New tank

[bigfoot]

Hi everybody today i set up a trade with another member of RMRC here in denver for a 120g tall 48Lx18Dx31T I am going to drill this tank Its going to have to be on the back so how should i set it up in the corner or middle what size bulkheads? i would appreciate any info i can find thanks guys oh and im going to use 2X250 MH 6500-10000k with PC actinics or vho actinics

[gman0526]

What kind of system are you plannig as far as plumbing is concerned? Closed loop? Just sump return?

[bigfoot]

i think i might go with a sump no closed loop for me

[bigfoot]

with a fuge in sump all will be diy

[bigfoot]

ok so if i want around a 30g sump what size bulk heads do i need how many drains what size how shold i plumb it all the usual like normal will listen to you guy's advice just want to get the glass drills ordered along with pump tonight thanks im gonna go pick up heavy stuff now

[gman0526]

I would do an overflow that covers the back wall from side to side about 6" tall/ 4" deep so it skims the whole surface of the water at the same time, I would drill 3- 1.25"/1.5" holes and have the 3 drains go into the sump. Then I would return with a Mag 12+, or an external Iwaki 55-100.

[bigfoot]

hmm so waht should a good gallonage be 500 1000 ?

[gman0526]

I like to have as much turnaround as possible. Flow in the tank is a different thing having to do with the velocity of the water coming out of the returns.

[bigfoot]

ok bummer time i knew it was too good to be true
the tank was scrubbed by the original owner with a brillo pad to remove corraline or hard water stains so it all scratched up will i guess i have a 110gt fry tank

[bigfoot]

ok change that back tank has scratches but not that bad i cant feel them with my finger nail so i can probably buff it but im too cheap ok for the lighting should i do 2 250 watt or 2 175 watt halides?

[gman0526]

Depending on what you're considering keeping in there in the long run, go as high as you can. No need to get 250w if only keeping low light corals, but if your looking on getting high light SPS then invest on the highest possible from the get go. Remeber plan for the future not the present that will save you TONS of money$$$$$ :)

[bigfoot]

ok progress report I have just got my new diamond hole saws from hong kong and am going to install 4 1 inch drain lines in a overflow im going to make i bought a cheap rio pump that s1500 gallons a 5 foot of head and i have now procured more mh lighting than i can use i posted in my local reef club got 2 175 watt halide pendants for free just need new ballasts i recieved 3 free bulbs for testing purposes for my icecap 175 that does not work see if i can fix it looks brand new no wear i personally think the wire harness is bad............so i think im gonna need a bigger sump to handle the flow
because in theory 4 1 inch bulk heads will flow around 2000 gph right?

[Condiman]

Dont go with a RIO they wont last long and are way to noisy

[bigfoot]

ok luckily somebody out bid me what would be a good pump i dont want any power heads in the tank

[bigfoot]

last night i was given 2 175 watt pendants and the ballasts were supposedly burnt out so i re wired them into a computer case and they both work i had some zoos that have been closed for about a month and they started to open now the bulb is a coralvue 20000k

[bigfoot]

switched bulbs to cheap plus brand 10ks from ebay 20 for both puls 12 shipped after reading that 20 k bulbs last half as long as 10 bulbs im probably going to stick with 10ks i have finished resealing the 110 with black ge type II silicone for windows and doors (black) will leak test in april as i will do it outside and dont want it to freeze on me

[whateverwrx]

did you drill your tank yet???? just wondering how you made out.
And if you didnt drill it yet...make sure its not tempered!!!!!

[bigfoot]

yup its been drilled for awhile and just sitting in my garage i installed a over flow that skims the top of the entire tank like george has suggested and now need to buy a return pump and then i need to make my sump i am leaning tward a 150 gallon stock tank as i want to make a huge fuge in it with a 10" DSB and to keep all levels up i am going to cure small ammounts of DIY live rock as they are the along the same lines as adding Kalk. (leaches out calcium hydroxide) i will also add a 250 watt MH and put a frag tray in it too for proping corals. the 10 inch DSB will have 3 types of cheato and caluerpa too the display will have close to 200 LBS of LR and all high light sps if i ever decide to try them will be placed higher up in the tank and will use 2 175 watt MH + 4x 48'' T-5 bulbs all actinic 175's will be iwasaki 6500k's

[whateverwrx]

cool!!! :chuggin: i cant wait for some pics! :rockon:

[bigfoot]

mmmmmkkkkkk WENT from 70 TO 132... So they work by how much you type. nice