JB's 90 Gallon(New Vid. QT Setup Pg.25)

Hello All,

After 2 months of searching I finally found and bought a tank (90 gallon). I have been viewing this forum for about 3 months now getting as much info as I can, so thank you all for that. My first mistake, buying a tank, Ha! But I need your help before I can get my tank up and running.

Would like to keep a mixed reef tank with a variety of different stuff.

will have 20 gal sump

1. I have read people having issues with sand blowing around from power heads. So what sand is recommended?

2. Dry rock what is the best option. Reef cleaners, macro rocks or this BRS Pukani Dry Aquarium Eco Rock - English . I was thinking 100 pounds

3. Lighting. OK big question do i need to go with a 4 bulb or 6 build fixture.

here is what i was looking at:

AquaticLife T5 HO 6-Lamp Light Fixture w/ Lunar LEDs

or the 4 bulb fixture. there is a large price difference between the 2.

I am open to other lighting options, input wanted! Note I can't hang the fixture.

4. protein skimmer. price range 100-200 dollars.

considering Ehopps or

Precision Marine Redline Protein Skimmers Reviews

or

Reef Octopus Needle/Pin Wheel Protein Skimmer

Really need help picking a good skimmer out.

5. Return pump.

Suggestions on return pump and how many GPH?

6. How many power heads, at least to start out and what size(flow rate). don't know want to buy and have them be under powered.

7. Glass tops or no glass tops?

8. Plumbing question. Have read that flexible plumbing can cause micro bubbles? i was hoping to do flexible tubing (easier, lack of plumbing exp.) in stead of pvc.please advise.

9. good test kit?

10. painting inside of stand. what kind of paint do you use? is it worth the time and money? what are the benefits?

11. Anything I am missing?

Please help! your input is very important to me!

 

Sweeet!

Lighting is up to you, what are you wanting to keep?

 

i will just go with what i think i can answer. i have the aquaticlife 6 lamp fixture (12 bulbs since my tank is 6' long) and i have been happy with it. you won't regret going with six but could regret settling for 4. i would go with at least 3 powerheads rated 1000+ gph maybe 4. i started out with too few and have continued to add. i would check bulk reef supply ang get the plasic web covering. i started out with a glass top and i think that it blocked too much light and trapped too much heat. In south Texas the heat thing is an issue but i,m not sure where you reside. some people will mention gas exchange but i don't think this is an issue if you have a sump and skimmer. i use tubing for plumbing and haven't had an issue. i use API for nitrates, KH, and calcium. i use sailfert for magnesium. i use a monitor for PH. oh yes, i used api for ammonia and nitrites while i was cycling. i will let others chime in on your other questions.

 

Sounds like you have a good start, i have that light as well, and i LOVE it

 

if your thinking about painting, GO for it. better now then never once water is in and set up it would be hard to paint things

i paint my inside cabinet all white looks sweet and back of the fish tank black

 

Thanks for the info. Anyone else have input?

Just got the 20 gal. long sump . Any suggestions on size of the baffels? and is it most cost effective to buy glass at home depot and then take it to a glass cutting place?

thanks!

 

would love some help 3reefers!

 

i did the exact same build as you are doing, 90gal DT with a 20gal sump. I'm still really new to it but everyone on here has been a huge help.

1. With sand the finer the sand grains the more likely they will blow around. If you use crushed shells/larger grains then they'll be harder to blow around unless the powerhead is pumping at point blank range. Otherwise just position your powerheads to that they will create good flow, but don't blow around your sand.

2.I used a mix of live and dry rock. I didn't heed the advice of 3reefers and ended up adding live and dry rock at mixed times along and along. That was a bad idea, because when I had an algae outbreak it covered the dry rock, but the live rock that had cylced well was not affected. 100lbs should be plenty for the 90 gallon. I have about 65lbs in the DT and about 20lbs of rubble in the sump. I like alot of swimming space for the fish so thats why i put some down in the sump.

3. I went with a six bulb fixture, based off of advice from here and the LFS. From what they said a four bulb fixture would limit what times of coral/inverts you can put in the tank, but with a 6 bulb you can do what ever you wish

4. I am using a reef octopus NWB-150 and to me its doing a great job, but I also dose with brightwell aquatic's biofuel, which helps assist skimming. The price also fits within the range you gave I do believe.

5. For my return from the sump I am using a marineland 700gph return pump. I have a ball valve on the tubing that leads from the return pump up to the DT and i have it dialed back a bit so its probably around 400-450gph thats flowing through. You don't want the return to be too much because you want the water to flow from baffle to baffle smoothly and not fast so that the water gets properly filtered. you need a pump bigger than what you minimally need because of head pressure.

6.I'm still learning about what is the best type of flow in a tank. It's kind of a balance between good flow, but not too much because you don't want your fish getting blown around. two korolia evolution's 1400gph should be good for the 90. I started off with one, but then upgraded to two ecotech mp-10w's. Those are pretty expensive, but so far have made a big difference in creating good flow and helps with getting detrius and uneaten food off the bottom and into the overflow.

7. I haven't had any bad experiences with using no top at all. Someone else on here may have better advice about that.

8. Don't know much about the microbubbles in flex tubing. I use it but don't have any microbubbles. could just be beginners luck on that.

9. I have used API for everything no issue with them so far.

10. I didn't paint because I was in a rush to get the tank up and running. It would be more pleasing to the eye to have a background vs looking at the white wall behind the tank IMO

11. For your sump there are several designs on the web. just research them and find out the one that you think would work best for you and your type of tank. For your baffles make sure you measure everything out after you get your protein skimmer. It will determine the height of your baffles depending on your design and will determine how many sections you'll be able to have in the sump because it will take up the most room. Most glass cutting places will sell glass at about the same cost as home depot.

One questions, once you have all the systems set up and are ready to add water, are you buying an RO/DI unit or buying it from a LFS?

An RO/DI is a good piece of equipment to buy that can really avoid problems in the future. I learned the hard way and not all LFS stores are trustworthy about the RO/DI water they sell.

 

Just remember that 100LBS of Dry rock is A LOT of rock...100LBS of live rock would be a better number for the size of a 90. I have 45Lbs of Pukani rock in my tank, and it is full!

http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-off-your-fish-tanks/fods-84-gallon-half-round-99897.html

You won't need the full 100 pounds. Pukani is VERY porous too...and weighs less per sq. inch than any other rock I have used.

 

I just started the same 90 gallon build with a 30gallon sump, the last three weeks I have been busy building the stand, then on to the sump.

I have also looked at the AquaticLife T5 HO 6-Lamp Light Fixture w/ Lunar LEDs but it is very expensive. Also considering an Octopus Extreme 200 Protein Skimmer, 3 EVO Powerheads 1050gph, and an Eheim 1260 or Mag 9.5 for my return pump.