New 90 RR up and running/Lots of DIY [Archive] - Reef Central Online Community

agfahy

03/27/2006, 06:46 PM

Here is my thread dedicated to my wife's 90 gallon RR aquarium w/ custom stand and sump system.
Cap, lighting and closed loop to come later.

The tank is an All-Glass 90 RR. The stand is custom made at 36" tall. The sump is custom made from .25 acrylic. 42Lx18Hx15W
The returm pump is a Rio 2500 for now (gonna upgrade to a QuietOne 3000). The closed loop is gonna be fed by a Gen-X PC-30 External pump w/manifold.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/agfahy/IMG_0698.jpg
Intake chamber works great. Lots of bubbles in the chamber, non in the second chamber.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/agfahy/IMG_0699.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/agfahy/IMG_0700.jpg

agfahy

03/27/2006, 06:47 PM

The fill stage was tense. Everything is made DIY except for the tank.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/agfahy/IMG_0697.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/agfahy/IMG_0696.jpg

agfahy

03/27/2006, 06:52 PM

Sump before installation
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/agfahy/IMG_0668.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/agfahy/IMG_0667.jpg
First water test.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/agfahy/IMG_0666.jpg

zenzence

03/27/2006, 07:01 PM

Very nice hope everything went well! Did you paint the back black if so how do you like it. I am getting ready to move my 90 I was thinking of a deep blue background. What ya drinking? Did you use your garden hose to fill your tank?

agfahy

03/27/2006, 07:05 PM

This is the second tank I've painted with spray paint. I tihnk it works great. No flaking. Nice even finish.
Yes, that is a garden hose. We are water changing with 40 gallons of RO water every weekend. We'll add sand in a week or 2. No hurry.

zenzence

03/27/2006, 07:17 PM

Ahh just checking and yes you are absolutely right no hurry? What type of spray paint. I was going to use dark blue acrylic paint with a clear sealant.

agfahy

03/27/2006, 07:20 PM

I personally would recommend an oil based paint.
Here is what I used.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/agfahy/IMG_0670.jpg

zenzence

03/27/2006, 07:24 PM

Ok yes I have heard of people using rust oleum what about a clear coat. Do you find that this paint stands up to the abuse without a clear coat? Oh and what about the black do you like it? I have always painted my tanks blue?

UnderwaterExotic

03/27/2006, 07:25 PM

Where did you get that sump? I might of missed it!

marinelife

03/27/2006, 07:26 PM

Looks good

agfahy

03/27/2006, 07:28 PM

I personally like blue also, but my wife favors the black. And this is her tank. All I can say about the paint is that I used it on my 58 gallon that has been up since 04 and haven't ran acrossed any problems.
I borrowed the sump design from a guy on RC. I consulted him and built it based on the feedback he gave me. Very professional looking.
Do you have this design as well?

agfahy

03/27/2006, 07:29 PM

Original concept
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/agfahy/modelc.jpg

zenzence

03/27/2006, 07:31 PM

Thanks I will stick to blue myself thanks for the info

agfahy

03/27/2006, 07:31 PM

I wanted a sump that would allow me to use mud on one side w/ several species of macro and live sand w/rock on the other.
Plus I wanted to be able to light each side independently so I could leave the light on the macro 24/7 and grow frags on the other for 8-10 hours a day.
This design allows for everything I want.

agfahy

03/27/2006, 07:32 PM

Anytime.

UnderwaterExotic

03/27/2006, 07:33 PM

So you built the sump?

agfahy

03/27/2006, 07:38 PM

Yeah, I built it. And all the jigs to route the acrylic.
Out of .25 acrylic.

UnderwaterExotic

03/27/2006, 07:40 PM

How much do you charge? LOL

agfahy

03/27/2006, 07:46 PM

The acrylic cost me $145 plus tax. Weldon#4 $8 plus tax
1 weekend to assemble and test. Around $300

kybreos

03/27/2006, 07:53 PM

looking good so far, just make sure you do a power failure test to see if your sump will overflow,because your water level looks a little high in the sump.

MyMonkey

03/27/2006, 08:24 PM

Very nice start. In fact, I am in the early planning stages of a 90 gallon myself. Any cahnce we can see some pics of the stand design or pics of it being built? :)

agfahy

03/28/2006, 04:57 AM

The sump was designed to run a very high water line. This allows me to use almost all of the 50 gallon capacity.
Plus, since I don't have an auto top off, I don't have to add water everyday.

agfahy

03/28/2006, 04:59 AM

Monkey, I will post some pics this weekend of the stand build up.
Do you have a pocket hole jig?

rgasco1

03/28/2006, 10:19 AM

I just finished setting up a 90. I also did everything custom except for the display. I really like your set up. I think i am going to be following along... maybe steal a few ideas :):D

MyMonkey

03/28/2006, 11:14 AM

Pics would be great. Unfortunately I don't have a Pocket hole jig. I may have to order one though. I hear about them all the time. My wife has seen your stand and now wants one like it. Dang... :)

agfahy

03/28/2006, 01:17 PM

rgasco1, steal away. Everyone does it a one point or another.
I borrowed alot from people on my sump design.

rgasco1

03/28/2006, 02:35 PM

my tank is already set up but I have a problem with messing with a good thing. So everythime i see a good idea i always redo things on my tank. Yours is looking good so far...keep us posted

agfahy

03/28/2006, 03:19 PM

I did that with my wall tank.
My problem is that I rush into everything fish related because I don't wanna wait.
We waited on this tank till we had all the equipment. Talk about a smooth set up. Almost everything went to plan. That never happens!

rgasco1

03/28/2006, 04:20 PM

I learned alot when I set up this tank as well. I plan on doing an inwall in the future and I am going to try and wait for all equipment so things will go together smooth as you say.

How about lights... what do you plan on running on this tank?

agfahy

03/28/2006, 04:41 PM

The lights are 2 CoralVue 250 watt HQI electronic ballests with 12K CoralVue bulbs.
2-54 watt actinic T-5s

agfahy

03/28/2006, 04:45 PM

I'm starting on my closed loop this weekend. I've got a ton of Loce-Line fittings arriving in the mail Friday from Custom Aquatic. (Great company by the way) I wanna do a manifold into a set of Loc-Lines below the sand bed, and another line on top of the aquarium.
This way I don't need powerheads.

Any ideas?

TWallace

03/28/2006, 07:00 PM

Very nice work! I'm curious though, what is the purpose of the eggcrate in the sump?

agfahy

03/28/2006, 08:18 PM

Hold all my frags!

agfahy

03/31/2006, 05:34 AM

I searched RC up and down for a good example of a manifold. I found a couple that were good but not alot pics. So stole a bunch of ideas and created this
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/agfahy/IMG_0702.jpg
I used 2" pipe from Lowes. Can't remember the names but you can clearly see from the photo.
The left sife uses a screw in plug that can be removed for carbon filtration. Water has to be forced through carbon to really clean it properly.
The 3 outlets at the top will have ball valves and 1" barbs attached to them to control flow to my 3 different outlets.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/agfahy/IMG_0704.jpg
Each outlet will have 3/4" Loc-Line fittings attached to direct flow accordingly.
The closed loop will be powered by my GEN-X PC-30 that was initially going to be used for my return pump.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/agfahy/IMG_0703.jpg
More updates and pics to come this weekend.
I'm starting the stand and cap DIY this weekend also.

rgasco1

03/31/2006, 02:01 PM

Where is your intake for the closed loop? Is your tank drilled for one or does it go over the back like <http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html>. I want to set up a closed loop but my tank is not drilled for one so I am looking for ideas.

agfahy

03/31/2006, 02:06 PM

I'll post more tonight as I get it done.
But heres the short version-
The intake is gonna be a blackish piece of PVC, like the one above, with a series of 1/4 holes. Capped of course to prevent sucking up fishes.

rgasco1

03/31/2006, 02:36 PM

Just an idea i was planning to do... I think i remember your tank has a megaflow overflow. Why not drop the intake in the overflow w/ the return and overflow pipes? I am pretty sure it will fit and you wont have to see it in the tank or worry about your fish or other inhabitants

agfahy

03/31/2006, 03:05 PM

Thats a good idea, but it doesn't allow me to keep my tank cycling 5-8 times an hour (450-720 GPH).
For my closed loop to be affective I need to have some serious head pressure working. Somewhere around 1100 GPH, I think.

I like your idea though.

rgasco1

03/31/2006, 03:40 PM

Yea I think I see your problem (gonna be my problem also). You dont think the megaflow box can handle the flow from your closed loop. Not sure what you mean by head pressure though. No matter where you put the pipe head pressure will be the same but I think I get what you are trying to say though. The maga flow just wont be able to handle that flow. I think this is what you mean

agfahy

04/03/2006, 04:37 AM

Here is the manifold that controls the flow to all my outlets.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/agfahy/IMG_0706.jpg
Here is the intake. The ball valve ontop allows me to prime the system whenever I have to do maintenence.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/agfahy/IMG_0709.jpg
Here you can see the side outlets w/ their loc-lines attached. One in each corner.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/agfahy/IMG_0710.jpg
I wanted to mount the pump in that stand but there just wasn't enough room. I ended up mounting it on the outside. I would recommend something with about 1500 GPH. I used an under powered pump. It will have to do for a while.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/agfahy/IMG_0711.jpg
The system works great, so long, as I keep only the 2 outside outlets moving water. Again, I recommend a larger pump.

Gooli

04/10/2006, 03:37 PM

A blast from the past...how are you Eric? We used to chat on RAG about a year ago.

Funny, we both went from 46g bow to 90g megaflow :)
It's looking good..keep up the good work.

agfahy

04/11/2006, 04:06 AM

Great to see you Gooliver.
I remember chatting with you on more then 1 occasion.
Hows the 90 gallon coming?
Mine has sand and water. I just need to get some light on it and then its ready to go.
Talk to you later.