My 90 gal build + stand build

[Gill again]

Here we go.......

I started today with getting my wood and starting the stand build.
Got some work done on it and may post some pictures tomorrow. Hopefully will have the stand in the 80% stage tomorrow. Its going fast but the finish work will slow me down. Oh yeah material of choice was Birch.

[d2mini]

As they say.... Pics or it didn't happen!

[trexer]

I am interested to see this stand especially since it is birch. Nice choice!

[Gill again]

Not a lot here but did want to post something. I have almost finished the canopy and I still have to cut out for the doors and the last thing is put trim on. I hope to have this done and it stained by Wednesday. If all goes well with the weather then Friday we should have a finished product.



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[Gill again]

You can browse the other pics I didnt post. That would have been easier. LOL

[SeedlessOne]

I tend to start the day off getting wood as well.......

[Gill again]

Ok just to show that I have been working. Here are some pics of the canopy on top of the stand. Currently I am working on the trim for the stand then its on to sanding and staining. Ill also throw in a pic of the tank and what I am calling is my "ugly sump" Got some parts in yesterday for the tank as well. 2 Koralia 1200's a Mag Drive 9.5 950 gph and a 220 Coralife Skimmer. Well on with the show.

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Well now I am on the search for the best Retro Kit for T-5 lighting. Im thinking 4 x 54 Watts to begin with. Suggestions? Keep in mind that money is a concern and that I will be building up to a nice reef tank and not starting off with one.
Thanks for the comments and I aint touching the "WOOD" thing!

[SeedlessOne]

Good start so far. I am starting my 90g build as of today. Gonna build the stand. I think I am going to go with 6x54 t5 myself. Ill be keeping up with your build.

[Gill again]

Cool, do you have any tips for me? It will be nice to share some info back and forth.

To your point I think the 6 x 54 will be where I get to.

[ddinox64]

2 more 90 gallon builds.

Seems to be the popular tank right now.

[Lunchbucket]

Can't wait to see how it turns out. I'm doing a 125 right now and just have the frame built. Testing out color samples on different woods before I make my choice

[SeedlessOne]

Originally posted by Gill again
Cool, do you have any tips for me? It will be nice to share some info back and forth.

To your point I think the 6 x 54 will be where I get to.

Dont eat yellow snow???

LOL I didn't get started today. Hopefully get the stand started tomorrow. I will chime in as need if I run into any issues that I can warn you about. But since you have already started Ill let you make the mistakes and warn me!!

Good luck and as I already stated Ill be watching.......

[Gill again]

Where is the cheapest place that I can get QUALITY sand. I refuse to believe that sand is that expensive. I know reef forums and clubs are the typical answer but being as new to this as I am I do not have that network yet. Also lighting. I am looking to go with T - 5 lighting and I think the best option is the retro fit. So where do you purchase these items?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

[Gill again]

Got some pics of the cabinet trim and then the stain I did today. If weather permits I will put the finish coat on tomorrow.

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Here is the canopy on top the tank

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Now the stain

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Hope to see the finish on this puppy so we can start putting the tank together!

[robs.mark]

Looks great, i love the job you have done on the cab. I too have a 90g thread running, so ive been following yours eagerly! What are the tank dimensions? As far as your lighting is concerned, It all depends on what you wish to keep, if your thinking of a softie tank with some lps, then 4x54w would be more than enough imo, but lps and clams etc, i would look towards MH's. Also the depth of your tank comes into play here, MH's have the ability to penetrate far deeper than T5, but the running costs are greater.. hmmmm!!

[Gill again]

Thanks for the compliments. My tank is 48 x 18 x 24

Im going for it all.... I think. I will start off very slow but eventually want the clams and stuff. I hope that I can incorporate MH lights later.

What thread are you doing. I would like to see what you are up to as well.

[robs.mark]

Is that 24w or 24h?
Your gonna love that 4ft of room to play with, i really wanted a 4ft tank but theres a sofa in the way! damn!!
So what sort of a tank is it going to be?

[Gill again]

Its 24 high.

Im going for the reef tank with marine accents. I want the corals to be the show and the fish to bring some extra color and movement. I will have a sand bed and its going to be somewhere in the 3" range. Experimenting with some DYI rock so I can sculpt some interesting design. Wanna keep the water movement all around. The aquascaping is in a funny way challenging because usually I can visualize stuff easy. I like the idea you had on your 2 opposing formations. I will most likely go with something like that and possibly bring something forward as well. Well just have to see. I got a long way to go before I get to that point. Still spending money on tools and equipment needed.

[robs.mark]

I was having a think about your lighting problem, your obviously looking to fit a 4ft 54w reflector inside your hood.. Have you made sure you have enough room? if the globes are 48" and your hood I.D is 48" is there going to be enough room for end caps etc.. I only ask because ive recently been up against this myself, My tank is 36" but ive had to use 24w 24" T5's as there just wasnt enough room for 39w 36" ones... just a thought..
Also have you looked into the reef octopus range, i know they do a 4x39 and 54w lamp with built in LED moon lights for a very reasonable price, heres a link to an ozzy site that sells them.. http://www.thereefshop.com.au/index....ndex&cPath=5_8
Otherwise have you thought of buying used MH? there probably going to be cheaper than T5's and you can grow heaps more under them. Just replace the bulbs.

[Gill again]

Those are good points and the answer about the length is I just dont know. I have been thinking about that and a little worried. However I have seen some 2ft configurations that are HO and could actually give me more than the 4 ft. Also looking at some of the bulb lengths I see 46" bulbs, wont that give you enough room?

Check these out.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...hting_Company_(UVL)&idProduct=UF4465&IdCategory=FILTBUT5VH&tab=2

Again good food for thought and Im a little scared buying used stuff. I dont really know anyone in the business and I dont have any friends with tanks or reef clubs to fall back on. So what if the tires go flat as soon as I get her home.....whaaaaaaaaa whaaaaaa!

[robs.mark]

That link is just to marine depot, which lights were you looking at? The 46" may be the way to go..
If you look on ebay for used halides, you would get the paypal assurance. Just dont buy the cheap ebay china lights, they suck!

[Gill again]

China sucks LOL. I mean the lights.

As far as what kind of 46" I just dont know. The hardest thing for me is knowing what a quality manufacturer from a bad one. I know you get what you pay for MOST OF THE TIME but I still need some guidance as to what reefers think,

Thanks again for all your input. It really helps and that you being English thing dont worry about that nobody is perfect LOL JKING.

[Lunchbucket]

Nice job on the stand. Is that birch and pine?

Lunchbucket

[cody6766]

Your build's looking great so far! I love to color of the stain you used. Which one is it?

As for your lighting, I've seen several tanks at 24" or deeper with only T5 lighting. I'd get a retro kit with individual reflectors and not worry about the MH lighting. Start with 4 bulbs and leave room for 2 more down the road.

I say forget the MH lighting, not because it's bad or problematic, but because T5s give you a lot more latitude when selecting light color. As long as you get good bulbs and reflectors, you'll grow coral well under either lighting system. I like the flexibility of T5s. You're not stuck at 10k or 20k, you can use different bulbs and really make your coral pop. Also, you could set a 3 stage dusk/dawn cycle when you get to 6 bulbs. You could have them on a timer that fires 2 at a time, then cuts 2 at a time.
That's why I'd go all T5 if I did my tank over again.

[robs.mark]

Originally posted by cody6766
Your build's looking great so far! I love to color of the stain you used. Which one is it?

As for your lighting, I've seen several tanks at 24" or deeper with only T5 lighting. I'd get a retro kit with individual reflectors and not worry about the MH lighting. Start with 4 bulbs and leave room for 2 more down the road.

I say forget the MH lighting, not because it's bad or problematic, but because T5s give you a lot more latitude when selecting light color. As long as you get good bulbs and reflectors, you'll grow coral well under either lighting system. I like the flexibility of T5s. You're not stuck at 10k or 20k, you can use different bulbs and really make your coral pop. Also, you could set a 3 stage dusk/dawn cycle when you get to 6 bulbs. You could have them on a timer that fires 2 at a time, then cuts 2 at a time.
That's why I'd go all T5 if I did my tank over again.

Thats a very valid point regarding the dusk/dawn cycle, i didnt realize that they where individually switchable. I think the fact that you can gradually bring light intensity in makes all the difference..