My 90 gallon build

After spending the latter half of last year remodeling the house, the time has finally come for me to get my new 90 gallon going. We installed new bamboo hardwood floors, so this was the perfect reason for me to beg my girlfriend for a new "flood proof" tank, just to protect the floor of coarse . I built the stand and am currently working on the canopy. the sump is 20 gal with 1/4" glass baffles. Ok, stand pics first, keep in mind that i have no doors yet, i will be ordering the doors from a cabinet maker once i am done with the canopy, that way they will match perfectly. I really think the doors make the cabinet, so i am leaving that part to the professionals! The stand is framed with 2x4s. The front is skinned with solid 3/4 in oak hardwood while the sides are oak plywood. As you can see i went without a center brace. i never once checked the stand for level nor did i use a square at all. I built the stand on my uneven driveway, and somehow, it turned out perfectly level. I did not have to use a single shim.
What do ya think?

 

Here is the "light fixture" for the inside of my canopy. I am going to build it to where this part is removable from the rest of the canopy. It will also be able to slide backwards a few inches while on the tank to make access easier without removing the canopy. It is 6x54w t5HO by sunlight supply. Bulbs and reflectors are not installed at this time. Hopefully i will have the full canopy done by next monday or tuesday.

 

I have my AquaC urchin in the sump now, but soon will be upgrading to an SWC extreme 160 cone. Is there another skimmer you guys would recommend that would compete with SWCs quality and price?
I went with a "herbie" overflow style and other than my loud aquaC skimmer, the tank is pretty quiet.
What do you think about the aquascape? I have one of my clowns in there now, but at last test was registering 0.25 of ammonia, i will wait to add my other clown and brittle star until my mini cycle is complete.

 

Looking good so far. Like the aquascape! What color will the stand be finished?

 

the stand is finished in the last picture of the first post. it is a medium oak. it closely matches my living room furniture and hardwood floors. The doors i will be ordering will be solid red oak and unfinished so i can stain them to match exactly.

 

Everything is looking good. The aquascape looks good.

 

Oh, also, i have 2 new dedicated GFCI lines running to the tank. I have my pumps/powerheads split between the 2, that way if one trips, i will not loose all water movement. I do have a grounding probe also as a back-up. My electrical in the last tank was not the safest, and was very messy.
Heres a better pic of the stand and the plumbing. I have my backup drain ending above water so that i am alerted if it has kicked in. I used heavy duty schedule 80 bulkheads, so my drains are only 3/4" for the main and 1/2" for the backup. The size is plenty though as my pump is not throttled back at all. I have a eheim 1262 as my main pump.

 

What is the tall black box in the right side of your sump?

 

aquaC urchin skimmer

 

Wow, really? Never seen one like that. Does it produce alot of slug?