ntl555 120g Build Log

[ntl555]

Picked up my 120g RR DAP tank in February 2011 and just got my stand from Wes (luck_of_the_draw) on Tuesday, March 22.

Here is the beginning of my build log.

My New Tank 48x24x25

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Steel Stand from Wes (What a great job and thanks again!)

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Tank on the stand

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Yay finally!!

[kraigrrr]

lookin good... Love the pugs...

[ntl555]

Just finished tinting the back with a 5% limo film. Remember to be lint free with no dogs around. I had to take dog hair out while applying it.

Here it is!

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Seeing it through the back.

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[washingtond]

I like what you have done so far. Can you tell us what you plans are for this tank, lighting filtering, etc?

[ntl555]

Thanks for the input David. I am still debating the lighting right now. I am leaning more towards LED and T5 lighting from Wayne. Still planning the piping as well. Shall I go black spa-flex or pvc piping?? Hmm decisions decisions!! The filtration will be posted in future posts as I will take pictures of it and the pumps beneath.

[ntl555]

Durso Standpipe build.

Doing a dry layout.

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Didn't go as planned, but after cutting and tweaking, I finally got it!

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Tested the dursos in the tank to make sure the endcap was as high as the trim.

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[dahenley]

what is a DAP tank?
and it looks like a PVC bottom like AGE? do you mind sharing a little more for me please. (looks good by the way)

[ntl555]

what is a DAP tank?
and it looks like a PVC bottom like AGE? do you mind sharing a little more for me please. (looks good by the way)

DAP (Dallas Aquarium and Pond Co.) is a tank builder like DSA (Deep Sea Aquatics). They are located in Garland, Texas. You can contact Jeff Watters at DAP (469) 371-3884 if you would like a tour of their facility or to even discuss how you would like a tank built. You would just have to go to a local vendor to purchase it.

The bottom is built with a PVC bottom like AGE does it and has two 1" drains and two 3/4" returns in the center. It was built with regular glass (not starphire).

[Luck_of_the_Draw]

Great looking setup


Any updates?

[ntl555]

Great looking setup


Any updates?

Hey Wes!

I had to get a replacement tank because the glass had a blemish and wasn't noticed when I picked it up. I didn't notice it until my gf pointed it out to me. It's one of those things that are only seen once it is looked at from an angle. Since it was on the viewing side of the glass, I opted to get a replacement and DAP (now DSA) replaced it for me. It is now sitting in my fish room waiting for the silicone to cure for 2-3 weeks and this build log will hopefully take off.

[ntl555]

Now time to get this thread moving again.

Finally got my replacement tank after finding a blemish in the glass. DSA was more than happy to replace it and they agreed to make some changes to the tank as well for me. Once again, thanks Jeff. Great Customer Service I might add

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Got the piping painted with a Satin Krylon Fusion Black paint.

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[ntl555]

List of equipment I will be using:

Return Pump:
Mag 18

Skimmer:
AquaC EV-180 with a Mag 7

Refugium:
Trigger System's Elite

In-Line Filtration:
2x Phosban 150 with Maxi Jets

Water Movement:
2x Koralia 1050 (I don't think it'll provide enough water movement for me, but since it came off my old tank I'll use it for now and upgrade later)
2x Koralia 2 (Extra pumps I got for free. Might just add it to provide extra flow in the tank)

Doser:
2x Drew's Dosers

Controller:
Neptune System Aqua Controller Jr with a DC8

Lighting:
To be detemined. Leaning towards LED with T5, but I might just do MH with T5. Still don't like LED colors that much sometimes.

[washingtond]

Glad to see that you got your tank issues resolved. Do you research before diving into LED's as there are several different options, some that dim, many with different adjustable colors, some with effects, etc all out there.

[pcnicholson]

Grats Nam! Looking good!

[ntl555]

After allowing the silicone to cure for 3 weeks, time for the tank to taste water for the first time!

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and since I bought the Trigger Systems Elite used and it hasn't seen water in like a year, time to fill it up to.

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[ntl555]

I have found that plumbing is alot harder than what it may seem. Frustrating yet fun. Complicating, but educational. But I need help with my plumbing.

How should I change this?

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Originally, I wanted to split the "drain to the fuge" to one of the filter socks so the fuge area would not be hit with a high flow rate, but changed my mind because I simply could not do it with the stuff I bought already.

Would it be better just to do horizontal piping and use 90degree PVC Couplers? It would look better and would probably fit better IMO. If I do go with horizontal piping, would having 90degree PVC Couplers slow down flow rates? Or should I continue to use 45degrees PVC Couplers for both the return and drains?

Any suggestions will be greatly appreaciated.

[C4rN4gE]

What is your end objective? The way I see it you are perfectly poised to utilize the Herbie Method which results in dead silent overflows.

[ntl555]

What is your end objective? The way I see it you are perfectly poised to utilize the Herbie Method which results in dead silent overflows.

Really, there isn't an end objective in mind other than if it works or not. Is it silent or noisy. Something to that nature. Since it is my first major plumbing project (other than putting little couplings here and there), I think it could be all wrong or even could be improved upon aesthetically or functionally.

[kuyatwo]

For me I would just redo the returns. I would go two return pumps just in case one fails


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ntl555]

For me I would just redo the returns. I would go two return pumps just in case one fails

You're right, I should have thought about that before I bought the pumps. I took the alternate route and bought another used pump incase this pump went out.

[kuyatwo]

Does it have to be



Fuge > return < skimmer area

I like

Return < fuge < skimmer

[ntl555]

Does it have to be

Fuge > return < skimmer area

I like

Return < fuge < skimmer

The sump/fuge is a trigger systems elite. so its technically Fuge > Skimmer > Return

Water Flow

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Refugium/Sump

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[ntl555]

For me I would just redo the returns. I would go two return pumps just in case one fails

Hey Pampee,

I started to think about buying 2 more pumps as you suggested but had a question.

I have dual durso standpipes which drain about 600gph (rated) each and then bought two pumps that match that drain rate. If one pump should stop working, would I not have an overflowing sump or tank?

For me I would just redo the returns. I would go two return pumps just in case one fails

Hey Pampee,

I started to think about buying 2 more pumps as you suggested but had a question.

I have dual durso standpipes which drain about 600gph (rated) each and then bought two pumps that match that drain rate. If one pump should stop working, would I not have an overflowing sump or tank?

If one pump failed you would only be pushing about 600 gph up to the tank instead of 1200. This will not cause any overflowing, as the dual drains will only drain as much water as gets pushed up to the tank. 1/2 the typical water volume will be going up, so only 1/2 the typical water volume will be draining. The only time you would worry, is if you had a pump too large for your drains, which means the drains wouldn't keep up and your display tank would overflow.

[bigez]

If I were to change anything it would be keep one of the standpipes as an emergency just in case you get a clog or snail in your main standpipe. If you have both throttled back to exactly the rate the pumps are putting out and a snail gets in one of the pipes you're going to end up with some wet floors.

Your plumbing looks good. It's all a matter of matching tank size to appropriate flow rate and flow rate to appropriate pipe size. You should have enough drains to handle the output of your pump or pumps and going bigger on drains is always better if flow rates are on the higher end. If needed there are calculators for figuring this stuff out on the net.

[ntl555]

Finally got to a point where I could start on my tank again.

Purchased Owens Corning 3/4 R40 Pink Foam and Black Latex Paint from HD.

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Rolled on the paint and this is what I ended up with.

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Added some sand. Thinking about adding more. As you can see, you can see the painted foam under the tank.

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[ntl555]

Mods - Could you rename the title of my thread to "ntl555 120g Build Log"
I asked my thread to get merged, and the title of my thread remained Plumbing Suggestions.


Started back on the tank after a wedding and honeymoon.

Finally got my AI Sol Blues.

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Gotta get more rocks and probably re do all the rock formations.

[psteeleb]

looking great so far
nice build

How did that plumbing work for you? Looks good, but more rock is going to make it better.

[J.Davis]

Nice build :)

[jred25]

What did you pay for the tank and where did you buy it that's the same tank i was going to have custom made .

[Lindsey]

What did you end up doing with the plumbing?

[ntl555]

How did that plumbing work for you? Looks good, but more rock is going to make it better.

What did you end up doing with the plumbing?

I ended up using a standard durso standpipe and allowing one to fully flow while dialing back the other. To prevent snails and fish from coming in, I put this grill over the overflow box.

[ntl555]

Grill over overflow. To prevent splashing, I am using a plastic bag.

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Pictures of the plumbing. Going to install a dosing station for 2 part and will clean up all the power cords.

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[ntl555]

Pictures of the tank today along with a video. Colors wouldn't come out right when I took a picture.

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Are you still using the AquaC skimmer? How's it working out with the Mag 7?

[ntl555]

Are you still using the AquaC skimmer? How's it working out with the Mag 7?

I actually upgraded to an Aqua C EV-240 with a Mag 12. I picked it up at DNA for like 60 bucks. Couldnt resist the upgrade. The skimmer works pretty good. I have to clean it weekly and I feed about 1-2 times a day.

Any updates on the tank? would love to see pictures!