Danny Mac's 90 gallon build (simple + clean)

[iwishtofish]

Great to see the water in there! I didn't notice a DI resin cartridge with your RO unit. Do you have a TDS meter to be sure you are getting 0 TDS?

 

[Danny Mac]

I actually don't have a meter. I know my local fish store does I herd them talking about that once. Ill take some water over there next week and get that checked. Good idea man thanks. How much are they to buy?

 

[duncantse]

Good Progress so far. Can't wait to see your aquascape

 

[pmrossetti]

Hi Danny, Great tank and great skimmer! Good decision to go with vinyl tubing. easy, safer,quiet and you can spot obstructions.
What is the fixture that appears to be inside the drain line?
thanks

 

[Danny Mac]

Thanks all! Pmrossetti the drain on the bottom of the over flow is 1 1/2in while the drain port on the left side of the fuge is 1in so that gray piece in the drain line is a connector piece I got at Ace that makes the tubing go from 1 1/2 to 1 in. Is that what you were asking?

 

[pmrossetti]

yes, thank you!

 

[iwishtofish]

I actually don't have a meter. I know my local fish store does I herd them talking about that once. Ill take some water over there next week and get that checked. Good idea man thanks. How much are they to buy?

Maybe 20-25 bucks....personally, I'd invest in the DI resin filter as a final stage to your RO unit, first. It's very unlikely your getting close to zero TDS without the resin. It snags everything the RO membrane misses. The resin and the meter do go hand-in-hand, though.

 

[Danny Mac]

Where would the resin filter hook up at? Do I have to get one of the same brand or will any DI resin filter hook up?

 

[Danny Mac]

Can use use the meter to test the water in the tank w salt already mixed in or do you need to test the water right out of the ro unit?

 

[jherrin215]

Any Di filter will work. Check out BRS or thefilterguys.com. I've personally had good luck with both and I know that they both sell stand alone di units.

 

[Danny Mac]

What's brs?

 

[MelloW33]

Bulk Reef Supply. Just get an add-on DI Canister. Basically, the DI will filter out anything that the RO didn't. Go ahead and get the dual TDS meter that they sell as well. I think it's only $25 and will tell you what the TDS is after your RO and after the DI.

Other than that, you've got a great looking tank going. I love your equipment choices so far. Looks like you aren't taking the cheap route, which is the best in the long run. How many AI modules are you getting. I'd recommend 2 to start with and you could always add more down the line as you get more coral.

Do you know of anyone that can make a custom RO holding tank for you? I have buddy that can but I don't know how much shipping will be.

 

[Danny Mac]

Ok next payday im def going to get that. This tank is a slow process. Going paycheck to paycheck lol. MelloW33 I am going to do exactly that. Im going to start with 2 AI units then eventually add a third. Now guys if I already started my tank with my ro unit water i have and then get the di filter do I need to start over or can I just start slowly start doing water changes with the water new ro di filtered water?

 

[MelloW33]

Just do water changes with the new RO/DI water. Since you'll be cycling the tank for awhile anyway, it isn't necessary to re-fill it.

I feel ya on waiting for the next payday to buy stuff. I set a reef-spending limit per paycheck.

 

[Danny Mac]

update

update

Just a quick update:

Got my TDS meter on order and should be here any day.I will test it out and post the results soon

What type of thermometer do you guys prefer? Digital? Placement?

Picked up my live rock today :celeb1: :beer:

 

[Danny Mac]

Does that rock look funny lol :lmao:

 

[Danny Mac]

Once the water clears i will post pictures of what I come up with for aquascaping...

 

[iwishtofish]

Once the water clears i will post pictures of what I come up with for aquascaping...

Really nice rock - looking forward to more pictures!

I'll be using two digital thermometers. If they read close together, I'll know that at least one of them isn't likely way off. Well, unless they are both way off...

 

[Danny Mac]

rock work

rock work

Some pics of the aquascaping...

Kept it kinda minimal. I may add a few more pieces but not a ton...

Just two islands

 

[Danny Mac]

I think this spot would be just perfect for a goby or jawfish etc. Just a lil hole in the rock that goes right to the sand.

I tried to put together a nice archway. The rock is fairly heavy but im wondering if I should glue them in place?

Crappy side view