Zechenia’s Upgrade to 90 Gallons!

Welp… I have been holding out on jumping up to the 90 gallon, but I found a great deal on a 90 from a local reef club member and couldn’t help myself! It’s definitely a fixer upper, but I am excited to make it my own! I started a year or so ago with a 29 gallon: http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-of...on-bowfront-beginner-reef-updated-104892.html I’ve had a lot of ups and downs, and learned a TON. Now it’s time to get it right from the beginning!




Here is a picture of when I first got it:





I’ve started by drilling a single return, and getting loc-line setup. Now I am in the process of painting the stand/hood (it will take at least 2 more coats!) Next up it'll be time to do the in stand plumbing, followed by the overflows.








I am going to be purchasing glass to make 2 corner overflows, and am going to be converting a Durso Standpipes. I plan on having a 29 gallon refugium plumbed through a wall.

Planned Equipment:
Mag 9.5 return pump (came with tank)
Reef Breeders lights
SCA-303 Skimmer
MP40


Fish List (probably going to change and add to it):
Yellow Tang
Six Line Wrasse
Clownfish Pair
Tail Spot blenny
Mandarin (after tank is mature)
CopperBanded Butterfly

Also planning on adding a few shrimp, so everything must be safe with them.

I planned on shutting down my other tank…. But my Fiancé likes where it is too much (since this tank will need to go in the basement) sooooo now we’re debating what to do with the 30 gallon. I need suggestions of something fairly easy that would be a cool species only tank.


This build will be a slow one, but I'm planning on documenting along the way.

 

Congrats on the find! Looking great already.

Mantis tank

And if I may, flasher instead of 6line

 

Already own the sixline. So he's gotta be in one!

 

small fish, small tank just saying

lol, I just hate them and YTDs. sorry

 

eh I could take or leave a six line depends on weather the price is right LOL

the copperband might be an issue with the corals though espically if you get a nem.

 

What are YTDs? :-[

So far my sixline is pretty well behaved. One of my favorite Nano fish just based on how he cruises!

Also, the Copperbanded Butterfly is on my "Maybe" list. I like the aiptasia eating... and I want another decent sized "centerpeice" fish. But I could also go with some Peppermint shrimp, or buy a Berghia Nudibranch from my local reef club.

Any other ideas that are reef safe, let me know

 

Latest Update:

Added the Durso Standpipes! I had to saw the fittings smaller to get it to fit the way I wanted it to. Also attached the doors to the Stand. Another layer of paint on the canopy, and I'll be able to move it off my work desk and move the tank on for a deep cleaning, measurements for glass, and painting the back.

Here's a couple pics. Don't mind the dirtyness





Also, when my Fiance and I got engaged on the coast, we got some glass fish. I decided I am going to turn them into knobs for the doors. She loved the idea.

Every time I check something off my list of To-do's... I add more!

 

Smooth move. Get the significant other on board so they think they are apart of your tank. Frees up alot of budget conversations ;-)

 

Hehe my thoughts exactly! ;D

 

I’m hopefully going to be able to order the glass to build my overflows soon.


I’m assuming I need to get the height so the glass lines up right with the beginning of the frame on the top. Also, do i need to worry at all about the corners on the bottom (these corners will be sitting on top of the silicone that seals the tank). Would it be of any benefit to do the overflows before painting the back of the tank… or should I go ahead and do that?

Making the overflow, oddly, is one of the things I least looking forward to on this project :|