Upgrading Tank!! 29g to a 120g!! :))

[MikeRizz88]

Good morning/afternoon everyone, I have a 29 gallon set up right now with most HOB equipment, and it has been up for about over a year. There are two clownfish, one flame angel, CUC, and a bunch of LPS corals that are healthy and thriving. I ran into some algae problems before most likely common due to size and way I handled tank n my rock but it’s a learning curve. All in all overall everything’s is going good. I’ve decided to upgrade to a 120g reef ready tank. Dimensions are- 48.5”L 24.5”W 25.5”H. Very excited!!! I can’t even explain!!!!

New set up would consist of:

120g reef ready tank
(dual overflows)
Standard set up would be durso, but willing to try other methods.

trigger systems 34 sump

2 ecotech marine mp40 wqd powerheads.

2 kessil A360x lights

nyos quantum 160 skimmer

Vectra L2 return pump Ecotech marine

I want to basically start fresh, meaning new rock, new sand. (Marcos reef saver dry rock) and caribsea arag-a-live sand. I’m going to cure the rock and cycle the tank before adding my current fish and future friends!! Haha

I would like to set up system, with the sand, rock the aquascape and start the cycle/curing process. I did all this before in the brute trash can with flow, heater and no light. (Curing) but not in the display tank

I would really like to do all this in the new set up. In the tank itself, (DT) So I can “try“ and make my perfect aquascape And make sure I’m at least 95% happy with the scape haha. Which might take days lol!!

I really don’t want to run into the algae problems like before GHA, (ugly stage) but I know it’s common but I learned my lesson with nutrient import/export so I’m doing better as far as that. Running Skimmers, not overfeeding. I’m looking for any pointers/comments/questions for anything. Recommendations as well!! Reef2reef has been a great experience thru my whole process and looking forward to being apart of such a supportive community!

I want to do this all right this time!
Please help me and many many tanks everyone!!!

 

[MikeRizz88]

I also would Ike to run dosers, as well as a refugium!!

 

[MikeRizz88]

I know I forgot a lot of info, but I was thinking a little over 100 pounds of rock 80+ pounds of sand. Add some rock in sump as well, and a marine pure block the 8x4x4 one.
Just basically want to do this 100% RIGHT this time and avoid the common mistakes I did in the past. Looking for many suggestions and opinions.

i’m looking to cure the rock in the display tank for several several weeks, going through all the beginner stages of the cycle as well as the ugly phases. Then adding the cleanup crew, and some utilitarian fish. want this done 100% to the T.

 

[MikeRizz88]

Any recommendations on other equipment is greatly appreciated

 

[DeniseAndy]

Have fun with the upgrade! It is so exciting. I went from 28 to 210g, so I get the big leap.

Anyway, upfront, there is not getting it right 100%. We make mistakes. It is okay. I understand, you are going for doing all the right things, but be careful not to get too worked up about perfect. You will never be happy. Just a little mom advice there for you.

Plan out best you can and do good maintenance and good qt practices, and you should be good. Pests will come. Best thing to do is prevent major disasters through qt. I know others do not qt and do just fine. But, I would rather contain the issue than get it in my 210g and not be able to defend my current animals.

Also, have fun. Enjoy the crazy time of upgrading. You will want to do it again as soon as things begin to settle in.

 

[Bam327]

Congrats! I have a 120, you’ll love it.
A couple pieces of advice. Go with a herbie instead of a durso. It’s silent. The gate valves need adjusting frequently but it doesn’t bother me.
When I set my tank up I left it he lights off for about 2 months and I never got GHA or cyano. My diatom bloom lasted about 36 hours. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[MikeRizz88]

Have fun with the upgrade! It is so exciting. I went from 28 to 210g, so I get the big leap.

Anyway, upfront, there is not getting it right 100%. We make mistakes. It is okay. I understand, you are going for doing all the right things, but be careful not to get too worked up about perfect. You will never be happy. Just a little mom advice there for you.

Plan out best you can and do good maintenance and good qt practices, and you should be good. Pests will come. Best thing to do is prevent major disasters through qt. I know others do not qt and do just fine. But, I would rather contain the issue than get it in my 210g and not be able to defend my current animals.

Also, have fun. Enjoy the crazy time of upgrading. You will want to do it again as soon as things begin to settle in.

Haha love the mom advice part!! Yes I’m looking forward to the upgrade. I try not to get to picky on the getting it perfect part but just want a beautiful looking set up, no regrets on anything! Congrats on your huge upgrade as well!! So exciting haha. Thanks for the response

 

[MikeRizz88]

Congrats! I have a 120, you’ll love it.
A couple pieces of advice. Go with a herbie instead of a durso. It’s silent. The gate valves need adjusting frequently but it doesn’t bother me.
When I set my tank up I left it he lights off for about 2 months and I never got GHA or cyano. My diatom bloom lasted about 36 hours. Good luck and enjoy!

I was definitely thinking the herbie method but would have to do some more research on it due to the dual overflows. Would have to incorporate a designated side for two drains, and other for emergency. I plan on doing aquascape in DT, adding sand. Doing like a 12 week cure/cycle than adding some fish n cuc, than turn light on at about the 4 month mark. I’m basically chasing that tho, small diatom bloom let the cuc take care of it! And trying to avoid any algae/or any kinda cyano at all!!! Any tips on the herbie setup would be great!!?? N does my plan for time frame seem decent? Thanks in advance

 

[MikeRizz88]

I’m actually debating on going with the reef saver or possibly pukani. Any suggestions?

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

Congrats! I have a 120, you’ll love it.
A couple pieces of advice. Go with a herbie instead of a durso. It’s silent. The gate valves need adjusting frequently but it doesn’t bother me.
When I set my tank up I left it he lights off for about 2 months and I never got GHA or cyano. My diatom bloom lasted about 36 hours. Good luck and enjoy!

Question; why would your gate valves “need adjusting frequently”? Beck you turn off during feeding and water changes? Other reasons?

 

[Victor_C3]

I’d recommend going with two return pumps. Install them and run them both at the same time. If / when one fails, you won’t be in all-out panic mode to fix it. These things tend to happen when you’re gone for a few days and can’t readily return home.

I love the two Vectra pumps that I purchased. I went with two S2’s. I currently have them both running at maybe 1/3 power (4 lights out of the 12 on the controller are lit). I have a 115 gallon display and a sump with 125 gallons of water in it. For my setup, that is more than adequate flow.

First things first, I’d get a giant trash can and start getting your rock cycled. You can get much of your cycle out of the way by the time your sump and other equipment arrives. I had 200 pounds of rock cycling in my sump for 3 months before my tank arrived. I even started to add fish, a clean up crew, and started growing macro algae in that time.

Start a build thread in the members tank area and get a “build thread” badge by your name.

Enjoy the upgrade. I know how excited you must be.