took a loooong time, about 2 months, i found that i wasn't watching the nitrites close enough and they went sky high during the ammonia dosing. This stalled the cycle but a 90% WC fixed things. This gave me some time to QT the first stock: 2 clowns, firefish, cleaner shrimp. They have adapted well to the tank and i have my second stocking in the QT (yellow tang and royal gramma), should be in by this weekend!