Paul's 90 Gallon Build

[pdt7361]

I've began to work on my new 90 gallon build and wanted to document this one as I go (versus going through and creating it all after the fact like I did with my Biocube 29). I was able to pick up a nice 90 gallon tank and stand locally for pretty cheap. It also came with a wet/dry filter that I'm going to toss, a Mag 12 that I'll stick downstairs to keep as a backup, and a 48" 4 bulb T5HO fixture (with 9 T5 bulbs) that I may or may not use.

The tank was previously used only as a freshwater tank, so I've only got some sand to clean out and some calcium build up to scrape off. I'll also remove the overflow pipes and clean/replace them. While I work on all of that, I've also been ordering up some equipment/supplies. Below is my list so far:

DC 9000 Apex ready pump
2* RW-8 Powerheads
Apex Standard
Finnex 300w titanium heater
90lbs of varying types of sand (wanted slightly different colors and multiple grain sizes)
200g Instant Ocean Reef Crystals salt mix
50lbs dry rock from ReefCleaners (will add live rock from my existing tank plus hand pick some other live rock from LFS)
Aquaticlife RO Buddie w/ DI (100gpd)
50ft 1/4" blue tubing
Some Red Sea test kits (I currently have API and am working to replace)

With the list above, the last major things that I'm working on are the sump, skimmer, and reactor(s). I hope that I have something lined up to get those locally today, so fingers crossed there.

Current condition of tank:

 

[dbl]

Nice find Paul, and a nice equipment list. Signing up to follow along. Are you planning on keeping the 29 cube as well, or is this an upgrade to that?

 

[pdt7361]

I haven't decided for sure what I'm going to do with my BC29 long term. Once the 90 is ready I do plan to empty the BC and use it for quarantine of new fish. Once the 90 is stocked though...who knows.

 

[dbl]

Always good to have choices! Good luck with the new build.

 

[pdt7361]

Yesterday I picked up a really nice canopy for my tank along with an Eshopps ADV-200 sump. Today I am going to get my Reef Octopus skimmer and a couple of supplemental LED strips ordered. I am also planning on getting the tank moved outside this afternoon so that I can finish up the last bit of cleaning in it.

 

[pdt7361]

Tank is all cleaned up and sump is in...now just the wait for all other equipment to come in. My Reef Octopus Classic 150 was just ordered today, so it will probably be next week before there is any sand/rock/water in it.

 

[ScottMyers123]

Tank looks good all cleaned up.

 

[pdt7361]

Yeah I got lucky with it...tank, stand, mag 12, and T5 only cost me $250.

 

[pdt7361]

I'll get the heaters positioned, pump in, and power heads mounted tomorrow and will put up a new pick with the canopy on.

 

[pdt7361]

I haven't gotten much done this week...been busy cleaning up the basement to make room for a water mixing station. I went shopping for all of my plumbing today. I've never done any plumbing before but I think I got everything I need...will find out when I go to dry fit it all.
I did get my Reef Octopus Classic 150 into the sump today. I also got all of my dry rock in so I will be working on my aquascape soon. Hopefully I'll get all plumbing dry fit tomorrow and then get it all sealed in place.

 

[pdt7361]

I finally got around to starting my aquascape today. I have cemented a few in place using hydraulic cement. I'm still trying to decide if I want the egg crate under my rock or not...can't find anything definite on it being good or bad...just everyone's opinions. I'm also going to add some live rock once I'm ready for water.

 

[pdt7361]

I finally got around to doing some initial plumbing this evening. This is my thought but it could change...would like to get return pump and skimmer on tomorrow, so fingers crossed there are no leaks.

 

[pdt7361]

The one thing I can't decide is whether or not my manifold will work like this. With the space I have, it is what made sense. I have a dc9000 pump...it has a 1.5in return and the tank only has a 3/4in bulkhead...so with 1.5in being adapted down after the tee, surely there is enough pressure to run 1 reactor.

 

[pdt7361]

After looking at my plumbing again, I super hated it. I tore everything out and decided that flex pvc would be a much better solution for the limited amount of space I have under the stand.

 

[pdt7361]

I worked out a couple of leaky bulkheads over the weekend and a leak on one of the threaded fittings. Tank is now full and return pump is running great! I had my skimmer on for a little while earlier, but it is sitting too low in the water....so before I can leave it on, I need to find some egg crate to bring it up about 1.5 inches.

 

[pdt7361]

I have definitely been learning the hard way on the right order to put together a larger aquarium...it's been a good learning experience

 

[pdt7361]

I added a couple of pieces of live rock to the tank and refug today...then of course had to turn on the blue T5s and snap a quick pic.

 

[pdt7361]

I've been working to figure out my aquascape now that I've got all of my rock. My base rock is dry rock from reefcleaners.org and it is held together with hydraulic cement. From there I have added a several pieces of live rock into it as well - so currently the tank has about 75lbs of rock in it. I do plan on moving the 20lbs of live rock from my BioCube 29 later on as well. I can't decide if I like the layout and whether or not I've gone high enough with the rock. For the flat piece of live rock on the bottom, I do plan on leaving it there, slightly buried as a good place for some corals that I'll have on the bottom. Lighting on the tank is a 48" 4 bulb T5HO fixture and a 48" Reefbright XHO LED strip (to be added next week). Thoughts/opinions?

 

[pdt7361]

It's been a while since I've updated this, so I wanted to get some new pics out here. My tank cycled very quickly due to using some sand from my existing BC29, live rock from it, and BioSpira. I began moving everything out of my BC29 last week into the new build. As I moved all corals that weren't connected to LR, I gave them a quick dip in some CoralRx and then acclimated them slowly. I completed the move of everything 3 days ago, and so far everyone seems happy. I've also re-worked my aquascape to allow for adding the 30lbs of LR from my BC29. Below is a series of pics showing my tank progress over the last couple of weeks - let me know what you all think!

Here is my tank on 5/1/16:

Here is my tank on 5/6/16:

Here is my tank on 5/9/16:

And here is my tank on 5/12/16:

 

[pdt7361]

I spent some time today and got my Biocube 29 all broken down. The water and remaining sand has been disposed of and the tank has been thoroughly cleaned. I have my pump, powerheads, media baskets, skimmer, and heater all soaking in a vinegar bath. Once I have them all cleaned up, I'll get my BC29 set back up as a QT....and then can buy a few new fish