My n00b DIY plan

[n00b mariner]

hi, first draft of plan to upgrade from 35 gal to a 90 (36 x 24 x 24)

I am going to try to build the stand myself, get custom tank(starfire and drilled) and DIY canopy.

I need advice pls on general plan idea, faults, improvements etc.

Also need recommendations on skimmer and an external return pump(i plan to run a closed loop). ps what is best material to use for baffles in glass sump and will silicone be good to bond?

pls excuse the noob drawing

 

[ieatqiue]

36x24x24 is definately sweet.. but the overflow is gonna cut into your tank space.. think about just goin 120, 48 24 24... then you can say forget high power usage CL and just do DC powerheads..
dont feel like your ato resivior has to be on top b/c you will probably use a float switch and a small pump anyway.. forget that floss.. pwer compacts over the resivoir? maybe its not ato its for waterchanges or something...
either way, your on the right track... keep on plannin!

 

[ieatqiue]

silicone is good in the sump glass to glass

 

[pv1191]

They sell Aquarium Sealant at Lowe's and Home Depot. It works great.

 

[ieatqiue]

pv is right about that.. GE Silicone I (no mildewcide) is considered 99% of the time to be ok. I can vouch for it but it seems that these products my differ in some areas and you sould read the tube carefully someone else might know a little more about that..

 

[n00b mariner]

thx for the replies

48" tank wont fit into my space and I prefer the "box" shape.

I was going to use the reservoir also for QT tank when needed(reason for lighting) and its position is because i have no other room in the house:mad2:

I was planning on using airline tube and a drippy thing to dose top off.

my only worries are upgrade to phosphate/calcium reactors / UV and ozonisers. I simply dont have the space....

 

[ieatqiue]

yea.. maybe a phosban reactor and one of MRC's little calcium reactors.. you can always just dose the calc and alk.. or get a litermeter with all the extra pumps... uv and ozone you can live without

 

[Steven0000]

i like the box shape too!
i wish i had a tank like that

good job!
keep it up!

 

[Daemonfly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10122594#post10122594 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ieatqiue
pv is right about that.. GE Silicone I (no mildewcide) is considered 99% of the time to be ok. I can vouch for it but it seems that these products my differ in some areas and you sould read the tube carefully someone else might know a little more about that..

I think he meant the Dap 100% Aquarium Sealant - comes in a smaller squeeze-tube.


And, I don't understand the lighting over the reservior either

 

[n00b mariner]

read post above^^ I want to use as QT tank whenever i need to then drain and refill for top off again when finished......not good idea?

also I run an external currently with carbon and phosphate remover. Should i still try to incorporate this or is there a simpler way with the sump already planned?

 

[Ruskin]

I wouldnt want to have the quarentine tank associated with the main system in anyway. Any type of meds/disease could get back into your tank if you arnt 100% on your cleaning/tear down once!

I know you said space is an issue but even if you can tuck the QT away somewhere else it'd be preferable. That's my opinion anyways.

 

[Shortie]

You don't need to use a light on a qt tank. You only need a bio filter and maybe some pvc pieces for the fish to hide in.

 

[n00b mariner]

what about if i QT corals or is that not needed?

or will they be ok without light for a couple of weeks?

 

[Icefire]

Forget about high flow in the sump, you don't want microbubbles.

GE silicone I door&window without mildewcide.

corals need lights

Remove the liverock section, and put 3 baffles after the skimmer for bubbles trap

 

[n00b mariner]

what do you guys use to "polish" the water with? nothing?

BTW im referring to floss/sock

 

[n00b mariner]

^^