So it begins, 90G build thread

[carb850]

Today, I purchased a 90G Reef Ready tank. I already have a 4 x 64W PC fixture that I will start off using. It will eventually get replaced with T5HO's but this will do for now.

Next thing I need to buy is the stand. I found a few people on Ebay that are selling nice looking Oak stands which I will most likely end up getting. If anyone recommends a reasonably priced stand builder please pass them along.

Also, I need a 38G tank for my sump and an external return pump. I will try to keep this thread updated as the build progress's. It will be a slow moving one though.

[rnhrtfan]

Man I need to get moving on mine now don't I? Good luck and keep us posted.

[Altpers0na]

tis the season, for tanks to get setup....

[fishmon]

anything new?

[carb850]

Nope, unfortunately I expect this to come together pretty slowly.

My next purchase is going to be a stand which I hope to order by Christmas but I first need to decide if I will be getting a canopy. I'm mainly considering two lighting options. Those being a 6 bulb T5HO retrofit kit using Icecap SLR, the other option being an ATI T5 hanging fixture. At the moment the 6 bulb retro fit kit is in the lead.

Also, I need to draw up my sump design to post for critique. I'm hoping to use an external return pump but I want to make sure my design is workable. If so, a 38G tank and return pump will be my next purchase after the stand.

[igotsalt]

you could build your stand using 2x4's for the same price as buying a stand. The homemade stand allows you to "fit" the items in your sump rather than limiting your options of equipment you can use. I have learned from past experience that the easier it is to get to equipment the better I will maintain it! It seems the cookie cutter stands do not give enough head room for skimmers. Just me 2 cents worth!

By the way..... yellow tang is doing great! plumping up and getting friendly. His fins are almost totally healed and color is much brighter! I'm hoping his head won't be scarred.
Good luck on your build and glad you made your decision to go forward!

[carb850]

I found a guy on Ebay that has good feedback and seems willing to work with you for design changes. This stand will be made of Red Oak Plywood and is 32" tall. I asked him to move the front center support to the back and he said no problem. If I go with a canopy, I would have him build it only 6" tall with a pivot opening top. His standard design is more targeted toward a MH retrofit because it is much taller and has doors in the front. For the stand and canopy above unfinished and shipped, it is $320.

I figure I could ruin $1000 in wood and tools trying to duplicate that

[1package]

I built a couple of stands/canopy combos and $320 is a great price if it is built well. As you mentioned, I wasted quite a bit of $s in design change and mistakes. If you have any input I would consider a side door in the stand.

[carb850]

This guy will add a side door for extra money. I thought about doing that, but after he asid he would do no support in the front I figured that would work just as well. Should I reconsider doing the side door?

[radone]

Is this stand going to be shipped from this guy? I would think there's a few woodworkers (not hacks claiming to be) that could help you build a stand cheaper and stronger. JMHO

PM me if you need more info

[radone]

I uploaded some pics to my little red house to give you some ideas. That was a stand I built for a 120g for a good friend of mine

[carb850]

With everyone else updating their build threads, I thought I would post my newest update. It is not here yet, but I should be receiving a H&S A-110-F2000 Skimmer middle of next week.

[LtPiper]

Do you have to have a license to operate that thing?

[sixliner6]

Recirculating. Good choice. Are you going to feed it with the overflow? I think that would be your best option. That is how I feed mine. In 2 years of running it I have never had it overflow.

[carb850]

I hope to feed it with the overflow, I just have to look at the height of my sump, etc to make sure it all works. How much do you feed your skimmer? I been reading you want a very low feed to the skimmer, like 1.5-2.0 of your system volume.

My plan is to get a relatively small return pump, Eheim 1260, then use a ball valve to feed roughly feed 150 GPH to the skimmer then let the rest go into the refuge.

Any thoughts?

[radone]

Doing it like that is not actually feeding the skimmer from the overflow but using the return pump to feed your skimmer.
You can do it this way but, you gain nothing
If directly feed from your overflow you can actually get a little better performance from a skimmer
Your correct on your gph feed to a skimmer, there's a happy medium to find as far as flow but you'll need to have a tank running to find out

[carb850]

I would be feeding directly from my overflow. I'm just stating the pump I'm considering to give an idea about how much water I will have to deal with in my overflow.

[radone]

That would work

[carb850]

How does a Tunze 6101 w/ single controller and a Koralia 3 sound for flow to start off?

[fishmon]

Originally posted by carb850
How does a Tunze 6101 w/ single controller and a Koralia 3 sound for flow to start off?

spend the extra few bucks on the koralia 4 or just save up and get another 6101 instead.

[fishmon]

Originally posted by carb850
I would be feeding directly from my overflow. I'm just stating the pump I'm considering to give an idea about how much water I will have to deal with in my overflow.

You need to use a gate valve instead of a ball valve as they adjust much finer and tee on the drain to your skimmer regardless of how big the pump is to fine tune the water level in the skimmer allowing x amount into the skimmer and the excess would divert into the tee then into the sump. Post a question about plumbing diagrams for drain fed skimmers on H/s or deltec forum.

[carb850]

... but I already have the Koralia 3 in my 40G that I can use.

[radone]

That would depend on what your going to keep
If your going softies and LPS you might want to re-think that

Gotta agree with Jim though if your going with the Tunzes, I would go with two 6101's

That would give you good flow for even SPS

[fishmon]

Originally posted by carb850
... but I already have the Koralia 3 in my 40G that I can use.

You didn't say that It'll work fine

[radone]

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=818119

I think this is what your looking for