Padrino's 90 Gal Reef Build

[PaulieWalnuts]

great equipment list....always key to a good start imo!! following this
-matt

[Padrino]

Great to have you aboard Paulie.

I am trying to find a solution to raising this light fixture. i think the hardware that came fixture may not be able to handle the weight (suspending it from the ceiling... There isn't a beam anywhere close to where i want to hang it so it will have to go through the drywall. I will post some picture once i get something

[Jflip2002]

Looks like a real good start. The only thing I would recommend is a different MH bulb. I had a current 250w MH w/ 4x24 T5s, and it was a real nice fixture minus the bulb. The 10k was too yellow, and the 14k was WAY too blue. I also didnt get much growth from the bulb either. A Phoenix 14k is a good choice.... just my opinion though.

[macronut]

looking good. I noticed that in one of your pics the back of your stand hangs over the carpet. Before you fill the tank you might pull the stand out or move the carpet back. That way your tank will be completely level. Just a thought.

[capn_hylinur]

Originally posted by Padrino
Great to have you aboard Paulie.

I am trying to find a solution to raising this light fixture. i think the hardware that came fixture may not be able to handle the weight (suspending it from the ceiling... There isn't a beam anywhere close to where i want to hang it so it will have to go through the drywall. I will post some picture once i get something

from the pictures it looks like you can mount the feet of the light fixture on top of the wooden canopy/border of the tank--that would give you the height you want.
if by chance it is 1/2 too short then a strip of quarter round on the inside of the canopy would allow the feet of the fixture to be mounted there.

[Padrino]

Originally posted by macronut
looking good. I noticed that in one of your pics the back of your stand hangs over the carpet. Before you fill the tank you might pull the stand out or move the carpet back. That way your tank will be completely level. Just a thought.

Ahh good observation. Yes before i fill my tank i will have a new area rug that will not extend under the tank... Its awesome when your father is the operations manager at ELTE Carpets and home. It should be here mid next week

[Padrino]

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
from the pictures it looks like you can mount the feet of the light fixture on top of the wooden canopy/border of the tank--that would give you the height you want.
if by chance it is 1/2 too short then a strip of quarter round on the inside of the canopy would allow the feet of the fixture to be mounted there.

Capn,
Actually when i took a closer look, i was able to get one of two screws directly in a beam on both side. Once installed i literally hung from that wire.. its not going anywhere.. check out the pictures Right now the wooden trim that sits on the rim of the tank is 3"to the light and about4-4.5 from the water surface.

[capn_hylinur]

Originally posted by Padrino
Capn,
Actually when i took a closer look, i was able to get one of two screws directly in a beam on both side. Once installed i literally hung from that wire.. its not going anywhere.. check out the pictures Right now the wooden trim that sits on the rim of the tank is 3"to the light and about4-4.5 from the water surface.

very well none Padrino---this is exactly what I am going to do when I upgrade to a 220 gal.

and I can tell by the lighting that I have to change mine very soon

[Padrino]

well if you ever need a hand, i would love you see your operation and help you if you ever need it.

I think i want to get a quarantine tank set up downstairs within the next couple weeks while im waiting for all the rest of my compnents to arrive. I was thinking a 20-29 gal basic tank with a cheap heater and filter systemI figure i could find something like this around a 100dollars no?? i figure this size since most medical doses are for 10-20 gal right? Get that running so i can get a head start. What are your thoughts?

[capn_hylinur]

Originally posted by Padrino
well if you ever need a hand, i would love you see your operation and help you if you ever need it.

I think i want to get a quarantine tank set up downstairs within the next couple weeks while im waiting for all the rest of my compnents to arrive. I was thinking a 20-29 gal basic tank with a cheap heater and filter systemI figure i could find something like this around a 100dollars no?? i figure this size since most medical doses are for 10-20 gal right? Get that running so i can get a head start. What are your thoughts?

look on www.kijiji.ca for Barrie region--great complete deals on there for cheap
Alot are not reefers and trying to unload

[capn_hylinur]

Originally posted by Padrino
well if you ever need a hand, i would love you see your operation and help you if you ever need it.

I think i want to get a quarantine tank set up downstairs within the next couple weeks while im waiting for all the rest of my compnents to arrive. I was thinking a 20-29 gal basic tank with a cheap heater and filter systemI figure i could find something like this around a 100dollars no?? i figure this size since most medical doses are for 10-20 gal right? Get that running so i can get a head start. What are your thoughts?

when I change over the 220 I might take you up on that

Anytime you are in this area--you are always welcome to drop in.

[spleify]

Looks like it's going to be an awesome set up!!

[Padrino]

Originally posted by spleify
Looks like it's going to be an awesome set up!!

Thanks man i am hoping I can get it at least cycling before christmas. I just bought a Acura TSX and need some snow tires up here in barrie. Snow is brutal.

[capn_hylinur]

Originally posted by Padrino
Thanks man i am hoping I can get it at least cycling before christmas. I just bought a Acura TSX and need some snow tires up here in barrie. Snow is brutal.

what's you thoughts on the snow tires----I am torn---the car I lease for business has 20000k on the tires only
Some say don't bother--others say I should since I am 1 hr on the QEW back and forth daily??

[Padrino]

um well if your going to do it do all four. I like pretty much need them since i drive from barrie to concord everyday (1hr) in sunny weather, and the snow in barrie is rediculous. I think it is a good investment for what you will spend, God forbid you ever get into an accident you will pay 4 x what you did for those tires. Sometimes we have to bite the bullet for teh sake of safety. Last year some clown cut in front of me and didn't see teh car in front of me well he braked and then i had no choice and long story short.. the 92 sentra lost control and i spun across the QEW at appleby line. i have only 2 snows on,, trust more dangerous than none at all, Luckily i was not hit as i spun from the express across all lanes in a ditch of fresh powder.. on valantines day going to see my fiancee in st. kitts.

[Padrino]

Btw, I am looking online for a used 20-30 gal tank to use for a Quarantine tank. What exactly do i need for this? I mean Obviously a tank, stand, heater, hood, flourecent light? What type of filter? Can you use a canister filter. i have never dealt with them? garbage?? would i need a cheap small skimmer for this tank?? What have you done?

[capn_hylinur]

Originally posted by Padrino
Btw, I am looking online for a used 20-30 gal tank to use for a Quarantine tank. What exactly do i need for this? I mean Obviously a tank, stand, heater, hood, flourecent light? What type of filter? Can you use a canister filter. i have never dealt with them? garbage?? would i need a cheap small skimmer for this tank?? What have you done?

20 gal tank--doesn't have to be glass--can be a plastic tote
hob filter that I run for 5 days on the display system somewhere(usually the sump)
heater
water from the display tank
piece of live rock from the display tank(should be removed if using copper based medication)

[capn_hylinur]

What I don't see mentioned or pictured is an ro/di filter.
IMO this is a must purchase before you set up your tank.

[Padrino]

Do you not have to keep this system running all the time?? i really don't want to be moving a HOB filter everytime i plan to buy some fish

[Padrino]

hahahahah one sec i will go take some pictures of my RO/DI install.

[capn_hylinur]

Originally posted by Padrino
Do you not have to keep this system running all the time?? i really don't want to be moving a HOB filter everytime i plan to buy some fish

its a hospital tank--you take it down after each use--scrub it out

[Padrino]

i just sent you a pm.. need you to look at something for me.

[Padrino]

I really do not have much of a basemnet since we have a tenant renting from us downstairs. So really i have a small area where an extra fridge, cantina (yes im Italian) water heater furnace and electrical panel is located. Not really any room down there but i was able to put 2 25 gallon brute garbage cans down there that will be used for the RO/DI system. One will be used as a collection from the unit itself, the other can be used to make salt water mixes. There was already a 1/4" line tapped off the cold water line going into the hot water heater. So i put a T there and ran a line up and across the roof. Its a mess down there but i made sure my install was immacuate, I still have not even put water through it. Its a brand new spectapure 90 gal per day system with DI. I installed an inline ball valve so that i can turn it off and on when needed. I ran the good water directly into the brute garbage can and the bad water back up and down the all infront of the fridge into the drain in tloor. Here are some pictures.

[capn_hylinur]

Originally posted by Padrino
I really do not have much of a basemnet since we have a tenant renting from us downstairs. So really i have a small area where an extra fridge, cantina (yes im Italian) water heater furnace and electrical panel is located. Not really any room down there but i was able to put 2 25 gallon brute garbage cans down there that will be used for the RO/DI system. One will be used as a collection from the unit itself, the other can be used to make salt water mixes. There was already a 1/4" line tapped off the cold water line going into the hot water heater. So i put a T there and ran a line up and across the roof. Its a mess down there but i made sure my install was immacuate, I still have not even put water through it. Its a brand new spectapure 90 gal per day system with DI. I installed an inline ball valve so that i can turn it off and on when needed. I ran the good water directly into the brute garbage can and the bad water back up and down the all infront of the fridge into the drain in tloor. Here are some pictures.

nice setup--before long we will have you move the whole sump and refugs to the basement



with the floor sump there already it is great for water changes

[buccard]

Looks like I have the same tank as you....I am definately interested to see your progress. I wish I would have started a build thread when I set up my tank. I think it can really be a great resource to avoid many pitfalls. I am having to resort to a progress thread that really should be named "damage control"

I really like your stand...and the light looks great.

What size bulkhead is your return and what kind of GPH are you going to try to push through it?

Great start, best of luck-love the pics!