90 gal - with Great Ideas!!!

[JenArmstrong]

What started as a B-day gift (LFS Glass tank, with black hood and Stand)- is now the focal point of my house! I didn't cheap out, so the build took just shy of 1 year to complete. With Fish-keeping +25 years, this is the biggest tank to date for both fresh and Salt.

Basement requirements:
- First, Install a floor support so it doesn't fall through the floor... This included additional wood - and while we were opening the floor - Add an additional Electrical outlet to the control panel with its own 15-amp breaker. $150.00
- Next, Install the RO on the main water line next to the sump so it drains directly into it. $120.00
- Also add a 50-gal Food safe barrel to keep RO and make salt water for water changes. $50.00
- Installed a water-fountain pump in the barrel with a waterline tube from the basement location to the Tank location on the main floor ( drilled a small hole thru the floor) to empty into the stand sump. Added another electrical on/off switch above power outlet to work the fountain pump. $160.00

 

[JenArmstrong]

Sump requirements:
- First I painted the inside of the stand "White" so I can see everything! I even used the "Flex-Seal" to make the stand waterproof in case of any overflows. $54.00 per gal
- Next I cut and painted (white) a particle-board for the electrical to attach to for the back side of the stand and screwed it in place.
- Next I laid down a neoprene base for under my Trigger sump to level out any painted bumps so it will lay perfectly flat. $25.00
- Then installed the Emerald Trigger-Sump 34 and dry-run the plumbing. $370.00

 

[JenArmstrong]

Aquascaping time:
- Buy 90 lbs of dry Pukani Rock from BRS and created a 2 tower design with lots of overhangs for Coral and fish to hide under. $300.00
- Start the support by using a 3/4 bit and PVC tubing to drill though the rocks and create the final design. Finish with Aqua-glue to make sure they stay.
- Fully rinse the rocks and bleach dunk for 12 hours and replace with saltwater to cure the rocks for 3 weeks.

 

[JenArmstrong]

Buying supplies:
-Skimz 163 Skimmer / Gyre 230 power head / AI Hydra 26 lights (2x) / Jager 200w Heater / 3 Lunar Lights / Apex Fusion Controller / Syncra Return Pump / Marine Pure plates (2x) / Testing supplies / Cleaning supplies $2500.00

 

[JenArmstrong]

Display Tank:
- Glue 1'x1' tile to bottom of the 2 towers to prevent tipping from fish / cleaning. $15.00
- Pour 3 bags of 2-4mm Live-sand to the bottom of the tank - Let sit overnight to settle...
- Start adding water!!!
-Turn on Sump return and adjust flow. Glad I painted the stand white now - I can see!!!

 

[JenArmstrong]

Final touches:
- Install and adjust Hydra-26 light and Lunar lights in the hood.
- Review the final design and wait 3 weeks.
- Add current fish and Take out husband's idea of fun when the corals arrive... Ha, ha
Total cost without Fish and Coral = $4800.00

 

[JenArmstrong]

Many thanks to my Husband, because without him - I couldn't have done it alone...

 

[Marlon2024]

Very very nice check out my build

 

[Gustavo Martinez]

Freakin awesome job.... Love it, especially the surfer dude.... Very inspiring... Thanks

 

[blesk]

Very nice

 

[themadman]

Awesome build! Nice work! I'm doing a setup right now with the same sump.

 

[JenArmstrong]

Freakin awesome job.... Love it, especially the surfer dude.... Very inspiring... Thanks

I told my husband to buy something for the tank, and he came home with the surfer dude..... I meant a fish, ha

 

[JenArmstrong]

Awesome build! Nice work! I'm doing a setup right now with the same sump.

I love mine, but had to rotate it 180 so the socks are in the front to change out every 4 days.

 

[Jrco226]

Awesome scape!

 

[Mikedawg]

Display Tank:
- Glue 1'x1' tile to bottom of the 2 towers to prevent tipping from fish / cleaning. $15.00
- Pour 3 bags of 2-4mm Live-sand to the bottom of the tank - Let sit overnight to settle...
- Start adding water!!!
-Turn on Sump return and adjust flow. Glad I painted the stand white now - I can see!!!

Nice tank, you're doing it right. Is that a yellow clown goby perched on the rock, lol ?

 

[JenArmstrong]

Nice tank, you're doing it right. Is that a yellow clown goby perched on the rock, lol ?

Thanks, My daughter's French Angle - husband was tired of looking at an empty tank, Ha.

 

[JenArmstrong]

Very very nice check out my build

Thanks, how does one check your build exactly? I'm new at this

 

[themadman]

I love mine, but had to rotate it 180 so the socks are in the front to change out every 4 days.

I noticed that! Either the socks or the skimmer are going to be harder to get to so I guess it's pick your poison! Lol. It seems like there is never enough space in this hobby. I don't run any filter socks on my current tank because I got sick of washing them and changing them. On my new build with the Emerald 34 I'm going to use the foam plate instead of the socks. It'll be better than what I'm running now and easy to rinse every few days.

 

[JenArmstrong]

New fish in the tank:
Coral Beauty / Yellow damsel / Black-White Clown / Kole Tang / Black mouth Butterfly (told was reef-safe by LFS) / Diamond Back Goby
I think I have room for more, but will wait to see how big they all grow

Up next - CORAL

 

[JenArmstrong]

Coral is in the tank! Went to a coral swap and got lots of things all under $200. Its amazing what cash can do for the prices - and being blond helped too - Ha