NTP66's 90g FOWLR Build

NTP66 · 12/27/2012, 11:22 AM

After months of asking questions (seriously - thanks, RC - the knowledge you guys have provided has been incredibly helpful), planning, and buying equipment, my tank is starting to progress well. I've had freshwater aquariums since I was a little kid, and finally decided to drop the hammer and delve into a saltwater tank. Before I get to the pictures, here's a list of what I'm working with at this point:

Equipment:

48x18x24 90g Aqueon pre-drilled tank w/ MegaFlow overflow kit
Aqueon Classic Pine 48x18 stand w/ DIY mesh top
AquaticLife 48" 1W LED lighting
Eshopps RS-100 [20g] sump
Eheim 1260 return pump
Reef Octopus NWB-150 protein skimmer
Hydor Koralia Evolution 1050 powerheads (x2)
Aqueon Pro 250 heater (in-sump)
Eheim Jager 250 heater (in the overflow area)
BRS 5-Stage Plus RO/DI system
Apex Jr. Controller (for the powerheads and heaters)
Netgear WNCE2001 wireless adapter
American DJ PC-100A power panel
Avast Marine ATO kit w/ backup float valve
Tom's Aqualifter for the ATO (approx. 7g Hefty container)

Rock and Substrate:

20 lbs. of BRS Pukani as the base rock, seeded from LFS live rock
~70 lbs. of BRS Reef Saver dry rock
~7 lbs. of LFS painted/aquacultured live rock used to seed the Pukani (wife liked it, and we all know the saying about them being happy... )
25 lbs. of Tropic Eden Miniflake sand used around the rock to "hold" it together, due to the smaller size
55 lbs. of Tropic Eden Reeflake sand used to top everything off
- Quick note on the Tropic Eden sand - it's absolutely gorgeous

Future Livestock (in order of stocking):

Foxface Rabbitfish (2-3")
Christmas Wrasse (2-3")
Blue Spotted Puffer (2-3")
Flame Angelfish (3-4")
Rectangular Trigger (1.5-2.5")

Okay, so onto the pics!

Here's the left side of the stand, where my sump is. My sump is the one item that I wish I had gone a different route with, because it is extremely tight in there. It was a pain to get the skimmer in the compartment, and even the Eheim's base plate wouldn't fit in the return area. If I had to do it all again, I'd probably just make my own sump out of a glass tank and just add my own baffles.

[IMG]http://i47.*******.com/2v98xp4.jpg[/IMG]

On the right side, we have my ATO, DJ power panel, Apex Jr., power block for the LED lights, and WiFi adapter. I realize that keeping my electronics in the stand is not too desirable, but I really had no other good options. My wife nixed the idea of a cabinet housing everything, and the tank is nearly the exact width of that room-dividing wall, so we didn't want to block anything. I've done what I can in terms of protecting the equipment - GFCIs in a waterproof housing, drip loops on everything, and a piece of acrylic velcro'd to the sump to divide the two areas within the stand (to help prevent splashing water).

[IMG]http://i47.*******.com/2u73b09.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i46.*******.com/vfupf8.jpg[/IMG]

Using the clear 1/4" netting from BRS, I made my own screen tops for the tank from screen door frames at Home Depot. Cutting notched into the frames to allow for the heater and powerhead cables worked like a charm.

[IMG]http://i46.*******.com/6joyue.jpg[/IMG]

And finally, the tank itself with my aquascaping (LEDs on). I was a little worried about the AquaticLife 1W LEDs not being enough light for the tank, but it looks great (IMO) - perfect for a FOWLR tank.

[IMG]http://i48.*******.com/2qb7n03.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i47.*******.com/302b902.jpg[/IMG]

I expect this to be a very rewarding hobby - much more so than a freshwater aquarium could ever provide. Now I just have to play the waiting game for livestock!

Cymonous · 12/27/2012, 12:07 PM

Looking good! Keep at it! Good luck!

NTP66 · 03/05/2013, 08:53 AM

This is a bit overdue, but here are some shots of the current inmates. These are from my iPhone 5, so excuse the quality, or lack thereof. I'm still trying to find the third, and final, fish - a small Rectangular Trigger.

One Spot Foxface:
[IMG]http://i49.*******.com/2wgc51k.jpg[/IMG]

Hawaiian Blue Spotted Puffer (c. papua):
[IMG]http://i47.*******.com/2yyrqkl.jpg[/IMG]

As expected, the Foxface is pretty shy. The puffer, on the other hand, loves any attention he gets - even from my one cat, who attempts to paw the bottom of the glass every now and then.

NTP66 · 03/15/2013, 09:36 AM

This is a bit of a pointless update, but seeing as how I've been looking for one for what seems like forever, I was finally able to purchase a small Rectangle Trigger to complete this tank, thanks to LiveAquaria. QTs (10g and 29g) all go up tomorrow in preparation for the start of tank transfer.

And all on my birthday, too.

Cymonous · 03/15/2013, 09:45 AM

Awesome! And Happy Birthday!

Jerry W · 03/15/2013, 09:38 PM

Tank looks nice! Really like the rockwork.

12/27/2012, 11:22 AM	#1
NTP66 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: PA Posts: 975	NTP66's 90g FOWLR Build After months of asking questions (seriously - thanks, RC - the knowledge you guys have provided has been incredibly helpful), planning, and buying equipment, my tank is starting to progress well. I've had freshwater aquariums since I was a little kid, and finally decided to drop the hammer and delve into a saltwater tank. Before I get to the pictures, here's a list of what I'm working with at this point: Equipment: 48x18x24 90g Aqueon pre-drilled tank w/ MegaFlow overflow kit Aqueon Classic Pine 48x18 stand w/ DIY mesh top AquaticLife 48" 1W LED lighting Eshopps RS-100 [20g] sump Eheim 1260 return pump Reef Octopus NWB-150 protein skimmer Hydor Koralia Evolution 1050 powerheads (x2) Aqueon Pro 250 heater (in-sump) Eheim Jager 250 heater (in the overflow area) BRS 5-Stage Plus RO/DI system Apex Jr. Controller (for the powerheads and heaters) Netgear WNCE2001 wireless adapter American DJ PC-100A power panel Avast Marine ATO kit w/ backup float valve Tom's Aqualifter for the ATO (approx. 7g Hefty container) Rock and Substrate: 20 lbs. of BRS Pukani as the base rock, seeded from LFS live rock ~70 lbs. of BRS Reef Saver dry rock ~7 lbs. of LFS painted/aquacultured live rock used to seed the Pukani (wife liked it, and we all know the saying about them being happy... ) 25 lbs. of Tropic Eden Miniflake sand used around the rock to "hold" it together, due to the smaller size 55 lbs. of Tropic Eden Reeflake sand used to top everything off Quick note on the Tropic Eden sand - it's absolutely gorgeous Future Livestock (in order of stocking): Foxface Rabbitfish (2-3") Christmas Wrasse (2-3") Blue Spotted Puffer (2-3") Flame Angelfish (3-4") Rectangular Trigger (1.5-2.5") Okay, so onto the pics! Here's the left side of the stand, where my sump is. My sump is the one item that I wish I had gone a different route with, because it is extremely tight in there. It was a pain to get the skimmer in the compartment, and even the Eheim's base plate wouldn't fit in the return area. If I had to do it all again, I'd probably just make my own sump out of a glass tank and just add my own baffles. [IMG]http://i47.*****.com/2v98xp4.jpg[/IMG] On the right side, we have my ATO, DJ power panel, Apex Jr., power block for the LED lights, and WiFi adapter. I realize that keeping my electronics in the stand is not too desirable, but I really had no other good options. My wife nixed the idea of a cabinet housing everything, and the tank is nearly the exact width of that room-dividing wall, so we didn't want to block anything. I've done what I can in terms of protecting the equipment - GFCIs in a waterproof housing, drip loops on everything, and a piece of acrylic velcro'd to the sump to divide the two areas within the stand (to help prevent splashing water). [IMG]http://i47.***.com/2u73b09.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i46.***.com/vfupf8.jpg[/IMG] Using the clear 1/4" netting from BRS, I made my own screen tops for the tank from screen door frames at Home Depot. Cutting notched into the frames to allow for the heater and powerhead cables worked like a charm. [IMG]http://i46.***.com/6joyue.jpg[/IMG] And finally, the tank itself with my aquascaping (LEDs on). I was a little worried about the AquaticLife 1W LEDs not being enough light for the tank, but it looks great (IMO) - perfect for a FOWLR tank. [IMG]http://i48.***.com/2qb7n03.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i47.*****.com/302b902.jpg[/IMG] I expect this to be a very rewarding hobby - much more so than a freshwater aquarium could ever provide. Now I just have to play the waiting game for livestock!

12/27/2012, 12:07 PM	#2
Cymonous My Clown Attacks Me Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,105	Looking good! Keep at it! Good luck! __________________ 100 Gallon Long with 20L sump 10 Gallon Office Tank Current Tank Info: 2 False Percula Clowns, One Spot Foxface, Diamond Watchman Goby, Yellow Tail Damsel, Engineer Goby

03/05/2013, 08:53 AM	#3
NTP66 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: PA Posts: 975	This is a bit overdue, but here are some shots of the current inmates. These are from my iPhone 5, so excuse the quality, or lack thereof. I'm still trying to find the third, and final, fish - a small Rectangular Trigger. One Spot Foxface: [IMG]http://i49.*****.com/2wgc51k.jpg[/IMG] Hawaiian Blue Spotted Puffer (c. papua): [IMG]http://i47.*****.com/2yyrqkl.jpg[/IMG] As expected, the Foxface is pretty shy. The puffer, on the other hand, loves any attention he gets - even from my one cat, who attempts to paw the bottom of the glass every now and then. __________________ Nick Current Tank Info: 90g FOWLR, Reef Octopus NWB-150 skimmer, MP40wES x2, Eheim 1260 return, BuildMyLED 20,000k XB LEDs, Apex Jr.

03/15/2013, 09:36 AM	#4
NTP66 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: PA Posts: 975	This is a bit of a pointless update, but seeing as how I've been looking for one for what seems like forever, I was finally able to purchase a small Rectangle Trigger to complete this tank, thanks to LiveAquaria. QTs (10g and 29g) all go up tomorrow in preparation for the start of tank transfer. And all on my birthday, too. __________________ Nick Current Tank Info: 90g FOWLR, Reef Octopus NWB-150 skimmer, MP40wES x2, Eheim 1260 return, BuildMyLED 20,000k XB LEDs, Apex Jr.

03/15/2013, 09:45 AM	#5
Cymonous My Clown Attacks Me Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,105	Awesome! And Happy Birthday! __________________ 100 Gallon Long with 20L sump 10 Gallon Office Tank Current Tank Info: 2 False Percula Clowns, One Spot Foxface, Diamond Watchman Goby, Yellow Tail Damsel, Engineer Goby

03/15/2013, 09:38 PM	#6
Jerry W Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: PA. Posts: 2,873	Tank looks nice! Really like the rockwork. __________________ Americans sleep peacefully in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. Current Tank Info: 37 gal; pair of mocha clowns, ywg and tiger pistol shrimp