what to do first

[raska5]

Ok, I've got a 90 aga tank, not drilled. I know that I need to upgrade on my skimmer and lighting and eventually would like to get sump/fuge. What do I do first? I've even found a 90 gal drilled tank on a web site for sale with tank/stand/sump for $550. I'm just not sure what is the best route to go. Do I wait for skimmer until I can get overflow with sump to house bigger one? Do I buy sump with fuge? Do I have one custum made, a guy at my lfs would do this for me. I know there is a big cost here, return pumps, tubing, etc. Please give me your thoughts/input!

I would eventually like to do corals!

 

[1DeR9_3Hy]

First:

www.michiganreefers.com

As for your tank, is it filled with water? Or did you just pick up the tank and its sitting empty?

You say upgrade your skimmer and lighting, so what do you have now?

$550 for 90 with sump/stand is kind of pricey unless that stand is a really nice piece of art. Check that site above, and keep on eye on craigslist for a better deal if you want to get a new drilled 90 gallon.

You have many (good) questions, but i think you should focus on the big part first. Do you want to keep your 90 gallon and get it drilled or do you want to find one already drilled? Answer that, then move on to the next thing.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I'd just drill the 90 you have. If you can't do it yourself, see if someone local to you can drill it.

What do you have now for skimmer and lighting?

 

[raska5]

I've had my tank almost 4 years. I just decided recently to do upgrades and start doing corals. Mainly soft corals, but I say that now and who knows a year from now I might wish differently.

I have started upgrading my lighting t5's with reflectors. I currently have a fluval 405 canister filter and cpr backpack skimmer( not sure of the model ).

I do like my tank just fine, don't really like the thought of completely tearing it down, taking out all the LR and live sand, etc. But I'd like to make a good decision. I wish I would have found these sites years ago before I ever started. Boy would I have done things differently! : )

 

[1DeR9_3Hy]

Well, you have to decide.

Do you want to tear it down, and move everyone (your fish) into a temp tank while you build the perfect 90 gallon?

Or do you want to do the best you can with what is already there?

If it were me, i would collect parts and wait. Then when you are ready move all your LR, fish, crabs, snails, etc into a temp tank (could be rubber made 20 gallon containers or a 50 gallon tank). Then tear down the old tank, get it drilled (or replace it with a pre drilled 90). Once you get that setup and water tested, mix up some new water and get things up to par (s.g., ph, temp). Once that water is up to par, move all your LR that has been sitting in the temp tank and all your critters into the tank.

You should not see much die off, but i would suggest signing up on MR as someone there might be able to come over for a day or two and actually help you do this step.

 

[raska5]

thanks. I did sign up on mf. I found a 90 gallon acrylic with internal overflow. I'm not too sure about acrylic though, esp with 3 small children. He is asking 300 for it. It would fit my stand though.

 

[thecoralreefer]

If you can drill the tank you have you are looking at about 100 just for that.45 per hole and 30 or so for bulkheads. Then you decide for a weir or just stand pipes. I would look at Craigslist too. If you want to go reefing then set up once for everything you need. Why buy things to hang in the closet later? Coralife and current both make some nice compact models to give enough for what you want. Upto 250 Halides and actinics and Moons all in one fixture. Prewired for controllers to comand. Many others out there too. Filters are important too, UV's and a easy to change filter pad removes a lot of waist if you are diligent about changing them. Do Not Rinse ! Change that pad. Some kind of reactor for phosban or some such to remove specific things in the water your filters can't. Lots to look at huh? I say do it once and do it right

 

[raska5]

I called my lfs about drilling and they didn't know of anyone who does it. I don't know if my tank is tempered glass or not?? When I started this 4 years ago I was going from a 25 gallon fw tank. I really should have researched more than. Another case of hind site is 20/20.