90G DIY Peninsula (hopefully) first build

[Reds_Reef]

So, I've been a long time lurker dreaming about getting myself a tank and finally decided to jump in.

Fitting the tank to work with available space, so a 90 Gallon (48x18x12) in a peninsula was the way to go. Decided to pick up a tank, add an overflow, build my own sump with a 40G breeder and custom build my own stand so my wife can't complain about it... Boy did I not realize what I jumped into.

First things first, I got the tanks home (90 from a local fish store and the 40 from Petsmart on sale) and got them filled up in the garage for leak testing (which is where they remain until I'm ready for them.)


Next step was the stand. I took detailed measurements on the tank to make sure I got things right.


Then off to building the main frame.


Ugly but sturdy. Just the way I like it. Coat of white paint and put it where it's going to go. I'll be wrapping the whole stand (including the frame on the tank) in stained decorative wood that matches the other furniture in our living room.


I also realized very quickly that I didn't want to manually transport water from the basement (where I put the RODI filter) and the Living Room, so I drilled a hole down through the wall and added a 1/2" hose down to the Brute Trash cans to facilitate a simple transfer pump that should make Filling the tank, Waterchanges, and filling the ATO a breeze.


Overflow shows up on Monday, and the Transfer Pump will be here tomorrow, no next steps will be to get the pump mounted and tested to make sure there's enough headlift, and get the tank drilled and the overflow installed. Once the overflow is on, I plan to do the stand wrap so my wife doesn't kill me, I want to put the tank on the stand when I do it so I can make sure everything lines up right with the tank braces.

Current planned Build:

Tank: 90G Seapora
Overflow: Modular Marine 1200GPH
Stand: Custom build Penninsula
Lights: Undecided. Really like the look of Kessils

SUMP:
Tank: 40 Breeder
Baffles: eBay baffle kit
Reefmat: Bubble Magus Medium
Skimmer: Bubble Magus Curve 5
Heater: Inkbird and 2 Titanium Element 200W
UV: Coralife Turbo Twist 9W
Returns: Jabao DC 55W & 65W
ATO: Undecided

Salt: Instant Ocean

Salinity Tester: Hanna Digital Tester
Every other Test: Salifert

Aquascape: Dry Marco Rock and Ocean Direct sand

Flow: 2x Crossflow Gyres, 1 on each side. Still deciding on Brand and GPH.

Stocking List, I don't know. I'll probably add based of what I find at the local stores I like that can live together. Know the kids want a pair of clowns, but for the rest we'll just wait and see.

 

[Fish Fan]

Very nice build!

One thought is that you can "skin" your stand and canopy in thin, 1/8" plywood or even prefinished panel boards, if you'd prefer that look.

Good luck with your project!

 

[Fish Fan]

And, welcome to Reef2Reef!

#WelcometoR2R

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[Reds_Reef]

So, pieces are trickling in, but I decided to head to the local store to pick up some rock to start the Aquascape.




Humble beginnings, but this is what I came up with.



Ignore the height of the outline, I forgot to take into account the height of the fittings so it's bigger than it should be. Total the High points on the rock are between 16-18 inches, and the waterline on the tank will likely be aound 22-23 inches.

Let me know what you guys think. This weekend will probably be me drilling/painting the tank and getting it on the stand, then working on the Sump/Plumbing before I start on making the stand pretty for the wife.

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, glad you are here!

 

[Reds_Reef]

Well, Today was a good day for working on the tank, so that's what I did.

Started the day with an axiety attack when it came to drilling the tank for the overflow.


Worked out fine though, even if I was nervous the whole time...


Modular Marine overflow fits perfect with the bracing.

Leak tested, then cleaned it up and gave the back a nice coat of paint.


Also I had made some minor changes to my aquascape earlier in the week, so I took it all outside to rinse with RODI


Got the tank inside (no pictures of that, it was a pain since my wife just had surgery done on both her hands...)

Then, disaster struck..
.
The large cave from my scape decided to completely crumble (not sure why, the other stuff held up fine)

I took the opportunity to rebuild and modify now that the actual tank was available to see what it looks like.


All in all, I'm happy with the rebuild. May do something with the island though, think it's a little too tall. Kids are happy they finally see the tank, even though my daughter immediately asked when there would be fish in it...

Next step will be making it pretty for the wife (while I also work on things like plumbing...) I have the sump baffle kit and 40 breeder tank, but I still need to get my return pumps/skimmer/reefmat. I'll probably order the returns and use the dimensions on the website to plan my sump. Trying to space out major purchases a little, and everything I have left to buy (Lights, Pumps, Gyres, ATO, Mat, and Skimmer) are all on the expensive side. Plus, I don't need the skimmer or mat until it's cycled, so no rush there.

 

[BoxH]

So, I've been a long time lurker dreaming about getting myself a tank and finally decided to jump in.

Fitting the tank to work with available space, so a 90 Gallon (48x18x12) in a peninsula was the way to go. Decided to pick up a tank, add an overflow, build my own sump with a 40G breeder and custom build my own stand so my wife can't complain about it... Boy did I not realize what I jumped into.

First things first, I got the tanks home (90 from a local fish store and the 40 from Petsmart on sale) and got them filled up in the garage for leak testing (which is where they remain until I'm ready for them.)


Next step was the stand. I took detailed measurements on the tank to make sure I got things right.


Then off to building the main frame.


Ugly but sturdy. Just the way I like it. Coat of white paint and put it where it's going to go. I'll be wrapping the whole stand (including the frame on the tank) in stained decorative wood that matches the other furniture in our living room.


I also realized very quickly that I didn't want to manually transport water from the basement (where I put the RODI filter) and the Living Room, so I drilled a hole down through the wall and added a 1/2" hose down to the Brute Trash cans to facilitate a simple transfer pump that should make Filling the tank, Waterchanges, and filling the ATO a breeze.


Overflow shows up on Monday, and the Transfer Pump will be here tomorrow, no next steps will be to get the pump mounted and tested to make sure there's enough headlift, and get the tank drilled and the overflow installed. Once the overflow is on, I plan to do the stand wrap so my wife doesn't kill me, I want to put the tank on the stand when I do it so I can make sure everything lines up right with the tank braces.

Current planned Build:

Tank: 90G Seapora
Overflow: Modular Marine 1200GPH
Stand: Custom build Penninsula
Lights: Undecided. Really like the look of Kessils

SUMP:
Tank: 40 Breeder
Baffles: eBay baffle kit
Reefmat: Bubble Magus Medium
Skimmer: Bubble Magus Curve 5
Heater: Inkbird and 2 Titanium Element 200W
UV: Coralife Turbo Twist 9W
Returns: Jabao DC 55W & 65W
ATO: Undecided

Salt: Instant Ocean

Salinity Tester: Hanna Digital Tester
Every other Test: Salifert

Aquascape: Dry Marco Rock and Ocean Direct sand

Flow: 2x Crossflow Gyres, 1 on each side. Still deciding on Brand and GPH.

Stocking List, I don't know. I'll probably add based of what I find at the local stores I like that can live together. Know the kids want a pair of clowns, but for the rest we'll just wait and see.

Nice following through

 

[Linlox]

Looking great! Following along.

 

[Reds_Reef]

Thanks for all the encouragement.

It's been a somewhat busy week, so I've spent most of it just trying to figure things out (adjusting plumbing plans, realizing I have no hardware for the cabinet, etc.) so not much visible progress until today. Managed to take some time and do some staining/building and got some of the canopy/cabinet in near final form.


Still not sure what I'll be doing at the back to cover the plumbing, but I don't think that's super important to figure out at the moment.

I also spent some time getting the sump ready


Placed the last order today for hardware, so everything should be coming in this weekend or next week. Got a nice say tomorrow so I'm hoping to finish the main cabinet (probably not that back portion, but I don't want to worry about that until plumbing is done) then take time Sunday plumbing it all up. My goal is to have it wet and cycling by the 8th. Picked up some Dr Tim's and we're leaving for a family vacation that whole next week, so I figure if I can get it dosed up to 2PPM and get the Bacteria in there, it may be at least partially cycled while we're gone.

Final Build/order list:
Tank: 90G Seapora
Overflow: Modular Marine 1200GPH
Stand: Custom build Penninsula
Lights: 2x PopBloom RL115

SUMP:
Tank: 40 Breeder
Baffles: Marine Biosystems (great kit. Highly Recommend)
Reefmat: Bubble Magus Medium
Skimmer: Bubble Magus Curve 5EX
Heater: Inkbird and Titanium Element 300W
UV: Coralife Turbo Twist 9W (Will be plumbed inline with the MDP8000 Return Pump running roughly 180GPH)
Returns: Jabao MDP 8000 & 13000
ATO: Jabao

Water:
RODI: Amazon Aquatic Life 4-Stage
Salt: Tropic Marin Pro Reef

Aquascape: Marco Rock

Flow: 1x Jebao MCP-150 (and the Returns. Will probably add a powerhead to the back wall for a little more random flow once corals start going in.)

Chemicals: Dr Tim’s

 

[Reds_Reef]

Also, I've been looking at a rough stocking list and this is what I've kind of come up with. Likely to change 100 times of course. Also thinking heavily about the introduction order.

Clowns x2 (Of course. The kids are sad we won't be able to have a Dory with Nemo, but I think they'll live)

Purple Tang (Captive Bred. I know the tank is borderline for them, but this is the fish that really got me excited about the hobby. If need be, I'll rehome when it gets too big)
Bristletooth Tang (Good size for the tank and will help with Algae)
One Spot Foxface? (I know they're a good size for the tank and help with Algae, but I'm not sure if it will cause too much competition with the other herbivores.)

Firefish (I love basic red firefish. So simple but just different enough to be unique)
Shrimp Goby (Probably Yellow Watchman. I love the grumpy face, and yes he will get a shrimp...)
Longnose Hawkfish (Just a cool fish)
Bangai Cardinals x2-3 (Like the silver color, not sure how many you can put in a single tank)

Midas Blennie? (Love the look and character, but not sure if he's get along with the other fish)
Lawnmower Blennie? (Same as the Midas)

Melanurus Wrasse or Christmas Wrasse (Wrasses are awesome and these have amazing colors)
Peacock Wrasse (Same as above, but different Genus so hopefully they can coexist)
Mystery Wrasse (Same as above. I'm a little worried about aggression, but hopefully not too bad since I love their colors)
Flasher/Fairy Wrasses (Something with color and character)

Royal Gramma (kind of an afterthought since I'll be getting the purple/yellow coloration with the Purple Tang. Maybe something like a Chalk Basslett instead? Kids would like to have Gurgle though...)

Inverts:
Pistol Shrimp
Cleaner Shrimp
Snails
Likely a Pithos crab or 2
Maybe a sand-sifting star
Maybe a Tuxedo Urchin

Anyone have any thought on the stocking I'm all ears.

 

[Fish Fan]

Marine Biosystem on eBay has the best DIY sump baffle kit going; good choice!

 

[Reds_Reef]

Absolutely. The set fit perfect. Was even beveled on the edges to accommodate the factory silicon.

Progress got hampered today by some rain, and some issues I didn't plan for with the stand, but it should be done tomorrow after I run to the store for some more wood. If the weather cooperates at least.



Got a start on the plumbing too, but my return pumps should be arriving tomorrow and once I get the doors on the stand I can put the sump in place and start routing everything.

 

[Fish Fan]

Looks great! Nice job on the stand and canopy!

And yeah, Marine Biosystems sump kits rock, and I have no idea why they don't get more attention here on R2R.

 

[Reds_Reef]

Stand is mostly done. Still need to add door catches, but I'm going to do that later.



Getting started on electric/plumbing in the cabinet/canopy now. Return pumps got delayed in shipment, but hopefully will be here tomorrow.

 

[Reds_Reef]

So, delayed pumps became lost and had to be reordered... And much plumbing had to be adjusted / rethought. Finally finished plumbing and wiring today though.

Plan to do a slow fill tomorrow to check for leaks/function and let it run for a day, then dose the ammonia on Friday if all is well.

Still waiting on the lights (should be here Friday) but that's a moot point since I doubt I'll turn them on except to test while cycling.

 

[Reds_Reef]

We are finally wet. Letting the sand and stuff clear up tonight, then tomorrow I'll be adding the Dr Tims and the Ammonia.



Still tuning the drains and returns to get them silent. I MAY have gone a bit overboard on the pumps... Probably could have made do with 2 smaller pumps, but with trying to figure head lift and convert from metric, I just went bigger. Hopefully not too big.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Stand is mostly done. Still need to add door catches, but I'm going to do that later.



Getting started on electric/plumbing in the cabinet/canopy now. Return pumps got delayed in shipment, but hopefully will be here tomorrow.

That stand is looking amazing!

 

[Reds_Reef]

That stand is looking amazing!

Thanks. It's got some issues up close, but from a distance it looks good, and when you're close that should t be the focus, so I'm happy with it.

Not bad for my first time building anything actually finished.

 

[angsess]

Stand is mostly done. Still need to add door catches, but I'm going to do that later.



Getting started on electric/plumbing in the cabinet/canopy now. Return pumps got delayed in shipment, but hopefully will be here tomorrow.

This looks amazing! Very impressive DIY. I am just starting with a little 15 gallon but maybe one day...