Up Grading Please Review

[Lisa Cain]

Dear Reef Family, I am upgrading from a 65 gallon Red Sea 250 all in one to a 120 gallon aquarium. It is a little scary because it is a much larger tank and I have never used a sump. I apologize for bothering everyone again but I trust my Reef Family in regards to advice. Please look over what will be in my tank so that I can make changes if necessary. I have already ordered everything, however I still may be able to switch out things. The tank will not arrive to the shop until December 10, 2025.

Tank Details
Tank - Planet 120 Reef 48.5 x 24.5x25
Sump -Sapphire 34 ( I was getting the Tideline Sump 30 x 16 inches but I would not get it in time)

• Dimensions: 34" long x 15" wide x 15" high
• Skimmer Section: 10" x 14"
• Center/Refugium Section: 10.25" x 14.5"
• Return Pump Section: 6" x 14.5"
• Total Water Volume: 31 gallons
• Skimmer Water Level: 7" to 9.5" adjustable
• Drain Input Fittings: 2
• Drain Input Fitting Size: 1"
• Filter Socks: 2

Pump: Sicce Syncra 5.0 Aquarium Pump -1321 gph
Sand-Caribsea Arag-Alive Bimini Pin 20 lb
Kessel A360XE-TB Tuna Blue LED (2) (Still trying to compare the AI Prime and Hydro Light. Are there problems with the Kessel
Kessil AP700 Mounting Arm
Eheim Jaga Heater 125W
Classic Stand 48x24x36
Planet 120/140 Glass Top 3 pc set. I decided to save money and not get a wooden canopy

Thanks for you input! Below are my tank inhabitants. They are just waking up and expecting their morning feeding. Attached is a picture of my bubble core after fully opening. It is also just waking up in the first picture.

 

[exnisstech]

Can't really help with the gear but I will say those fish are going to be much happier in a larger tank. Also love the bubble coral. My oldest coral is a bubble coming up on 9 years in my tank.
You'll love having a sump. I have both.

 

[Lisa Cain]

Can't really help with the gear but I will say those fish are going to be much happier in a larger tank. Also love the bubble coral. My oldest coral is a bubble coming up on 9 years in my tank.
You'll love having a sump. I have both.

Thank you, yes they will be happier. My bubble coral is my favorite item in the tank. I hope that when I make the transfer, it will be okay. A A saltwater store owner is thinking about moving everything to a tank is their saltwater store until we can make sure that the new take will be okay. It is scary moving to a larger size and an investment but I want the best reef tank that I can produce and I want the inhabitants to be happy. I am responsible for them.

 

[Lisa Cain]

Thank you, yes they will be happier. My bubble coral is my favorite item in the tank. I hope that when I make the transfer, it will be okay. A A saltwater store owner is thinking about moving everything to a tank is their saltwater store until we can make sure that the new take will be okay. It is scary moving to a larger size and an investment but I want the best reef tank that I can produce and I want the inhabitants to be happy. I am responsible for them.

What is the benefit of having a sump?

 

[exnisstech]

What is the benefit of having a sump?

More water volume. A place to hide heaters and other gear. You can have reactors and a skimmer. Refugium if you want. Many sumps will accommodate a filter roller if your so inclined. Probably a few other advantages that I'm forgetting. I do my water changes from the sump. I pump water out and pump it back in sitting on a stool.
If at all possible I would try to keep the current tank running while setting up the new one. Even if you have to drain it part way to move it. It would be less stress on the fish not to mention who knows what they'll be exposed to at a lfs tanks.
I moved from a 180g to a 330g 1 ½ years ago and being able to keep the 180 running made things much easier.

 

[Utubereefer]

Current tank looks great! Congrats on the upgrade. The sicce 5.0 might be a little overkill. I’d put a gate valve on your return line to dial in the flow.

 

[Lisa Cain]

More water volume. A place to hide heaters and other gear. You can have reactors and a skimmer. Refugium if you want. Many sumps will accommodate a filter roller if your so inclined. Probably a few other advantages that I'm forgetting. I do my water changes from the sump. I pump water out and pump it back in sitting on a stool.
If at all possible I would try to keep the current tank running while setting up the new one. Even if you have to drain it part way to move it. It would be less stress on the fish not to mention who knows what they'll be exposed to at a lfs tanks.
I moved from a 180g to a 330g 1 ½ years ago and being able to keep the 180 running made things much easier.

Yes, I would love to keep. the original tank going during the transfer process. I thought about that this morning. To keep the other tank going and slowly transfer things from one tank to the other. To me that would be the perfect plan. Then once the other tank is set up I will get rid of It because I do not have the room for it. Thank you..so wonderful to talk to you!

 

[Lisa Cain]

Can't really help with the gear but I will say those fish are going to be much happier in a larger tank. Also love the bubble coral. My oldest coral is a bubble coming up on 9 years in my tank.
You'll love having a sump. I have both.

Do you feed your bubble coral?

 

[Lisa Cain]

Current tank looks great! Congrats on the upgrade. The sicce 5.0 might be a little overkill. I’d put a gate valve on your return line to dial in the flow.

Thank you! I will ask the people to do that who do the plumping. Should I ask the store to look for another pump that will not be overkill?

 

[exnisstech]

Do you feed your bubble coral?

I used to but haven't fed it directly in a few years. I do feed the fish a lot. It's close to 10" across when fully inflated.

 

[Utubereefer]

Thank you! I will ask the people to do that who do the plumping. Should I ask the store to look for another pump that will not be overkill?

Ask for a price difference versus 3.0, 4.0, & 5.0. I have a 120 with a 30 gallon frag tank both fed from a sicce3.0 in a 40 gallon sump. I have a 4.0 as a backup and it is going to be overkill for my system but I’ll dial it down.

 

[Isaac Alves]

I’d consider a Jebao MDC series dc pump. Solid pumps with a controller screen to dial in flow and feed mode.

1. Cheaper
2. I think they are reliable
3. Controller to custom your flow
4. Use savings to get a good check valve

Cons

• No warranty

Amazon.com

 

[Isaac Alves]

@Lisa Cain I’m not seeing a skimmer. Was that by choice or budget?

 

[Isaac Alves]

If you do look at skimmers, I think they’re super important…the Curve 5 elite is rock solid. I’ve had this on my 40 gallon breeder for several years.

Should fit in your skimmer section.

Curve 5 Elite Protein Skimmer Sicce SK-200 - Bubble Magus

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

 

[Lisa Cain]

I used to but haven't fed it directly in a few years. I do feed the fish a lot. It's close to 10" across when fully inflated.

It is absolutely beautiful. What is the secret to keeping it healthy that long?

 

[Lisa Cain]

@Lisa Cain I’m not seeing a skimmer. Was that by choice or budget?

Thanks Isaac, I am going to get one. I called today and asked them to price one for me and I know someone who may sell one to me.

 

[Lisa Cain]

Thanks Isaac, I am going to get one. I called today and asked them to price one for me and I know someone who may sell one to me.

Any suggestion on good ones for a 120 gallon tank

 

[fandaga]

Bubble magus skimmers are great for the cost.

 

[Lisa Cain]

Bubble magus skimmers are great for the cost.

Thank you!!

 

[Lisa Cain]

I used to but haven't fed it directly in a few years. I do feed the fish a lot. It's close to 10" across when fully inflated.

Starting yesterday, I noticed that my bubble coral is not inflating as much. I think the problem is the wave maker that was added to the tank last Saturday. At first a strong one was place in and the bubble coral did not like that. He took out the stronger wavemaker and put in a smaller one and the bubble coral was better. However, over the last two days it seems as if it does not like even the moderate flow. I just turned the wave make off. That coral is my pride and joy. Th only other issue could be the fact that in my red sea 250 one pump went out. The tank is running on one pump. I constantly check the water parameters. I am waiting on the new tank. But probably I need to find a new pump until I get the new tank. Worried about my bubble coral. I will see how it does since I cut off the wave maker. The other think is that I can put the wave maker up high at point it toward the surface of the water.