UNS R120 - New Build

[jn72390]

Totally new to Saltwater, after years of keeping African Cichlids I sold my tank and fish and decided to take the plunge into my first reef tank!

Months of research have finally led to me picking up my tank tomorrow from my LFS who ordered me the UNS R120.

This is my current build list, have about half of the equipment ready to go, enough to get started at least. Likely will be building things over the next two weeks with plans to hopefully get some water flowing this weekend or early next week.

UNS R120 White
AI Hydra Edge 44 x3
HMS 3x Mounts
Sicce 7.0 Return pump
Jebao Jecod DMP-40M x2
Heater 2x 300w + Inkbird + Holder
Red Sea ReefMat 500
Skimmer?
Lid
UV
Testing
Sand
Rock

My dry rock has been curing in a tote for about two months now, fully cycled quickly lowering ammonia when I dose to keep the bacteria going.

Wish me luck! Will upload pics and progress as I go along. I welcome any tips, tricks or advice.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I always say get Salifert Red Sea or Hanna's if you want to do manual testing.

Lid: Depends on your goal. You can DIY it or look into getting something like a Kraken lid.

Sand: I did Arrag Alive sand by Caribsea for my tank. I would do this one again.

Skimmers: Check this link I am sending below, which should give you some ideas for your tank.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/which-skimmer-for-120-gl.1110539/

 

[jn72390]

Tank is here! Way bigger in person than I originally expected, fits perfectly in the spot I had in mind in our living room. Honestly a bit intimidating, it’s nearly as tall as me on the stand and I’m 6’0… will certainly need a stool to clean!

You guys think 120g on main floor with basement underneath is safe? External wall sitting right on the joists that are on the foundation. My floor is extremely uneven in this spot but the adjusting legs help for sure. Consider the basement instead?

 

[UNS_Brandon]

Check the underlying issues that are causing the floor to be not level. If the floor surface is not stable, you may have issues in the future. You want to make sure that all feet are evenly supporting the system. It's not easy to adjust the feet after the system is full.

 

[BryanM]

Totally new to Saltwater, after years of keeping African Cichlids I sold my tank and fish and decided to take the plunge into my first reef tank!

Months of research have finally led to me picking up my tank tomorrow from my LFS who ordered me the UNS R120.

This is my current build list, have about half of the equipment ready to go, enough to get started at least. Likely will be building things over the next two weeks with plans to hopefully get some water flowing this weekend or early next week.

UNS R120 White
AI Hydra Edge 44 x3
HMS 3x Mounts
Sicce 7.0 Return pump
Jebao Jecod DMP-40M x2
Heater 2x 300w + Inkbird + Holder
Red Sea ReefMat 500
Skimmer?
Lid
UV
Testing
Sand
Rock

My dry rock has been curing in a tote for about two months now, fully cycled quickly lowering ammonia when I dose to keep the bacteria going.

Wish me luck! Will upload pics and progress as I go along. I welcome any tips, tricks or advice.

Have you considered a ReefBreeders meridian 35 for the light?

Reefmat+skimmer is pretty standard for a lot of builds. I decided to go with al algae turf scrubber instead. Should work out in the long run, but I'm not there yet.

I went with a Pentair UV and am quite happy with it.

Lid is mandatory with notorious jumpers, not so much if you don't have or plan to have those kinds of fish. I have several tangs, a foxface, lawn mower blenny, 6 line wrasse, and have been lidless for over a year now w/o incident.

 

[jn72390]

Check the underlying issues that are causing the floor to be not level. If the floor surface is not stable, you may have issues in the future. You want to make sure that all feet are evenly supporting the system. It's not easy to adjust the feet after the system is full.

Thanks @UNS_Brandon!

After mocking up my lights (only 2/3 of the AI Hydra Edge 44’s) I’ve determined there is no way in hell this thing is staying in my living room lol… even with shades the couch is just too close it’s blinding and the kids keep looking into the lights.

To the basement/man-cave she goes! Less to worry about overall and my sink, RODI, salt mixing setup are down there anyhow.

Quick pic of the Edges and half of my rockscape that I built the other half is cycled in a tote.

 

[jn72390]

Totally new to Saltwater, after years of keeping African Cichlids I sold my tank and fish and decided to take the plunge into my first reef tank!

Months of research have finally led to me picking up my tank tomorrow from my LFS who ordered me the UNS R120.

This is my current build list, have about half of the equipment ready to go, enough to get started at least. Likely will be building things over the next two weeks with plans to hopefully get some water flowing this weekend or early next week.

UNS R120 White
AI Hydra Edge 44 x3
HMS 3x Mounts
Sicce 7.0 Return pump
Jebao Jecod DMP-40M x2
Heater 2x 300w + Inkbird + Holder
Red Sea ReefMat 500
Skimmer?
Lid
UV
Testing
Sand
Rock

My dry rock has been curing in a tote for about two months now, fully cycled quickly lowering ammonia when I dose to keep the bacteria going.

Wish me luck! Will upload pics and progress as I go along. I welcome any tips, tricks or advice.

Have you considered a ReefBreeders meridian 35 for the light?

Reefmat+skimmer is pretty standard for a lot of builds. I decided to go with al algae turf scrubber instead. Should work out in the long run, but I'm not there yet.

I went with a Pentair UV and am quite happy with it.

Lid is mandatory with notorious jumpers, not so much if you don't have or plan to have those kinds of fish. I have several tangs, a foxface, lawn mower blenny, 6 line wrasse, and have been lidless for over a year now w/o incident.

Def will be getting a lid, can’t trust my kids to have the top totally exposed and I also plan for some wrasses and other jumpers!

Looking at the Reef Mat 500, also like the Reef Octo skimmers.

UV seems like a must have eventually as well, need to sort that.

Still waiting for a few more pieces, but plan to move the tank downstairs instead of its current spot so that’s the next move before I start plumbing it.

 

[jn72390]

Some progress tonight with my wiring and Reefmat 500! For anyone wondering it does fit in the R120, just needed to play around a bit to find the right spot. I have it hanging vs using the legs, will see how it works when it’s wet this weekend.

My wiring cabinet didn’t come out as clean as I would hope but everything is tucked away labeled on two Kasa WiFi strips. Have room to add my UV, UV pump and skimmer down the road (I believe that will be everything).

Aqua UV 57w on standby, is that something I should start with from day one or let things get going a bit before hand?

Aiming to get water pumped in this weekend!

Oh ya tanks in its new home now in the basement.

 

[jrloyd]

Keep up the detailed posts. I’m going to get one of these in a few months. Started accumulating parts for it until then. Were you able to find the adaptor for the redsea 500 fleece roller?
I have 2 straton x lights and the hydros controllers/ equipment, as well as a jebao return pump. For flow I have two Tunze orcas. My heater is a two unit innovative marine.
Also planning for the redsea roller, probably octo protein skimmer, and some sort of uv light. Most likely a lid from toplids.

 

[BryanM]

Some progress tonight with my wiring and Reefmat 500! For anyone wondering it does fit in the R120, just needed to play around a bit to find the right spot. I have it hanging vs using the legs, will see how it works when it’s wet this weekend.

My wiring cabinet didn’t come out as clean as I would hope but everything is tucked away labeled on two Kasa WiFi strips. Have room to add my UV, UV pump and skimmer down the road (I believe that will be everything).

Aqua UV 57w on standby, is that something I should start with from day one or let things get going a bit before hand?

Aiming to get water pumped in this weekend!

Oh ya tanks in its new home now in the basement.

For the UV, initial cycle, generally not recommended... After cycled, good to go.

And I bought mine thinking it was a tool I would use, and turn off - It has not been turned off in over a year... Which reminds me, I should probably buy a replacement bulb.

 

[jn72390]

Some progress tonight with my wiring and Reefmat 500! For anyone wondering it does fit in the R120, just needed to play around a bit to find the right spot. I have it hanging vs using the legs, will see how it works when it’s wet this weekend.

My wiring cabinet didn’t come out as clean as I would hope but everything is tucked away labeled on two Kasa WiFi strips. Have room to add my UV, UV pump and skimmer down the road (I believe that will be everything).

Aqua UV 57w on standby, is that something I should start with from day one or let things get going a bit before hand?

Aiming to get water pumped in this weekend!

Oh ya tanks in its new home now in the basement.

For the UV, initial cycle, generally not recommended... After cycled, good to go.

And I bought mine thinking it was a tool I would use, and turn off - It has not been turned off in over a year... Which reminds me, I should probably buy a replacement bulb.

Figured the UV probably isn’t something to worry about this second, need to get some dang water flowing first.

I’m 99% there, my last thing is hooking up the Reefmat in terms of plumbing. But I’m also thinking the socks might not be a bad idea when I first start up so that I can get out any dust and stuff that kicks up from the new sand and rocks.

 

[jn72390]

Water test went well! Struggled a bit with the return drain but put a tiny bit of silicon grease on the gasket and it seems to have solved my problem.

Cant wait for the sand and rockscape I’ve been tinkering with for months.

Now to make 120g of salt water… I’ll be back in a few days….

 

[jn72390]

Keep up the detailed posts. I’m going to get one of these in a few months. Started accumulating parts for it until then. Were you able to find the adaptor for the redsea 500 fleece roller?
I have 2 straton x lights and the hydros controllers/ equipment, as well as a jebao return pump. For flow I have two Tunze orcas. My heater is a two unit innovative marine.
Also planning for the redsea roller, probably octo protein skimmer, and some sort of uv light. Most likely a lid from toplids.

Yup I scored the adapter for the Reefmat from Buce Plants for like $50, I still need to plumb it in my self and decided to use my filter socks at least for the first week to clear out any dust an debris from the sand/rock. I’ll keep you posted on how I actually plumb it in.

Seems like an awesome build list so far, this is my first reef tank so everything is new to me!

 

[jrloyd]

Yup I scored the adapter for the Reefmat from Buce Plants for like $50, I still need to plumb it in my self and decided to use my filter socks at least for the first week to clear out any dust an debris from the sand/rock. I’ll keep you posted on how I actually plumb it in.

Seems like an awesome build list so far, this is my first reef tank so everything is new to me!

That would be awesome. They are out of stock for the adapter right now. Cant wait to see everything come together.

 

[jn72390]

Finally salty, took all weekend to make the water.

Next up:

- Fritz Turbostart

- Install Reefmat

- Kraken Lid (need to order)


View attachment 20260413_134548_2E288038-BEFA-4B67-B62E-E888DAEB5ABA.mov

 

[jrloyd]

Finally salty, took all weekend to make the water.

Next up:

- Fritz Turbostart

- Install Reefmat

- Kraken Lid (need to order)

Please give a detailed view, videos, and opinion on the ReefMat and adapter. I just ordered the adapter today.

 

[jn72390]

Finally salty, took all weekend to make the water.

Next up:

- Fritz Turbostart

- Install Reefmat

- Kraken Lid (need to order)

Please give a detailed view, videos, and opinion on the ReefMat and adapter. I just ordered the adapter today.

Will do, I’m waiting to install, a bunch of stuff I’m reading says the socks may be a little better with a brand new setup. Let it get a little dirty I guess and get some nutrients going vs exporting everything right out.

I need a lid before I can add my fish so that’s really my hold up now. I’m dreading ordering the Kraken Lid $600+…. Also concerned about making sure I ask for the correct measurements.

 

[reefmoo]

Hey! Love the build. Just got my R150 and excited to setup today. Curious about how you mounted your 6 port surge protector . Did you drill into the material or sticky tape? Thanks!

 

[Sharbuckles Reef]

Great call moving the tank to the basement! Better safe than sorry.

I think you did a great job with your wiring. I think I might look into a reef mat as well, nice to know it fits in the R120 sump.

 

[jn72390]

Great call moving the tank to the basement! Better safe than sorry.

I think you did a great job with your wiring. I think I might look into a reef mat as well, nice to know it fits in the R120 sump.

Hey man! Your build thread and videos have been a huge inspiration to my setup.

Im holding off on the Reefmat for a few weeks just to get things a bit dirty but will certainly update you when I get it plumbed in.