just getting started and need some professional help with this tank. i am doing it little by little. i just bought a 120 gallon atnk and want to make it a reef and fish tank. first thing i need is the filter what type of filter would you use for this. please i ask for help and just about every other day i will have another question to ask i see alot ofd nice tanks so i`m sure i can rely on you for ggod advice
not knowing your finacial abilty.....i would strongly suggest haveing the tank drilled and go with a very simple, but absolutely bullet proof sump system for filtration - - -new tanks are exciting......your in for a roller coaster ride bud....WELCOME !!!!! it's the most rewarding hobby I've ever had {and I've spent A LOT of money in other hobbies, lol}
get a good protien shimmer and alot of live rock for your main filtration oh yea plus sand. if you have money you could get your tank drilled and have a sump setup.imo its the best way.if its in the budget.
2 holes ...skimer box in the tank.........2 pipes down to the sump [mainly in case one plugs, could happen] big filter sock over the ends of the pipes inthe sump with mechanical media, carbon, chemi-pure, etc in it then you can put the protien skimmer, the heater, live rock if you like and return pump in the sump as well and a return line back to the tank...........
now in the event of a power outage the tank will only drain to the skimmer box level into the sump...[no spill] and when the power comes back on the system just starts back up......no syphon break {which would cause a flood in the tank when the return pump over fills it.............like i said....very simple and almost bullet proof
being that there is no holes i need to get drilled.1. whats size are the holes. 2. there is no bulkhead so i am going to put one in correct? if so do they sell them or you have to make one. is the bulkhead split in 2 one for each hole. also explain the 2 holes. sorry very new at this i wish there was a diagram for it.
theres a link on how to drill the holes, if you want to attemptit yourself {i don't think i would try for myself though,lol at 20-30 bucks a hole for someone else to do it.
before you start, you will need your skimmer box, which will dictate the size of the holes that will fit in there....the bulkheads...then find someone who will drill it for ya...and i would put it all together in the shop where its drilled , in case something doesn't fit ......so you won't have to move the tank 50 times....lol
i would say safly everything could run 100-150 bucks....but then its all done and done correctly, you know?
Drilling glass is very easy. It just takes time and just hold the drill steady and let the weight of the drill do the work. Be sure to use a drill that has a torque handle because as it finally goes all the way through the drill will tend twist a cock to one side. This is when most people crack glass.
Thicker glass is safer to drill than thin and being a 120g it should have 3/8-1/2 in glass.
well there is a place in brooklyn(1000 islands) they make the tanks custom to your specifications. for a 120 48x24x24 with bulkhead onstalled came out to $575.oo. dont know if that is reasonable but she said that they use thick glass and it takes about 3 weeks
oh..... i thought you already had a tank purchased............575 for a drilled tank is decent, not cheap, but not priced to crazy either..........if you can drill it yourself and don't mind doing the foot work for the parts and pieces i still think you can beat that price for sure......but remember like schigara says......it only takes one little "cock" at the end of the hole and you just ruined a 120 gallon tank...............its a gamble i would probably take ....cause im a friggin redneck who will try anything once....lol Boss
get the biggest tank you can fit under the display and build your filter in the sump.....i stated this above ...........a good skimmer is paramount and everyone has different opinions on them ....I am looking at... this onhttp://www.fishtanksdirect.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=551e for my next tank
UV sterilizers are ok on a well established tank...but can be damaging in a new tank.
you'll need a couple good return pumps to pump water back to the display tank, PVC pipe and fittings, hoses, GFI protected power strips, couple timers, good lights
I strongly suggest going to walmart, find the culligan dispenser and buy their water - - it's RO, and UV filtered for 33 cents a gallon ..........this will help tremedously with unwanted algaes down the road {NOTE: you will still get algae, lol just not as bad}
set up a system for prepareing and handleing premixed salt water for weekly water changes {10%} - i use a plastic container with a power head, heater and thermometer in it
it goes on and on man ....so just keep good notes and keep asking questions we will all give advise freely....Good Luck,
