MikMcgyver's 125 Build

[reeffreak]

Make sure whatever T5 fixture that guy from LFS can get that it has individual reflectors.The single most important feature of T5.IMO.

Best of luck and I can't wait to see it wet too.

 

[MikMcgyver]

More plumbing today... Finally got my last 2 bulkheads in and installed in the tank..

Ran my 2 center returns off of one pump, and the 2 outside returns off the 2nd pump...

Unwrapped it today too, the kiddo wanted to put some fish in and he wanted to climb in...

After that....... Leak test time...:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

No leaks...:^::^:.

Sump worked great, one thing I noticed I forgot was some one way check ball valves.. Everytime I turned off the pumps, the water that was over the difusers, just siphoned back into the sump. And when I say siphoned, i mean, drained extremely fast , scarey fast back into the sump. With the 2 year old running around I dont wanna take a chance of the pumps getting shut off by accident and then filling the house with 40-50gallons of water... Anyone else use check valves?

Still working on the lighting....Too much to try to figure out on my own..

sorry about the big pics, forgot to resize them with photobucket......

 

[reeffreak]

I have to say that is one nice looking tank and stand.It must be a rule to toss the kids in the tank before putting water in.

I don't use a check valve but if you need to put them in,I seen many who do.I just keep the loc-line no farther than an inch below the water.

Good luck and keep the updates coming.

 

[LionFish]

it is a MUST with the Kids mine wouldnt let me Put a drop in unless they have played in the tank for a while first.

The tank looks Great MIK,
Heres your BTC badge ware it with pride lol,

 

[yote]

Looks great Mike.
I dont use check valves either.
I have a hole drilled in my return line just below the 90 where the loc-line is connected to break any siphon.

 

[fishbait]

looks great mik! i'm not a acrylic tank specialist, but I think you may need to put some of the pink styrofoam unsulation under the the tank. it's supposed to fill any minor imperfections and support the tank a little better. don't know if it's necassary or not. maybe someone that has done that will chime in.

 

[LionFish]

he he how did you add the tank to your sig,

I have tried forever lol

 

[MikMcgyver]

I had to make it a .gif with photoshop, it was too big, pm me youe email and I will send it to ya.. unless ya got photoshop...

 

[Bifferwine]

I just right clicked on the pic from Mike's signature and saved it to my desktop.

 

[NewPortRichey]

I just right clicked on the pic from Mike's signature and saved it to my desktop.

yup, me too. worked just fine.

 

[SSalty]

Oh come one dad, you didn't let your son swim in the tank. He is too cute...

Tank is coming along nicely. What kind of lights are you planning on?

 

[MikMcgyver]

Most likely...

Constellation Series Aquactinics 72" 14 lamp T5 fixture - no lamps: Premium Aquatics

I am hoping my LFS guy can get this one or one extrememly close to it...

 

[MikMcgyver]

Guess what showed up today?????

80lbs of LS

130 lbs of Marshall LR

This stuff is great, stacks so easy and the stuff they had in the store was just covered in coraline.. Stuff had a bit of die off but not a real big deal..

Whats next? water, lots and lots of water......

 

[MikMcgyver]

More pics....

2 trips to the LFS and 125 gallons later, its full and runnin.... Taking pics of sump and skimmer now...

 

[yote]

Thats some great looking rock.
Better break out the fans if your curing it in the tank.:shock:

 

[MikMcgyver]

More pics...

Gotta adjust the skimmer a bit, i am getting good bubble but need to to go a bit higher to pop over the top of the collection cup...

Water is already starting to clear up a bit

 

[Bifferwine]

That is some really AWESOME looking live rock! I'll have to remember to get Marshall next time. Nice shapes. And killer skimmer you've got there too. I can't wait to see pics when it clears up.

 

[fishbait]

looks awesome mik!

 

[NewPortRichey]

Very nice Mik! The system looks superb, and very nicely done. Keeps the pics rollin!

 

[MikMcgyver]

Thanks folks, still messin with my light situation, got someone gonna give me 3 MH pendants, but I gotta build a hood for em. Do I build a hood, retro the MH's and add some t5 actinics? or just buy that fixture reef is tellin me about... the quandry...