Salty Pepper IM SR 120 Build

saltypepper · May 6, 2023

Current Status:

After 10 years out of the hobby it’s time to jump back in. Ordered a IM SR 120 in late April to start a reef tank. Have a few months to slowly accumulate items and figure out what I would like for corals, Aquascaping, and fish while the build the tank.

Peace River · May 6, 2023

Welcome back and congratulations on the new adventure!!!

saltypepper · Jul 25, 2023

Just an update. I have been slowly getting supplies together waiting for the tank to ship from IM. Well Friday is the date the shipping company will be dropping it off. After I get the stand assembled and the tank on it I will take some photos.

I an suggests for some insperation for aquascaping a shallow reef?

saltypepper · Jul 29, 2023

The tank and stand have arrive and now it’s time to level it and check it leaks.

saltypepper · Aug 11, 2023

After completing the leak test and leveling I have finally got the rock structure built for habit for the fish and corals.

JoJosReef · Aug 11, 2023

saltypepper said:
After completing the leak test and leveling I have finally got the rock structure built for habit for the fish and corals.

Looks awesome! I so wanted the 120, but had to reality check myself (office tank). What are you planning on there? With that kind of length, you can get a lot of good swimmers!

Fishphi784 · Aug 14, 2023

Glad to see another IM120 build! Curious how you leveled? I went a little overboard w/my IM120—perhaps—and used a feeler gauge to get an idea of pressure between the tank and stand. This caused me to make all sorts of adjustments and not sure if I made things better or worse.

Gumbies R Us · Aug 15, 2023

saltypepper said:
After completing the leak test and leveling I have finally got the rock structure built for habit for the fish and corals.

love the aquascape!

saltypepper · Aug 25, 2023

JoJosReef said:
Looks awesome! I so wanted the 120, but had to reality check myself (office tank). What are you planning on there? With that kind of length, you can get a lot of good swimmers!

Thanks! I am planning on keeping a Convict, Naso, Desjardini Salfin, two clown fish (have not decided which type yet, had tomatto clowns years ago), three Banggai Cardinals, 6 line wrasse, file fish (might have to take him out if he starts nipping at my corals), and a diamond goby. Once the tangs get to be a bit big for the tank they will go to a friends larger tank and I will get some smaller ones again.

saltypepper · Aug 25, 2023

Fishphi784 said:
Glad to see another IM120 build! Curious how you leveled? I went a little overboard w/my IM120—perhaps—and used a feeler gauge to get an idea of pressure between the tank and stand. This caused me to make all sorts of adjustments and not sure if I made things better or worse.

The nice thing was the concrete floor in the kitchen was fairly level so I first checked the stand by itself with my 6' Stabila then put the tank on checked it agian. Once I filled it up with water I had to shim the right side towards the wall with a composite shim just a hair.

saltypepper · Aug 25, 2023

Got it all hooked up, sand and water in. And will start my fishless cycle for a two months with Dr Tim’s. Already can see that I will need some larger sand in the front.

Will eventually hang the two Atlantic iCon’s that BRS was selling as open box since the box was had water damage. Nice score since the inside was not damaged. Probably will make a nice wooden open frame that hides them.

saltypepper · Nov 26, 2023

Slowly coming along. Have some fish in a tank watching them for any signs of illness right now.

As for the display tank I am still just have it empty with Dr Tim’s seeded and a decaying fresh shrimp. Well maybe more than on shrimp since I have had to replace it more than once since I started it in early August.

saltypepper · Nov 26, 2023

Finally started working on building a fixture to hang the lights. Have to Orphek Atlantik lights and am making the frame have room for future expansion (either T5 on each side or led strips).

Drew up a quick plan on how I want to build the aluminum frame that will hole the lights and the have a cedar box without the yo and bottom around it to hide the lights.

saltypepper · Nov 28, 2023

Well part of the hanging system for the lights is done just have to add the cantilevers for the future led strip lights on the side and make the wooden facade.