Suggestions for DIY 120G MH?

[xxnonamexx]

I am in the process of upgrading my 55gallon to a 120gallon 48x24x24 and I currently have a 48" Aqualight Pro 150W HQI unit. I read that for a 120gal 3-4 watts per gallon is sufficient. So I will need to upgrade and this unit for 250W is $830 and the one I purchased is $550. I believe a DIY will save me lots of $$$. Any suggestions on the best way to go. Also the safest way so no water will splash the bulbs I have read horro stories. Thanks I really appreciate everything.

 

[herman]

First of all the watt per gallon rule is not a very reliable one. You should ask yourself what it is that you want too keep in the tank.

In your 120g tank the water gets to a depth where a 250 watt bulb is required to keep sps.

Dor DIY you can go to www.hellolights.com The cheapest way is to use spider reflectors with mogul sockets. But you have mentioned that you want a bit more protection from splashes.

I presonally would go with a DE (double ended) bulb which is always enclosed in a reflector and always has a sheet of UV glass covering the entire bottom. Pendants also provide a more evenly distributed light.

Look in the for sale section on here and on RC. I see reflectors daily.

 

[xxnonamexx]

Thanks for the info. As of now in my 55 I have soft, hard corals, clam, zoas, I would liek the same variety in my 120. I saw hellolights and I am also looking into seaquestmarine.com I will also check the for sale as you mentioned on here. Thanks

 

[pecan2phat]

Depends also on your future tank specs. Will you have a enclosed canopy to mount reflectors or will you be going with no canopy and an open top where a fixture is needed.

 

[xxnonamexx]

On my 55 gal. I have the MH unit w/o canopy all opened I believe for the 120gal I will have a canopy and retrofit MH unit. with fans

 

[pecan2phat]

If you decide to build or buy a canopy, then there are many more options to do it less expensive then an open top. You can go with spyders, pfo parallels, pendants, mini lummies etc.

Sounds like you might have the makings similiar to my 120 and I might be selling it Haven't decided yet but it's a 3-sided GC low iron glass tank and it's cheaper than the gent that bought glass to make his own.

 

[xxnonamexx]

Where did you purchase yours? Do you have a photo. Thanks

 

[pecan2phat]

I purchased a 3-sided low iron glass 120g with center overflow from Glass Cages a while back. I also bought their stand and canopy since I suck at carpentry. Tank was drilled for CL and high flow so the overflow box is oversized to fit dual 1.5" dursos. I went with PFO parallel reflectors (2x24") so that I would have a spot for my VHO actinics. I run 2 x 250 watt XM se moguls on Icecaps and 2 x 110 watt URI VHO actinics on Icecap also. There is a 4" Icecap variable fan on each end of the canopy.

Tank/stand/canopy with all the extra holes drilled, corresponding sched 80 bulkheads and acrylic overflow cover w/matching back pane acrylic came out to $1100. The tank with holes drilled was around $500 so when I heard that DIY would cost over $750, rather buy and leave it up to the people that do this for a living.

 

[xxnonamexx]

Beautiful tank and setup. That is a good price for the tank stand, canopy. I have 3 vendors including GC getting a quote for me. What are the holes in the back of the tank? also the looks like 6 in acrylic back pane for?

 

[xxnonamexx]

Can you take a closer photo of the light unit setup. What did it cost you to get the light setup? That looks like a great setup. Beautiful job. Do you have the tank up and running? Do you have something to protect water from hitting the MH?

 

[pecan2phat]

There are 2 holes in the back pane for a closed loop drain and 2 holes in the bottom of the overflow box for return drains, all are 1.5".
There is an acrylic cover for the overflow box and a sheet of acrylic measuring the back wall and is on the outside as a background. I just holesaw'd the holes for the closed loop drains.

Tank has been running since 2/05 and not really possible to take a closer pic of the lights unless I take the canopy off. Have not had a need to cover my SE bulbs. 2x24" Pfo parallel reflectors = $55, 2x10k XM bulbs = $125, 2x250 watt IC ballast = $240, IC Vho ballast = $160, 2x Uri Vho actinic bulbs = $50, extra wires, caps etc = $20
So even a moderate setup would run you $650 new.
Here's a pic of the tank in it's earlier days, the tank is pretty much bare now with just the live rock and fish:

 

[xxnonamexx]

Where did you get your lighting supplies? Hellolights? The light setup came out nicely.

 

[pnoyreefer]

If you want I am probably selling my set up MH .. pm sent

 

[xxnonamexx]

Looks like reef cages is the better buy.
Here is a quote I got from another vendor for a 120 and also $90 w/o and w/ Low iron glass.
120gal 48 x 24 x 25 w/dual overflows, 2 custom holes per overflow, black overflow covers (eurobracing is standard on this size).
$767.65 plus truck freight
$1042.65 plus truck freight for same unit but with low iron glass on front and sides
90gal 48 x 18 x 25"H - subtract $200 for either figure above

 

[Spracklcat]

Hey Warren--where is glasscages located, and was the shipping ridiculous?

Christine

 

[xxnonamexx]

ANother quote:
Standard reef ready is 1 overflow and 2 holes and will handle 1500 gallons per hour. This costs an additional $75.00

We can do whatever you need but that is usually what customers want. Fax a diagram of what you want

Low iron glass front and ends costs $125.00

Low iron glass on the front costs $80.00

Black acrylic overflow cover costs $30.00

2 sch 80 bulkheads cost $ 30.00

Pick up from ou rtruck costs $ 80.00

 

[prattreef]

Christine,

Glasscages is locasted in Tenn., but they will deliver your tank to a local reptile show (Usually White Plains) for about $100. Before you order from them, you should read Bad Coffee's experience with them. I was lucky, and have been very happy with the tank I received ( yes the silicone's sloppy, but I don't really care). My advice would be to only order from them if you want one of their standard aquariums. Anything outside the box, and they seem to falter mightily.

Randy

 

[Spracklcat]

Thanks guys!

 

[pecan2phat]

Christine,

When I ordered back in 1/05, the "pickup" cost at a local reptile show in White Plains was a bit cheaper. It was $80 for the tank, stand & canopy.

 

[xxnonamexx]

Final quote not bad at all:
48 x 24 x 25 tall glass aquarium $ 275.00

Low iron glasss front and ends $ 125.00

Overflow and 2 holes $ 75.00

Acrylic overflow cover $ 30.00

2 sch 80 bulkheads $ 30.00

Delivery $ 80.00
------------------
Total $615.00

Didn't know if you watned the stand and canopy also.

48 x 24 x 30" tall oak stand $ 280.00

Oak canopy $ 140.00

Additional ship cost $ 20.00
--------------
Total $440.00

If total order $615.00+$440.00 =$1055.00