120 Gal Aquarium build. Diy sump, stand, overflow, LED lighting and full auto WC

[CraigJ]

I'll watch to see how the lights work out over the short term. How did I skip over the foam fractonator? I love PVC when it doesn't leak, as I've made DIY marine skimmers, only to have gallons of foam all over the oriental rug and new hardwood floors. If you get a chance, an overview, or link of your fractonator would be appreciated. Off to pet the fish.

Thank you,

Craig

[rickztahone]

Here's the link with the pow adapter http://www.amazon.com/LEMONBEST-SMD-.../dp/B00AJJDLHQ

That did not work as hoped. You will see a button under the description that says Strip with Controller and pow adapter. Click on that button.

Thanks Pat, that was what I was looking for. Thanks again.

[dbfzurowski]

Foam Fractonator...

Never heard of it till my diy protein skimmer wasn't working all that well. Then I started researching "no foam from skimmer" and learned that needle nose skimmers don't work with freshwater.
Wasted a lot of pvc trying to make the skimmer work...
Skimmer

Anyone need extra pvc?



Then I build a foam fractonator.

Pvc from tank 3/4" bulkheads gets bigger and bigger, from 3/4" to 2". Water drops into 4" pvc filled with bio-balls. This is what I get



Bad picture but from that opening I did a pvc U into a drain.
All drains(tank,sump,fractonator) are connected with a clear tube so that I can see the flow.

[CraigJ]

Dominik,

Once again, thank you for the excellent explanation and pictures. It took me a while to see that the PVC shown in the top picture is the scrap pile. The current fractonator looks to be a cleaner setup. FYI, they do make a clear primer, which I found after I dripped purple all over the new maple flooring. Ten years later, the purple is still there...

Craig

[dbfzurowski]

It would look a lot nicer with the clear primer



Well, think I'm done with the setup of the tank.

Build some shelving


New 7"x16" 100 micron filter sock(looks huge haha)


Oh I still have to cover up the return hole.






Moved 1 fish Thursday and the rest Friday. Little scared but doing ok.






Waiting for my shipment of 40 lemon/40 bloodfin tetra and 10 sterbai corys

[FischAutoTechGarten]

Dominik,

Very nice fit and finish to the whole thing.

Peter

[dbfzurowski]

Thanks Peter.

Some fish came in today 40 lemon/40 bloodfin tetra, 10 sterbai cory, 2 green phantom pleco L200 and 4 bristlenose pleco. They will be in the 55 for few weeks. Definitely not skipping QT.
LED lights have been working real good. Haven't picked a good color yet so its soft white for now. Still need to get some red head geo's and maybe two golden nuggets.

Auto WC sys is working great! Only 5 discus in the 120 now so I have it set for 20 gallons a day. This is soooooo nice. I was worried a bit about debris collecting around the wood and rock but so far nothing is left on the sand in the morning. Overflow is doing its job.

K1 media, 80% new 20%seeded starting to move better and better everyday.

I'll post some videos of it running soon.

[musicmarn1]

Green phantom Pleco!! I want those too, where did you get?

[Nick Klimkowski]

That turned out great.

[yquefue]

very nice set up I also learn that you vap too LOL

[dbfzurowski]

Green phantom Pleco!! I want those too, where did you get?

I picked those up from a local fish store.

That turned out great.

Thanks Nick

very nice set up I also learn that you vap too LOL

Thanks. So happy I finally quit smoking.

[yquefue]

I picked those up from a local fish store.



Thanks Nick



Thanks. So happy I finally quit smoking.

I'm glad for you Nick I'm going on 3 year strong vaping

[rustypleco]

nice work, would love to do a project like this myself but my misses would cut me LOL

[Fkgriffin]

Great job. I am gonna take some of this new design to my 55 gallon in the wall. This design impressed my wife so much she allowed me to do it. Will send pics upon completion!

[spiffyfish]

Any updates on this tank?