Upgrade to 90 gallon build

[maroon2]

Well I am in the process of setting up my new 90 gallon. I started w/ a 48, then to a 75 and now the 90. I've done lots of this stuff myself because I was laid off of my job the monday after I bought my 1st fish following a lengthy 2 mo. cycle. My experience has been one of patience and lots of DIY. Well here's the pics.
1st full tank shot of my 48

As you can see I started with all base rock. Probably why it took so long to cycle.

Upgrade to 75

Made my own little in tank refuge for pods. Made it out of acrylic

One of my favorite fish but I traded him in

for this

Too big for a 4' tank though.
I then got my 1st real marine fish light. 260w Coralife PCs w/ lunar lights. I also added my own homemade refugium. Made it out of a 30 gal and added acrylic baffles

Coraline really started taking off. Also decided to change the background color. Also added 2 Koralia 3s

Paired up some GSM clowns. Not pretty but they made it

 

[maroon2]

The female

New background

Got to babysit this guy for a week. My buddy's tank crashed

Currently w/ halides and T5s

And the deal of a century
$50 buys you...

Been sanding to refinish

2nd water leak test. No leaks yet, knock on wood

 

[maroon2]

I want to stain a really dark color, almost cherry. Not sure about background this time around. Any ideas?

 

[jmski333]

in my opinion Red Oak is my favorite color to stain stuff. HAHA its not really dark but super pretty. Im not sure why you didn't like your original background color. I like the blue backround over the black because it make it seem more "happy". BTW $50 for that tank is a steal, Holy $hit.

Maybe not the best idea to fill it with water on just two 2x4's. Thats putting a lot of weight on those two pressure point.

I have a 90 too so good luck, here is my stand with the stain color i was talking about:

 

[maroon2]

in my opinion Red Oak is my favorite color to stain stuff. HAHA its not really dark but super pretty. Im not sure why you didn't like your original background color. I like the blue backround over the black because it make it seem more "happy". BTW $50 for that tank is a steal, Holy $hit.

Maybe not the best idea to fill it with water on just two 2x4's. Thats putting a lot of weight on those two pressure point.

I have a 90 too so good luck, here is my stand with the stain color i was talking about:

Looks great. I've already drained the tank this a.m. so hopefully I didn't cause any damage.

 

[maroon2]

Well did 3 coats of stain so far.......

Still have to sand and add one more coat

 

[jmski333]

wait you stained three times? do you mean varnish?

 

[maroon2]

wait you stained three times? do you mean varnish?

Nope I think its stain. Thats what the can said. I will use a very fine sand paper to smooth it out once its done.

 

[maroon2]

Test sanding tonight

 

[jmski333]

usually you stain once and varnish 2-4 times sanding in between coats. it might be a different type of stain though with water protectant in it for fences and stuff.

 

[CorkPullerPHL]

Nice!

 

[maroon2]

Well I actually liked the way the stand came out. We decided to leave the doors the original color . Doesn't look bad but just not sure yet. I still have another stand to pick up on Sat. That one is particle board though, it had a little water damage on one of the sides along the bottom, so I don't know if I can just replace the panel. Anyone have any ideas on this? Also I just started the plumbing. Wondering if I should replace the bulkheads and put new ones on. I think they were siliconed on the inside.

I don't know ...........not too sure about the two tone.

 

[maroon2]

:wave:

 

[maroon2]

Working on plumbing still. I have to buy two new bulkheads tomorrow and then I can put all the plumbing together

Can't wait to upgrade..............

 

[maroon2]

:hammer:

 

[maroon2]

Got a great deal on a skimmer
Euro-reef rs 135
2 mo old
picked it up this am

 

[maroon2]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!
288 views
15 posts-11 of them mine
3 from jsmki333
1 from corkpullerphl...................
I guess I'm just wasting my time taking all these pics and sharing all my progress
??? You guys are worse than my wife:lolspin::lolspin::lolspin:

 

[cubsFAN]

i don't like the two tone. just sayin. i'd match the doors to the stand and paint the top rim black. id also paint the back of the tank black.

 

[maroon2]

i don't like the two tone. just sayin. i'd match the doors to the stand and paint the top rim black. id also paint the back of the tank black.

Yeaaah I'm not liking it either. My wife loves it though. I also have an Oceanic stand that I could use but its particle board and has a little water damage along the bottom on one of the sides. I've been thinking about replacing the piece but I don't know where to get the paper laminate to match the design.
As far as the background I just haven't gotten to painting it yet but I'm def. painting it. But go figure my wife likes it the way it is.

 

[Reef Chaser]

Looking good so far! In my opinion, whatever makes the wife happy, will make us happy. Especially when returning from a coral shopping spree!
Def paint the back black. I did that to mine and WOW what a difference! It brings up all the colors in the tank! And keep going with the pics!