90G Tank Build

govolsguy31 · Nov 1, 2016

Squirrel_reefer said:
yea not a bad choice, keep in mind your return should rate should be 10-20 times your total volume so 90g tank + 20g sump =110g so 1100gph-2200gph return pump

I may do the bigger 6000 series then. For another $10 or so, it does 50% more basically. That overflow won't have any trouble keeping up with that much water, would it?

I also have two powerheads that do between 1,100 and 3,400 gph each.

govolsguy31 · Nov 1, 2016

Squirrel_reefer said:
yea not a bad choice, keep in mind your return should rate should be 10-20 times your total volume so 90g tank + 20g sump =110g so 1100gph-2200gph return pump

I may do the bigger 6000 series then. For another $10 or so, it does 50% more basically. That overflow won't have any trouble keeping up with that much water, would it?

I also have two powerheads that do between 1,100 and 3,400 gph each.

govolsguy31 · Nov 1, 2016

I have no idea why that posted twice. LOL.

Squirrel_reefer · Nov 1, 2016

If you start to overload the overflow just throttle back the pump. Without knowing the specs on the overflow I can't tell you, I can only assume that a 90g tank has the appropriate GPH rated overflow (there in lies the issue). Your power heads will be fine, that circulation should be great for SPS and softies too.

govolsguy31 · Nov 1, 2016

I was hard at this afternoon, building my water changing station. Problem... make sure you account for the width of the stand support. I mean really, who needs the door to shut??

My wife wasn't having it...

After an extra hour of tearing the stand apart and putting it back together, it turned out pretty good!

RODI water on top, mixing station on bottom, and a bypass for top-offs (until we get an auto unit) and our freshwater tank.

govolsguy31 · Nov 1, 2016

Credit again goes to @SandJ for this idea.

SandJ · Nov 1, 2016

Wow! You are moving right along with this build!
Jealous of the mixing station lol way better than my Brutes on rollers that I disguise as tables by putting a table cloth over them.

govolsguy31 · Nov 1, 2016

SandJ said:
Wow! You are moving right along with this build!
Jealous of the mixing station lol way better than my Brutes on rollers that I disguise as tables by putting a table cloth over them.

Hahahaha! Thanks! Like I said, I've got an addictive personality!

And by the way, just the pressure from the house registers 90-95 PSI on the RODI unit. It's making right at 5G an hour.

SandJ · Nov 1, 2016

govolsguy31 said:
Hahahaha! Thanks! Like I said, I've got an addictive personality!

And by the way, just the pressure from the house registers 90-95 PSI on the RODI unit. It's making right at 5G an hour.

Awesome! Right on track for 90gpd+.
If you make the water in a 5 gallon bucket to start with, then pour it into the trash can, you can mark the can in 5 gallon increments and always have a gauge for your water level. Just measure those marks and use that to mark the other can if it is the same size.

And just for reference 2 3/4" is equal to one gallon on a 5 gallon bucket.

Squirrel_reefer · Nov 2, 2016

Nice setup! don't worry about closing the door, DOORS ARE FOR THE WEAK

DaveRaz · Nov 2, 2016

Welcome from another Tennesseean. Here's my 90. I am yo and running two years this week but the first year I struggled badly until I finally found a forum.

govolsguy31 · Nov 2, 2016

Squirrel_reefer said:
Nice setup! don't worry about closing the door, DOORS ARE FOR THE WEAK

That's what I said. "Honey, we don't need this door to shut, right?" I didn't get the response I was looking for. LOL.

govolsguy31 · Nov 2, 2016

DaveRaz said:
Welcome from another Tennesseean. Here's my 90. I am yo and running two years this week but the first year I struggled badly until I finally found a forum.

Hey Dave, nice tank! This forum has been nothing but nice people and tons of helpful advice. I can't imagine trying to do this build without everyone's help on here.

govolsguy31 · Nov 3, 2016

Last night, before the World Series Game 7 started, got a few more things done. The tank is as clean as I can get it without spending a million hours on it. We got it moved into place after the last coat of paint dried on the base.

I also got the baffles up in the sump. I realize this sump is on the small side for a 90G, but its a start. The $45 I have in this beats $300-400 for the prefab ones.

Here's what I've got, far left side will be the drain in from the tank. This is also where my skimmer will sit (Reef Octopus Classic 150SSS). Water then goes thru a bubble trap and second small chamber (about 4" wide) will be filled with bio balls. Another "half" bubble trap into a small refugium. Its just over 7" wide. I'd like to have a Mandarin at some point, so I figure I better plan on some pods cultivating now. Final chamber for return pump. It's right at 7" wide as well. Heaters (2) will go in one of these chambers, probably the first one or maybe one in the first and one in the last. Thoughts?

I realized I'm really bad at using a caulk gun. Oh well. That's why the sump is in the cabinet, right?

govolsguy31 · Nov 5, 2016

Got water, 40lbs of dry rock and 30lbs of live rock, along with 4" or so sand, in the tank yesterday.

This was all the salt I had. Have a big delivery of Instant Ocean being delivered Wednesday. Until then, the powerheads are moving water. Can't wait to see this tank running full later this week! Overnight, the water cleared up a ton.

Ewilson · Nov 6, 2016

This is how my 90g is plumbed

Squirrel_reefer · Nov 7, 2016

Ewilson said:
This is how my 90g is plumbed

Dang! looking good

govolsguy31 · Nov 7, 2016

Got the tank filled and fulling running last night! Gotta hit the grocery store to start the ammonia cycle today with a cocktail shrimp. I'll post a couple pics this evening.