90 Gallon Setup

[3dblake]

Hi Everyone.

So I bought a drilled 90 gallon tank from Jorge, (thanks Jorge) and am working on a plan to bring it to life. I was hoping to get opinions on a couple things as I am working out my plan.

I plan on making the stand myself, but am torn on the height. Most stands I see and plans are 30 inches tall. This seems a little low to me. It could be that is just because I'm kind of a tall person, but I'm thinking 36-40 would be better?

I do not currently have a RO/DI filter. Is there any point in even trying without one? I want the 90 to be a reef tank. I have a 29 FOWLR that I setup just using water conditioner. Is not having the filter going to be as serious of an issue as I think it will (i.e. don't bother without it)?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[ThurlowR]

Hi Everyone.

So I bought a drilled 90 gallon tank from Jorge, (thanks Jorge) and am working on a plan to bring it to life. I was hoping to get opinions on a couple things as I am working out my plan.

I plan on making the stand myself, but am torn on the height. Most stands I see and plans are 30 inches tall. This seems a little low to me. It could be that is just because I'm kind of a tall person, but I'm thinking 36-40 would be better?

I do not currently have a RO/DI filter. Is there any point in even trying without one? I want the 90 to be a reef tank. I have a 29 FOWLR that I setup just using water conditioner. Is not having the filter going to be as serious of an issue as I think it will (i.e. don't bother without it)?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Depending on your water quality I personally think a RO/DI is a must and will save you many headaches (nuisance algae).

 

[lighthouze08]

+1 on the RO/DI unit, i would say just bite the bullet and get one.

 

[J. Montgomery]

I strongly encourage everyone to make a RO/DI filter one of their first purchases if you're going to set up a SW tank.

As far as the stand height goes, keep in mind that you're going to want to be able to reach the sand bed in the back of the tank, and preferably without needing a stool or ladder.

 

[dadyoj21]

Blake the stand for my 90 is taller than usual. I can not get my armpit over the top of the tank without a stool. that is why I have a stool and towel sitting next to the tank.

But that is not a problem for me. The height should depend on how you plan to view the tank. If standing in front watching I prefer the taller stand. If sitting on the sofa lower stand is better like on the 220 I have.

find yourself a ro/di unit I fought algae problems for years before buying one and in the long run it will save you in headaches. Several places to get them from starting around $125 give or take last time I checked.

 

[3dblake]

Yeah, I figured as much on the RO/DI, I'll just plan on that being priority #1. No point in spending a ton of money trying to put together a nice tank if the water is an issue from the start. Anyone tried the Value Series from Buckeye Field Supply?

I think I am going to go about 36" for the stand. That will still let me reach over the edge of the tank and put it a little higher. The tank is in our dining room where everything is higher than normal. We have a high table and chairs and our bar into the kitchen is pretty high too. I think it will just look better higher up.

 

[cayenne]

Buckeye makes some good stuff and the customer service is great. I don't have the Value Series, but I have never had any issues with mine.

 

[3dblake]

Landen I'd imagine you are on the same water I am, since I live right across the road from you. (In Lakewalk) I met you when we moved that big tank into your basement, I'm Chris' brother.

Do you have the RO/DI from Buckeye with the Chloramine filter on it too, or no? I'm a bit confused if that would be necessary for the county water or not.

 

[cayenne]

Landen I'd imagine you are on the same water I am, since I live right across the road from you. (In Lakewalk) I met you when we moved that big tank into your basement, I'm Chris' brother.

Do you have the RO/DI from Buckeye with the Chloramine filter on it too, or no? I'm a bit confused if that would be necessary for the county water or not.

Right on, I will check through my receipts this evening when I get back in town and see which model I have. I don't think an additional Chloramine filter would be needed.

If you need water in the mean time, let me know, I always have a 120g of RODI made up and ready to go.

 

[J. Montgomery]

I'm a bit confused if that would be necessary for the county water or not.

I'd imagine that if you called them up, they would find out for you. You could do a Google search to find out if your water source uses chloramine or chlorine . . .

BFS and the Filter Guys are very active here on RC and are both great about answering any and all questions regarding water purification.

 

[3dblake]

I'd imagine that if you called them up, they would find out for you. You could do a Google search to find out if your water source uses chloramine or chlorine . . .

BFS and the Filter Guys are very active here on RC and are both great about answering any and all questions regarding water purification.

Found the water quality report for my area, uses chlorine. Neat...this internet thing might catch on...

 

[ThurlowR]

Found the water quality report for my area, uses chlorine. Neat...this internet thing might catch on...

Id check out Bulk Reef Supply to.

 

[3dblake]

I built my stand frame this weekend. Just need to figure out what to skin it with.

 

[3dblake]

Necrobump...but this is still part of my build, so that seemed better than starting a new thread.

I skinned my stand today and made some doors. It's miles and miles away from perfect, and I still have to stain it, but I'm pretty proud of it so far...

 

[dadyoj21]

looks good blake

 

[chrisman]

sweet... good job bro!

 

[3dblake]

More progress hath been made!
:wavehand:

 

[3dblake]

Thanks to a ton of help (not to mention 100 gallons of water) from Landen my tank is full!

Very exciting. :bounce2:

 

[ade]

Looking good.

 

[3dblake]

My original plan for this tank was to slowly build up a reef over time. Sometimes life gets in the way of plans. My brother was forced to take his tank down due to some illness in his family. He is going to be very strapped for time and did not want to see his tank slowly wither away.

Everything from his tank except the sand was transferred over to my empty tank. We know this isn't the ideal way to handle a move like that, but again, circumstances can be a ***** sometimes.

So...now that the "zomg I know we did it wrong" section is past...some pics: