Slims 120G

[slim_jim989]

Well I finaly decided to get my build thread on the way. Well for a little backround, I was in Puyallup, Wa for awhile and I had a 90 gal disaster. I bought a tank that was up and running from a guy who wa leaving, because it was my first tank it made it a little easer( so I thought). It was one thing after another and when I had to move to San jose, ca I decided I'm not taking it with me and I wanted to start off new. So when I moved down to San jose I came across a LFS who had a Oceanic Tech tank 120G. My wife and I really liked it so after some debats and research I purchased it. Its a 4X2X2 tank with a center overflow. The front glass is Starfire and thats the only one and it has a Eurobraced Top. Well I'll just start off the build thread with lots o Pictures.
Heres the tank, with egg crate to protect the bottom.

The stand is the normal AGA stand not the Tech tank stand.
For the sump I just went out and bought a 40 Breeder as I wanted the maximum size I could get and I did . I did the baffels myself and If you want a build thread on that I can.

Now I used to have 2 400w MH but It gets hot down here during the summer and not really wanting to go back with them becaue I like a really open top look. So I went with the Sunlight Supply, Tek Light 8X54W. Didnt want to wait on the new Elite to make there way out.

Now for the Skimmer I wanted to try out a cone but didnt want to fork over lots of money for one. So it just so happened that SWC was coming out with there new Cones for smaller tanks. At first I wasnt to sure about the 160 being able to handle as much as my tank is till Luke with Reef Filtration tested it out on his 150G (total) and he said it performed great and he was gonna run it on that. So I picked one up when it was on Promo.

This is how the sump and skimmer fit inside my stand. I still am able t remove the skimmer but the only way for the sump is to tank the tank off lol.

As for return I just went with a Ehiem 1260. I just want a slower turnover in the sump. It splits off to two returns as you can see in the pictures.

 

[tat2z_21]

That tank is awesome. Well thought out. I love that cone skimmer and the space it is going to save you with the pump built in like that.

 

[DBM Reef]

Looking good !! Congrats on getting another tank . after the move and all that . I think i might have met you once at a psas meet before you had to
move. But welcome back and nice tank!

 

[slim_jim989]

Then we need rocks in our tank right Well I didnt want to get live rock from others tanks as I had problems with my last tank. So I got a good deal on Key Largo Macro rock. I found a formation which I liked and I glued them together with Great Stuff Foam. ( and man you need to wear gloves with that stuff it gets everywhere lol). Heres the aquascape( and thanks to all those who helped me decide my path. Its still able to be changed but I like it so far leaves room for lots of corals of all different types.

As for sand I was going to purchase some dry sand, but when my LFS said that hell sell me some live sand for almost the same price as dry I went with that. I used Sonoma Pink sand and I only have 80 lbs right now but I plan on getting some more when the cloudiness subsides.

Ok now for the best part WATER

And when it was a little hgher up I started dropping in the sand, I didnt pre rinse the sand because I wanted to fluid in the bags to help get the cycle going. I also got some free frozen krill to through in the tank for awhile. I'm using seachmen reef salt for right now wanna see how it does. But heres the rest of my pictures. Darn cloudiness.

Thanks for looking and there will be more updates.

 

[Myteemouse]

Sweeeeeetttttt

 

[slim_jim989]

Thanks for the kind words and im pretty sure I met you I only went to one meeting and that was the Bob moore frag swap when it was in graham.
I like how small the skimmer is and it made it possible for a big fuge section. Still debating on sand in there or not but I prob won't.

 

[reef18ster]

I don't blame you for getting the t5s I know how hot it gets down there since I'm from there. Which LFS do you go to?

 

[slim_jim989]

I mainly go to Neptune aquatics in milipitas. But have checked out almost all of them around here.

 

[iroll253]

Nice set up! That skimmer and light fixture is awesome and great choice on sump size.

 

[slim_jim989]

Thanks, Well i finally made enough water that I could get my return going and man im liking the quietness of the tank. I close the doors to the stand dont hear anything down there. All I hear is a low whine of the MP40W when it goes to 100% can't wait to get the second one of those bad boys.

 

[dragoneggs]

Looking good... curious to hear how long the water takes to clear after adding the live sand.

 

[slim_jim989]

I'll let you know bur I'm slso adding salt do not sure hoe long

 

[mfinn]

I really like those 120's
Nice equipment selection so far.

What are you planning on doing with the tank?

 

[slim_jim989]

I really like those 120's
Nice equipment selection so far.

Thanks

[/QUOTE]What are you planning on doing with the tank?[/QUOTE]

So far with the tank I plan on doing a mixed reef, one with LPS and SPS. plus a clam or two.
For my CUC I only want to use snails and crabs no hermit crabs at all.

Then for stocking list I havent finalized it but heres some things that i want to have. Now keep in mind Tang Police I am aware but heres the deal with myself I move every 3 years so I know that certain tangs should only be kept in big 6 foot long tanks but I will know when the time is right for them to move on.

With that said heres my list.

Chromis or Anthias
Black and white Clowns Pair hopefully(wife likes them)
red tail Sargassum Trigger
Purple tang(maybe)
Achilies tang haha jk I dont have the skill ready for that
A mandarin later on down the road.
Horseshoe crab( later on)
some type of goby with pistol shrimp
hippo tang maybe
naso tang for sure
and not sure on the rest

 

[NanoReefer411]

U are lucky that you found an oceanic tech tank. I just tried to order one. They are discontinuing them. =(

 

[slim_jim989]

dang i thought they were disconn the ultimate series.

 

[NanoReefer411]

They did. They discontinued both. =(

 

[slim_jim989]

Man that sucks, im glad i got mine when i did.

 

[NanoReefer411]

Yup, I was bummed.

 

[slim_jim989]

But i know you can still find them just older ones. and there used or call around to LFS some might have some somewhere