Pharmacist Reefer...First Timer 120gallon build...let’s do this!!! Need your help!!

[Reefacist]

Update.
I finished resealing the 40g breeder sump. Second time around it was a lot easier and nicer.
I cleaned the silicone on the DT and getting it ready to be resealed either today or tomorrow. I find it difficult to reseal and remove the tape in time so I will not be using masking tape on the bottom of the tank just on the sides since those will be visible.
Also ahappy moment is when I saw my modular marine 1600gph overflow had arrived. Can’t wait to reseal so I can drill a couple holes and move to the next step.

 

[Reefacist]

Update:
I resealed the DT. Not the prettiest thing but all sides are sealed. I didn’t tape the bottom and if I had to do it again I wouldn’t use masking tape at all and I probably would have used a tool instead of the finger and soap water method. I attached some pics so you guys can see. I also silicones the 6x6 glass to seal the 2.5” hole on the bottom. I used A LOT of silicone to seal that bad boy. And when I turn the tank over to drill I will silicone from underneath as well.
Just submitted 1st big order from Bulk Reef Supply

Amazon:

Plastic Clamps to hold hose
Maxi Jet
Flipper (bc brs only had max)

BRS:

Reef Saver Aquarium Dry Live Rock - MarcoRocks SKU: 000701​	90​	​
Care Panes Aquarium Glass Cleaner - Tunze SKU: 211640​	1​	​
Glass & Polishing Cloth - E-Cloth SKU: 211857​	2​	​
VorTech MP40QD - Mobius Ready QuietDrive Propeller Pump - EcoTech Marine SKU: 213224 Pre-Order ConfirmationETA 7/25/20. All other items on your order will ship normally​	2​	​
Coral Pro Salt Mix 175 Gallon - Red Sea SKU: 207079​	1​	​
Aragonite Special Grade Dry Sand 40lbs - CaribSea SKU: 210895​	2​	​
MicroBacter7 - Complete Bioculture for Marine and FW Aquaria 500ml - Brightwell Aquatics SKU: 209273​	2​	​
4oz Ammonium Chloride For Fishless Cycles - Dr.Tim's SKU: 210886​	1​	​
300W Eheim JAGER Aquarium Heater SKU: 207484​	1​	​
E-Marco-400 Aquascaping Mortar Complete Kit - Grey - MarcoRocks SKU: 211585​	1​	​
Salifert kH/Alkalinity Aquarium Test Kit SKU: 205101​	1​	​
Red Sea Nitrate / Nitrite Test Kit SKU: 208300​	1​	​
Refractometer for Reading Salinity with Calibration Fluid - Bulk Reef Supply SKU: 205171​	1​	​
24" AquaBlade Plastic Scraper for Glass Tanks - Continuum Aquatics SKU: 211172​	1​	​
Salifert Ammonia Aquarium Test Kit SKU: 205109​	1​	​
16oz One & Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria - Dr.Tim's SKU: 210879​	1​	​
5 Stage Premium 200 GPD Water Saver RO/DI System - Bulk Reef Supply SKU: 211490​	1​	​
Koralia Nano Powerhead (425 GPH) - Hydor USA SKU: 202149​

 

[RobB'z Reef]

Update.
I finished resealing the 40g breeder sump. Second time around it was a lot easier and nicer.
I cleaned the silicone on the DT and getting it ready to be resealed either today or tomorrow. I find it difficult to reseal and remove the tape in time so I will not be using masking tape on the bottom of the tank just on the sides since those will be visible.
Also ahappy moment is when I saw my modular marine 1600gph overflow had arrived. Can’t wait to reseal so I can drill a couple holes and move to the next step.

nice choice, i went with those cats too.

 

[Reefacist]

nice choice, i went with those cats too.

Ya just saw that in your thread as well...cant wait to get this to come to life. Only regret at this point that I bought a used tank too early without knowing all knowledge I have today. So it has been a long process to this point

 

[RobB'z Reef]

Ya just saw that in your thread as well...cant wait to get this to come to life. Only regret at this point that I bought a used tank too early without knowing all knowledge I have today. So it has been a long process to this point

that type of uphill struggle is really where you get some deep learning tho! Looks like you have the skills and desire to overcome those challenges. I'll definitely be watching

 

[Reefacist]

that type of uphill struggle is really where you get some deep learning tho! Looks like you have the skills and desire to overcome those challenges. I'll definitely be watching

thank you

 

[Reefacist]

Update time:

1. Got 40lbs of nature’s ocean rocks from amazon and they were DIRTY. They had one 3lb piece that was of greater quality and white, might of been a mistake. The rest was a single huge 40lb single rock. Unfortunately I didn’t take pics. But they are dirty...they have green and brown stuff all around and even on the inside after breaking.
I just put them in 30 gal brute with a 10:1 bleach mix for a week.
2. Cut my holes for the marine modular. I didn’t know if the tank was tempered or not but after drilling I can guarantee now that it’s not tempered lol. The holes aren’t perfect but should suffice. Idk why the bulkheads in the overflow box from the tank are sooo long I have to cut them a little to be able to do a bean animal.
3. Painting the back of the tank. Had a sample size of the gloss black paint and was only enough for 2 layers. I’ll buy some more and do another layer tomorrow.
Im excited getting close to water testing

 

[Beau_B]

Huh. When I got my rocks they were all white. Minimal dust/sand. Guess it's luck of the draw? I had 5-6 pieces in the box, I ended up breaking 2 apart. That's disappointing for you though. Good job drilling!

 

[Reefacist]

Been a long time since my last post so thought I update everyone. Basically since my last post and now I have done A LOT of shopping. Currently my rocks went through a 2 week bleach cure and now just a rodi and heater cure with some pumps.
Most importantly I think I finally bought everything I wanted, including a10gal qt that’s not seen in the pic and caribsea sand and coral pro salt. Here is my current list:
1. Plumbing: schedule 80 fitting and red 40 tubing
with a lot of unions.
2. Python no leak
3. Reef Octopus regal 150int
4. Jump Guard
5. 2 Ecotech Vortech MP40
6. Vortech battery pack
7. 3 heater (300 and two 200w)
8. Leak detector from Home Depot
9. Reef Octopus Varios6 Return pump
10. Neptune Apex full model
11. Neptune breakout box
12. Hanna checkers (alk, calcium and mag for
now...copper on the way)
13. Dr Tim’sMicrobacter7(x2), Prime, Red Sea
carbon, esv Kalkwasser, brs muriatic acid,
erase-cl
14. Salifert ammonia nitrite and nitrate for cycling
15. BRS refractometer
16. VCA Random flow generator loc-line
17. Cleaning: flipper, flipper float device, tunze
cleaning solution (x3), e-cloth, aquablade
18. Lights: aquatic life dx18 dimmable 36” fixture,
ati blue plus bulds and some others, kessil
A360x tuna blue(x2), kessil WiFi dongle, kessil
fixture for aquaticlife(x2), kessil h160 tuna
flora for refugium, kessil A gooseneck
19. Qt: seachem tidal 35, hydro sponge, air pump
and airstones, (copper power and prazi on
the way), search ammonia alert badge
20. And last but not lease the must have of them
all...XP Aqua Auto Shut Off aka the marriage
savior(I had already spilled water twice before
buying this).

I know that’s a big list but I couldn’t resist buying and buying lol. Still considering:

1. ATO(do I do Neptune ATK or Tunze)
2. 2nd return pump
3. Leak detection apex with fmm module(if it don’t buy ATK
4. Cool gear with breakout box

well let me know what y’all think. At this point buying a used tank wasn’t that much cost saving lol.

 

[Beau_B]

Good job stimulating the economy!

 

[Reefacist]

Good job stimulating the economy!

haha thanks...i think I have a new addiction

 

[Anchor]

Gear aquisition Syndrome.. or GAS for short. Well, I see you went all in.. NICE selection of gear., Cannot wait to see how you scape this.. You thinking staking or negative space?

 

[Reefacist]

Gear aquisition Syndrome.. or GAS for short. Well, I see you went all in.. NICE selection of gear., Cannot wait to see how you scape this.. You thinking staking or negative space?

Haha yup def caught that bug. I like the negative space and the way the fish swim around the entire tank but I have no idea how it’ll turn out since it is my first time. Will def update. Next I’m gonna put together the sump, 40g breeder with Jax racks dividers

 

[YankeeTankee]

You need some live rock or better yet rock from an established relatively pest free tank, from one RPh to another.

 

[Reefacist]

You need some live rock or better yet rock from an established relatively pest free tank, from one RPh to another.

Haha I honestly don’t know any one who has a saltwater tank besides the community here on R2R

 

[revhtree]

Keep it up!!

 

[Anchor]

Ryan on BRS has been making some neg space scapes. Might want to watch what he is doing if you go that route.. At least show how to build it.. or try to build it.

 

[Reefacist]

Ryan on BRS has been making some neg space scapes. Might want to watch what he is doing if you go that route.. At least show how to build it.. or try to build it.

Yup watched their vids all the time

 

[Reefacist]

Updates coming soon but here is the scape I went with and I’m loving it.

 

[FortLivingRoom]

Hey fellow druggist! I’m impressed. I just came across your post and was pessimistic about the used tank, but it looks really good. I’ve recently got back into reefing since 2009 when I graduated pharmacy and it’s crazy all the technology now. I bought a used Red Sea reefer, and I’ve spent quadruple on hardware/supplies compared to the price of the tank/stand! When are you looking to add water?