New 90 Gallon Tank Project

Skaman386

New member
This Christmas, I ended up being the luckiest guy in world! Someone my mom works with was giving away this aquarium for free, but to someone else. The other person was going to use it for a bearded dragon (total waste of an aquarium like this in my opinion) but they never came to pick it up. Since the new owner never came to clame, the person contacted my mother. I was really excited because I am only 16 years old, and a tank like this is way out of my price range. Luckily, I got the tank, stand, canopy, as well as a wet/dry filter with a built in skimmer for free. I'm sure this would be well over $700 if I had to purchase it all. The tank had sat outside for a few weeks, so the wood is moldy and pretty moist. However, everything seems to be in great shape and a little scrubbing should fix it up.

Here's some pictures of the tank and componants right after I got it home.

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I also ordered several things off several websites that just came in recently. Here's some updated pictures after cleaning the tank and adding some of the components I already owned. Most of the things going into this tank I have already purchased about a year ago, when I started another reef that failed pretty quickly. I still need to add the plumbing as well as sand and refinish the stand and canopy.
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For this tank, my plan is to run both wet/dry filters into a ten gallon sump, that will contain an ASM skimmer, as well as a bubble trap to the return. Here's the specs.
Filtration: Two wet/dry filters, a built in skimmer, and an ASM, and a phosban reactor.
Lighting: Two 175 watt MH's, as well as two 65 watt dual actinic PC's.
Heating and Cooling: Two 200 watt heaters and a four small cooling fans in the hood as well as one over the sump.

So far this tank has only cost me $322. That's pretty hard to beat!I plan on doing the plumbing and working on the stand tomorrow. I'll keep you guys updated if you'd like!
 
Looks good. I also got my 90g tank, stand, and canopy for free. :) Once you get everything ready to go you should ditch those bioballs first. They will give you a major headache down the road when they become nitrate traps. That built in skimmer probably wont do much for you, you could probably just not use it. If the ASM is a big it should handle your tank fine.
 
I always hear strong criticism againts bioballs, but for now I'll stick with them. It seems like a new fad to go against them and move to refugiums, but for some reason I've ended up with the opposite opinion. I've seen many more nice tanks run longer on bioballs than I have on fuges. I guess it just depends on the tank and owner.
 
Your right, the tank alone brand new would cost that much.. i payed for my 90g with overflow for over 600$ (and that was on sale..) normally would of cost me prob over 800 with taxes. So good deal for your? YES. lol im in the process of setting up my 90g tank aswell, lucky me i already got most of the LR and 1 250w MH just need 1 more, a new skimmer, return pump and im ready.
 
Thanks for posting back guys! I'll definately update tomorrow now that I know I won't be wasting my time.

Be sure to keep us up to date with your tank mike.
 
I thought about going with some 250's, but I don't really have the money, and I really don't want to run up the power bill. I think 175's will work decent, I just won't be able to have SPS or anything that needs high intensity light near the bottom, which I don't mind.
 
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