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Group: Banned Members
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The Beginning: Jasonanatal's 120 gallon "Natural Simplicity" Reef Aquarium.
After many talks with my wife and convincing my landlord that it would not rain in his apartment I finally received the okay and pulled the trigger on a larger aquarium. A standard 120 All Glass aquarium. I know many people must be asking themselves why I didn't purchase a reef ready aquarium. I have a very simple answer. I live on the second floor of an old four family aparment building in the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx. When purchasing this aquarium I was concerned with one thing, having the largest aquarium with the maximum amount of water capacity that could be supported by the floor and not cause hazardous conditions in my home. After contacting numerous custom aquarium companies I decided that 120 gallon was a nice middle ground. So here starts another Reef Aquarium project. I hope everyone enjoys.
I started this buildby breaking down and selling components of my 28 gallon JBJ Nano Cube HQI Reef Aquarium that I did not consider suitable for my new 120 gallon reef aquarium. Then I removed the shelves, anchors and other mounting equipment and began patching up the wall and repainting in preperation for the new aquarium
Photograph - Friday, November 07, 2008 - My old 28 gallon JBJ Nano Cube HQI Reef Aquarium being broken down.
Now I had no clue what I was thinkingwhen I figured that I could get this 120 glass aquarium up 1 flight of stairs all by myself but thankfully my landlord gave me a hand. It with the help of the wall I managed to slide this monster onto the metal stand that was purchased for it.
Photograph - Friday, November 07, 2008- My wife standing by the 120 gallon aquarium for a size comparison.
Photograph- Friday, November 07, 2008 - My 120 gallon aquarium finally filled with RO/DI water after 3 days.
My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack??? 
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Group: Administrators
Last Login: Yesterday @ 4:35:24 AM
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| Hey Jason, Can't wait to see the new build thread for this tank. I really enjoyed your first one. Any thoughts about how this one will be set up compared to the smaller one? Things that will be the same or different? What are you using for lighting, filtration, etc...
________________________________________________ Keith "Simply put, you believe that things or people make you unhappy, but this is not accurate. You make yourself unhappy." Wayne Dyer
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Group: Forum Members
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| Hey Jason, I have always enjoyed both your posts and your enthusiasm for the hobby. I'm really looking forward to seeing your tank as it developes. Thanks for your involvement and sharing in the forum.
Tom
"Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it".
Soren Kierkegaard
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Group: Banned Members
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argi (11/15/2008)
Hey Jason, Can't wait to see the new build thread for this tank. I really enjoyed your first one. Any thoughts about how this one will be set up compared to the smaller one? Things that will be the same or different? What are you using for lighting, filtration, etc... Argi, I'm not sure how I will be planning this setup but I'm sure it will take some time since the quality products to fit this aquarium are much more expensive. I'm planning as I go now.
My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack???
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Group: Banned Members
Last Login: 7/7/2009 7:05:30 PM
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Noctiluca (11/15/2008)
Hey Jason, I have always enjoyed both your posts and your enthusiasm for the hobby. I'm really looking forward to seeing your tank as it developes. Thanks for your involvement and sharing in the forum. Noctiluca, thank you very much for the compliments. I will try not to dissapoint on this setup.
My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack???
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Group: Banned Members
Last Login: 7/7/2009 7:05:30 PM
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| Subtrate: Carib Sea Ocean Direct Live Sand "Aquascaping" I have had much success in the past with Deep Sand Beds so if it ain't broke don't fix it! I decided to line the bottom of the aquarium with 160 lbs of Carib Sea Ocean Direct Live Sand. This would give me an average of a 3 inch sandbed within the aquarium. 
Photograph - Wednesday, November 19, 2008 - 40 lbs. bag of Carib Sea Direct Ocean Live Sand. 
Photograph - Wednesday, November 19, 2008 - My 120 gallon All Glass Aquarium with 160 lbs of Crain Sea Direct Ocean Live Sand making a 3 inch substrate.
My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack???
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Group: Banned Members
Last Login: 7/7/2009 7:05:30 PM
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| Aquarium Controller: Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper 2 (Times 2) Well I finally managed to get some free time so I could setup my two Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper 2 Aquarium Controllers. I have also setup the expansion modul that wil control 2 of 3 Marineland Stealth Visi-Therm 100 watt Heaters along with 2 standard Power Strips for devices that do not need to be controlled. Giving me a grand total of 18 controllable outlets and 16 standard outlets. 
Photograph - Saturday, November 29, 2008 - My dual Digital Aquatics Reefkeeper 2 Aquarium Controllers, Digital Aquatics Expansion Module and standard power strips.
My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack???
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Group: Forum Members
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Very nice Jason looking forward to see this as it progresses 
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Group: Banned Members
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proangel2 (11/30/2008)
Very nice Jason looking forward to see this as it progresses Proangel2, thank you for the compliments. The wires are a little bit of a mess because I still haven't decided were they will go permanently.
My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack???
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Group: Banned Members
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| Equipment: EcoTech Marine Vortech Battery Backup (Insurance for Your Reef) I wanted to be able to protect my investment on this aquarium setup since it will be with me for quite some time. One of my major concerns is being able to supply power to my aquarium in the event of a power outtage. Being that I'm from New York City the Summer months make me worry. So I turned to the folks at EcoTech Marine and Icecap Inc. to be the trusted guards of my aquarium. I purchased the EcoTech Marine Vortech Battery Backup System which can power a single EcoTech Marine Vortech Pump for up to 36 hours and can accomodate 2 seperate pumps. This system can switch from the main power to backup battery instantly. According to the nice folks at Icecap Inc. since the launch of the EcoTech Marine Vortech Battery Backup System they have not had one request to replace the battery for its end of life. Also if a replacement was necessary it would cost around the range of $75.00 to $85.00. so far I'm please with the system and I'm sure I can go to sleep better now to. 
Photograph - Tuesday, December 03, 2008 - EcoTech Marine Backup Battery System mounted underneath my 120 gallon aquarium.
My marriage is perfect! My job is great! But why are my tank parameters all out of whack???
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