The 90g spawned a 40g breeder next to it

[Linlox]

Well, my wife and I discussed upgrading the 90g mixed reef (build thread link) to something wider and longer (ideally 60"x24+"x20" high) but eventually decided to start another tank and separate the sps into it since we have already done the 96"x24"x24" mixed reef 15 years ago. We looked at tons of aquariums from Cade, IM, Waterbox, Glass Cages, and Custom Aquariums here in WI but my enjoyment in the hobby truly comes from building something the way I want it. Even if it does not always work out the way I want and is not as aesthetically pleasing to most, it keeps me tinkering which is what I find fun.

Built a stand with red oak exterior and maple faced interior cabinet plywood. Sealed all interior seams with silicon.

Started with an Imagitarium 40 breeder from Petco for $70, These seem like a pretty decent upgrade from the aqueon tanks, the silicone work and plastic bracing is much higher quality and the glass seems thicker. Obviously not as flashy as a rimless, having had a deep blue rimless in the past it is not something I consider in a tank anymore. Its either rimmed, euro braced or acrylic.
Drilled a couple holes in it for a Fiji Cube 800gph EXT overflow and a 3/4" return with VCA Random Flow Generator. Offset the return to the left instead of centered for ease of access and it will line up with the plumbing in the sump reducing the need for plumbing fittings, same for the return location. Was going to drill a drain in the bottom of the tank for water changes but decided against the risk of a bulkhead starting to leak, would 100% do this for a basement tank though.

Safety Note: Usually I am a very safety oriented when working on projects, however I grabbed my stuff and it was beautiful outside so I was drilling the tank in sandals and shorts. Drilling from the inside of the tank to keep any chipping on the outside and of course the glass plug fell on my foot and sliced it open. Whats a build without a little blood spilled?

Painted the back after installing the bulkheads and masking, wanted to keep the gaskets against glass and not paint.

And here it is while waiting for parts.

Will update as parts arrives and the building continues.

 

[PPBlimpy]

Stand turned out fantastic!

I have always liked the 40G breeders. I have toyed with the idea of pulling the top trim and eurobracing one of these tanks.

Going to follow along because one of these days I may go back to one in a similar fashion build.

 

[Linlox]

Stand turned out fantastic!

I have always liked the 40G breeders. I have toyed with the idea of pulling the top trim and eurobracing one of these tanks.

Going to follow along because one of these days I may go back to one in a similar fashion build.

Thanks!! I didn't even think about trying to do that, will definitely consider it next time or pick one up and try on the next sale. To far along on this one to try it.

 

[Linlox]

Sump arrived this morning and now its time to plumb a couple unions with a gate valve in a short run, yay.
Its an Icecap 24 Reef Sump that was an open box discount from CoralVue. Seems like a really decent sump for the $$ with probe holders, dosing lines, adjustable skimmer water level, and a built in top off reservoir! Priced out building a 20g sump but the materials were only about $50 less then this on discount so it was not worth my time. Going to recirculate citric acid through the sump to help remove any manufacturing residue.
My helper keeps stealing my fittings.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Well, my wife and I discussed upgrading the 90g mixed reef (build thread link) to something wider and longer (ideally 60"x24+"x20" high) but eventually decided to start another tank and separate the sps into it since we have already done the 96"x24"x24" mixed reef 15 years ago. We looked at tons of aquariums from Cade, IM, Waterbox, Glass Cages, and Custom Aquariums here in WI but my enjoyment in the hobby truly comes from building something the way I want it. Even if it does not always work out the way I want and is not as aesthetically pleasing to most, it keeps me tinkering which is what I find fun.

Built a stand with red oak exterior and maple faced interior cabinet plywood. Sealed all interior seams with silicon.

Started with an Imagitarium 40 breeder from Petco for $70, These seem like a pretty decent upgrade from the aqueon tanks, the silicone work and plastic bracing is much higher quality and the glass seems thicker. Obviously not as flashy as a rimless, having had a deep blue rimless in the past it is not something I consider in a tank anymore. Its either rimmed, euro braced or acrylic.
Drilled a couple holes in it for a Fiji Cube 800gph EXT overflow and a 3/4" return with VCA Random Flow Generator. Offset the return to the left instead of centered for ease of access and it will line up with the plumbing in the sump reducing the need for plumbing fittings, same for the return location. Was going to drill a drain in the bottom of the tank for water changes but decided against the risk of a bulkhead starting to leak, would 100% do this for a basement tank though.

Safety Note: Usually I am a very safety oriented when working on projects, however I grabbed my stuff and it was beautiful outside so I was drilling the tank in sandals and shorts. Drilling from the inside of the tank to keep any chipping on the outside and of course the glass plug fell on my foot and sliced it open. Whats a build without a little blood spilled?

Painted the back after installing the bulkheads and masking, wanted to keep the gaskets against glass and not paint.

And here it is while waiting for parts.

Will update as parts arrives and the building continues.

The stand looks great!

 

[Linlox]

The stand looks great!

Thanks!

 

[kevgib67]

Well, my wife and I discussed upgrading the 90g mixed reef (build thread link) to something wider and longer (ideally 60"x24+"x20" high) but eventually decided to start another tank and separate the sps into it since we have already done the 96"x24"x24" mixed reef 15 years ago. We looked at tons of aquariums from Cade, IM, Waterbox, Glass Cages, and Custom Aquariums here in WI but my enjoyment in the hobby truly comes from building something the way I want it. Even if it does not always work out the way I want and is not as aesthetically pleasing to most, it keeps me tinkering which is what I find fun.

Built a stand with red oak exterior and maple faced interior cabinet plywood. Sealed all interior seams with silicon.

Started with an Imagitarium 40 breeder from Petco for $70, These seem like a pretty decent upgrade from the aqueon tanks, the silicone work and plastic bracing is much higher quality and the glass seems thicker. Obviously not as flashy as a rimless, having had a deep blue rimless in the past it is not something I consider in a tank anymore. Its either rimmed, euro braced or acrylic.
Drilled a couple holes in it for a Fiji Cube 800gph EXT overflow and a 3/4" return with VCA Random Flow Generator. Offset the return to the left instead of centered for ease of access and it will line up with the plumbing in the sump reducing the need for plumbing fittings, same for the return location. Was going to drill a drain in the bottom of the tank for water changes but decided against the risk of a bulkhead starting to leak, would 100% do this for a basement tank though.

Safety Note: Usually I am a very safety oriented when working on projects, however I grabbed my stuff and it was beautiful outside so I was drilling the tank in sandals and shorts. Drilling from the inside of the tank to keep any chipping on the outside and of course the glass plug fell on my foot and sliced it open. Whats a build without a little blood spilled?

Painted the back after installing the bulkheads and masking, wanted to keep the gaskets against glass and not paint.

And here it is while waiting for parts.

Will update as parts arrives and the building continues.

Wow Lin, the finish on the stand is beautiful!

 

[Linlox]

Wow Lin, the finish on the stand is beautiful!

Thanks Kevin! I think this satin polycrylic vs the gloss helmsmen on the 90g looks much better.

Like all plumbing projects got everything laid out and was super happy I had all the fittings, was about to start cementing it and was out of the ABS to PVC cement for the bulkheads. Really don't want to drive an hour and a half for some.

 

[kevgib67]

Thanks Kevin! I think this satin polycrylic vs the gloss helmsmen on the 90g looks much better.

Like all plumbing projects got everything laid out and was super happy I had all the fittings, was about to start cementing it and was out of the ABS to PVC cement for the bulkheads. Really don't want to drive an hour and a half for some.

Between you and Paul we have some serious carpenters here.

 

[Linlox]

Tank has been plumbed, wired, filled and lighting was hung. Moved rock from the sump of the 90g peninsula that had been there the last year and mixed in some tropic eden rock from premium aquatics.

Added a Tunze 9410 DC skimmer with an air pump driving a CO2 reactor into the skimmer (not pictured yet) and tunze nano osmolator for ATO. Orlushy DC-4000 pump for the return at 50% power (same return pump as the 90g peninsula so I can have a single spare for both tanks)

Moved in some coral from qt and the tropic eden rocks. Coral placement is temporary right now until I am done setting up the rock scape, couple more shelf rocks on the way and will move some of this to the sump.

Had a bacterial bloom that caused slightly hazy water but cleared in about 3 days and then had hair algae start and then recede.

 

[Foxy-88]

Stand looks amazing. Excellent work for sure. Diy stands always look better in my opinion. Passion built into for sure

 

[Linlox]

Stand looks amazing. Excellent work for sure. Diy stands always look better in my opinion. Passion built into for sure

Thanks!

 

[69cam]

Any updates?

 

[Linlox]

Any updates?

Guess it has been a while, time sure disappears!

Lighting was to much/different for some of the coral and they got pretty pale, have dialed everything back considerably and cut the T5s to just 4 hours a day, really not a fan of these AI primes at all. Had the PAR setup to match where the SPS is thriving in my 90g and it is just not the same with the different lights, PAR being equal. Hoping that the Quanta 36" bars are back in stock over the next couple months because the coral and I are loving those lights on the 90g.

Added a clean up crew from reefcleaners.org, have also moved trochus from the 90g over since they breed like rabbits in there.

Have played arrange the rock work a few time the last few weeks and think we have settled on this formation and the fish seem to agree. It leaves quite a bit of room for coral.

Get some bacterial blooms for a few hours up to 48 hours after water changes which I blame on the bare bottom. Although, after yesterdays water change everything is clear this morning. Maybe that phase is over?

Things have been going ok for a new tank, its been mostly daily/weekly maintenance tasks:

• 4g weekly water change
• 4 mL daily All For Reef (adjusting with alk tests)
• Change filter sock, clean glass, fill ATO, clean skimmer, blow off rocks with baster, scrub anything else that needs it on Wednesday and Sunday
• Feed daily (divided into 3 feedings) 1/8 tsp saki-hikari medium marine herbivore probiotic pellets, 1/8 tsp flakes, 1/2 sheet nori.
• Test alk once or twice a week, po4 & no3 weekly. Ca and Mg when I feel like it. Keep the salinity of all the tanks at 1.0264 sg.
  • alk is around 7.5-8.0 dkh
  • po4 0.3 ppm
  • No3 <1 ppm (salifert test that is barely pink, so there is some there)

Here is a pic from yesterday while I was in the middle of cleaning and taking a break (back glass is clean now):

 

[Foxy-88]

Any updates?

Guess it has been a while, time sure disappears!

Lighting was to much/different for some of the coral and they got pretty pale, have dialed everything back considerably and cut the T5s to just 4 hours a day, really not a fan of these AI primes at all. Had the PAR setup to match where the SPS is thriving in my 90g and it is just not the same with the different lights, PAR being equal. Hoping that the Quanta 36" bars are back in stock over the next couple months because the coral and I are loving those lights on the 90g.

Added a clean up crew from reefcleaners.org, have also moved trochus from the 90g over since they breed like rabbits in there.

Have played arrange the rock work a few time the last few weeks and think we have settled on this formation and the fish seem to agree. It leaves quite a bit of room for coral.

Get some bacterial blooms for a few hours up to 48 hours after water changes which I blame on the bare bottom. Although, after yesterdays water change everything is clear this morning. Maybe that phase is over?

Things have been going ok for a new tank, its been mostly daily/weekly maintenance tasks:

• 4g weekly water change
• 4 mL daily All For Reef (adjusting with alk tests)
• Change filter sock, clean glass, fill ATO, clean skimmer, blow off rocks with baster, scrub anything else that needs it on Wednesday and Sunday
• Feed daily (divided into 3 feedings) 1/8 tsp saki-hikari medium marine herbivore probiotic pellets, 1/8 tsp flakes, 1/2 sheet nori.
• Test alk once or twice a week, po4 & no3 weekly. Ca and Mg when I feel like it. Keep the salinity of all the tanks at 1.0264 sg.
  • alk is around 7.5-8.0 dkh
  • po4 0.3 ppm
  • No3 <1 ppm (salifert test that is barely pink, so there is some there)

Here is a pic from yesterday while I was in the middle of cleaning and taking a break (back glass is clean now):

Whats your light schedule look like? I absolutely loved my g4 radions and t5 setup on my 75. Wish I had kept it for my 90 but o well

 

[Linlox]

0900-2100 with a 2 hour ramp up and down for the primes with 4 hours of some whites. T5s are 3x blue and 1x purple are on for 4 hours during the prime white period. The T5s were just reduced from an 8 hour period and the primes where reduced 20% about 2 weeks ago. Originally everything was set to peak at 250 PAR at the top of the rocks which is the same as the 90g, currently it peaks about 185.

I still use my 60" 8x Tek T5s from my 240g circa 2010ish maybe with just 2 bulbs in it over my frag qt tank and it works amazing. Had 17 extra bulbs for it still and moved it 3 times since that tank came down......

Still able to program and run those old g4s or have they End of Lifed those also? Hardware dependant on apps being EoLed is killing me lately.

 

[Linlox]

Stuff is starting to color back up in the tank and the algae, dinos and cloudiness have subsided. Still running at the reduced lighting. No3 was undetectable so dosed nitrate up to 10ppm over a couple days and have left it there.

More WWC acros have been ordered during their sale......

 

[Linlox]

Meant to do a 6 month update, but time flies.
- Have fought bubble algae in both tanks. Removed every rock, manually scraped it off and then sprayed the rock with peroxide. That worked for a while but after a month it is returning.
- Added a BRS 1.1 mL/min (2 mL/min actual) doser for All for Reef, currently using 14 mL per day.
- New fish additions and graduated the tang up to the 90g.
- Replaced all of the ai primes with two radion xr15 blues as 2 of the 3 primes failed, everything really started to grow under the radions with AB+ vs the primes. Running them with the T5s still, three blue and one purple bulbs.
- Parameters are Salinity 1.0264 sg, Alk 8.5 dkh, PO4 0.08, NO3 ~1, Ca 450, Mg 1300 testing every week or two
- Dosing 1 mL Bacto-Balance daily, a couple mLs of nitrate if it tests 0 or hitting the auto feeder button and extra time or two a day. Have not needed the nitrate since adding more fish.

Tank is really taking off and has passed the 90g peninsula in stability and growth which is at its 2 year mark now.

 

[kevgib67]

Looks awesome Lin, great growth! Happy 4th of July!

 

[Linlox]

Looks awesome Lin, great growth! Happy 4th of July!

Thanks Kevin, Happy 4th to you also!