marvelfan
Member
I recently moved out of my fathers place and bought a place with my fiancee. I have a successful 29 gallon reef aquarium currently up and running over at his place. I was thinking about the logistics involved in moving it and decided it was time to upgrade them all to a new home.
Here is my current tank:
![](https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/data/3/3e/3e1df95b_29Gallon.jpegwidth/500/height/1000)
The place I bought has an unfinished basement. I've started the process of finishing the basement myself and decided to reserve a spot in what will be a rec room for a a new tank build. While browsing Craigslist last week I found local who was selling his 120 Gallon Aquarium with an Oak Stand and Canopy for $350. I was able to barter him down to $325. I feel like I got a pretty good deal!
![](https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/data/4/4a/4aafb12b_120GallonFront.jpegwidth/500/height/1000)
As of right now the tank sits up against an unfinished wall. On the other side of the wall is the storage area under the basement stairs. My plan is to open up this wall to have unrestricted access to the back of the tank from under the stairs and to be able to push the stand and aquarium right up against the wall (no gaps).
Here is a current view from the back. I ran some electrical outlets in under the stairs for easy access.
![](https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/data/e/ef/ef586dca_120GallonBack.jpegwidth/500/height/1000)
This is all still in the works and will be a slow build (due to budgeting for a wedding as well), but I did make my first purchases to start the plumbing. Picked up a 2400 GPH internal overflow. I wanted try a coast-to-coast set up, but I feel that placing the 18" long overflow in the middle top of the tank and then running a return from the sump up to each side will work out nicely. (Any opinions?). I picked up 5 1" ABS Bulkheads and a 45mm diamond-coated glass hole bit.
I plan to install a beananimal overflow (3 holes) in the middle and then have the return branch off in 3 directions. one return in the top right corner and one return in the top left corner. I'll leave another return with a ball-valve back to the sump for flow control purposes.
Wish me luck! The fun is about to start!
I fully plan to post my step by step process as I do the build (last time I got caught up in the build and forgot to record my work)
I'm open to all comments and suggestions!
Here is my current tank:
The place I bought has an unfinished basement. I've started the process of finishing the basement myself and decided to reserve a spot in what will be a rec room for a a new tank build. While browsing Craigslist last week I found local who was selling his 120 Gallon Aquarium with an Oak Stand and Canopy for $350. I was able to barter him down to $325. I feel like I got a pretty good deal!
As of right now the tank sits up against an unfinished wall. On the other side of the wall is the storage area under the basement stairs. My plan is to open up this wall to have unrestricted access to the back of the tank from under the stairs and to be able to push the stand and aquarium right up against the wall (no gaps).
Here is a current view from the back. I ran some electrical outlets in under the stairs for easy access.
This is all still in the works and will be a slow build (due to budgeting for a wedding as well), but I did make my first purchases to start the plumbing. Picked up a 2400 GPH internal overflow. I wanted try a coast-to-coast set up, but I feel that placing the 18" long overflow in the middle top of the tank and then running a return from the sump up to each side will work out nicely. (Any opinions?). I picked up 5 1" ABS Bulkheads and a 45mm diamond-coated glass hole bit.
I plan to install a beananimal overflow (3 holes) in the middle and then have the return branch off in 3 directions. one return in the top right corner and one return in the top left corner. I'll leave another return with a ball-valve back to the sump for flow control purposes.
Wish me luck! The fun is about to start!
I fully plan to post my step by step process as I do the build (last time I got caught up in the build and forgot to record my work)
I'm open to all comments and suggestions!