mcleodm's 120 G Build Thread

[Captain]

The less water the return compartment holds, the more often you will have to top off. Im not sure how big you need to go with that size pump.

[Corvette Reefer]

great progress! i bet its quite with the sump far away looking forward to seeing the rest!

[mcleodm]

It is extremely quiet! One of the return jets is loose or something so you can hear some water splashing around, but other than that, all you can hear is the fans for the lighting.

I am extremely glad with how all the plumbing turned out.

[BikerBret]

No arguments on the sand from me, if you can afford it go with the expensive stuff! But i don't have that kind of budget. Ive had the play sand mixed with live sand in my tank for about 4 months and haven't had any problems yet....not to say they might not show up later.

[mcleodm]

So, I am looking for recommendations on my 55g sump setup. My tank runs at about 900 gph, so I am worried this is too fast for anything that would be in the refugium.

Here are the plans...

Any ideas?

[mcleodm]

Bret: This is a good idea to save money which is always a great idea in this hobby
However, mcleodm, You need to make sure that the sand you pick is NOT silica based. Silica sand is what they are using for most of the play sand out there. I looked into this idea also because I think "live sand" that you buy from the pet store is kinda a sham. I ended up getting sand that was dry from "AgraSea" (I think thats what its called) It was nowhere close to the cost of live sand but it is safe for marine aquariums. Someone chime in if I am wrong here but silica based play sand causes really really bad things to happen.
Just trying to state this beautiful looking tank off on the right foot
Heidi

So, I have been to home depot, lowes, and walmart...no luck on finding any aragonite sand, just silica. Where did you get your sand from? I was planning to get about 80-90 pounds of dry sand then mix it with 20 pounds of live sand. If only I could find some "cheap" dry sand.

Also, got the sump baffles installed and filled the tank with saltwater. The water is heating up now and will be ready for sand within a few days.

Thanks in advance on the sand info

[mcleodm]

And...I had my first flood!

I got 120lbs of dry sand from petsmart today. $80 for 120 lbs (it was $1/lb at petconnection).

I got home, turned off the return pump, and filled the tank with the sand. I completely forgot that sand takes up volume in the tank, and overflowed my sump! Luckily, it wasn't a major flood, but enough to get the floor soaked.

So, in a few days, once the cloud storm settles, I am going to add about 40lbs of live sand to the tank. Hopefully, I'll remember to siphon out some water from the sump before I do it!

[mcleodm]

Added 5 lbs of live sand as well as about 15 lbs of live rock from fantastic fins (awful store by the way, never go there). Should get the tank cycling while I save up the money for another 125 lbs of live rock from live aquaria.

I was planning to move all my fish over to the new tank next week, provided all the water parameters are close to the same. It has about 55-60 lbs of live rock in it that I am going to move as well. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to move all of these guys safely and the most stress-free?

I was planning to move the hardier fish first, maybe 2 or 3 at a time, and move my corals last.

Thanks!

[Captain]

You only want to move your damsels over before your cycle is complete.

[mcleodm]

You only want to move your damsels over before your cycle is complete.

I don't think they'll know what to do with so much room all to themselves!

Just keep swimming...