A little update. Tank is looking good. I’d like to give a little review of my equipment.
I absolutely love the stand. Nothing more to say. The IKEA blank kitchen cabinet panels I skinned it with are holding up fine.
My sump from Synergy reef is great, no issues. Expensive but it is a quality sump all around.
The tank itself (Fiji Cube) is fine. The glass is still as clear as the day I received it. Seams are good, it is fine. I bought it because another one I was going to get became unavailable after I bought it. I was locked into this footprint. It is rimless which was not a selling point for me, and I was a bit worried as I think a 120 is one size too big for rimless. However it is holding up fine. No bowing. Obviously the is some deflection in all tanks when filled and mine is the same as the first day I filled it. If I could start over I would definitely go with an IM tank, but keep my stand.
My skimmer is a beast. Octo elite 150. Just skims. No issues and well built.
Return pump is solid. Varios 6. Super quiet. Plenty of flow, low level float is a nice touch. One time recently it did not start up after a water change. It forced to do an unplanned cleaning. Fired right up after. I typically clean skimmer and return pump only once per year. It was 11 months since last cleaning.
Orphek Atlantic icons and OR3 bars. These are great. Growth and color are on point. Way more light than I need. I could easily get 1200 par out of them.
Calcium reactor is a Aquamaxx. It works just fine and was much cheaper than other options. I run it old school with no peristaltic pump, just a small sicce feed pump, and no ph probe. Old school bubble and drip counting. Testing of effluent ph. Easy to do and is as bulletproof as you can get.
My custom half diy ATO is great. Not one issue. The reservoir fills itself about every 8 days. I may add an auto flush kit in the future. The pressure switch from Avast Marine is great. Hands down the best way to activate your ATO. No optical eye, or float sensor that can crud up and malfunction and very little electronics to fail. Simple pressure. Pump from reservoir is another small sicce. Great pumps.
My MP40qd have been great. I know people are hit or miss with Vortechs. My overall experience with them has been great. I’ve had mp40’s for about 6 years total and they have been fine. Mobius is what it is. Not terrible for me. I believe it’s more frustrating for lighting.
All around, and two years later I am happy with all of my purchases.