Project 90

[Rollin]

The other day, as my wife and I were looking at the 40g, she says, "I think we need a bigger tank."

I asked her to repeat. She says "Yes, I want a bigger tank - I think I 90 gallon would be good." 20 minutes later I came too and jumped in my truck to go get a tank.

The tank is sitting in the garage and tonight I started on the stand. I've decided to document the whole thing because I like to share.

I'll start with pictures of the stand I'm building. Now I know I overbuild these things but I just can't bring myself to build a stand that will hold up a good 1400 lbs out of nothing but plywood. The plan is to "skin" this in pine with a honey stain to match the pantry I built a while back. The tank is going in the kitchen this time and I'll tear down the 40g in my office.

 

[edwar050]

Great Idea, I think the upgrade is well worth it if you have the time to DIY. Looks real solid and I agree with you totally on the weight issues, no worries this way. Here is a DIY stand what an awsome stand and canopy

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=553005&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

This could possibly help with your factor in design. I just got through with the 120 canopy and built it alot like countertop guys.

What are your plans as far as lighting, stocking, water movement, and electrical?

 

[Rollin]

Whoohoo - somebody responded

Thanks for the link to that thread. It will help out on the canopy. I finished clading the stand with pine and stained it tonite. I've got to build 2 frame-and-panel doors for the front.

I'll post the pictures once I get them off the camera.

As far as everything else goes I'm borrowing alot of the equipment from my current 40g.

I have a DIY calcium reactor that I'll use. I'll also use either a Mag 7 or 9 as the return pump depending on how I get it plumbed and what the headloss comes out to. I have one of both that I keep as a spare for my 40g.

I'm on the fence for lighting on whether to go 400w MH or 250w MH. I have ballasts for both. I have a JBJ chiller and will be getting an ASM G3 skimmer.

~chris

 

[Rollin]

Here's a pic of the stand finished off with pine. I've got a honey colored stain drying on it now.

 

[Opiy]

Looks good so far :thumbsup:

 

[scothew]

Very nice!!

My wife and I both want to upgrade our 58g to at least 120.. we just havent found a good deal on a used one like we did with our 58.

 

[TheGriffin]

I hear you on over-engineering the stand. I had the same thoughts on building mine for my 46 gal bow. That baby is held up by 4 4X4's and 3 2X4's with 3 4X4 crossmembers wraped in 3/4 inch solid pine on top and all sides. I didn't want any sagging in the middle. I could drive my car up onto that thing and it woundn't fall down. :strooper: I guess I'm just one of thoes overkill kind of guys.

 

[6Speed]

You did that in just 2 days? Very nice.

 

[Whitten]

My heart be still....


I told ya as soon as you bought her that little flash light from Mike's that she was hooked. I knew you were up to something big. Can't wait to see the progress. This has been a big year for both of us. My new stand will be here this weekend as soon as I get done working on it with my Dad. We will have to do a trade...I come check out your tank...then you come check out mine.

 

[Rollin]

OK, fast-forward a week or so and here's the tank sitting in the kitchen. The lighting is installed (2x400 MH), it's full of water and running full-tilt. I should have some rock soon and get this thing cycling.

Here's the dog testing out the structural integrity of the canopy.

And an FTS of the tank. I need to take care of the background so you can't see the wall and make some doors to cover the front of the stand.

 

[Whitten]

Good lawd have mercy I can't wait to see that thing full to the brim. So what every came about with the T5's for teh 40 gallon?

 

[Rollin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6738906#post6738906 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Whitten
Good lawd have mercy I can't wait to see that thing full to the brim. So what every came about with the T5's for teh 40 gallon?

They're on the 40 now. I'll probably wind up selling it off though. I'll eventually put T5s on the 90 but the cost right now is too much.

I've been really pleased with the T5s and the corals have done real well under them, even the clam.

 

[Whitten]

Very cool. I have been wanting to add some T5's in with my MH on my 30 gallon but I just don't want to build a huge monster hood...so that leaves me with doing a pendant and I can't find one I like for a decent price...I guess I am going to have to go the DIY route. Any suggestions?

 

[Rollin]

More Shots...

Added 150lbs of Fiji Rock yesterday. The rock was pretty clean and I'm hoping for a cycle that's a little shorter.

Also, added a new ASM G3 to the sump. It's breaking in still but with the gunk coming from the water it's already starting to pull it out.

 

[joejoe1055]

man!
that tank looks good
great job building everything
i can't wait to see how it turns out in the in

 

[Whitten]

I love me some ASM G3's now....

Was that rock from Paul's tank?

 

[tbettis]

where did u buy your live rock

 

[Rollin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6770734#post6770734 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Whitten
I love me some ASM G3's now....

Was that rock from Paul's tank?

No but Paul helped me get it. Paul sold off almost all of his rock now that his 280 is gone. With the new rock the G3 is already pulling gunk out and it hasn't even been 48 hrs. That thing makes some awesome foam. I checked parms this morning and ammonia is decent, nitrite is high, and nitrate is coming up so the cycle is coming along nicely.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6772181#post6772181 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbettis
where did u buy your live rock

It's new rock straight from Fiji a local reefer helped me get (above). It was fairly raw but a quick wash with a pressure washer got most of the dead material off. Ammonia is a lot lower than I thought it would be given that amount.

 

[tbettis]

i will be moving to the phenix city area and need some help setting up a 75 gallon reef tank. im new to the saltwater thing and would appreciate if i could get some of your expertise. i will pay you for your time if need be. thanks

 

[Rollin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6772747#post6772747 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbettis
i will be moving to the phenix city area and need some help setting up a 75 gallon reef tank. im new to the saltwater thing and would appreciate if i could get some of your expertise. i will pay you for your time if need be. thanks

No problem, I can answer questions and if I can't there's alot of people here who can. There's also some columbus reefers we can probably hook you up with.

~chris