Dream 120 under construction

[scarf_ace1981]

I know you guys love pics and this thread is worthless w/o pics but i want to get this thread started. pics will be up soon.​

TANK: 120g non reef ready(drilling two drains on the back glass)​

EQUIPMENT:
3/4in and 1/2in sea swirls for return
1 tunze 6000 w/ multicontroller and photocell
1 seio 1500
DAS BX1
2- 250w DE 14k phoenix (one side aquamedic set up, pfo on the other)
9.5 return through sea swirls
30g sump
ATO kit
2 part dosing set up
ph monitor​

AQUASCAPE:

100lbs of LR - may get a couple more pounds for sump. want to achieve the open look in this tank
90lbs of sand​

inhabitants that i currently have in holding tanks​

fish:

foxface
lubbock wrasse
carpenter wrasse
2 scissortail
goldrim tang
2 bangaii cardinals
piley wrasse
clown wrasse
pink spotted watchman
neon goby​

coral:​

several acros and montis
several acan lords and echinatas
several blasto colonies
several zoo colonies
large wellsophylia, small lobo and trachyphilia
squamosa
several favias
large frogspawn
large anchor hammer
fox coral​

 

[jim63dt]

nice!
looking forward to the pics

 

[scarf_ace1981]

so far i built the hood and made a platform to elevate the stand and tank.

last night i got my bits. now i have to decide where on the back i want to drill the tank.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

i have a crazy idea and really need MR help. i don't know how to explain it but here goes:

- i want two drains on the back wall(upper left corner and upper right corner)

-i decided to use the inside boxes that come w/ u tube overflows(reasons are surface skimming and unlike a tank drilled from the bottom, these boxes will not take up too much space)

- now listen up i will not be using u tube overflows just the surface skimming box

-i'd like to drill the overflow box and the back wall and pass the bulkhead through both the box and tank

 

[House of Laughter]

Thats crazy talk and asking for a flood!

House

 

[scarf_ace1981]

please explain house. how will it flood? i'll have two overflows but instead of the plumbing going to the bottom it will go through the back wall.

i really dont see the difference between what i want to do and a RR 120

 

[Domboski]

Jon,

I think House is worried about the space between the box and back glass wall. It would be tough to create a tight fit that wouldn't leak (if I understand what you want to do). I hate beating a dead horse but try to get feedback from Kimoyo (Paul). He may have some good ideas.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

i'll check w/ kimoyo. i honestly think it will work. i think i saw someone do it on another site.

 

[DRZL]

how about just making an external overflow, easy solution and no unsightly box in the tank

 

[jackson6745]

Scarf, if I understand correctly you will still hav overflow boxes inside the tank. I'm with DRZL, go external.
I would also try to get a more powerful skimmer.

 

[kimoyo]

Take a look at this page, http://www.barraquatic.com/overflows.php , its what your talking about. They put a gasket on the outside that supposedly makes it waterproof. Like the others, I like external overflows but that might be harder for you to do.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

kimoyo that is exactly what i want to accomplish. you are the man.

thanks rich since i'll only have 4 fish for now the asm should do but i will upgrade later on.

drzl- i don't mind having two small overflows @ the top, compared to two corner overflows or a center overflow that will rob me of valuable space.

the external overflow is a great idea but that means cutting the brace and glass on the tank. i don't have the proper tools to accomplish such a job.

 

[House of Laughter]

Scarf,

I was wondering about an external overflo -

What Paul posted is correct if you're thinking surface skimming is necessary - I personally would just go the Scoots route and have two elbows with to strainers on them - as long as your return is slower than your drain you'll have little to no noise. The reduced size internal box, though, is relatively foolproof.

House

 

[cali_reef]

Internal overflow box with bulkhead thru it and the glass will be fine, put a bead of silicon around the bulkhead hole, between the box and the glass wall to prevent leaks thru the bulkhead threads. The extra gasket on the outside like paul mentioned will not work if it is installed properly.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

thanks guys.
if cali reef approves i'm all set.
can't wait to get home. i have a four day weekend to get some work done.

let's say i do decide to go w/ external overflow, removing the brace w/ a dremel is no problem but what about cutting the teeth into glass? how hard is that? hummm...maybe i can cut out a whole section and replace w/ one of these:

 

[scarf_ace1981]

i've decided to do all the plumbing in black but savko doesn't give inside and outside dimensions for anything. i'd hate to order and get the wrong stuff.

 

[jf2381]

I'm making an external overflow on my 30 cube. I'm cutting out 2 teeth per day. That's the only way that I will not rush the job and end up breaking something. Also keeps me from going insane. LOL

 

[scarf_ace1981]

eventhough i had the flu this holiday i managed to drill the two drains on the tank. filled it w/ sand. the canopy is done but the stand still needs a facelift.

i'll be filling it up by next week

pics to come

 

[scarf_ace1981]

i just ordered my custom overflow from aquarium specialty. great price and great customer service.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

tank is half full of water and rocks. all corals have been placed until i have time to place the rocks how i really want them.


dosing pump, tunze controller and two power centers

ATO controller and ph monitor

10g ATO

other half of LR in curing tank

half of the corals, green slimer was already starting to STN in the holding tank

other half

middle of thank