90 Gallon Tank Journey

[DRRosen3]

So I've officially made the first step in my (our...family affair) journey to building our first saltwater aquarium. We purchased a 90 gallon tank & stand, used from craigslist, yesterday for $50. Wow! I just couldn't pass that deal up. It's already pre-drilled and has an over-flow. This will be a pretty long and spaced-out endeavor. I'm a teacher and getting ready to go into Summer vacation means a lax of funds. So the real boom of pace won't occur until this fall. However, I'm looking around for pieces right now...refugium, sump, skimmer, RO/DI system, ATO (automatic top off, right?), plumbing and pumps. I'll have pictures up starting this evening of the tank and stand; but I just came across this on craigslist for $80. Wondering what you guys might think?

Here's an image of what it looked like inside HIS setup.

My 90g tank's dimensions are 48 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 25 3/8 and this refugium you're looking at is a 30 gallon. According to him he's had it hooked up to his 225g for the past 3 years with no problems. Do you think it will suffice in terms of size and if so is the way he has it set up (compartmentalized) appropriate?

He also has a fuge light (for an extra $10) and a kent marine float valve (for an extra $10). Thoughts...

 

[Fizz71]

"compartmentalized" is pretty much a requirement. That skimmer is going to create a lot of bubbles and needs to be in a constant level of water which is why we need chambers and such. The only thing that really may not be needed is the part that's hanging to hold the feed to the sump. If you plumb with PVC you really won't need it...he used flexible hose coming from the side so he needed it to keep the hoses pointed into the sump.

IMO 30g on a 90g is OK...30g on a 225g was WAY too small, but it's certainly doable (as he did). If you've got the space under the tank I would probably elevate a second rubbermaid tub and turn it into a fuge to give you more water volume and more space. Elevated so you can feed it with a small pump and gravity return. The bigger the sump/fuge the more water the more stable the system. I'm running a 100g sump on a 240g DT.

A fuge light for $10 would be OK if the bulb is only about a month used and you know you want a fuge..you can light a fuge pretty cheaply but the bulbs need to be replaced every 6 months or so depending how long you run them.

The float valve probably isn't worth it unless you have a use for it. That's about half what they cost new, but if you buy an RO kit it may come with one. Generic one's run about $12.

Welcome back to the addiction.

 

[SpartaReef]

Following.... Looks great, go slow, I know personally its really hard to go slow, but save yourself the heartache and stress.... Take your time!

 

[DRRosen3]

If you've got the space under the tank I would probably elevate a second rubbermaid tub and turn it into a fuge to give you more water volume and more space. Elevated so you can feed it with a small pump and gravity return. The bigger the sump/fuge the more water the more stable the system. I'm running a 100g sump on a 240g DT.

Is there any reason I couldn't just use the middle compartment of the sump as my fuge?

 

[Fizz71]

You can, but it's not very big...and I was suggesting the external fuge to add more water volume to your system. It would also give you more space for heaters, reactor pumps, probes or whatever else you might like. I also prefer a low speed sump, but cheato does better tumbled.

You could always start with the fuge in there and add later..you may want a growout section too someday.

 

[CoralReeForrest]

Just as a quick follow up from the previous thread, have you spent a good amount of time reading all of the stickies? As well I would highly recommend going to Sk8tr's profile and reading ALL of her blog posts. Also heed Spartas warning and if you're done researching and really bored go read his entire thread as to how speeding into things can cause a boat load of issues! Also I plan on running a 30 ish sump on my 54 gal just how yours is set up so ill he curious to see how yours goes as well.

 

[DRRosen3]

Just as a quick follow up from the previous thread, have you spent a good amount of time reading all of the stickies?

All of the stickies...not yet.

As well I would highly recommend going to Sk8tr's profile and reading ALL of her blog posts. Also heed Spartas warning and if you're done researching and really bored go read his entire thread as to how speeding into things can cause a boat load of issues!

I'll be sure to take a look at these things you've suggested. I have no plans to rush, however. I've got my eyes on a skimmer, but with money getting right during Summer vacation my RO/DI will have to wait so I'm kinda FORCED to be patient with this. I think I can stomach the excitement though. :bounce3:

Also I plan on running a 30 ish sump on my 54 gal just how yours is set up so ill he curious to see how yours goes as well.

Thanks! I'll do my best to impress and hope I can inspire something.

 

[DRRosen3]

So as the journey begins, here's the first round of pictures.

The tank when I purchased it...

Everything all set up...

So here's a list of things I'm looking at next (but haven't purchased yet). They're listed in the order that I considering:

Plumbing : 1" PVC
Skimmer : Eshopps PSK 200 (Used for $100)
Return Pump : Mag 7 (Used for $50)'

Thoughts...?

 

[CoralReeForrest]

So as the journey begins, here's the first round of pictures.

The tank when I purchased it...

Everything all set up...

So here's a list of things I'm looking at next (but haven't purchased yet). They're listed in the order that I considering:

Plumbing : 1" PVC
Skimmer : Eshopps PSK 200 (Used for $100)
Return Pump : Mag 7 (Used for $50)'

Thoughts...?

With all the spare time and waiting read read read and read some more. Did a great job cleaning the tank up! Also with a good you'll have to run fans, hoods tend to make water oxygenation more of a challenge as well as heat issues. Looks awesome so far!

 

[SpartaReef]

Just as a quick follow up from the previous thread, have you spent a good amount of time reading all of the stickies? As well I would highly recommend going to Sk8tr's profile and reading ALL of her blog posts. Also heed Spartas warning and if you're done researching and really bored go read his entire thread as to how speeding into things can cause a boat load of issues! Also I plan on running a 30 ish sump on my 54 gal just how yours is set up so ill he curious to see how yours goes as well.

:lmao:

To the op: that looks awesome! Make sure you have a good idea how you want the rock to look and get some playdu and try different designs.... Get an idea, get rocks and start sculpting! This is the fun part of this stage...

 

[CoralReeForrest]

:lmao:

To the op: that looks awesome! Make sure you have a good idea how you want the rock to look and get some playdu and try different designs.... Get an idea, get rocks and start sculpting! This is the fun part of this stage...

I wasn't trying to be offensive or rude, was being honest. Lol

 

[SpartaReef]

I know, made me laugh. I appreciated it actually.

 

[CoralReeForrest]

I know, made me laugh. I appreciated it actually.

Everyone likes a good shout out right? Lol. We're still looking at houses so I'm still just reading and making plans. Good hobby to slow me down and be patient and just slower in general!

 

[DRRosen3]

Alright. So I'm looking around for more equipment. I know for the skimmer I need one that can handle around 120-130 gallons of water, right? 90 gallon tank plus the 30 gallon sump.

For the return pump, what should I be looking at as far as return rate? ????gph?

Also, and I know this one is going to be a matter of opinion, since I won't be getting any corals until likely the beginning of next year, would it be more $$$ savy to just go with normal lighting, or go ahead and get certain lighting for the (future) coral now?

 

[CoralReeForrest]

Save a little longer and spend the money on nice good quality stuff for exactly what you want now, if not youre going to pay more In the long run. Also I believe a retune pump is supposed to be 3-5 times your tanks volume in turnover per hour. Don't quote me on that though as I'm still learning too!

 

[RG81]

I use a mag 9.5 on my 90 for return pump

 

[wireefman]

"compartmentalized" is pretty much a requirement. That skimmer is going to create a lot of bubbles and needs to be in a constant level of water which is why we need chambers and such.

The float valve probably isn't worth it unless you have a use for it. That's about half what they cost new, but if you buy an RO kit it may come with one. Generic one's run about $12.

Welcome back to the addiction.

you don't need chambers... I run a baffleless sump... buy the float valve for ATO.. that way your water lever is ALWAYS constant

 

[unfamous]

For the skimmer, it is suggested that you have one that is double the tank volume. 90+30=120 so a skimmer rated for 240 would be what is suggested. I however run an eShopps 200 on my 90 (30 gallon sump) and it has been fine for 2 years. Be advised that these skimmers are finicky as hell. water levels and water condition (new sock or certain additives) can make it not work or over react like crazy! Once you get an idea of what it likes you will find its a good skimmer.

FWIW, I run a Sicce 3.0 on mine for return. 714 gph. Seems the minimum but does fine. I will be upgrading to a larger pump before summers end.

 

[DRRosen3]

So this skimmer here wouldn't be good enough for my tank/sump set up?

 

[CoralReeForrest]

Firstly I personally am always Leary of used stuff. Secondly with it only being 100 gallon, depending on your bioload it may not work so great. For another 100 you can buy a new 200+ model.