New 120 Freshwater Build

Hey everyone! This is my first post and I'm jumping right in! I am planning a 120 gallon in wall build.

Now for some background....

Currently I have a 180 gallon full reef tank with mostly sps corals. In the past I have kept reef tanks, freshwater tanks, planted tanks... usually larger ones, 90 gallons+

My plan is to start a new 120 gallon fw tank... my problem is I'm not sure what direction I want to go. Current ideas are a planted Discus tank, a barren rocky African Cichlid tank... or a single specimen tank.

I'm interested in other thoughts and ideas and will post updates as the build progresses.

Photo shows the 2 positions I am considering for the tank placement.

 

While I'm not a huge fan of discus or African cichlids, you can do a biotope tank, with South American being my favorite. However, if you want to keep a species only tank, you can do angelfish (one of my favorite cichlid species).

 

So I've decided to go with a heavily planted tank with small community fish. Tetras, rasboras, etc. I've done a similar tank before and really liked it.

Next step, determining if the main floor in my house will support the weight of the tank. Placement will be mid-span between the supporting beam and a load bearing outside wall, sitting across the joists. I'm thinking I may need to add supporting braces under the floor in the basement. Thankfully I have been given a green light from my wife to do "whatever I need to" to ensure the tank doesn't start in the livingroom and end in the basement!

 

a 120 gallon planted Nano fish tank would be my dream tank! I'm curious to see how this comes to fruition!

 

That sounds like a great idea. 50 Embers 50 Harlequin and 50 cory cats . And if it were me i'de definitely have to have an exotic pleco.. Heavily planted and driftwood scaped!! Following and awaiting the finished picture!!

 

Small update, I have the tank home. Water tested in the garage for the benefit of my wife! First coat of paint on the back and sides. Still to do, drill for plumbing and reinforce the center brace. The tank was built in 2001 and the plastic bracing has some fine cracks in it. Probably not a big problem, but I'd rather be safe. I know the full history of it however, it was my parents tank, then my brother had it at his place and I have it now.

Not a lot done yet but I'll try to remember to post pics along the way! I'm picturing a school of 100 cardinal tetras...

That sounds like a great idea. 50 Embers 50 Harlequin and 50 cory cats . And if it were me i'de definitely have to have an exotic pleco.. Heavily planted and driftwood scaped!! Following and awaiting the finished picture!!

I'll probably have a Gold Nugget and or Zebra pleco, I love those..

a 120 gallon planted Nano fish tank would be my dream tank! I'm curious to see how this comes to fruition!

That's kindof the direction I'm thinking to go. May add some kilifish as well. I intend to plant the entire tank, micro grass, anubis, java ferns, java moss etc etc.
In my last tank I had some broad leafed grass type plant that I really liked at the back but the **** stuff grew 5 feet long if I didn't keep it cut!

 

So I finally have some updates.

The in-wall stand is built, the tank has been drilled, and is now sitting in the wall.

I still need to reinforce the floor, hopefully I'll get to that this weekend, then start plumbing possibly next weekend. More updates to come!

Here's some pictures...

As you can see, both the holes chipped out a bit as the bit broke through. I drilled from the inside out for this reason and it won't be an issue.

 

Weekend update #1

Went at it last night and got quite a lot accomplished. Plumbing is done, although I may change the return lines at a later date, sump is ready to go, and the front of the tank is braced and partially trimmed out.

Had a bit of a surprise while I was working on the shelf in front of the tank. My cat climbed up the ladder in the room behind the tank and jumped into it! Keep in mind the top of the tank is about 6 feet high off the floor. I wasn't fast enough to snap a picture unfortunately before she jumped out back onto the ladder. Also, cats do better up ladders than down! The ghetto light is temporary, but should do the job for now. I'll post pictures of the plumbing later today.

 

Plumbing pics

Yes, I used ABS for drains and 1" poly for return lines. Not sure if the return lines will stay that way, I may switch to PVC later but I had this already and am trying to keep on a bit of a budget.
The sump will have a polyfill mat under the drain lines for mechanical filtration and underneath is lava rock for bio filtration. Heaters are on order from Amazon and will arrive Tuesday.
If anyone is interested I can post Amazon links to the diamond drill bits, pump and heaters. Let me know.

Also, the cat found her way back into the tank this morning and I was able to get a picture. I am hoping this won't be an issue once the tank is full of water! She may get a surprise!

 

Well done ..Is that the sump ??
Just finding this thread after all this time ..
Cat looks big ? May need to upgrade tank ? lol....

 

Well done ..Is that the sump ??
Just finding this thread after all this time ..
Cat looks big ? May need to upgrade tank ? lol....

Yes, 15 gallon sump under the tank. I may upgrade to something a bit bigger since I'm a bit lazy when it comes to topping up the tank every day. And yeah, she's a Maine so on the large side for a cat lol.

Went scavenging for some driftwood today and found some really nice pieces. Got the water in the tank and turned on the pump. Messed up on the return lines, forgot the siphon principle. Had them too deep into the tank and when I shut the pump off it overflowed the sump and spilled some water on the floor. Got some looks from my wife, but not a word was said.. just The Look. Dumb mistake and I just didn't think of it.

AND as I was writing this the first of my heaters was delivered by Amazon. Ordered 2 at once but they shipped separately apparently...

 

I am a big wood fan .
NICE.. My 180 is full of wood !
You can also drill a hole in the inside corner of the return elbow above the waterline .
That is a reefer trick for back syphoning besides trying to keep return near surface ..

 

Love how this tank is turning out. Love the placement of the tank.
Can’t wait to see how the stocking turns out I’ve been contemplating how to stock my 180 and a bunch of cardinal tetras was one of the ideas.
Digging all the wood too.

 

Starting to lean towards a school of Glofish tetras. Part of me thinks they're silly and childish but they look really cool under the right lights...

Speaking of lights, redid my lighting and here's some pics. The bulbs need to eventually be replaced to some grow lights but I like this design better. Also made a DIY LED strip light like I saw on YouTube. Turned out ok I think.

Tank is finally starting to clear up a bit, filled it too fast and pulled fine white sand up from my well (don't ask.) So going to need some cleaning to get it all out.

Driftwood is weighted down and temporarily screwed to the frame above to hold it under water while is gets waterlogged.

Might order some plants this week...

Hey, Question for everyone:

I drilled a small hole for a siphon break in the return elbows above the waterline and it's working as a venturi. Will a larger hole stop this? I am guessing at some point it would, but is there a sweet spot for the size of the hole to not pull air in but at the same time not spray water out?

 

I have never heard of people have the venture issue but it makes sense ..
I would not drill larger then 1/8 without finding an article on it ..

 

Starting to lean towards a school of Glofish tetras. Part of me thinks they're silly and childish but they look really cool under the right lights...

Speaking of lights, redid my lighting and here's some pics. The bulbs need to eventually be replaced to some grow lights but I like this design better. Also made a DIY LED strip light like I saw on YouTube. Turned out ok I think.

Tank is finally starting to clear up a bit, filled it too fast and pulled fine white sand up from my well (don't ask.) So going to need some cleaning to get it all out.

Driftwood is weighted down and temporarily screwed to the frame above to hold it under water while is gets waterlogged.

Might order some plants this week...

Hey, Question for everyone:

I drilled a small hole for a siphon break in the return elbows above the waterline and it's working as a venturi. Will a larger hole stop this? I am guessing at some point it would, but is there a sweet spot for the size of the hole to not pull air in but at the same time not spray water out?

That wood piece is fantastic!

 

One quick post before bed...

Water has cleared drastically this evening after I changed the polyfill in the sump so thought I'd post a pic. Keep in mind the wood is not in it's permanent home right now, just waiting for it to sink.

 

3rd picture looks like a huge, creepy hand inviting fishies to come over, lol. Looks awesome!

 

Everything looks great! But, GloFish? Lol Really? Though the pink danios look nice.

 

Really good work! It looks great!!

 

Everything looks great! But, GloFish? Lol Really? Though the pink danios look nice.

I know I know... but picture a school of 50 with only the blue and purple lights on in a black tank with black sand... once the main lights are out...

Oh I don't know... lol..

My wife thinks they're cool so I may get a few...

 

All fish die .. This is fact whether you are best or worst keeper..
There are few fish left in the trade I have not owned ..
No shame in the glo fish .The science behind them is actually very fascinating ..
They are a patented fish so make sure you don't get fake glo fish !
There were some around a couple years ago..The color faded in moths which should never happen ..
Get your glo on and enjoy it ..You can keep other fish next !

 

Water has cleared up. Let the waiting begin lol. Plants first and fish soon hopefully...

 

Tank is cycling now, wood is getting waterlogged, hopefully won't take too long... and I ordered a ton of plants today. Not much else to update but here's a pic of the tank tonight just because...

Plants should be here in a week.

 

It really is looking fantastic!

 

Absolutely makes me want to rescape my big tank

 

So I haven't had much to post until now; my order of plants arrived today, and I've been busy rearranging the driftwood and planting.

Still need new light bulbs, and the wood is screwed in place until it gets waterlogged, but thought I'd share some pictures. Tank hasn't cleared up completely yet, but I'm impatient.

I'll post some better pictures tomorrow.

Tank is well on it's way to cycling. I added ammonia and a bacterial culture and it seems to be well on it's way. I added ammonia last night and it was gone by this morning.

So I'm thinking some Cardinal Tetras, German Blue Rams, maybe some discus but not sure... And some glofish tetras to make my wife happy lol. What else do you think I should add??

 

Those are all sensitive fish ..
Add them slowly and carefully ..

 

Yes, I'm aware. I've kept these fish successfully before in a similar set up. I won't be adding 300 fish tomorrow lol!

 

Just some better pictures. Plants, week 1.

 

Discovered a few of these crawling on the driftwood. Guessing hitchhikers from the wood itself. Crustaceans or insect larvae? And ideas on what exactly they are? About half an inch long

 

Damsel fly /dragon fly nymphs ..
REMOVE them ..
Natures little water /air predator ..

 

Would they not end up fish food?

 

Depends on size of fish ..

So I'm thinking some Cardinal Tetras, German Blue Rams, maybe some discus but not sure... And some glofish tetras to make my wife happy lol. What else do you think I should add??

These guys will be food for the nymph IMO !




maybe not that bad but ??
Get him a little tank if you think he is cool..He should fly away some day ..

 

Very nice, can't wait to see it finished

 

Depends on size of fish ..

These guys will be food for the nymph IMO !


maybe not that bad but ??
Get him a little tank if you think he is cool..He should fly away some day ..

Yeah I did a Google search on them after I read the last reply. Those things are nasty! Might just wait them out and see what they turn into lol. Seems I'm most likely a while out from fish right now anyway... stopped in at a small fish store hoping to get a few small fish.... not a single tank was free from sick fish... Disappointing. Looking to online ordering. Any recommendations for online sales in Ontario Canada? I've seen a few in Toronto which is only 2 hours away, but interested in opinions from anyone....

 

I added ammonia last night and it was gone by this morning.

Ammonia is stable like water and doesn't easily go away, or people wouldn't spend on expensive RO filters to remove chloramine, which is actually ammonia, there's no such chemical name as chloramine or free chlorine. By the way, what is that light fixture to house the coiled led lights?

 

Not sure the relevance of your comment re: ammonia... I was merely stating that the bacteria colony has progressed to the point where it is breaking down the ammonia I add to the tank. Fishless cycle...

The "fixture" is a DIY from an idea I got on YouTube from the DIY guy Joey. It's a piece of pvc gutter and end caps with 2 lengths of pvc pipe mounted in it. Simple and cheap. Not as bright as I'd hoped though. This style of gutter isn't wide enough to leave room for the light to be reflected around the tubes. Smaller coils may help or I may just stick the LEDs directly to the gutter without the tubes in it.

 

Actually the bugs were sow bugs. Note the lack of feathered tail and the many many legs. They were probably in the cracks of the wood and got flooded out. They are amphibious so not unusual to see them walking on their log under water. Theyre technically a crustacean rather than a bug.


Its looking fantastic though. Uber jealous of the nice tannin rich water you got going

 

1 week since adding plants:

Actually the bugs were sow bugs. Note the lack of feathered tail and the many many legs. They were probably in the cracks of the wood and got flooded out. They are amphibious so not unusual to see them walking on their log under water. Theyre technically a crustacean rather than a bug.


Its looking fantastic though. Uber jealous of the nice tannin rich water you got going

Thanks! I attribute that partly to the large amount of "raw" driftwood (I didn't boil it or cure it, just straight into the tank) and partly to cheap warm white LED lights lol. I plan to switch the lights soon. Although I like the look overall, there are shadowed areas between the lights and the colour is not ideal not bright enough for plants.