UDGags-125g (Updated Pics-5/15/13)

[UDGags]

Latest Picture (5/15/13)



Tank-125 gallon, 72"L x 18"W x 24"H
Sump -Aqueon Proflex Sump Model 4 w/Biomedia Kit
Overflow-CPR CS202 w/aqualifter
Return Pump-Mag 1800
Heaters-Two Hydor External Eth 300
CO2 System-GLA Supreme CO2 Regulator, Mag 9.5 w/Fractioning Impeller, GE High Flow Household Water Filter Unit (GXWH40L)
UV System-Turbo Twist 12x
Wavemaker-Vortech MP40
Lighting-Two ATI 36" 8x39W Dimmable SunPower w/Controller
Bulbs-Combination of these listed
Giesemann PowerChrome Aqua Flora T5 Lamps* (36" (39W))
Giesemann PowerChrome Midday T5 Lamps* (36" (39W))
ATI Blue Plus + T5 HO Aquarium Lamps (36", 39W)
ATI Purple Plus T5 HO Aquarium Lamps (36", 39W)
GE Starcoat 6,500K T5 High Output HO Aquarium Bulbs (36", (39W))

Controller-Neptune Systems Apex Controller

Substrate-4" of Amazonia (10-9L bags)

Hardscape
Mazanite Wood


Flora


Fauna-This is what I put in..not sure what's left in terms of numbers
91x Amano Shrimp
43x Otocinclus
80x Cardinal Tetras
6 Apistogramma Borelli 'Blue'

[Lab_Man]

Looks like you have a lot of work to do. I will be watching this thread intently as I am going to start a 125 gallon soon.

[UDGags]

Originally Posted by Lab_Man

Looks like you have a lot of work to do. I will be watching this thread intently as I am going to start a 125 gallon soon.

It's not work if you enjoy it

I got a good portion of the plumbing dry fitted and some cemented together today. Waiting to finish the cementing of the PVC until my wife is out of the house because of the fumes.

I've been playing with the aquascape and background/above tank ideas. I really don't like the look behind the tank so I want to spruce it up or cover it up some way. Here are some better picks of the wood and stone. The final picture(s) is of me playing with the aquascape.

[jart]

I'll be following this thread. Good luck with it; should be fun to watch the fish school in and out of the plants and wood. I think your fish choices are great.

I'm also planning a 125 but will likely go with a canister instead of a sump... I simply don't have enough time to spend fine tuning a sump. But, there are lots of great threads on this forum regarding sumps. I'm curious why you are using the Hydors instead of in sump heaters?

You seem to have a lot of light there. I'm considering using 2 rows of T5HOs suspended over the tank, but I may add one additional row and consider a midday burst.

Good luck with that Bacopa. I never could get it to do anything.

Keep posting pics, and happy holidays.

[UDGags]

I actually have two canister filters that I originally bought but decided to go with the sump instead. I think both methods work fine but personally I like the sump method better.

I had the two hydor's is the only reason I'm using them. I plan on picking up a heater(eheim-Jager) for sump down the road but didn't want to spend the money right now. I live in Ohio so I definitely need back-up heaters. The hydor's uses 5/8" connections (same as UV unit) so removing them from the plumbing scheme won't be an issue.

Yes, the lights are overkill but it's the dimmable unit so I can run them around 30-40% power and have really good spread over the entire tank. The other reason is if I ever decide to go with a reef the lights will work for that application as well.

[driftwoodhunter]

Any updates? This looks like an exciting build, and I can't wait to see what you do! (I'm a HUGE fan of DIY backgrounds, too) The wood and stone you have is fantastic, it must be terrible to have so much choice - lol.

[UDGags]

I haven't done too much with the holidays and my work schedule. The wife and I were traveling to see our families for a week or so. I have the next 3 days off so plan on finishing off the plumbing.

• Aquasoil has a 1/7/13 delivery date
• My second light is still on back order but the initial date they gave me was the week of the 7th.
• I believe I have everything else except for the plants and fish. Plants I'll order once I have all the equipment setup and running. Fish will be a few months down the road.

So I probably won't post much until the weekend of the 12th I'm guessing. If I have time I'll show some pictures on my plumbing....not very exciting


Oh yeah, I'm probably scraping the DIY background or at least holding off. I started it and don't really like how it's turning out. It's in my garage and I'll probably mess with it over the next few months. I did spray paint the back of the tank a flat black to get better contrast and hide the ugly wall behind it.

[UDGags]

I spent today finishing up cementing all the pipes and then I took them to work and used the paint booth to spray painted them all black.








I also worked out my EI dosing scheme this evening if anyone is interested.



I'll probably put together all the plumbing tomorrow (it's drying overnight at work). I did mount some of the electrical equipment yesterday and worked on setting up the wireless network with the controller.

If anyone has any comments/questions/suggestions I'm all ears.

[UDGags]

The 10 bags of Aquasoil got delivered about an hour ago

I finished all the plumbing this past weekend but still have a little bit to do in terms of electrical. I was having issues setting up the router connected to the controller last night. I can manually control everything but it's not quite automated yet...hopefully tonight.

[UDGags]

Filter Setup




Leak Check


Everything Works



The tank is currently draining so after dinner I'll be adding AS and starting to aquascape.


Brief look under the tank at my dry ferts


Screenshot of the Apex Control Panel on Computer



I also have the Android app hooked up so I can control everything from my phone

So here is my current plan/to-do list....

• Add aquasoil tonight (1/12/13) and start aquascaping.
• My second light that was on back order shipped Friday. I should get it Monday according to the tracking number. I'll hang the lights this upcoming week when I have time.
• Install hooks inside cabinet to hang some tools.
• Clean up room
• Fill CO2 tanks
• Buy Plants

I'm not entirely happy how the electrical/controls/back wall looks in terms of aesthetics so I know I'll do something with it sooner rather than later.

Once I start aquascaping tonight I'll post pictures for feedback.

If you have comments/suggestions/etc. I'd love to hear them.

[UDGags]

Comments? Thoughts? Ideas?



Sorry for the reflection



Pieces I have to work with not in the tank

[driftwoodhunter]

I almost passed out when I saw all that good stuff on your floor! lol This tank will be great!

[UDGags]

Originally Posted by driftwoodhunter

I almost passed out when I saw all that good stuff on your floor! lol This tank will be great!

Yeah, I thought it would be nice having a lot of pieces to work with but it just makes it harder making decisions..lol. I've been moving rocks and branches for like 2hrs.

[driftwoodhunter]

lol. I think you should decide to send your surplus to Virginia. It's my moral duty to lighten your burden

[Assassynation]

Looks great! It's hard to tell if you have a grade on the substrate. I find in my tanks, a light grade makes it more pleasing to look at.