Drama's 125 build progress (build progress)

[Dramad1]

So I'll try to make this short and to the point.

I need everyone's help. Please .

 

I've been wanting to get a larger tank, I have been debating new or used. Reason for bigger tank is to consolidate my 3 tanks into one and make my life easier by having only one tank to do maint. on.

 

So I picked up a like new 125g Visio tank for 100$ from a local reefer. It was going to be used as a sump on his massive 400g tank but life happened and he is parting everything out. After checking out the tank which looked basically new w/ a lil dust on it, I brought it home.

 

I felt like this was a good deal and bought it on impulse not thinking about the set up. Now I need everyone's help piecing this tank together. The tank is not drilled, but would like it to be. Never drilled my own tank nor have I had a sump. Always went aio. Time to take my reefing experience to the nxt level. This is where I need everyone's help.

 

I have a list of questions, wants, and what do I need's? I think it will be several months before I get this tank up and running. Trying to get a list together and make a plan.

 

I will start with a few questions....

 

1) looking at the tank, I'm not sure if the glass is tempered. It is a Visio tank, not starfire glass. Anyone know if I can drill it, or tell me how I can determine if it's drillable?

 

2) What would be a good size, average size sump for this size tank? I plan to purchase just a basic tank and turn it into a sump. Any helpful tips or suggestions? Should I just go with a premade sump?

 

3) equip? Plan to take my mp10's off my other 2 tanks as well as my ato. I would need to upgrade the rest as well as figure out a return pump, overflow kit, style etc. As fas as skimmer/reactor, Thinking of going full zeovit set up.....but I guess we can talk about this later.

 

Want's

 

125g w/sump

Simple plumbing

Lots of flow

Minimal maintence

Easy access

 

Needs:

 

1) I have to build a stand, shouldn't be a problem but think I need to determine what I will be using as a sump to figure my demensions (spelling <<) as well as Figure out and understand my plumbing first.

 

2) equip, style of overflow, glass hole bits, plumbing, the works

 

I posted this in the beginner section because that's what I am when it comes to drilled and sumped tanks. I know this post is long and full of questions easily answered with a lil searching. I just don't know where to begin. I just bought the tank on impulse not thinking of the build.

 

Please help me build my new tank set up. I'm open to any and all ideas. I don't want to skimp out on the quality and want to really make this a nice display tank.

 

Here is a pic of the tank still in my truck, need to figure out how I'm going to get it in my house

 

 

 

[brinyreefer]

I started out with a list like you posted, just grab some coffee and Google/Youtube away straight down the list. Another place is in members aquariums, look at others who have the same size/similar tank and se what they have. Most of the info is already here for you. I am in the last stages of gathering all my equipment for my 40b and keep going back and forth on lighting, one day I pick one and the next day another and so on. Ughh.

 

I would look into a herbie or similar overflow, most of my time has been spent on plumbing and sump set up.

 

Good luck and have fun with the build.

[Dramad1]

Thanks for the reply, I have been browsing the web all day looking for info, checken out others builds and pricing equip.

So far I think I'm going to do a 40b for the sump. Thats all I got for now. Lol. Still wondering if I can drill this tank and if so, bottom or sides. 2 corner overflows or just one down the center. I also have been looking at many different plumbing set up's. Seems like some many ways to plumb a tank.

 

Tank is still in the bed of my truck. Im waiting for my uncle to come help me move it.

[jack1978]

Drilling=easy. I don't believe you can drill the bottom of those tanks...just the back or sides. For super easy and reasonable pricing, go to Glass - holes for an overflow kit.

 

Sump. I'd just grab a 40 from Petco on there $1 per gallon sale. Just make sure your tanks returns are located high enough on the display to limit the amount of back siphoned water spilling into your sump....hmm, maybe go bigger on the sump....wait for the big boys to chime in.

[Tamberav]

Bottom might be tempered, sometimes theres a sticker.

 

Otherwise try this: http://www.salt-city.org/showthread.php?9542-How-to-tell-if-glass-is-tempered

 

or polarized glasses.

[Dramad1]

 

Drilling=easy. I don't believe you can drill the bottom of those tanks...just the back or sides. For super easy and reasonable pricing, go to Glass - holes for an overflow kit.Sump. I'd just grab a 40 from Petco on there $1 per gallon sale. Just make sure your tanks returns are located high enough on the display to limit the amount of back siphoned water spilling into your sump....hmm, maybe go bigger on the sump....wait for the big boys to chime in.

I was looking at the 3000 over flow kit or maybe 2 of the 1500 kits, maybe one on each side. When you say go bigger on the sump what do you think of a 55g long. I have a member on the local forum selling a few of these for 20$ a piece.

[jack1978]

I was looking at the 3000 over flow kit or maybe 2 of the 1500 kits, maybe one on each side. When you say go bigger on the sump what do you think of a 55g long. I have a member on the local forum selling a few of these for 20$ a piece.

 

For $20... Grab one.

[Dramad1]

Thanks for the help fellas.

I put on my polorized sunglasses on and held my cell behind the side glass panels and the light coming threw looked dim. It was hard to tell as the tank is in the back of my truck which is sitting in the sun. I will try again tonight after I bring it in the house.

[Spiderguardnano]

damm so this is the big boy. Looks sick man excited for your new build.

 

just slam a glass- holes 3000 overflow kit on one of the sides and make it a peninsula style tank that would look amazing man

 

hit me up if you need help unloading it man

[Dramad1]

After seeing a few 125 builds that looked totally awesome. I am thinking of doing an almost coast to coast bean animal overflow. Supposed to be super silent. Also may ditch the 40b sump for a 55g long.

[Dramad1]

Made a few online orders and made a trip to hd, I now have almost all my plumbing parts for a bean animal set up. I plan on going with just an internal overflow, 1" bulkheads to 1 1/2" stand pipes and still up in the air if I should go w/ 3/4" for return or bump it up to 1". I have enough 3/4" fittings to go that route but leaning more towards a 1" dual return.

Im still waiting on my bulkheads, gate valves and a few misc pvc fittings, they should all be here by the end of the month. Once they arrive I will do a dry fit and mark my holes to drill for my bulkheads and get measurements for my overflow so I can order my glass and get the internal overflow fabbed up as well.

I also picked up all my wood for a diy stand minus the plywood. I should be able to get the whole frame finished hopefully this weekend. Picked up a kreg jig kit to help out with the joints. I hope everything goes as planned.

Looking for ideas for a return pump, can anyone recommend a good return pump for this size tank? Im looking at a mag 18 right now, anything equivalent or better anyone want to recommend?

No new pics unless you want some of all my plumbing parts and wood. Lol

[Spiderguardnano]

damm sounds like you have a busy weekend.

 

Maybe go with a sicce return? only heard good things about those pumps

[Dramad1]

Gate valve showed up today and just finished cutting all the wood for the stands fframe.man this gate valve is gigantic.

[Dramad1]

Built not bought. Lol. I basically copied this stand off a member over on rc. I really like how it leaves the inside open w/ plenty of room for goodies. This is the 2nd stand I have built. I think it turned out pretty well considering I'm not a car"paint"er. Kreg jig made it super simple and easy.

Nxt week I plan to pick up a few sheets of plywood to cover the sides and make some doors. I might pick up some trim and blk epoxy paint as well.

built the bottom and top first...

 

then assembled the legs....

 

and put it all together.

 

Next up drilling tank, plumbing and overflow.

[Dramad1]

Picked up my sump today. I originally was going to go with a 55g long but some unexpected expenses arose and I couldnt meet the local reefer. I was browsing around and seen this sump fs and really liked it but didnt have the $.

Got some extra money throw my way as a b day gift and I used it to pick up the sump which also came with a led sump light.

It is a rimless sca 38g sump with a beamswork power led 400

Now im just waiting on a few plumbing pieces and my bulkheads to start the plumbing.

Pics

 

 

And here is one of my gate valve, just took the pic cause it is so huge. Not used to larger plumbing on a tank

 

 

comments, ideas for a return? Looking for at least 5x turn over. Ehiem1262 or mag 18???

[Dramad1]

Anyone have a reef oct 200 int? Ive been eyeing this skimmer for the 125, anyone have any reviews? Would this be a good choice for a 125g tank? I am also looking at a skimz skimmer.

Not sure if I should go bigger skimmer wise and or if the int200 is large enough. Anyone have any other recommendations skimmer wise.

Also return pump, looking at a mag 18 or 24 or an ehiem1262 or a sicce 4.0. Leaning more towards the first 2 mag or ehiem. Can anyone share there opinion s with me about these return pumps?

[Dramad1]

Bump for suggestions

[hey]

Im using a skimz 181 on my 50 and it is way oversized. I really like it though and I imagine on a 125 it would be a correct size. says for tanks 53-198 gallons and since 125 is in there it would probably work moderately stocked. Mine has operated flawlessly so far. (5 months now)

 

Mag pumps are louder the bigger they get. I had a 7 that was obnoxious and they use way more energy than their competitors. I hear sicce gets louder over time but is very quiet at the start and eheims tend to get good reviews everywhere I read and I really need to try one myself.

[Dramad1]

Hey, thanks for some input. I have been thinking about going the ehiem route but the mag and sicce have a higher flow capacity but I guess if I have a few good powerheads in the tank this shouldn't matter.

I've been looking at skimmers all day and cant decide. The one's that really catch my eye are a bit out of my price range costing over 500$ and into the grands.

[Dramad1]

Any thoughts about an aquamaxx coneS c2 or c3 skimmer for my tank?

[Dramad1]

Starting the plumbing and my thread is dead ha ha. Planning to drill the tank in a few hours.

[Dramad1]

Ha ha ha.... kabOoom!!!!!

 

Trigger finger is numb arm is sore and battery pack is dead. Tank is drilled.

What a nerve racking experience. This is the first time drilling my own tank and I was expecting the worse and hoping for the best.

Here you go!!!

so plumbing can clear my support brace on stand...

Onto plumbing

[Dramad1]

Stand primer'd ready for paint, just finished cutting out the doors and siding. Plan to sand and primer them tomorrow as well as start painting stand.

 

Bulkheads are in and awaiting overflow which I still need to get glass cut for. Once stand is painted, I will get the tank set on it and start routing all my plumbing and figuring out my sump.

 

Getting close, next items on the list are equip.

wish list:

2x mp40'$

Aquamaxx coneS co-2 skimmer

Ehiem 1262

Apex gold

72" light, halide/t5/led unknown at this time.

 

pics of progress

 

 

[Spiderguardnano]

Looking good brotha

This big tank will forsure make your life way easier

[Dramad1]

Looking good brotha

This big tank will forsure make your life way easier

THANKS.

 

I hope it will make my life easier, it is not even up and running yet and even though im doing alot of diy, the price tag is growing quickly. But I enjoy my projects and this build has been fun so far. Lots of waiting though as im not made of money, stuff is really expensive when you go bigger. Lil at a time.