Billldg
My Gem Tang Is Watching You
I wanted a saltwater tank for ever, eventually I was in a position to make it happen. So I started like everyone else and did a ton of research trying to gain as much knowledge as possible going into it. At first I settled on a 90 gal tank, but the more I researched the more I wanted a bigger tank within reason. I settled on a 120 gal tank because I felt I would enjoy the size more due to it being easier to aquascape it and get the picture I wanted. So when tax returns came in I made the plunge and purchased the tank and stand. I settled on a room that I have been wanting to furnish and where I would enjoy the tank, I also had to settle on a place that would handle the weight load since their is a basement below.
The wall you see is on a poured concrete foundation wall and will easily handle the load, though I may put a support wall underneath it for piece of mind. The tank and stand will go between the 2 outlets at the comm port so in the future I can hook up a controller with a LAN line, probably a Apex Neptune controller.
I started making one of many purchases from Bulk Reef Supply, tank came with 1 in drains and 3/4 supply overflows, also came with barbed bulkheads and I wanted to hard pipe the plumbing, so I purchases 4 1 in bulkheads from BRS and when I received them I installed them and started the plumbing. Trying to figure out how to run the plumbing and have it look neat was at first challenging. After a few minutes it started to flow and I was able to plumb the pvc in a clean manner and was able to run it so it wouldn't get in the way of cleaning socks and skimmer.
I purchased a Trigger systems Sapphire 34 Sump as it stays with the clean style I'm going for, and the fact that it looks awesome helps. I also purchased a matching 10 gal ATO Triggers systems Sapphire tank to match. I'm trying to make this as low maintenance as possible. I also purchased a Vertex Omega 180i skimmer and a Sicce 5.0 silent pump to be installed at a later date. I was going to buy a Ecotech Vertex pump, but then realized Apex has a return pump and figured I would buy it instead. I'm not able to buy the Neptune controller right now due to expenses, so I purchased the Sicce pump and will use it as a backup when I purchase the Apex controller and return pump. As it seems the buying never stops, I bought lighting for my tank. This turned into a bit of a dilemma as I started out wanting a fish only tank. As I researched that turned from a fish only tank to a softy reef tank to now what will ultimately be a LPS reef tank. I settled on buying the Maxspect Razer R5 200 watt fixture. I mounted it under a canopy with the suspension kit.
I just made another purchase from BRS. I have my final plumbing parts coming which will allow me to hook up my return pump. I purchased a 1 in hose adaptor that will allow me to connect a piece of hose to the pump. Due to vibration that happens with any pump, no matter how good, I wanted the soft hose to dampen the vibration on the pvc plumbing. I also have CaribSea Special grade sand coming. I ordered 80 lbs so I could get al least a 1 in sand bottom. I already have the rock and when my order arrives I will be able to start to cycle the tank. I ordered CaribSea life rock at an earlier date and started to aquascape it outside the tank, that turned into a pain at first. Nothing seemed to come out the way I pictured it, but once I started to work on it the rock started to flow and I was able to get what I wanted as far as aquascaping go's. I have made a few adjustments to it since the pictures but am satisfied with what I got. The CaribSea rock fit together rather easily I felt.
I added another piece of rock to the left side of the left stack of rock, I didn't like the way it sloped up of the left. I have more supplies that I have not included yet as I will when I install them. The tank will be up and running within the next couple of months. I will post more when I get sand and rock in tank and start to cycle it.
The wall you see is on a poured concrete foundation wall and will easily handle the load, though I may put a support wall underneath it for piece of mind. The tank and stand will go between the 2 outlets at the comm port so in the future I can hook up a controller with a LAN line, probably a Apex Neptune controller.
I started making one of many purchases from Bulk Reef Supply, tank came with 1 in drains and 3/4 supply overflows, also came with barbed bulkheads and I wanted to hard pipe the plumbing, so I purchases 4 1 in bulkheads from BRS and when I received them I installed them and started the plumbing. Trying to figure out how to run the plumbing and have it look neat was at first challenging. After a few minutes it started to flow and I was able to plumb the pvc in a clean manner and was able to run it so it wouldn't get in the way of cleaning socks and skimmer.
I purchased a Trigger systems Sapphire 34 Sump as it stays with the clean style I'm going for, and the fact that it looks awesome helps. I also purchased a matching 10 gal ATO Triggers systems Sapphire tank to match. I'm trying to make this as low maintenance as possible. I also purchased a Vertex Omega 180i skimmer and a Sicce 5.0 silent pump to be installed at a later date. I was going to buy a Ecotech Vertex pump, but then realized Apex has a return pump and figured I would buy it instead. I'm not able to buy the Neptune controller right now due to expenses, so I purchased the Sicce pump and will use it as a backup when I purchase the Apex controller and return pump. As it seems the buying never stops, I bought lighting for my tank. This turned into a bit of a dilemma as I started out wanting a fish only tank. As I researched that turned from a fish only tank to a softy reef tank to now what will ultimately be a LPS reef tank. I settled on buying the Maxspect Razer R5 200 watt fixture. I mounted it under a canopy with the suspension kit.
I just made another purchase from BRS. I have my final plumbing parts coming which will allow me to hook up my return pump. I purchased a 1 in hose adaptor that will allow me to connect a piece of hose to the pump. Due to vibration that happens with any pump, no matter how good, I wanted the soft hose to dampen the vibration on the pvc plumbing. I also have CaribSea Special grade sand coming. I ordered 80 lbs so I could get al least a 1 in sand bottom. I already have the rock and when my order arrives I will be able to start to cycle the tank. I ordered CaribSea life rock at an earlier date and started to aquascape it outside the tank, that turned into a pain at first. Nothing seemed to come out the way I pictured it, but once I started to work on it the rock started to flow and I was able to get what I wanted as far as aquascaping go's. I have made a few adjustments to it since the pictures but am satisfied with what I got. The CaribSea rock fit together rather easily I felt.
I added another piece of rock to the left side of the left stack of rock, I didn't like the way it sloped up of the left. I have more supplies that I have not included yet as I will when I install them. The tank will be up and running within the next couple of months. I will post more when I get sand and rock in tank and start to cycle it.
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