New 6’ tank coming

[richard kagen]

We just rearranged the room and SWMBO LOML is onboard.
Currently we have a 60 + 30 joined displays with a wet dry and sump, running great with “happy” fish. This system has live rock in the 30 along with cheato and culurpia, nitrates are at 10 and dropping as the algae is really kicking in.
We are now shopping for a 6’ tank for a second FOWLR. From what we are seeing on the used market, looks like we are most likely looking at a 125(135). The 180’s do not seem to come onto the market too often from what we are seeing.
Looking for opinions on:
1)Drill verses overflow box(es) planning on a large sump (probably a 55) and a wet dry/bio balls set-up
2)Starting the tank with 100-ish lbs of dry rock and 20-ish lbs of live rock, thoughts?
3)How much light does live rock really need?

 

[nyceltic]

I would drill, even glass, on the back or sides ( Not the bottom, tempered will crack), I wouldn't bother with the bio balls, the live rocks will be enough eventually or start with developed bio balls or media ini the wet/dry and then slowly take out once the rock becomes active ( cycles)
Plan the sump in advance and the type. That will be a godsend in the future when you want to add on on or expand. A larger one and one thats set up with bubble traps/ PSkimmer area, refugium area etc etc.
Your nitrates are good and if dropping thats great. WIth a wet dry they usually have a habit of building up and no matter hoe much you change and clean the bio material they have a hard time getting below 20, in my past experience.
I have a 6 foot 150, 3/4 acrylic, 2 corner overflows and about a 40 gallon sump. Used to be wet/dry but not anymore, ws a pain. Simply a sump now and I also plumbed in a seperat 20 gallon tank as a refugium and it's growing chaeto like crazy. But it took alot of "handy DIY work. I should of planned for expansion years ago when I got it ini 2003.
Good Luck

 

[richard kagen]

Just came home with a 125 gallon tank that we found on CL right here in our little town. $400 for tank, stand, canopy and a Current USA artinic light that does not work. It will be FOWLR
Everything is in kind of rough shape, but the tank was running until a couple of weeks ago so it should not leak.
Immedate next steps:
1) Clean everything
2) sand and repaint the stand and canopy
3) Reinforce the stand
4) Plan the filtration, sump and refugium. The stand will need work if I decide to go with a 55 sump so it is likely decision time soon
Trying to stay on a reasonable budget.
Still noodling, drill or not to drill. If I do overflow boxes it would likely be 2 one on each side. Where can you buy the black overflow internal boxes? If I did overflow I would use the continous flow with lines to the venturis on powerheads?
Also, does anyone know where I can get the glass covers that fit into these 3plastic recesses - not sure what brand tank it is

 

[eric b 125]

check out glass-holes dot com. they sell the drill kit and overflow boxes. i just drilled my tank with their kit, it was super easy to do and the overflow boxes are awesome quality and run super quiet.

 

[richard kagen]

E B A Y search "Aquarium Overflow Box 1200GPH"
seems like a 6' tank 125 will need 2 boxes regardless of the 1200 GPH capacity

 

[richard kagen]

My local start-up LFS made me a great deal a brand spankin new AGA 125 with overflows, plumbing kits and versa top. Picked it up lat night so now we have two 125's and the 55 that we took down to make room for the 125; out of control here. Very happy with the new tank
Planning on building a stand to fit in the 55 as a sump with a home made wet/dry and a 10 gallon plant tank/refugium.
I am planning to start a new thread for this build.