Recommendations for 90gal build

[Pakratt]

Hi everyone,

Sorry if this was posted before but I haven't had much luck looking for it in the forums. It's probably staring me in the face I'm sure. I looking to convert my 90gal freshwater tank to a saltwater tank. I'm not looking to drill it or anything like that. I looked at some builds with breeder tanks and such and think I can get away with HOBs and wavemakers. It will be a coral tank with maybe a few fish/shrimp, like 5 or 6 total. Looking for recommendations on filters, wavemakers, lights and such. It will be a mix tank of LPS/SPS, nems, possibly some acros and maybe clam at some point. Any help with parts and pieces is greatly appreciated. Hoping to start the transformation soon. I know, why not get a actual saltwater tank? As normal it come down to money as always. If I could find a good AIO or something that has same dimensions as the current 90gal to use the stand and not break the bank I'd definitely consider it. I'm really hoping to get some good lights for the corals that won't break the bank but give them good lighting and great colors. I have a 45gal AIO now with Nicrew 100w light on it. I like it but wonder if I could get better colors out of a different light on the 90gal. Thanks!!

 

[Gman83]

Everyone will have a different opinion, but here is what I would do if I was starting a new tank from scratch:

Wavemakers: I would go with jebao.
-scp-90 for surface agitation across the top. Approx. 2700-3300 gph, $88 on Amazon.
- slw-20 for random flow. Approx. 2600/gph. $70 on Amazon.

Protien skimmer: I recently upgraded to an ice cap hob protien skimmer, and love it. Previously had an Aquamaxx 1.5 hob, but needed something that could handle a bigger tank. I would look at ice cap or Reef octopus, but you will probably spend 200-350 on it. You could also look for used protien skimmer here on r2r, or ebay. I know some will say never buy electronics used, but I have and have yet to get burned.

Mechanical filtration: I don't know you necessarily need it if you get a protien skimmer, but really the cheapest you can find rated for a 90 gallon will work. In my opinion, the name of the filter is not as important as the filtering material you put in it. Petco or Amazon you should find one at a good price.

Substrate/rocks: i would encourage you to some live sand/rock to seed the tank. It's expensive, but it will help. Even just live sand would help marco rock. Price varies on quantity, but Tampa Bay Saltwater, gulf live rocks, KP aquatics, and other have various option, at various price points.

Lights: most important in my opinion. Lights are tough because they get super expensive. I don't remember the par output of Nicrew 100w or spread, but a single one won't be enough for lps/sps even if it has the par output. Lots of people on here love noopsyche, which is budget friendly (for lights anyway). You would likely need 2.

Otherthings: you didn't mention testing equipment. I would recommend at a minimum good testing equipment for salinity, Nitrate, phosphate, and alkalinity. The general consensus is Hannah is top of the line in these areas. They work great. Eventually, as you add coral, calcium and magnesium will become important, and recommendations generally are salfert.

Other people will hopefully chime in as well. I would say consider what everyone says, read reviews, and consider what works for you budget. Best of luck!

 

[Pakratt]

Thank you for the reply and suggestions. Anybody else have any suggestions. Looking for options and opinions. Thanks!

 

[Jim Gomoll]

Ran a 75g with 2 HOB filters and skimmer for years. Recommend the new version Fluval Aqua Clear AC110 (60-100g) ~$99 on Amazon or Petco. There are allot of hotrod/modification videos out there to change the filter basket, and media that are worth checking out.
You probably could get away with just the AC110 for filtering and media depending on the type of fish you get. Meaning messy eaters and excess waste = more filtration needed. If possible depending on the HOB skimmer size I'd add a second smaller HOB like a AC20 just for Media and let the 110 do all the filtering.

 

[Gman83]

You can also get a hob fuge, I did that. I got a no name brand from ebay for $150. It came with the fuge, pump, and a light. I upgraded the light to a reefbreeders pico

 

[Pakratt]

Thank you both for the suggestions. I figure for a protein skimmer I'd have to get a HOB version of that also if I don't want one in the tank itself? Do they make a protein skimmer that works like a canister filter where it's outside the tank but not hanging on the tank? I'm thinking about 2x of the AC110 HOBs and a couple wavemakers so far. Also looking at the Orphek OR4 lights for the tank. Would it be good to use two different versions of the lights or just two of the same ones? Are there better lights for about the same price? Tank is 48" long and they sell 48" lights so they would cover the whole tank. Anyone use these and like them, hate them? I've only used the Nicrew 100w Gen2 light so far and like it but also think there are better lights that give better colors that don't break the bank either.

Again I greatly appreciate the insights and suggestions!!! Still pretty new to the saltwater scene and still learning a lot as I go.