My 90 Gallon Build

[Dbroncoboy]

I posted this in DIY but I think it is more proper here. Sorry for the duplication and feel free to delete the one you feel is out of place!

I have been around here for a while just not much of a poster, typically someone has already asked any question I have so I am more of a reader.

Since going to college I fell out of the hobby for the past couple years but am now ready to get started again.

Friday July 2nd- Bought a 90ish gallon acrylic aquarium off craigslist. It is a L Shaped corner tank with built in overflow measuring 36" long on Each Side, 18" Deep, 24" Tall. For $120... I was in, seemed to be a great deal.



Goals of Tank

* Don't fall through apartment floor
* House Mainly Fish, Live Rock, and some Corals in time
* Take every precaution possible to not cause water dammage to my apartment or the one below it.
* Keep power consumption reasonable and don't heat up apartment (I am in college and live in AZ so I need to keep it cheap and cool)


Work to Be Done

* Build Stand (In Progress)
* Build Canopy
* Build Sump
* Create Lighting (Leaning towards DIY LED, hoping the costs will come down though)


Questions/Input Needed

1. Any extra ideas on making the tank less prone to fall through my floor? (As you can see I have made the stand larger than my tank to spread the weight, it will be set in the corner of the apartment)
2. I have an oddly shaped tank, any input on how to light it would be appreciated... Contemplating three LED clusters. (No MH though)
3. Precautions to prevent flooding? (I have check valves on the pump so far)
4. Any input on the stand would definitely be welcome.
5. How large of a sump would you have? (Keep in mind I am trying to keep weight down!)
6. I would also love some aqua-scaping tips and ideas... So far I am thinking of having live rock building up from each side of the tank and peaking in the middle.... But I am always open to ideas.


I will post stand progress soon, it is coming along nicely.

[Dbroncoboy]

I have been working on the stand for about a week. It's a little harder than it may seem with the L Shape. I also wanted to make sure I added a little surface area to spread the weight on my apartment floor. I will add more detailed pics in time.... Basically It is two frames made of 2x4s, plywood on the top and bottom, then they were fastened together by 8 supports made of 2 2x4's fastened together of staggered lengths to offer vertical and horizontal support...


This is the first photo I have, I did add a support in the middle when I was attaching the cabinets.


With the cabinets installed.


With some trim done.

Key Features-

* All Plumbing will be integrated.
* Wiring will be kept on the right side of the L shape, kept far away from the water in the sump which will be on the far left.
* I hope to integrate a Neptune Apex, but need to get some cash together... It's hard to do that in college.
* Quick Fill hole on the left, shown below.



Quick Fill Valve, it will be covered by a cabinet.
Made from an offset shower drain which tilts downward to keep the water flowing the right way. (Just a little touch to make my life easier....)