90 Gallon Build

I like to use Schedule 80 for most parts, they are stronger and gray, so you don't see the purple PVC cement as much if you spill some. For gate valves, I use Spears. For ball valves - Hayward. Amazon (with prime for shipping) has the best prices. For everything else, either Amazon for spears valves, or if you want to save some money USPlastic. Use plenty of unions to be able to disconnect/reconnect everything.

Pipe is expensive to ship, some Lowed/HD carry schedule 80 PVC parts, but most don't. Grainger also has pipe in stock most of the time.

I know people say Schedule 80 is not needed and it's a waste of money, my logic is if you are dropping 3k on a tank, what's an extra $50 in plumbing parts.

 

So been working on the stand and rock msotly lately. The frame of the stand is compelte and skinned in thin plywood. Just want to putty and seal with an oil primer and white paint. Then to build the removable outer skin. Wood is so dang expensive it kills me every tiume I go to Lowes or Home Depot. Already spent a solid 150-200 on the materials and havnt even bought the stuff for the outer skin but it is solid!

The Pukani rock is awesome to work with but very hard to scape. I have taken the largest 2 rocks and basically made a large cave in the middle of both. 1 is more of a tunnel with 2 entrances and the other has 3 ways to get in and out. I also took a smalle rock and made a narrow smaller cave with only 1 entrance and took another medium rock and just carved it out to more of an overhang to tuck up into. I have 1 large rock left I havtn figured what I want to shape into yet since its such an awkward shape to position but I am liking the abiltiy to make all the rocks into little homes for future fish to hide or sleep in since that goes a great way in redusing stress and territorial issues.

My Return pump finally came today! I need to start buying stuff for the sump itself and also am now thinking I should get an ATO system from the startup rather than an add on at a later date. This is a slower build then I was hoping but with xmas coming its hard to spend all my time and cash on the build. Need to work on the room first too as I do not want to be paintign and drywalls after the tanks already set up!

 

moving along! really looking forward to seeing your tank

 

Thanks OFK. Im really excited about this build and doing everything right! Going to be a lot slower than my last one since I plan on doing everythign the right way with no shortcuts. My last build was before we bought a house haha