Setting up a 120

ThinIce · 07/29/2009, 12:32 PM

Well I finally am setting up my 120g (4*2*2) reef tank. This is my first truly own tank. I got into the hobby just over a year ago with my roommates and we set up a 55g reef. We definitely had our share of grief and enjoyment out of that tank, learning quite a bit.

Anyways, here are a few shots:

Thanks to "meg" for the tank/stand/light and "bubbletip2" for the sump/pump.

ThinIce · 07/29/2009, 12:37 PM

What size powerheads do you reccomend for this size tank?
I have two Koralia 2's, but not sure if that would be good enough...

mystery_reef · 07/29/2009, 01:03 PM

at least 2 K4's or even a vortech or tunzes

customdusty · 07/29/2009, 04:56 PM

I run 4 K4's on the wavemaker on a 90 gal, but for my new 110 gal build I'm going with 2 Vortechs.

I think it depends on how you aquascape your tank and what kind of stuff you keep, but I strongly believe that the more flow you have the better it is for your tank.

Just an FYI... I will be selling my 4 k4s and the wavemaker soon when my new 110 is up....

JPSKI25 · 07/29/2009, 10:53 PM

+2 on the K4's I ran 2 3's in my 38 and will have 3 in my 65 once they are cleaned. Where you at in the SW burbs

ThinIce · 07/30/2009, 12:12 AM

Orland Park

ThinIce · 07/31/2009, 05:04 PM

Well here are some pics of all the live rock I added as well as the completion of the plumbing and wiring...

ThinIce · 09/02/2009, 08:56 PM

Well it's been a crazy few weeks, but my tank is doing well:
This past week I installed a Vortech mp40w for much needed flow. This thing rocks!
I have added around 8-10 frags thanks to "mario4254" and "PI guy"
This week I added the following items:
-5 blue damsels (i know they may be devils but mine aren't too bad and their color is sick!)
-male and female green mandarin gobies (Hopefully they become a mated pair :-/)
-flame angel
-potters angel
-2 pepperint shrimp
-2 blue linckia star fish (may sell 1, $25, pm me if interested)

I am in the process of installing a 10g tank as a refugium for chaeto to harvest copepods.
I am also planning on setting up a phyo farm to aid in feeding said copepods.

Pictures to follow.

mystery_reef · 09/02/2009, 10:35 PM

straight blue damsels??

Ragby · 09/02/2009, 11:03 PM

Based on what people have said here, I'm not sure that the Flame Angel will be a great fit in a reef. If you are going the reef route, you're probably best trying to get rid of it now.

Did you build that sump yourself? If so, details please!

indydog1 · 09/03/2009, 07:35 AM

mandrin gobies need an established pod population to survive. i hope you got them from another reefer and not an lfs so hopefully they are eating.

ThinIce · 09/03/2009, 11:06 AM

Flames can be reef safe. I had one for about a year without any incident to corals until my roommate crashed the tank.... I'm hoping this one will have the same personality, otherwise he's gone. I have an established pod population from the live rock I purchased as well as the live rock I had in the 55. I am also working on setting up the fuge to make sure the population stays abundant. Yup, straight blues, no incident yet with them... I bought the sump from a fellow reefer, I'll get back to you on the brand.

mystery_reef · 09/03/2009, 11:51 AM

why not put in 5 chromis instead?

vidson · 09/03/2009, 12:30 PM

Looks like a good start. What pump are you using for the sump?

ThinIce · 09/03/2009, 05:31 PM

Reeflo dart.

after I added the damsels, I realized that only the "chromis" school. However, the damsels appear to be staying sorta close together in my tank...

ThinIce · 09/03/2009, 05:32 PM

shoulda got the atlantic blue chromis but the are larger than their cousins and get to be 5" in length.

Dana19620 · 09/03/2009, 06:00 PM

Where's the photos now that you've had it up and running for more than a month?

JPSKI25 · 09/03/2009, 10:47 PM

Thin, saw in the other thread you broke a tank, was it the 10g?

SaylorsReef · 09/03/2009, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ThinIce
I realized that only the "chromis" school.

In the wild yes, but not necessarily in captivity, unless you have a HUGE tank, and I don't consider this a huge tank.

Also, slow down on stocking, and spend more time researching. You are way over stocked for such a new tank. The mandarin is probably not going to make it unless it is eating frozen. As stated, it needs a mature tank. Five blue damsels is a whole lot of aggression IMO. As far as the shrimp, they often times do not survive new systems.

ThinIce · 09/04/2009, 12:02 AM

As stated earlier, my tank has an established amount of copepods. All the live rock / sand is established. So basically I went from an established 55 and moved to a 120 once I came back from school. So far all is well, all fish are eating, and the mandarins are hunting my copepods. Working on getting them to take frozen... but I doubt they'll run out of live food in there, especially if I can get my fuge to reproduce them as sort of a copepod sanctuary...

ThinIce · 09/04/2009, 12:04 AM

Yup, after all that, the 10g cracked, but it was because it got knocked when my buddy and I were installing it. But the drilling was sort of a hassle. I don't have room for anything bigger and don't want to spend the money for one of those CPR HOB's. Unfortunately I wont be able to get a refugium up and running until after this weekend.

JPSKI25 · 09/04/2009, 12:06 AM

I have one for you I'm off 2maro, you come get it and its yours!

SaylorsReef · 09/04/2009, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ThinIce
As stated earlier, my tank has an established amount of copepods. All the live rock / sand is established. So basically I went from an established 55 and moved to a 120 once I came back from school. So far all is well, all fish are eating, and the mandarins are hunting my copepods. Working on getting them to take frozen... but I doubt they'll run out of live food in there, especially if I can get my fuge to reproduce them as sort of a copepod sanctuary...

Actually there is usually some die off, and a cycle when you move the contents from one tank to another. The results are not an instantly cycled, well established tank. Even if this was a mature tank, the stocking is much to fast.

JPSKI25 · 09/04/2009, 12:59 AM

Wow I think someone needs a hug!!!! Just a downer in multiple threads!

ThinIce · 09/04/2009, 01:14 AM

wouldn't die off constitute an ammonia spike?
Also, how would you explain 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, zero nitrate with no bad algae, and a large boost in coralline algae along with copepods you can see even during the day?

07/29/2009, 12:32 PM	#1
ThinIce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SW Suburbs Posts: 232	Setting up a 120 Well I finally am setting up my 120g (422) reef tank. This is my first truly own tank. I got into the hobby just over a year ago with my roommates and we set up a 55g reef. We definitely had our share of grief and enjoyment out of that tank, learning quite a bit. Anyways, here are a few shots: Thanks to "meg" for the tank/stand/light and "bubbletip2" for the sump/pump.

07/29/2009, 12:37 PM	#2
ThinIce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SW Suburbs Posts: 232	What size powerheads do you reccomend for this size tank? I have two Koralia 2's, but not sure if that would be good enough... __________________ "Skating away on the thin ice of the New Day" Current Tank Info: 120g reef w/ 40g sump & 10g refugium; 29g biocube; 12g cadlight(in the works)

07/29/2009, 04:56 PM	#4
customdusty Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Geneva, IL Posts: 1,095	I run 4 K4's on the wavemaker on a 90 gal, but for my new 110 gal build I'm going with 2 Vortechs. I think it depends on how you aquascape your tank and what kind of stuff you keep, but I strongly believe that the more flow you have the better it is for your tank. Just an FYI... I will be selling my 4 k4s and the wavemaker soon when my new 110 is up.... __________________ "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." --George W. Bush, Saginaw, Mich., Sept. 29, 2000 Current Tank Info: 105g Mixed Rimless Starphire by Miracles - Reefthreads.com "Noteworthy Tank" November 19, 2010 Podcast #13 - Sfiligoi Stealth 12x39 T5 - 2x Vortech MP40W - BK/Vertex Alpha Cone 200 - Neptue Apex - 2 Part - Tunze ATO - BRS 5 Stage RO/DI

07/30/2009, 12:12 AM	#6
ThinIce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SW Suburbs Posts: 232	Orland Park __________________ "Skating away on the thin ice of the New Day" Current Tank Info: 120g reef w/ 40g sump & 10g refugium; 29g biocube; 12g cadlight(in the works)

07/31/2009, 05:04 PM	#7
ThinIce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SW Suburbs Posts: 232	Well here are some pics of all the live rock I added as well as the completion of the plumbing and wiring... __________________ "Skating away on the thin ice of the New Day" Current Tank Info: 120g reef w/ 40g sump & 10g refugium; 29g biocube; 12g cadlight(in the works)

07/29/2009, 01:03 PM	#3
mystery_reef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 3,822	at least 2 K4's or even a vortech or tunzes

07/29/2009, 10:53 PM	#5
JPSKI25 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Plainfield, IL Posts: 2,351	+2 on the K4's I ran 2 3's in my 38 and will have 3 in my 65 once they are cleaned. Where you at in the SW burbs

09/02/2009, 08:56 PM	#8
ThinIce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SW Suburbs Posts: 232	Well it's been a crazy few weeks, but my tank is doing well: This past week I installed a Vortech mp40w for much needed flow. This thing rocks! I have added around 8-10 frags thanks to "mario4254" and "PI guy" This week I added the following items: -5 blue damsels (i know they may be devils but mine aren't too bad and their color is sick!) -male and female green mandarin gobies (Hopefully they become a mated pair :-/) -flame angel -potters angel -2 pepperint shrimp -2 blue linckia star fish (may sell 1, $25, pm me if interested) I am in the process of installing a 10g tank as a refugium for chaeto to harvest copepods. I am also planning on setting up a phyo farm to aid in feeding said copepods. Pictures to follow. __________________ "Skating away on the thin ice of the New Day" Current Tank Info: 120g reef w/ 40g sump & 10g refugium; 29g biocube; 12g cadlight(in the works)

09/02/2009, 10:35 PM	#9
mystery_reef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 3,822	straight blue damsels??

09/02/2009, 11:03 PM	#10
Ragby Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 801	Based on what people have said here, I'm not sure that the Flame Angel will be a great fit in a reef. If you are going the reef route, you're probably best trying to get rid of it now. Did you build that sump yourself? If so, details please!

09/03/2009, 07:35 AM	#11
indydog1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: round lake, il Posts: 1,590	mandrin gobies need an established pod population to survive. i hope you got them from another reefer and not an lfs so hopefully they are eating. __________________ Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself Current Tank Info: 210 gal

09/03/2009, 11:06 AM	#12
ThinIce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SW Suburbs Posts: 232	Flames can be reef safe. I had one for about a year without any incident to corals until my roommate crashed the tank.... I'm hoping this one will have the same personality, otherwise he's gone. I have an established pod population from the live rock I purchased as well as the live rock I had in the 55. I am also working on setting up the fuge to make sure the population stays abundant. Yup, straight blues, no incident yet with them... I bought the sump from a fellow reefer, I'll get back to you on the brand. __________________ "Skating away on the thin ice of the New Day" Current Tank Info: 120g reef w/ 40g sump & 10g refugium; 29g biocube; 12g cadlight(in the works)

09/03/2009, 11:51 AM	#13
mystery_reef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 3,822	why not put in 5 chromis instead?

09/03/2009, 12:30 PM	#14
vidson Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: WI Posts: 82	Looks like a good start. What pump are you using for the sump?

09/03/2009, 05:31 PM	#15
ThinIce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SW Suburbs Posts: 232	Reeflo dart. after I added the damsels, I realized that only the "chromis" school. However, the damsels appear to be staying sorta close together in my tank... __________________ "Skating away on the thin ice of the New Day" Current Tank Info: 120g reef w/ 40g sump & 10g refugium; 29g biocube; 12g cadlight(in the works)

09/03/2009, 05:32 PM	#16
ThinIce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SW Suburbs Posts: 232	shoulda got the atlantic blue chromis but the are larger than their cousins and get to be 5" in length. __________________ "Skating away on the thin ice of the New Day" Current Tank Info: 120g reef w/ 40g sump & 10g refugium; 29g biocube; 12g cadlight(in the works)

09/03/2009, 06:00 PM	#17
Dana19620 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 1,383	Where's the photos now that you've had it up and running for more than a month?

09/03/2009, 10:47 PM	#18
JPSKI25 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Plainfield, IL Posts: 2,351	Thin, saw in the other thread you broke a tank, was it the 10g?

09/04/2009, 12:02 AM	#20
ThinIce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SW Suburbs Posts: 232	As stated earlier, my tank has an established amount of copepods. All the live rock / sand is established. So basically I went from an established 55 and moved to a 120 once I came back from school. So far all is well, all fish are eating, and the mandarins are hunting my copepods. Working on getting them to take frozen... but I doubt they'll run out of live food in there, especially if I can get my fuge to reproduce them as sort of a copepod sanctuary... __________________ "Skating away on the thin ice of the New Day" Current Tank Info: 120g reef w/ 40g sump & 10g refugium; 29g biocube; 12g cadlight(in the works)

09/04/2009, 12:04 AM	#21
ThinIce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SW Suburbs Posts: 232	Yup, after all that, the 10g cracked, but it was because it got knocked when my buddy and I were installing it. But the drilling was sort of a hassle. I don't have room for anything bigger and don't want to spend the money for one of those CPR HOB's. Unfortunately I wont be able to get a refugium up and running until after this weekend. __________________ "Skating away on the thin ice of the New Day" Current Tank Info: 120g reef w/ 40g sump & 10g refugium; 29g biocube; 12g cadlight(in the works)

09/04/2009, 12:06 AM	#22
JPSKI25 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Plainfield, IL Posts: 2,351	I have one for you I'm off 2maro, you come get it and its yours!

09/04/2009, 12:59 AM	#24
JPSKI25 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Plainfield, IL Posts: 2,351	Wow I think someone needs a hug!!!! Just a downer in multiple threads!

09/04/2009, 01:14 AM	#25
ThinIce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: SW Suburbs Posts: 232	wouldn't die off constitute an ammonia spike? Also, how would you explain 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, zero nitrate with no bad algae, and a large boost in coralline algae along with copepods you can see even during the day? __________________ "Skating away on the thin ice of the New Day" Current Tank Info: 120g reef w/ 40g sump & 10g refugium; 29g biocube; 12g cadlight(in the works)