In again sps reef tank build log.

[DesertReefT4r]

So after about 3 years of not having a reef tank I am starting one back up again. I felt I needed a break from reef keeping so I sold my 75g sps tank to a local member along with all my aquarium equipment. After missing having a sps reef tank I decided it was time to get another tank going. I will warn all readers this will be a slow build process. I am piecing everything together as funds allow and I need almost everything still. Here is the planned build so far. 72-90g display tank depending on what I find for a good deal new or good condition used. Tank size is not set in stone yet but I want a 48" tank with some depth to it ei wider than a 55g. Sps dominated reef coarse. I plan to go kind of old school with this tank. Going to run MH and t5 or led for supplementing. Filteration will be a modified Berlin style and i may run bio pellets for nutrient control if needed. I also hope to make a water station for making rodi, storage and mixing saltwater. I have room in the garabe but not sure on the heat from 110°+ summer temps.
Planned equipment list:
-Display 72-90G
-Sump.Aqueon model 3 sump, already have it, or I may diy a 20L again, thoughts??
Jeboa DC return pump, already have
-Lighting 2x 250w PFO MH pendants and PFO ballast w/ 14k Phoenix bulbs, already have, t5 or led actinics
-Skimmer RO NW150, BM Curve A5, BM Curve 5 or SCA 302, thoughts?
-Flow Tunze 6055 x2, Gyre XF230, or 1 6095 and a Koralia pump, thoughts
-Controller RKE unless I can find a cheap used Apex, will run lighting, temp control, maybe ato, non controllable pumps and more in the future
-ATO Tunze , JBJ or maybe off the controller, JBJ worked well for me in the past, thoughts
-Reactors for carbon, gfo and bio pellets
-RODI 4 stage Spectrapure 90gpd, already have but needs new filters, pressure gauge and want to add tds meter
-BRS dry rock not sure on the type yet 50lbs and seed with 10 lbs LR
-Caribsea West Caribean Reef sand
Sorry no pics since I dont have much to show but I will post some of my current equipment. Here are links to my last 2 tanks under my old account.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2043078

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1906920

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Since a thread is nothing without pics here are some of how my tank build is coming along, slowly, equipment is in the garage still.:thumbdown
Update. I see a tank and stand coming soon...

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Update. Tank and stand purchased. Marineland 75g tank and stand, black pine and black silicon. Overflow and skimmer are next on the list. Trying to decide on what skimmer. I am liking the BM Curve 5 and 7 but worry the 7 may be over sized and I also like the AquaMaxx FC-120. I need some guidance on which skimmer would be best.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Next on my list is to order my skimmer and overflow. Decided on a RO SS150 and Eclipse L. Then I need to make a final decision on the sump. Do I use the Proflex I have or DIY a new sump more to my liking. The thing with the proflex is it will need 2 holes drilled for the additional drains the Eclipse L overflow has and I am not a fan of the baffle design and layout but I could make it work. Or I DIY a 20L into a sump the way like and have an algae fuge also.
Once I finalize all that I will figure out what I am going to use for water flow and get the tank controller. MP10QDW and Tunze 6055 are under consideration

 

[E.intheC]

Good start. I'll be following along as I'm also starting up an SPS tank.

 

[RCS82]

Good looking start,
I have 2 6095s on a 4' 90 and I really like them. I would seriously consider going with the 6095s if your budget allows.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

For the price of the 6095s I may just go 2 MP10s. 6095s are on my list of options though. I just dont know if they would provide enough flow. At 100% they would give 60x turn over but that b is maxing them out.

 

[E.intheC]

I had two 6095s on my 90 gallon mixed reef a few years back and really liked them. I don't know that two mp10s would be enough for an sps dominant tank long term (I'm running 2 mp10s on a much smaller tank now and love them but not for a 90 gallon). An mp40 and 6095 combination would be killer.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

For the price of the MP40 I would do the 6095s for sure. Yeah I was think the MP10s would not be enough after the corals grow in, really like the no cords in the tank though.

 

[E.intheC]

The 6095s are great pumps. The 6105s are much larger (they're about the size of a softball) so I would not recommend those for a 90 either.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Thanks I think I will get at least 1 6095 to start up the tank. Then after I can get more funding for a second power head I will get a 2nd 6095, 6055 or a MP10 or a MP40 if I cqn get a deal on a low mileage used one.
Update build progress, I decided on what sump setup to use. Going with the 20L DIY for flexability and a small fuge area. This may causea rethink in skimmer choice since aI will hqve more room. Liking the RO NW150 or SS150 still, NW150 is a little cheaper and will save some money for other things. Ordering the sump baffle kit today or tomorrow and I picked up a new Aqueon 20L at Petco today.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Got a lightly used RO 150SSS off a member on the used equipment forum, saved some money there and got a skimmer I was greatly considering. Also got a refractometer on the used equipment forum. Saving some cash is always nice. Ordered the Eclipse L overflow as well today form BRS. Sump baffle kit and return line kit next. Then I can get the tank drilled and start to work on plumbing. Planning a small manifold off the return pump to run reactors in the future, may add 1-2 for carbon, gfo and/or biopellets. Lots of union for easy of any needed disassembly

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Sump baffles and glass holes return kit order. I should be getting a RKL this weekend if all goes well.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Making some more progress, slowly but surely. Got my skimmer, thanks Endy0430, and man its a beast. The thing is huge, much larger than I was expecting. Going to take up a lot of my sump space and my fuge area or return section just got smaller. The skimmer neck looks to be a good size, the body is huge as is the cup. I will take some measurements and post them. I hope its not too much skimmer but it falls within my skimmer size range, BRS recommends 65g heavly bioload 110g medium bioload. I will have 75g medium to heavy bioload. Got the controller as well. Thanks dream54ing. Did a trade for a Reef Keeper Lite wthe SL1 module, temp and Ph probes. Pretty happy with thay since its exactly the same controller setup I had on my last tank and doing a trade saved me some money.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Got my Eshopps Eclipse overflow and Gl*******s.com 3/4" return kit a few days ago. The overflow is very nice and well made. Im very happy with it now I just need to decide where to install it, thinking the center but not sure.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Tomorrow will be a Homedepot day. Going to pick up more plumbing parts, black Krylon, silicone for the sump and parts for changing a 2 outlet wall plug to a 4 outlet gfci. Once I finally get the sump baffles I will get the sump done then I can move onto getting the tank drilled and the plumbing done.
Still need to come up with good way to level the stand, tile flooring is not even causing the stand to rock.

 

[MyHouseIsAZoo]

Following! Your response in my sump post led me here, but now I'm staying because you have the exact tank that I am working to set up!

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Welcome

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Baffles came in for the sump. Now I can get some stuff done. I will try to take pics as I get sruff done. Planning for next sunday and monday to do some aquarium work.

 

[MyHouseIsAZoo]

Baffles came in for the sump. Now I can get some stuff done. I will try to take pics as I get sruff done. Planning for next sunday and monday to do some aquarium work.

Where did you get the baffles if you don't mind my asking?