Three Questions

[kmf507]

In preparation for my move from a 55 to a 90 RR, I have a couple questions.

1) Is it worth putting eggcrate on the bottom of the tank to spread out LR weight? If so, where do you find eggcrate? I am planning a 3-4" sandbed.

2) What is your opinion of the AGA Megaflow plumbing. That seems to be the easiest option since it is made for this tank, but is it quiet? Any recommendations/complaints?

3) Are the AGA sumps any good? Obviously I would remove the bio balls. I am not very handy so am not sure if I should try to DIY. I do have an empty 10, 20, and 29 gallon (soon 55) that could be used as a sump/refugium combo.

 

[Nanook]

I don't think eggcrate is worth putting on the bottom.

As for the sumps, I would try to find one locally, or have a local acrylic builder custom create what you want. The other option is to use a Rubbermaid stock tank.

 

[DrBDC]

1-you can if you wish. You can get it at home depot or lowes. Or you can just place the lowest rocks on the glass before adding sand so that it won't shift from certain fish/shrimp digging.

2-There is nothing special about the aga plumbing kit. You can build the durso yourself for 5 bucks or so and the return is about the same. It will take 2 bulkheads as well at about 5 bucks each. I personally chose to use both as drains and my return is over the back distributed by a multiple outlet manifold.

3-No idea. I haven't seen to many sumps that come from the factory with the correct sizes for "exactly" what someone would want. Maybe the giant ones where space isn't as much of a concern. It's not too hard to diy the baffles though and pretty much anyone on thier first diy project can do it good enough. Thick plastic or glass and a tube of silicone. If you use plastic it is easier because you can cut them yourself on a table saw.

 

[MayoBoy]

I used light diffuser instead of egg crate (the flat opaque stuff - it's sold in the same place as egg crate). It may be overkill but I didn't want any point pressure on the glass. It's 5 bucks to help me sleep better.

I'd use the 29 as a sump and the 20 as a 'fuge (depending upon your set up, how much space you have to work with, etc.)

 

[StupidsReef]

Ok I with the eggcrate, it's not need.

As for the sump, When I had my 90g RR tank I used my old 55g as the sump and I loved it.
1. It's there you already have it
2. It's plenty big enough to do whatever you want like sump/refugium combo.
3. It's really cheap and easy to turn to a sump. You can buy the the Arcylic at Lowes or HD I think the sheet was $35 or $40 and it was 48"x48" but they have all kinds of sizes. You can cut it with a skill saw 80 tooth blade or a jig saw I cut with each with one, had no issues. In fact I just trade it to zt444a or something like that I, know him as Howie he was at Kent's on pizza night. I would go with making your 55g on the sump. The only issue with doing it is it might not fit under your stand. I didn't care I have a fish only room. Howie has his in the basement so it will be hidden behide the tank. It is JMHO that the lager the sump the better.

 

[latazyo]

1. I dont use egg crate for any sort of rock breaking through glass fears, but I always use it because the rock sits better on it....it kind of "grips" the rock better than just sitting it on a flat surface

I also insert small rods into the eggcrate to create racks and supports for my rocks

2. dont know

3. why would you ever pay so much money for something that you're just going to turn into a regular sump anyways...the modded old tank method is by far the best under tank sump available

if you have a fish room then the stock tank is the best route