First SW tank 90g build

lacosta28 · 02/07/2011, 10:41 PM

Hi everyone, I finally finished setting my tank up this weekend. It is now on day 3. I had a few set backs during the process but everyone on here was very helpful and got me through it. Now I just sit back and let time do its thing.

So far I have 90g tank, 45 pounds live rock, 35 base rock, Aqueon Proflex 3 sump setup for refugium, T5 lights, vortech mp40w es pump, and JBJ heater, 80 pounds CaribSea Caribbean Live Sand, and 20 pounds of CaribSea Arag-Alive reef sand. I put the Arag-Alive on the bottom and the sand on top. An employee at my LFS told me to do this but I am not sure. Is that correct or should I have mixed it?

Here are some pictures.

[IMG]

[/IMG]
[IMG]

[/IMG]

duncantse · 02/07/2011, 11:02 PM

What lights are you using? The aquascape looks really pretty

lacosta28 · 02/07/2011, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncantse

What lights are you using? The aquascape looks really pretty

4 lights all 54 watts each. 1 Aqua Blue, 1 Pure Actinic, Gie Actinic, and a UVL Indigo Sun. Thank you!

IMM3DOORSDOWN · 02/07/2011, 11:18 PM

Looks good.heres some pointers (just my 2 cents)make sure your rock rest on the bottom of tank.don't let it rest on sand.reason being a fish can burrow in the sand and go under the rock which will make the rock fall over and crack your tank.if you have a buddy with a established tank ask for a cup of his sand and sprinkle it in your tank.other then that looking at your signature you got a good start.when building your sump do alot of research because you said you want a refuge.a refuge can be done in your sump like mine but it needs it's own water flow.a basic 3 stage sump the water moves fast and a refuge needs a slow flow with a deep sand bed with cheato.a fast flow threw your refuge you won't get as many of the great qualitys of having a working refuge.

I'm here to help.

nsmith_mma · 02/07/2011, 11:20 PM

Looks good to me so far. Any idea what kind of livestock you are going to put in the tank?

lacosta28 · 02/07/2011, 11:35 PM

Thanks for the tips 3doors. I don't plan on getting livestock for at least 3 weeks. I finally let everything settle so I could see. Now that I got the rock the way I want it I will make sure it is deep and touching the bottom. That is going to be a challenge since it stirs up so much sand and makes it hard to see. I do have the sump setup with a light and mud topped with sand.

nsmith, I plan on getting 2 clowns, yellow tank, blue hippo tang, and possibly 1 other fish.

Here is a pic of my sump so far. I have since put the suction cups on the bottom of the return pump so it isn't laying there like that anymore.
[IMG]

[/IMG]

Clams55 · 02/08/2011, 08:48 AM

Where is your skimmer?

lacosta28 · 02/08/2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clams55

Where is your skimmer?

No skimmer yet. I don't have the money for one right now but I will with my next pay check. I also don't plan on having any livestock for a minimum of 3 weeks.

wright4941 · 02/08/2011, 07:07 PM

Looks good so far. Look forward to seeing your progress. Im just waiting to find the tank that I want, but its definitely going to be a 90 gallon preferebly bow front with built in overflow. Thanks for sharing your info with us.

sasharotty · 02/08/2011, 07:13 PM

Tank looks nice but imo i would redo the scape.Maybe peg the rockwork, the way its done you will get alot of detrius buildin up.But other than that looks good.Agree with IMM3 looks like the rock is teeterin on eac other.

sucker_fish · 02/08/2011, 07:35 PM

Everything looks good so far, the only thing is you will want to make sure to get small tangs because they will outgrow your current tank, hopefully you will be able to upgrade to a larger tank before they get too big and you may run into some issues with 2 tangs in a tank that size, not saying that you will but its a possibility.

GDDYUP · 02/08/2011, 07:45 PM

Very nice looking setup! What kins of powerhead do you have running on that tank? Looks like a magnetic type dealie on the right side there....

IMM3DOORSDOWN · 02/08/2011, 08:05 PM

looking good.you are right no hurry on a skimmer.theres no bio load in tank. hows your perimeters?

lacosta28 · 02/08/2011, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GDDYUP

Very nice looking setup! What kins of powerhead do you have running on that tank? Looks like a magnetic type dealie on the right side there....

Thanks. It's a eco tech vortech mp40w es. It is probably my favorite part of the tank, until I get some fish.

Thanks for the nice comments and advice everyone. I do plan on aquascaping it a lot better. I did this blind when I couldn't see inside the tank. How do I do peg work? I was thinking of buying some type of epoxy to make the stick together. It is going to be very hard to do with the water in there. I wish I would have had the rock beforehand.

gitsoe · 04/05/2011, 01:48 PM

nice tank any update on this?

lacosta28 · 06/23/2011, 10:45 PM

I haven't posted any updates on my 90g for a while so here it is. My current fish are 2 clowns, 1 yellow tang, and 1 goby. I am satisfied with this and I doubt I will add anymore fish to the tank. Inverts: 1 skunk cleaner shrimp, pair of blood fire shrimp, tiger pistol shrimp (paired with the goby), and an RBTA.

I have several snails and don't know the exact numbers. I have Tiger conch, nassarius, astrea, turbos, and a margarita that is chugging along. I also have several corals, mostly zoo's though. They are listed in my sig.

I have 2 other tanks listed in my signature but haven't taken much pictures of them yet.

I will post updated pictures in a minute.

lacosta28 · 06/23/2011, 10:46 PM

Full tank shot.

Left side

Middle

lacosta28 · 06/23/2011, 10:48 PM

Right side

RBTA

And frags im growing out

lacosta28 · 06/23/2011, 11:02 PM

BTW in the right side tank picture does anyone know what that green plant like thing is? It started off small and it has grown quite a bit. It doesn't look like a macro algae but more like a plant.

lacosta28 · 06/23/2011, 11:26 PM

Marroons in their 36g bowfront that they have torn apart.

150g tank

567234ta · 06/23/2011, 11:42 PM

Wow those doors are nice! nice tanks you have, they seem to be doing really well.

lacosta28 · 06/24/2011, 09:33 AM

Thank you. The guy that had the 150g previously had the stand custom made by a furniture maker.

newby30gallon · 06/24/2011, 12:05 PM

hey lacosta, i would like to emulate your sump, is the intial chamber feeding into the fuge? how does it work exactly?

lacosta28 · 06/24/2011, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newby30gallon

hey lacosta, i would like to emulate your sump, is the intial chamber feeding into the fuge? how does it work exactly?

On which tank? The 90g or the 150?

lacosta28 · 06/28/2011, 06:16 PM

I found this on Ebay and it is for a very good price but I am not familiar with the brand. Has anyone ever heard of them?

Please let me know as I want to buy this by Friday.

http://cgi.ebay.com/72-MH250W-HQI-AQ...item4158747626

Thank you.

02/07/2011, 10:41 PM	#1
lacosta28 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 632	First SW tank 90g build Hi everyone, I finally finished setting my tank up this weekend. It is now on day 3. I had a few set backs during the process but everyone on here was very helpful and got me through it. Now I just sit back and let time do its thing. So far I have 90g tank, 45 pounds live rock, 35 base rock, Aqueon Proflex 3 sump setup for refugium, T5 lights, vortech mp40w es pump, and JBJ heater, 80 pounds CaribSea Caribbean Live Sand, and 20 pounds of CaribSea Arag-Alive reef sand. I put the Arag-Alive on the bottom and the sand on top. An employee at my LFS told me to do this but I am not sure. Is that correct or should I have mixed it? Here are some pictures. [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG]

02/07/2011, 11:18 PM	#4
IMM3DOORSDOWN Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: ct Posts: 1,092	Looks good.heres some pointers (just my 2 cents)make sure your rock rest on the bottom of tank.don't let it rest on sand.reason being a fish can burrow in the sand and go under the rock which will make the rock fall over and crack your tank.if you have a buddy with a established tank ask for a cup of his sand and sprinkle it in your tank.other then that looking at your signature you got a good start.when building your sump do alot of research because you said you want a refuge.a refuge can be done in your sump like mine but it needs it's own water flow.a basic 3 stage sump the water moves fast and a refuge needs a slow flow with a deep sand bed with cheato.a fast flow threw your refuge you won't get as many of the great qualitys of having a working refuge. I'm here to help. __________________ rules? rules were ment to be broken Current Tank Info: PAST EXPERIANCE::180 gal fish only,120 gal reef,65 gal MAN TANK lionfish and eel,54 gal corner dwarf angel tank. CURRENT. WORKING ON 90 gal MIXED REEF, 29 gal sump & refuge.20 gal long qt tank.120 gal uv steralizer.29 gal fowlr and annemonies

02/07/2011, 11:35 PM	#6
lacosta28 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 632	Thanks for the tips 3doors. I don't plan on getting livestock for at least 3 weeks. I finally let everything settle so I could see. Now that I got the rock the way I want it I will make sure it is deep and touching the bottom. That is going to be a challenge since it stirs up so much sand and makes it hard to see. I do have the sump setup with a light and mud topped with sand. nsmith, I plan on getting 2 clowns, yellow tank, blue hippo tang, and possibly 1 other fish. Here is a pic of my sump so far. I have since put the suction cups on the bottom of the return pump so it isn't laying there like that anymore. [IMG][/IMG]

02/08/2011, 07:13 PM	#10
sasharotty Moved on to my couch Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: se michigan Posts: 1,065	Tank looks nice but imo i would redo the scape.Maybe peg the rockwork, the way its done you will get alot of detrius buildin up.But other than that looks good.Agree with IMM3 looks like the rock is teeterin on eac other. __________________ Go big or go home!!!! Current Tank Info: Just loungin

02/08/2011, 07:45 PM	#12
GDDYUP Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Derry, NH Posts: 19	Very nice looking setup! What kins of powerhead do you have running on that tank? Looks like a magnetic type dealie on the right side there.... __________________ Why did the Puffer cross the road?? To get to the other tide! :P Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon FOWLR

02/07/2011, 11:02 PM	#2
duncantse Fish Advisor Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,604	What lights are you using? The aquascape looks really pretty

02/07/2011, 11:20 PM	#5
nsmith_mma Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 232	Looks good to me so far. Any idea what kind of livestock you are going to put in the tank?

02/08/2011, 08:48 AM	#7
Clams55 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 72	Where is your skimmer?

02/08/2011, 07:07 PM	#9
wright4941 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 260	Looks good so far. Look forward to seeing your progress. Im just waiting to find the tank that I want, but its definitely going to be a 90 gallon preferebly bow front with built in overflow. Thanks for sharing your info with us.

02/08/2011, 07:35 PM	#11
sucker_fish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Covington, TN Posts: 441	Everything looks good so far, the only thing is you will want to make sure to get small tangs because they will outgrow your current tank, hopefully you will be able to upgrade to a larger tank before they get too big and you may run into some issues with 2 tangs in a tank that size, not saying that you will but its a possibility.

02/08/2011, 08:05 PM	#13
IMM3DOORSDOWN Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: ct Posts: 1,092	looking good.you are right no hurry on a skimmer.theres no bio load in tank. hows your perimeters? __________________ rules? rules were ment to be broken Current Tank Info: PAST EXPERIANCE::180 gal fish only,120 gal reef,65 gal MAN TANK lionfish and eel,54 gal corner dwarf angel tank. CURRENT. WORKING ON 90 gal MIXED REEF, 29 gal sump & refuge.20 gal long qt tank.120 gal uv steralizer.29 gal fowlr and annemonies

04/05/2011, 01:48 PM	#15
gitsoe Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: bay area Posts: 145	nice tank any update on this?

06/23/2011, 10:45 PM	#16
lacosta28 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 632	I haven't posted any updates on my 90g for a while so here it is. My current fish are 2 clowns, 1 yellow tang, and 1 goby. I am satisfied with this and I doubt I will add anymore fish to the tank. Inverts: 1 skunk cleaner shrimp, pair of blood fire shrimp, tiger pistol shrimp (paired with the goby), and an RBTA. I have several snails and don't know the exact numbers. I have Tiger conch, nassarius, astrea, turbos, and a margarita that is chugging along. I also have several corals, mostly zoo's though. They are listed in my sig. I have 2 other tanks listed in my signature but haven't taken much pictures of them yet. I will post updated pictures in a minute. __________________ Tanks: 150g Reef Tank and 93g Frameless Marineland Reef ready cube. EcoTech pro ligths, M1 Return pumps and MP40QD's on both tanks managed by a Reeflink. Neptune controller manages everything else. Current Tank Info: 150g and 93g Rimless, both reef tanks. Last edited by lacosta28; 06/23/2011 at 10:57 PM.

06/23/2011, 10:46 PM	#17
lacosta28 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 632	Full tank shot. Left side Middle __________________ Tanks: 150g Reef Tank and 93g Frameless Marineland Reef ready cube. EcoTech pro ligths, M1 Return pumps and MP40QD's on both tanks managed by a Reeflink. Neptune controller manages everything else. Current Tank Info: 150g and 93g Rimless, both reef tanks.

06/23/2011, 10:48 PM	#18
lacosta28 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 632	Right side RBTA And frags im growing out __________________ Tanks: 150g Reef Tank and 93g Frameless Marineland Reef ready cube. EcoTech pro ligths, M1 Return pumps and MP40QD's on both tanks managed by a Reeflink. Neptune controller manages everything else. Current Tank Info: 150g and 93g Rimless, both reef tanks.

06/23/2011, 11:02 PM	#19
lacosta28 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 632	BTW in the right side tank picture does anyone know what that green plant like thing is? It started off small and it has grown quite a bit. It doesn't look like a macro algae but more like a plant. __________________ Tanks: 150g Reef Tank and 93g Frameless Marineland Reef ready cube. EcoTech pro ligths, M1 Return pumps and MP40QD's on both tanks managed by a Reeflink. Neptune controller manages everything else. Current Tank Info: 150g and 93g Rimless, both reef tanks.

06/23/2011, 11:26 PM	#20
lacosta28 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 632	Marroons in their 36g bowfront that they have torn apart. 150g tank __________________ Tanks: 150g Reef Tank and 93g Frameless Marineland Reef ready cube. EcoTech pro ligths, M1 Return pumps and MP40QD's on both tanks managed by a Reeflink. Neptune controller manages everything else. Current Tank Info: 150g and 93g Rimless, both reef tanks.

06/23/2011, 11:42 PM	#21
567234ta Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fort Smith AR Posts: 579	Wow those doors are nice! nice tanks you have, they seem to be doing really well.

06/24/2011, 09:33 AM	#22
lacosta28 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 632	Thank you. The guy that had the 150g previously had the stand custom made by a furniture maker. __________________ Tanks: 150g Reef Tank and 93g Frameless Marineland Reef ready cube. EcoTech pro ligths, M1 Return pumps and MP40QD's on both tanks managed by a Reeflink. Neptune controller manages everything else. Current Tank Info: 150g and 93g Rimless, both reef tanks.

06/24/2011, 12:05 PM	#23
newby30gallon Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 58	hey lacosta, i would like to emulate your sump, is the intial chamber feeding into the fuge? how does it work exactly?

06/28/2011, 06:16 PM	#25
lacosta28 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 632	Need Advice on lighting I found this on Ebay and it is for a very good price but I am not familiar with the brand. Has anyone ever heard of them? Please let me know as I want to buy this by Friday. http://cgi.ebay.com/72-MH250W-HQI-AQ...item4158747626 Thank you. __________________ Tanks: 150g Reef Tank and 93g Frameless Marineland Reef ready cube. EcoTech pro ligths, M1 Return pumps and MP40QD's on both tanks managed by a Reeflink. Neptune controller manages everything else. Current Tank Info: 150g and 93g Rimless, both reef tanks.

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