Myka's 90 gallon build & 3 province move (Pics Feb 6)

Myka · #1 05-06-2009, 04:22 PM

No, I haven't. There will be a light over the fuge, so my thinking was to keep the back open for heat escape. Keeping the wall clean would be nice though...

So, I'm thinking I will do a small 2-way closed loop on this tank for three reasons; so I can hopefully eliminate most if not all powerheads, T the pump outlet for an easy water change system like superduperwesman did in his nano contest tank, and I can use a 2-way to create a wavebox sort of action I'm hoping. This way I can get away with probably just using one VorTech (later on down the road when I feel rich again), or maybe I will be happy just using a couple Koralia 4's or some such thing. So...any input on how many gph I should run my closed loop? Remember I keep LPS only, although I will add a few SPS to the 90 (I think).

sphelps · #2 05-06-2009, 06:31 PM

The 90 is still pretty small for a CL, especially with just LPS corals. One powerhead like a vortech and a half decent return pump would be good. For an LPS tank I wouldn't aim for more than a total of 10x turnover or about 1000gph. Have you considered going the simple route and using a larger return pump like a dart? You could run a herbie overflow to keep noise and bubbles down and eliminate the need for powerheads or a closed loop. It's be much simpler and cleaner. I've setup a few 90s like this and they've all done well for LPS and even some SPS.

Don't under estimate the importance of simplicity.

Scythanith · #3 05-06-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

Don't under estimate the importance of simplicity.

I get a kick seeing these words come from you haahaa!

sphelps · #4 05-06-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scythanith

I get a kick seeing these words come from you haahaa!

Just wait until you see my new tank

Myka · #5 05-18-2009, 03:27 AM

Managed to get the tank in the house today! I was going to fill it up and put the rock in it tonight, but I'm scared that the overflow might leak, and I don't have a sump setup yet, so that would not be good if it leaked!!

I painted the back of the tank black today too. I think I will add a backdrop to the stand too as sphelps has suggested. I still have to make the front door for the stand and the canopy wrap, but right now I'm concentrating on getting the rock in the tank because my livestock is arriving June 1st or 2nd.

I can't find a suitable tank for a sump here. The closest thing I have found is a 20 long which is 30x12x12" at PetSmart. It's not ideal, but I would be happy with this as a sump. However, I was just looking at my skimmer and the way that the gate valve mod has been glued in makes the skimmer take up a larger base area. I'm not sure if I can squeeze it into 12" wide...and if I can't I will either have to get a custom 16" wide sump made ($$$) which I don't want to do, or I need to buy a different skimmer. Not sure what to do...

Anyway here it is situated in the living room. With a temporary 2x39w T5 fixture on it...with blue bulbs

and dirty glass. Need to clean up the area around the tank, and move the pictures on the wall.

fishytime · #6 05-18-2009, 03:41 AM

Looking really good .....your tang will be thanking you

Cowtown soon?

Myka · #7 05-18-2009, 03:54 AM

I was just thinkin...maybe I will use two sumps, one for a fuge and one for a sump. That would make finding a suitable tank easier as I'm sure I could fit the skimmer into a 20g, then have a few baffles, and the return pump. Then just have the fuge drilled and plumbed into the return chamber to overflow through a 1" bulkhead or something like that. Would need to figure out a way to make sure it doesn't plug up and overflow on the floor...maybe a backup drilled higher? Anyone have any thoughts to add to this?

Thanks Doug! My tang will love it. He will get lost though.

I don't have any plans to go to cowtown right now...

sphelps · #8 05-06-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

No, I haven't. There will be a light over the fuge, so my thinking was to keep the back open for heat escape. Keeping the wall clean would be nice though...

If you use a low heat light you'll eliminate the need for venting, I had success using an LED plant light panel for my refugium, only used 14W and basically no heat. Skimmers usually have a tendency to leave a mess behind them and salt creep and water spots aren't the greatest either.