Custom Cabinet for 90g Reef (Build Thread)

[Brandon Cassidy]

They do...I am going to get the same as yours. I've read lots of good things about them.
What's the latest pic you have of your 90 g? I can't figure out how to post pics, or I'd show mine. Anyway...Thanks bud.

 

[RumLad]

Go to
http://photobucket.com/
establish an account, for free.
Follow the process to upload your pics onto their site (called hosting) and then copy the img tags at the bottom of the picture into your post on here

 

[Brandon Cassidy]

COOL. THANKS. What was your goal for your power panel? I see that you can power up or down by the flip of the switch, but I can't make out what you have going on. I am working on a power panel myself...so that is why I am asking. Thanks.

 

[Ratpack]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11379956#post11379956 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Brandon Cassidy
I can't figure out how to post pics, or I'd show mine. Anyway...Thanks bud.

I would like to see your setup since it is almost identical to what I am putting together; 75g tank, 30 g sump and T5 lighting.

 

[Brandon Cassidy]

Here is my tank for the moment. I am going to build a different stand soon....maybe like ole reds. its nice.

 

[Brandon Cassidy]

 

[RedEDGE2k1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11383331#post11383331 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Brandon Cassidy
What was your goal for your power panel? I see that you can power up or down by the flip of the switch, but I can't make out what you have going on.

The "power panel," as I started calling it, is meant to power anything in my setup that doesn't need to be controlled by the Aqua Controller Jr. So, the return pump, protein skimmer, VorTech propeller pump, UV sterilizer bulb, and UV sterilizer pump are plugged into it. Also, whenver I do water changes or the like, I plug a Maxi-Jet 1200 powerhead in to pump the water in/out.

The switches allow me to turn off devices while feeding the fish, or if I want the room to be silent while watching a movie, or for whatever reason -- at the flip of a switch.

The Aqua Controller turns on/off devices automatically when needed, through a seperate outlet box called a DC8. This DC8 is not plugged into the "power panel," is is plugged directly into a GFI wall outlet behind the cabinet.

Hope this made sense-
Dustin

 

[Brandon Cassidy]

Excellent. I think I am going run down and trade my outlets for GFI's. I think its probably a good idea. Thanks.

 

[RedEDGE2k1]

Keep in mind GFI outlets are about $12 each.

In other news, I lucked out and found 150lbs of Fiji/Tonga live rock on Craigslist for $250, from a local guy here in Atlanta. The rock has been in the tank for 2 years, so it should be well established. That's a savings of about 80% versus buying from an LFS! I'm going to pick it up tomorrow (Saturday) and start working on the final (ha) aquascaping. Pictures to follow...

 

[Brandon Cassidy]

Yeah. I saw those today, but they were more in the $25 range. I am going to pick some up this evening. Thanks.

I didnt think about craigs list for used items. Good info Red.

 

[RedEDGE2k1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11384452#post11384452 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Brandon Cassidy
I saw those today, but they were more in the $25 range. I am going to pick some up this evening.

No offense, but you're getting ripped off if you spend $25 for a single GFI outlet. Lowe's sells 3-packs for $29.

 

[Brandon Cassidy]

I think the $25 ones were the 3 packs. I looked online and found the $12 ones.

 

[Nightfall_fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11336401#post11336401 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RedEDGE2k1
For anyone interested in the cost associated with the cabinet/reef setup thus far, here's a breakdown:

Tank & Hardware
$3685 - cost to buy everything new
$3193 - actual cost, with savings from buying used goods

Livestock
$1018 - cost to buy everything new
$552 - actual cost, with savings from buying preowned livestock

Tools
$705
I bought everything needed to build the cabinet. I didn't own a single tool before I started this build!

Cabinet Materials
$888

Grand Total = $5,337

Everything is looking good, real good. The woodwork is great, and contrary to whateverone else has said the electrical does too. I've been setting up a 90g too so I'm keeping an eye on you for ideas.

By the way, let me know if you run across a "certified pre-owned" Achilles Tang. LOL, that kinda cracked me up thinking about fish that way....but then...I'm wierd.

 

[Brandon Cassidy]

You dont want a tenneti tang do you?

 

[RedEDGE2k1]

I should have added this sooner, but I finally got around to adding a clog guard to my Durso standpipe. It's simply eggcrate cut to fit snug in the PVC elbow.

This picture was taken last weekend; you can see the coralline algae starting to grow in the tank. This is with no additives and no calcium reactor (yet).

This weekend I drove out to Loganville, GA to pick up some live rock I found for sale on Craigslist (more about this absolute steal later). Before beginning the aquascaping process, I removed the top section of the aquarium cabinet and sat it aside.

The live rock ad on Craigslist was for ~150lbs of Fiji/Tonga rock for $250. This was a great deal, so I took it all, even though I didn't need that much more rock. Long story short, after I filled my 90g tank with rock, I weighed the remaining rock and it came out to 147lbs. I only had 75lbs in my tank before this addition. So obviously, I got much more than 150lbs of rock in the Craigslist deal. I'm guessing it was more like 225lbs.

The unused rock left over:

If anybody wants the remaining 147lbs of rock, and can pick it up in Atlanta, I have it listed in the selling forum.

The live rock deal also included several ricordea mushrooms

 

[RedEDGE2k1]

The completed aquascape....sorry for the picture quality, but you get the idea:

...and the cabinet as of 12/16/07, now fully stocked with ~90lbs of Fiji and ~50lbs of Tonga live rock.

 

[cannarella]

Dude you should have sent me a PM. I live in Loganville. I could have used some of that extra rock in my fuge and sump. PM me a like to the remaining that you are selling. Is it still wet or did you let it dry out? I am very interested.

Andy

 

[JJ4417]

What is that cool school of fish in the pics 8 and 9? The orange ones...those are awesome!

Seriously...nice deal. Looks good. Thanks to you, I'm trying to figure out sketch up now...

 

[RedEDGE2k1]

Watch the tutorial videos on the SketchUp website -- that's how I learned.

 

[RumLad]

Red,
great deal on the rock, tank looks quite nice.

Have you had any progress on the temperature issue yet?

Also, those mushrooms look more like hairy mushrooms (rhodactis) than ricordeas. Still, a nice bonus seeing as you were buying rock, and not corals!