120 Gallon Saltwater Tank Questions

  • Get the NEW AquariaCentral iOS app --> http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1227181058 // Android version will be out soon!

jshep105

AC Members
Jan 29, 2012
63
0
0
USA
Real Name
James
Hello. I will be buying a 120 gallon tank soon and am trying to decide between freshwater and saltwater. The dimensions will most likely be 48"X24"X24". I am on a budget so I would like to figure out how much all of the equipment and decorations will cost me before I make my decision. For fish I would like to get some clownfish, blue and yellow tangs, and some over fish. I would also like to get some live rock and maybe some coral and anemones to help out with biological filtration but I would like mostly fish. This will be my first time doing saltwater so please lead me in the right direction with prices recommendations and prices. Any information is helpful to me.

Filter - I am thinking about getting an FX5 but am also considering a Sump.

Lighting - ? I need help with this

Protein Skimmer - ? I also need help with this

Powerheads - I have one but am not sure on the model. I am assuming I'll need two more? Any recommendations?

Live Rock - where can I buy this online? And how many pounds? 100?

Live Sand - I will probably just buy this from Petco/petsmart. How many pounds for about 1 and a half to two inches? 80?

Heater - 250 Watt Aqueon Pro Heater. Will this be enough even for cold New England winters?

Test Kit - API Saltwater Master Test Kit or API Reef Master Test Kit? I have an API Freshwater Master Test Kit if that makes a difference...

And one last question, is it required to run water through a RO/DI reverse osmosis filter before adding to a salt water tank for the initial fill up and water changes?

I think that is it so please help me out thanks in advance.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 

Khemul

Sea Bunny
Oct 14, 2010
1,617
1
0
South Florida
For fish I would like to get some clownfish, blue and yellow tangs, and some over fish.
You may want to consider a 125 instead. Tangs are all about swimming distance. A 120 and a 125 are similar sized but a 125 favors length whereas the 120 favors depth.

Powerheads - I have one but am not sure on the model. I am assuming I'll need two more? Any recommendations?
It isn't so much number of powerheads. A single powerhead can run a whole tank (although if you are on a budget, Vortech's are probably not on the menu) if it is the right powerhead. It is about combined flow and how your rock is layed out. Koralia is usually the good middle-ground on powerheads. Maxi-Jets are okay also but tend to be a bit on the cheap side now. It will also depend on what you want to keep. For my 120 I have a Maxi-Jet 1200 and two Maxi-Jet 600's.

Heater - 250 Watt Aqueon Pro Heater. Will this be enough even for cold New England winters?
Not 100% sure but I don't think that'll be enough.

Test Kit - API Saltwater Master Test Kit or API Reef Master Test Kit? I have an API Freshwater Master Test Kit if that makes a difference...
The API Freshwater Master Test Kit and Saltwater Master Test Kit are the same thing. The ammonia test just comes out more cloudy and gold colored, rather then yellow and clear, so there is a different color chart. The Reef Master Test Kit is really more for keeping corals.

And one last question, is it required to run water through a RO/DI reverse osmosis filter before adding to a salt water tank for the initial fill up and water changes?
Most of the time, yes. There are some cases of people managing to use tap or well water, but the reason why RO/DI is so common is because it gives you a blank slate to work from. It eliminates unknown variables.
 

tolawdjk

AC Members
Sep 8, 2010
636
0
0
I'm not sure "on a budget" and "120 gal SW tank" are going to be found in the same story.

I mean, live rock alone in a tank of that size is going to set you back several hundred. Lighting for corals...a few more hundred no matter if you go LED or t5ho. Skimmer for a 120....again, if the bill doesn't have a picture of Franklin on it, I would be surprised. Salt and RO to fill it...even at $.50 a gallon...$Benjamin$.

Now, when you say budget are you talking Bank CEO budget or bank teller budget?
 

jshep105

AC Members
Jan 29, 2012
63
0
0
USA
Real Name
James
I'm not sure "on a budget" and "120 gal SW tank" are going to be found in the same story.

I mean, live rock alone in a tank of that size is going to set you back several hundred. Lighting for corals...a few more hundred no matter if you go LED or t5ho. Skimmer for a 120....again, if the bill doesn't have a picture of Franklin on it, I would be surprised. Salt and RO to fill it...even at $.50 a gallon...$Benjamin$.

Now, when you say budget are you talking Bank CEO budget or bank teller budget?
I'm actually talking 16 year old working for minimum wage budget. Lol but I have $1100 saved up and I was just trying to get some prices to see if I could afford saltwater as I already have a few FW tanks...


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 

tolawdjk

AC Members
Sep 8, 2010
636
0
0
Well, just from what little knowledge I know, live rock alone can run you from $2 per lb for "foundation" level stuff all the way up $10 for some of the harder to get "premium" stuff.

You figure anywhere from 1 to 1.5 lbs of rock per gallon of tank volume and you are looking at 120-180 lbs of rock. Remember, live rock is your primary bilogical filter for SW. Ditch the idea of an FX5. So, rough guess here, 100 lbs of foundation level stuff and 50 lbs of better stuff (say $5 per lb) and you are just under $500 just in live rock alone, not accounting for shipping prices.

A refugium, if you decided to run one, will also require some rock, though it is there purely to "work" and doesn't have to be "sexy".
Skimmers, depending on size, in sump, hang on back, can range all over the place in price. For a 100+ gal tank, depending on stocking, I would ball park $150-$200, maybe more for a higher quality one.

Couple offers of advice. 1) Cruise craigslist and see if you can pick up someones used "kit". Yeah, used can have issues, but it will be cheeper. 2) If you are set on a 100+ gal tank, I would go FOWLR and forego corals initially. Corals are lovely but they just have added things that bump the initial cash outlay up, and if you have to buy new and don't ahve a good local shop to work with, I think you might end up cutting corners that will frustrate you.
 

Khemul

Sea Bunny
Oct 14, 2010
1,617
1
0
South Florida
I agree with tolawdjk. Craigslist.

Smaller may be better in this situation too. I could see setting up a fully functional 40 Breeder within that budget.



Budget 120...it will cut a lot of corners and may cost more in the long run...
$300-600 new depending on whether you want drilled and which company.
Silica sand. 50-100lbs, depending on depth desired. $5-10.
Live rock. 50lbs (you'll want more but this would be okay), anywhere from $150-350, depending on what you get and how you get it.
You could skip the skimmer, but then you are going to have more maintenance. You are probably going to want at least a skimmer or good sized refugium.
Salt mix. Probably going to be $50+ just to get the tank from setup to "cycled".
Powerheads. You could get away with a couple Maxi-Jets or Koralias for $40-60.

If you are set on corals;
Lighting. Chinese ebay "LED black box", $150. Ideally you'd want two though so $300.

And then you have to think out livestock...
 

jshep105

AC Members
Jan 29, 2012
63
0
0
USA
Real Name
James
So I have figured out what I want to get for equipment and prices for the most part. I have decided to go FOWLR and skip the corals until a later date when I have more money to spend. I do have a few more questions: Should I go with a Sump or Refugium? I dont know much about either. Money is a factor as I am on a budget. Any links/info is greatly appreciated. Tell me what you think.

Tank

Price: Unknowm
Description: 120 Gallons
Where to buy: Petco or Petsmart?
Link: N/A

Lighting

Price 149.99
Description: T5-HO Light 4Ft/4 Bulbs Fixture (2 white, 2 blue actinic) Color temp for the white bulbs: 14000K
Where to buy: fishneedit.com
Link: http://www.fishneedit.com/4ft4bulbs-with-l44.html

Protein Skimmer

Price: $179.95
Description: Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel - up to 220 gal. - 6 in. x 8 in. x 25.5 in.
Where to buy: amazon.com
Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000BJM9BI/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

Dry Rock

Price: $210 for 100 lbs.
Description: (2) Florida Reef Rock (50lbs - Free Shipping)
Where to buy: reefcleaners.org
Link: http://reefcleaners.org/index.php?p...ategory_id=15&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=34

Heater

Price: $31.99
Description: 250W Aqueon Pro Heater
Where to buy: amazon.com
Link: http://amzn.com/B003GKN12A

Powerheads

Price: $45.87
Description: Hydor Koralia Evolution 1400
Where to buy: amazon.com
Link: http://amzn.com/B0036S1ETY

Substrate

Price: not sure but around $100 for 80 lbs.
Description: Live sand
Where to buy: Petco or Petsmart?

RO/DI Filter

Price: $135.00
Description: Ocean Wave Five Safe 75 GPD RO/DI
Where to buy: thefilterguys.biz
Link: http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm

Filtration

This is where I need help. Should I go with a Sump or Refugium? Money is a factor as I am on a budget. Any links/info is greatly appreciated.



Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 

greech

AC Moderators
May 13, 2009
4,193
1
38
52
Tallahassee, FL
Real Name
Graham
Tank

Price: Unknowm $400 to $450 from a chain store (undrilled)
Description: 120 Gallons
Where to buy: Petco or Petsmart?
Link: N/A

Nice choice!!!! Agree with what others have said about the budget but if this is what you want, just buy things as you can and don't rush the full setup and intro of livestock.

Lighting

Price 149.99
Description: T5-HO Light 4Ft/4 Bulbs Fixture (2 white, 2 blue actinic) Color temp for the white bulbs: 14000K
Where to buy: fishneedit.com
Link: http://www.fishneedit.com/4ft4bulbs-with-l44.html

^That fixture will grow some corals just fine, especially if you upgrade the bulbs. Good choice.

Protein Skimmer

Price: $179.95
Description: Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel - up to 220 gal. - 6 in. x 8 in. x 25.5 in.
Where to buy: amazon.com
Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000BJM9BI/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

^I know you’re on a budget but this is a pure waste of $179.

Other options (even if you have to wait to save up. You don’t have to have a skimmer to get things started, especially with a FOWLR)…

These 2 would require a sump…

http://www.swcskimmers.com/product2.html?__utma=1.1488423985.1308790021.1308790021.1331858022.2&__utmb=1.4.10.1331858022&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1331858022.2.1.utmcsr=reefcentral.com|utmccn=(referral)|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/forums/showthread.php&__utmv=-&__utmk=165105983

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/bubble-magus-bm-nac7-cone-protein-skimmer.html

This is a HOB…
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/reef-octopus-hang-on-the-back-2000-oct-bh2000.html

The problem you’ll have with a HOB skimmer is they just aren’t many HOBs that will handle that sized tank without costing quite a bit. I know that Coralife says it will handle it but you would be better off getting a good (but smaller) HOB skimmer that will actually work if you don’t add a sump. You should add a sump/refuge BTW J. Much better all around, including better selection of performing skimmers.

Dry Rock

Price: $210 for 100 lbs.
Description: (2) Florida Reef Rock (50lbs - Free Shipping)
Where to buy: reefcleaners.org
Link: http://reefcleaners.org/index.php?p...ategory_id=15&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=34

^Good choice.

Heater

Price: $31.99
Description: 250W Aqueon Pro Heater
Where to buy: amazon.com
Link: http://amzn.com/B003GKN12A

^Might consider buying two 150W heaters instead. Little more $ but safer. If you are going to buy a controller down the line then that will be your safety.

Powerheads

Price: $45.87
Description: Hydor Koralia Evolution 1400
Where to buy: amazon.com
Link: http://amzn.com/B0036S1ETY

^Definitely going to need 2 of these (at least). 1 will get you started but I would add too much stock without more flow.

Substrate

Price: not sure but around $100 for 80 lbs.
Description: Live sand
Where to buy: Petco or Petsmart?

^Do yourself a favor and save some money by buying dry sand. Figi Pink, Aragamax Select or Seafloor Special Grade by Caribsea are good grain sizes. Only disadvantage to dry is you will need to rinse it first.

RO/DI Filter.

Price: $135.00
Description: Ocean Wave Five Safe 75 GPD RO/DI
Where to buy: thefilterguys.biz
Link: http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm

^Good!

Filtration

This is where I need help. Should I go with a Sump or Refugium? Money is a factor as I am on a budget. Any links/info is greatly appreciated.

^Your live rock and sand will handle all the biological filtration, the skimmer will serve as the primary mechanical (along with a filter sock, if you include a sump/refuge). Supplementing with carbon and GFO for polishing should be something you consider.

Unless you use a HOB refugium, a sump is going to cost you in terms of either buying a drilled tank, buying a HOB overflow (recommend LifeReef or eshopps and avoiding CPR) and buying a return pump. Again, I highly recommend you go with a sump/refuge.

Sumps and refugiums can (and often are) one in the same. Sump is just a place for water to run through where it can be processed. Many sumps include a baffled section where a lighted refugium is maintained. With a 120, a 40 Breeder would make a great sump (biggest sump/refuge you can fit under the display tank, the better). 40 breeders are often on sale at petco for $40 ($1 per gallon) and make great sumps.

Sounds like you know what you want. If you take your time and don’t rush to stock the tank before you have what you need, you’ll do fine. Keep us posted and we’ll help you get this done.

Good reference for sumps but you don’t have to be as intricate with your sump design as some of the examples you’ll see on this site…

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html
 
Last edited:

the wizard

Is it really Niko's fault?
Jan 28, 2010
717
0
16
Real Name
David
Agree with what has been said so far. Especially the dry sand. You really won't find a lot of "life" in the live sand you get from a chain store.

There are also some good videos on youtube on making sump/fuge as you don't have the tank yet, spend some time searching and check it out.

As Greech said, petco often has the $1 per gallon sale and with a 40, and some silicone and plates of glass you can make on far less than buying one.
 

jshep105

AC Members
Jan 29, 2012
63
0
0
USA
Real Name
James
Tank

Price: Unknowm $400 to $450 from a chain store (undrilled)
Description: 120 Gallons
Where to buy: Petco or Petsmart?
Link: N/A

Nice choice!!!! Agree with what others have said about the budget but if this is what you want, just buy things as you can and don't rush the full setup and intro of livestock.

Lighting

Price 149.99
Description: T5-HO Light 4Ft/4 Bulbs Fixture (2 white, 2 blue actinic) Color temp for the white bulbs: 14000K
Where to buy: fishneedit.com
Link: http://www.fishneedit.com/4ft4bulbs-with-l44.html

^That fixture will grow some corals just fine, especially if you upgrade the bulbs. Good choice.

Protein Skimmer

Price: $179.95
Description: Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel - up to 220 gal. - 6 in. x 8 in. x 25.5 in.
Where to buy: amazon.com
Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000BJM9BI/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

^I know you’re on a budget but this is a pure waste of $179.

Other options (even if you have to wait to save up. You don’t have to have a skimmer to get things started, especially with a FOWLR)…

These 2 would require a sump…

http://www.swcskimmers.com/product2.html?__utma=1.1488423985.1308790021.1308790021.1331858022.2&__utmb=1.4.10.1331858022&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1331858022.2.1.utmcsr=reefcentral.com|utmccn=(referral)|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/forums/showthread.php&__utmv=-&__utmk=165105983

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/bubble-magus-bm-nac7-cone-protein-skimmer.html

This is a HOB…
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/reef-octopus-hang-on-the-back-2000-oct-bh2000.html

The problem you’ll have with a HOB skimmer is they just aren’t many HOBs that will handle that sized tank without costing quite a bit. I know that Coralife says it will handle it but you would be better off getting a good (but smaller) HOB skimmer that will actually work if you don’t add a sump. You should add a sump/refuge BTW J. Much better all around, including better selection of performing skimmers.

Dry Rock

Price: $210 for 100 lbs.
Description: (2) Florida Reef Rock (50lbs - Free Shipping)
Where to buy: reefcleaners.org
Link: http://reefcleaners.org/index.php?p...ategory_id=15&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=34

^Good choice.

Heater

Price: $31.99
Description: 250W Aqueon Pro Heater
Where to buy: amazon.com
Link: http://amzn.com/B003GKN12A

^Might consider buying two 150W heaters instead. Little more $ but safer. If you are going to buy a controller down the line then that will be your safety.

Powerheads

Price: $45.87
Description: Hydor Koralia Evolution 1400
Where to buy: amazon.com
Link: http://amzn.com/B0036S1ETY

^Definitely going to need 2 of these (at least). 1 will get you started but I would add too much stock without more flow.

Substrate

Price: not sure but around $100 for 80 lbs.
Description: Live sand
Where to buy: Petco or Petsmart?

^Do yourself a favor and save some money by buying dry sand. Figi Pink, Aragamax Select or Seafloor Special Grade by Caribsea are good grain sizes. Only disadvantage to dry is you will need to rinse it first.

RO/DI Filter.

Price: $135.00
Description: Ocean Wave Five Safe 75 GPD RO/DI
Where to buy: thefilterguys.biz
Link: http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm

^Good!

Filtration

This is where I need help. Should I go with a Sump or Refugium? Money is a factor as I am on a budget. Any links/info is greatly appreciated.

^Your live rock and sand will handle all the biological filtration, the skimmer will serve as the primary mechanical (along with a filter sock, if you include a sump/refuge). Supplementing with carbon and GFO for polishing should be something you consider.

Unless you use a HOB refugium, a sump is going to cost you in terms of either buying a drilled tank, buying a HOB overflow (recommend LifeReef or eshopps and avoiding CPR) and buying a return pump. Again, I highly recommend you go with a sump/refuge.

Sumps and refugiums can (and often are) one in the same. Sump is just a place for water to run through where it can be processed. Many sumps include a baffled section where a lighted refugium is maintained. With a 120, a 40 Breeder would make a great sump (biggest sump/refuge you can fit under the display tank, the better). 40 breeders are often on sale at petco for $40 ($1 per gallon) and make great sumps.

Sounds like you know what you want. If you take your time and don’t rush to stock the tank before you have what you need, you’ll do fine. Keep us posted and we’ll help you get this done.

Good reference for sumps but you don’t have to be as intricate with your sump design as some of the examples you’ll see on this site…

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html
Ok thank you very much for all this information. And I left out the part about how I already have a powerhead and that the koralia will make 2. But still i will most likely getting 2 koralias and have 3 all together. And I will most likely do two 150W heaters. I didn't think 1 250W would be enough. I am surprised about the skimmer, what makes it so bad? I have read/heard good things about it aslong as you get a bigger one than it recommends. I trust you though as you seem to know your stuff :) thanks once again


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
zoomed.com
hikariusa.com
aqaimports.com
Store