New 125 gallon Saltwater Tank setup

[TaylorLee]

Started up a new 125g saltwater tank from a 10+ year wait! What do you think??
Maybe plan on doing a reef tank at the year mark but I’ll just see where it goes.

This tank has some nostalgia to it for me because this was my first and only saltwater tank size I ever had! What really brings it home is I saved the rock I had from my first build and used most all of the original rock I had back then! Of course I had to buy new rock too to spruce it up!

I’ll keep updating as the build progresses but it’s literally a day old today! So exciting to get back in the hobby from such a long time ago!

Thanks for the reads and tips!

 

[Peace River]

Congratulations on the adventure! It looks like you are off to a good start!

 

[TaylorLee]

Congratulations on the adventure! It looks like you are off to a good start!

Thanks! I’m going to take it slow with this one. I rushed things my first time and I’m all about the journey nowadays. Going to throw sand in a few days from now once the water flow, ato and temp is dialed in

 

[billyocean]

Nice! Just remember to leave space in the front and back of the rock to clean the glass...corals grow before you know it. I'm in the 125 club also!

 

[TaylorLee]

I think the 125 is just the right size. Not too big but not small either for tang gangs! Thanks for the tip on glass cleaning! Everything is pretty well spaced out. The front glass has about 3” of clearance and back glass has about 4”. Can’t wait to see how this tank comes to life!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I like your aquascape in your tank!

 

[TaylorLee]

I like your aquascape in your tank!

Thanks!

 

[TaylorLee]

I wish I had a better update with fish in the tank or sand but I found a leak in one of the fittings of the plumbing and also doing chord management while at the same time doing water changes on the rodi water in the tanks. Didn’t know the dry rock was as dusty as it was when purchased and added some unknown minerals and phosphate to the tank. TDS are 80 now after 3 water changes. Going to completely change out the water again and then start mixing if the tds permits it

 

[TaylorLee]

Tonight is the night! Little sneak peak of it before the sand and lights go on it and I hide all the gear. It looked too good under this lighting not to show it off

I had another disaster strike the night before last. The island on the right toppled but now I’ve got it sturdy and stable again. Sand to come this week!

Thanks for following my progress!

 

[TaylorLee]

 

[TaylorLee]

Added some media to the tank before getting the nitrogen cycle started

 

[TaylorLee]

For my future self… sand before water! I’m glad ocean direct sent the clarifier stuff to help! More goodies to come tomorrow where I add bacteria to the tank and possibly it’s first inhabitant

 

[TaylorLee]

Almost clear enough to enjoy the look! Fish will hopefully come later after Dr Tim’s one and only goes in

 

[TaylorLee]

Picked up 3 little clown’s yesterday. My son named them Tuck(black), Huckleberry(white/Picasso) and Finn(regular) all are eating today! Dr. Tim’s one and only went in about an hour or 2 before the fish. Salinity 1.026 and PH 8.2

Enjoy the photos

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Picked up 3 little clown’s yesterday. My son named them Tuck(black), Huckleberry(white/Picasso) and Finn(regular) all are eating today! Dr. Tim’s one and only went in about an hour or 2 before the fish. Salinity 1.026 and PH 8.2

Enjoy the photos

Nice looking clowns!

 

[TaylorLee]

Got some boxed lights(from my old setup) for the tank just for a visual reference on how many lights to get for the new one. May change to different fixtures when corals go in but I haven’t decided yet. Got 1 last clown to help cycle the tank and we’ll be off to the races for a few months to let the biome establish themselves. Put microbacter7 in and 7 jars of algae barns galaxy pods. We’re off to a decent start I hope

 

[TaylorLee]

Finally wrapped the stand. I know it ain’t perfect and I’m no carpenter by trade, to be fair, so go easy on my amateur woodworking skills XD

Next project will be to hang the lights then the wait game. Tang gang and a clean up crew to come next and then… CORALS!!!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Finally wrapped the stand. I know it ain’t perfect and I’m no carpenter by trade, to be fair, so go easy on my amateur woodworking skills XD

Next project will be to hang the lights then the wait game. Tang gang and a clean up crew to come next and then… CORALS!!!

Stand looks great!

 

[TaylorLee]

Thank you! It was fun putting it together! My wife and I thought the natural wood color was fitting since it almost matched the color of the sand

 

[TaylorLee]

“The lights were hung by the ceiling with care”