Wayne's 90 Gallon Build

[wmcinnes]

Picked up a 45G hexagon for my Oscar so I can get him out of the 35G (my DIY sump). I cleaned up the 35 gallon tank with some vinegar and water and got it ready to go. I had baffles cut, but being the newbie I am I got them cut to the exact width of the tank and they were WAY too tight to put into the tank.
GET YOUR BAFFLES CUT 1/8" SMALLER THEN YOUR TANK DIMENSIONS!!!
Luckily my glass guy said he would cut me some new ones so that should be done within the week and the baffles will be installed!

[wmcinnes]

Got a bit done this weekend! Finished up the stand and got it all set up in the house. The stand is quite tall and with the 24" high tank the whole thing is just over 5ft tall! Also installed the baffles into my sump (they're not pretty but do the job) and things are finally starting to take shape!

Also picked up a 25G Long that I will use as a QT tank, it is currently filled and cycling so I can pick up a few fish to observe and quarantine while I am working on the display tank.

Next step should be getting the plumbing together so I can get some water in the tank! I am planning to plumb the overflows using the Herbie method as I have heard this is a silent and safe overflow.

I am still unsure how to attach the return plumbing to the return pump. Do I hard plumb it like I am going to do with the over flows or can i do a combination of flex tube and pvc? And what size should the return piping be? Same as the main overflow? If anyone can help me out thatd be great!














Hopefully I can trim off some of the extra silicone and make it look a little nicer. Another day.

[eli@fijireefrock.com]

You got a very nice and detailed build
I think your rock work is going to look grand in there.And I think you should go to sleep

[zhasan]

Wao! Thats a nice build! Looking forward to see how things turn out for you! good luck!

[wmcinnes]

Finally went out and got some pumbing and started to piece it together! Unfortunately all the LFS seemed to have an abundance of ball valves but no gate valves. I had to order the gate valves online so until they come there is not a whole lot I can do..

Waiting on a few things to arrive:
~80lbs of MarcoRocks from Eli @ CaCo3Reef!
2 x 300W Eheim Jager heaters
Refractometer
RO/DI float valve
3 x 1" Gate Valves

Also the QT tank is still cycling and I am starting to see the nitrite spike so it should be somewhat close to finishing.. Can't wait to be able to get some fish in there. Im hoping for a Sailfin Tang Desjardini and a pair of False Percula Clowns to start!

[wmcinnes]

Started to put some of the plumbing together but, all in all, cannot complete it fully until my gate valves get here!!

Standpipes for my Herbie Overflow..


This is the manifold I put together for my GFO/Carbon reactors. It is tied into the return line.

[wmcinnes]

My equipment wishlist as of now is:
- 2x AI Vega/Sol (depending on if the Vega is out when I am ready or not)
- Neptune Apex Lite w/ VDM Module
- Ecotech Vortech MP40es (1 for now, 2 in the long run)
- 2x Phosban Reactors (Carbon/GFO)
- Toms Aqualifter Pump (For ATO)

Am I missing anything?

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by wmcinnes

finally went out and got some pumbing and started to piece it together! unfortunately i all the LFS seemed to have an abundance of ball valves but no gate valves. I had to order the gate valves online so until they come there is not a whole lot I can do..

Waiting on a few things to arrive:
~75lbs of MarcoRocks from Eli @ CaCo3Reef!
2 x 300W Eheim Jager heaters
Refractometer
RO/DI float valve
3 x 1" Gate Valves

Also the QT tank is still cycling and I am starting to see the nitrite spike so it should be somewhat close to finishing.. Can't wait to be able to get some fish in there. Im hoping for a Sailfin Tang Desjardini and a pair of False Percula Clowns to start!

the sailfin will be too large for a 90g they grow very fast, beautiful fish though


why three gate valves????

[wmcinnes]

Originally Posted by reefwars

why three gate valves????

I'm doing a Herbie overflow so I need one on my main drain line to control the syphon, one on my return to control flow and complete isolation when i need it, and one on the tee'd-off line from the outlet of the return pump to the refugium.

Probably only really needed two but they are already ordered..

[sphelps]

Nice looking build!

Those aquasafes have an adjustable valve on the waist line, typically you're just told to set it to about 4:1 ratio but you can play around with it to get better results, ie more waste should give you a little lower tds from the membrane. I also mention it because some people don't set it right to begin with and end up with higher TDS. You also sometimes need to run new units for a while before your TDS drops right down.