Mary`s 125 Build

First a little background./DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif
2 years ago I started in this hobby with a 29 GA JBJ Biocube.  My son got a 75 ga and we started at the same time.  We did alot of research before deciding to do saltwater tanks.  Saltwater, as we all know, take commitment and time.  When i moved to Iowa from Wisconsin, i left my tank in his care for about 6 months and finally moved it here last August. 
I installed an RODI system and salt water mixing 'tank' here.  Around November i had an outbreak of hair algae, and as a last resort i purchased a juvenile yellow tang.  i did this knowing that i eventually would have to find him a new home as he grew.  /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/satisfied.gif   Well. let's just say a couple of months ago I decided I couldn't bear to give him up and leave it at that.  /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/biggrin.gif    So I began the search for a bigger tank and thanks to Snowman82 (aka Chris)  I purchased his 125. 
This is my first attempt at trying anything like this and it has been frustrating as well as highly educational.  Rofl 
Applying Silicone has been a real education and although it looks messy it doesn't leak! 
Enjoy!
Mary

 

This is my sump.  I
used a 30 GA Long.   Baffles are glass
cut by Ace Hardware.

  


 Far left side is my
refugium, next is skimmer, bubble trap and finally return .   I basically used Melv's Reef design
although I did modify it some.  Skimmer
is a Reef Octopus 160 and return pump is a Mag Drive 900. 


 


I had a terrible time with baffle measurement .   I
went back 4 times to Ace because I couldn't get the inside dimensions
correct.  Methods I used were measuring
tape straight across, measuring tape meeting in the middle, paper, and
string.  I think somehow the silicone at
the bottom was throwing the measurement off. 
Finally i got the cutting close enough that i could silicone the glass
in. 
BTW if anyone needs some glass let
me know i happen to have some.      
lol...


After curing for 48 hours I did a water test of each chamber
to look for leaks and to see if the baffles would hold under unequal
pressure. 


It's not pretty, but it does work in a test environment.
" src="%3Ca%20href=%22http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk26/mnewmarch/?action=view&current=sump.jpg%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk26/mnewmarch/sump.jpg%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22sump%22%3E%3C/a%3E">

 

This is my over flow piping.  As you can see the tank is drilled on the side, which I like as it will be easier to access.  The overflow box  itself is  3" wide by 7" tall.    I had some problems with the overflow box once it was glued together.  The angle was too tight to insert into the tank.  So i took it apart and glue each piece separately to the tank and clamped it.
Piping size is 1 1/2" which is then combined into 2".  Piping is then brought in to sump.
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piping into sump from overflow
" src="%3Ca%20href=%22http://s276.photobucket.com/albums/kk26/mnewmarch/?action=view&current=pipingsump.jpg%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk26/mnewmarch/pipingsump.jpg%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22sump%20piping%22%3E%3C/a%3E">

 

This is the return section of my sump.  3/4" return with a mag 900 pump.  i used a True union ball valve for shutoff..
The return is piped into the tank at the top. 
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This is a picture of the tank with my new species of catfish.  ;-)
I'll post more as the tank progresses.  I have added sand and am filling the tank (which will take 4 days).   I have 45 lbs of live rock curing right now and more to come.
For lighting I will be getting the Aqua Illumination LED's.
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