316Reef's 120 Gallon Build Thread

[316Reef]

Been running a 32 AIO for about 7 months (build thread here) after a 10+ year hiatus from reefing and came across a deal i couldn't pass up on a used 120 gallon right before new years.

Setup came with:
Standard dimension 120 gallon drilled with an external overflow
Custom built solid oak stand with electronics panel
Trigger Systems Emerald34 sump
Jeboa MDP-10000 Smart DC Pump
Lids for tank and 5 gallon glass tank that was used as an ATO Reservoir

Tank was torn down just days before i picked it up (pic from seller) so i am currently in the process of giving everything a good cleaning before moving it into place.

I currently have 2 AI Prime16HDs over my other tank so i will probably move those over and add at least 2 more or at least that is the plan. A friend of mine gave me 2 5 gallon buckets of old rock that i will be using along with some live rock to seed everything. Found a used Bubble Magnus Curve 7 protein skimmer in the marketplace here which should be arriving in the next week or so.

Stay tuned for the build progress

 

[JTP424]

That stand is dopeeee

 

[316Reef]

Little bit of progress this evening. The plywood top of the stand had some slight water damage and probably would've been ok but i opted to replace it for peace of mind. Put 2 coats of Kilz paint.

Got the stand moved into the house and boy is this thing solid, heavier than the tank.

Gave it a good cleaning and wiped it down with some furniture polish, cleaned up really nice.

There was a light mounted in the sump area however it had a rotating switch that would spark when you turned it on so i ordered some LED strip lighting and mounted it inside:

You can see there is some water damage where the sump previously sat, it appears to only affect maybe the top 2 layers of the ply so i may just leave it. I have a rubber mat that im going to cut down to place the sump on anyway.

Up next is getting the sump cleaned up and placed followed by the tank.

 

[Delightful Reefer]

That stand is epic, plus an external overflow, such a score!

 

[316Reef]

Not much progress this past week, just getting back from a cruise however i was able to get the sump cleaned up. Not totally clean but far better than it was, got it moved into the stand

Also, the Bubble Magnus Curve 7 i purchased from a fellow member arrived

Not sure what i'll get done this upcoming weekend as i have plans but with any luck i can start working on getting the tank cleaned up and onto the stand.

 

[316Reef]

Not as much progress as i was hoping for but progress nonetheless, cleaning time.

Focused on the external overflow to start. The overflow is a Synergy Reef v2 Shadow Overflow box. Downloaded the manual from their website to ensure i took everything apart properly.

Soaked everything overnight in a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water. Came out almost brand new.

Hoping to get the tank moved into the house and on the stand today however weather isn't cooperating at the moment. If the rain subsides this evening and i have help available will hopefully get it into position.

 

[316Reef]

The tank is officially in the house!

I ran out of vinegar so i just scraped off what would come off easily and vacuumed everything out until i get some more.

Would you recommend putting a foam or rubber mat between the tank and the plywood or set it directly on the plywood since it has the black bracing?

 

[316Reef]

Some progress for today

• 90% of the inside of the tank is clean, just need to focus on the return bulkheads.
• Overflow reinstalled.
• All of the plumbing has been cleaned and reinstalled.
• Skimmer put in place.
• I 3D printed some wire duct and installed it on the electrical panel to help organize some wiring.

Up next im going to order 2 power strips to power the electronics panel. Going with strips that have individual switches so i can turn any one item off if needed.

Once all of that is done just may be ready to start filling and cycling. Stay tuned..

 

[316Reef]

Not a whole lot to report since my last update, work has kept me busy and the cold weather has kept me less than motivated.

The wooden top surrounding the tank was a little worn due to what i can only assume to be water damage so i sanded it smooth and applied 2 fresh coats of polyurethane, looks brand new. Hoping to get some more aragonite this week and start rinsing so i can begin filling the tank to get the cycle going.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[316Reef]

Salt and Sand have arrived along with some replacement RODI filters.

I ordered a heater and the power strip for the electronics panel and they should arrive tomorrow.

Now for the "fun" of rinsing sand for the foreseeable future !

 

[316Reef]

Lots of progress this week. Spent countless hours rinsing 90lbs of aragonite.

Ordered 100ft of 1/4" water line so i didnt have to fill the tank one bucket at a time. Ran it from my RODI filter in garage to the tank but only ran it while i was home to prevent any accidental flooding but after about 3.5 days the tank is full. I also used about 5 gallons or so from my 32 AIO that i was doing a water change in. I know it's not much bacteria and not a whole lot for it to latch on to with no rock yet but figured it couldn't hurt.

Added 2 full bags of IO Reef Crystals salt and will start adjusting the salinity with the 3rd bag.

Kept getting an air sucking sound out of one of the drains which took me a while to get rid of. Ultimately had to close the valve about 1/8 of a turn before the noise went away. I still need to find the appropriate water height for the sump to minimize noise. I currently dont have any filter socks installed but i have been slowly raising the water height to reduce the distance the water has to drop. Also have to get the pump speed dialed in as the water height has been kinda low in the return section.

Got the power strip installed along with the heater, just need to tidy up the electrical panel.

I have 3, 5 gallon buckets full of dry rock im going to be rinsing this weekend and get in the tank. Once thats done I'll get the salinity and water levels dialed in and can hopefully start getting the cycle going.

 

[316Reef]

Not a whole lot to report. Got the salinity and water levels balanced. Im sure i'll have to adjust the water level when it comes time to turn the skimmer on but for now it's good.

I placed what i had as far as dry rock in the tank. Hoping to visit the LFS this weekend to pickup one or two pieces of live rock to help seed it. I ordered some PODs from Dinkins so that the population can start growing prior to moving the livestock from my 32 gallon.

 

[316Reef]

LET THERE BE LIGHT!

After much research on lighting i opted to go with a pair of Nicrew HyperReef 200 lights with controller. the 150s would've been plenty however for the small difference in price i can dial these back a bit.

Also, last weekend i didn't have much luck with live rock however i did get a deal on an 18" CaribeSea life rock arch that i couldn't pass up so that was added to the tank.

I also received my order of pods from Dinkins, those were added to the tank last night.

Have some playing around to do with the controller settings but here is a full tank shot with their built in program:

Electronics cabinet slowly getting cleaned up, will spend some time routing and zipping wires hopefully next weekend once my powerheads arrive.

 

[316Reef]

All systems appear to be go. Tested the water and everything is spot on. Took some time and got the light schedule dialed in.

As for the wave makers, looking for opinions. Currently i have them setup as master/slave in random flow mode 24/7 and they are mounted on opposite sides of the tank. Should i adjust the flow to be lower in the evening? I've seen mixed reviews on this and was looking for opinions. Positioning ideal?

Did a small, 5 gallon water change this morning as that was all the salt i had and then moved over all of the coral from my 32 gallon. Will move the 2 clowns and mandarin over the weekend.

 

[MegabiteOG]

Looking real nice! Good luck with the new tank as it progresses.

 

[316Reef]

Been a few weeks but everything has been running great. Had a small algae outbreak but hasn't been unmanageable. Acquired some new additions including a bicolor angel, sand sifting star and tiger conch. I also moved a few snails from my old 32 gallon in to help manage some of the algae.

Just to make sure the mandarin is well taken care of id added another 1/2 gallon of pods from Dinkins as well as added a clump of chaeto in the sump with a small light. I 3D printed a pod hotel that resides in the sump as well to hopefully keep a steady flow of pods in the tank. When i ordered from Dinkins i also picked up a 1/2 gallon of phytoplankton and have been dosing about 4oz daily.

Anyway, got my camera out this afternoon and snapped some pics:

I swear both hammers have almost doubled in size since being moved