Ryan's 120 SPS dominant mixed reef build thread

[Holy_makerel]

Hi folks. After over a year of planning I'm finally getting this build going. The plan is to make this into an SPS dominant tank with the ultimate goal of attempting to spawn acros. Tank will be barebottom, with a fairly minimalist rockscape. Ive had rock soaking in saltwater for over a year for this project and am eager to get started.

Tank: Aqueon 120

Sump: trigger sapphire 39

Overflow: shadow

Return: Neptune Cor20 with 2 RFGs

Stand: powder coated steel

Skimmer: bubble magus curve 7

Lights: aquatic life t5 hybrid with 2 radion XR15 PROs

Refugium light: kessil h380

Dosing: Eshopps doser master/slave

Flow: 2x gyre 330s, and a pair of sicce voyagers if I think I'll need them

Control: Neptune apex

ATO: Neptune ATK

Just ordered the last of my plumbing supplies, the kessil light, and 2 300 watt titanium heaters today. My stand should be finished within the week and it will be time to drill the tank and get it setup and plumbed.

More to come soon!

 

[Holy_makerel]

Just got an update shot on my stand! Still needs gussets and bottom supports but it looks like it's almost ready!

 

[Arricefe]

Nice! Good luck!

 

[Holy_makerel]

Well, that happened quicker than I thought it would. Picking the stand up tonight. Look at that sexy thang!

 

[Coral Keeper]

Very nice! What are the dimentions of the tank?
Any updates?

 

[Holy_makerel]

Tank is a standard 120 gal 4x2x2. Got the plywood for under both tank and sump sanded and painted. Waiting for the paint to fully cure. Tank will be on the stand for the first time this Friday. Still need to drill the tank. Really the drilling is the only thing holding me back from the rest of my setup.

 

[Holy_makerel]

The eagle has landed! I've got bits to drill the tank arriving tomorrow and as soon as that's done I can really move forward with this build

 

[Holy_makerel]

Tank and sump

 

[Holy_makerel]

Tank is drilled and bulkheads are installed! I accidentally ordered the wrong sized bit for my returns but thankfully a local hobbiest had the correct size and loaned it to me. Drilling wasn't bad at all, just slow and steady.

I really wanna keep putting it together but my wife is sleeping. I'm waiting on a 1.5" drain plate from trigger to accommodate my plumbing but I'll get as much done as I can tomorrow

 

[BarSnackz]

Just got an update shot on my stand! Still needs gussets and bottom supports but it looks like it's almost ready!

dang, those are some high quality fabricators that made that stand - you cant even tell there were welds from how perfectly they were ground down! Definitely following along to see how this turns out!

 

[Coral Keeper]

Looking good!

 

[Holy_makerel]

After lots of careful planning, measuring, cutting, and glueing the part of my plumbing I was dreading is done. I'm waiting on a few parts coming this Friday to finish the plumbing part of this build

 

[Holy_makerel]

Need one more reducer bushing to finish out the plumbing. That will arrive this wed. PVC sheet for the bottom of the tank will be here Monday and will be siliconed in. Should be doing the water test this next weekend. What do you think of the plumbing job? This was my first time plumbing a tank start to finish.

 

[Holy_makerel]

Had to throw some equipment in to check it out

 

[Holy_makerel]

Update on the 120. I finished my water test, emptied the tank, and started filling with RODI. I've also installed the wire runs and put equipment into place. I made a controller panel/cabinet to keep all my electronic components in off the floor and safe. I put a cooling fan in there as well to help with any heat buildup. I'll clean up all the wiring inside soon. I'll be hanging my lights and adding salt to the system this coming weekend.

 

[Holy_makerel]

I'm fully operational! Salinity is low for now but after adding rock there is a lot of evaporation that needs to happen so I'll bring it the rest of the way up after the water level has receded back

I'm not in love with the rockwork but it's fine for now. I'm curious how long the cycle will take. I've been throwing little pieces of food into the rock bin every week for the last few weeks. I expect there is some bacteria that is already present. There were also some live sponges in the rock.

Had a frustrating afternoon trying to get my Apex operational but I finally got it working and all the probes calibrated.

Now the waiting starts. I'm planning on letting the tank sit for at least 2 months. I'll begin slowly moving fish over after that if my tests show it's ready to support them.

 

[Irishman]

Nice tank! Like the cabinet idea, what did you make that out of?

 

[Holy_makerel]

Nice tank! Like the cabinet idea, what did you make that out of?

Leftover 3/4" plywood.

 

[Hemmdog]

His is such a great build! You did such a good job you should be so proud. I recently drilled a 40b, first time drilling, it was terrifying. Great job with the plumbing as well. I’d get a fish in there to keep life on those rocks you’ve been marinading for so long! Keep us updated!

 

[russell13]

Wow. Very nice