My 90 gallon reef tank build

[sergeantnic]

Starting this thread to track the build status of my first reef tank. I'm in Apollo Beach, FL and have wanted a saltwater reef tank for 20 years so I'm really excited to get started.

Here's the list of goodies that the UPS man should be dropping off this week.

-92 Gallon Bow front glass corner tank (purchased Saturday from CL)
-Corner stand
-Apex Classic Controller with Lab-Grade pH probe
-BRS 4 stage value water saver plus RO/DI System
-50 pounds dry live rock
-Dry rock rubble
-60 pounds Oolite Ocean Direct Live Reef sand
-Instant Ocean Sea Salt
-2 power heads (can't remember brand but came with tank)
-JBJ ATO controller
-AI Prime LED Lights (2) with flexible mounting arms
-Mingdak LED Clip Aquarium Light Kit (for sump)
-Micron bag holder
-TOM Aquarium Aqua Lifter Pump for ATO
-JBJ Tru Temp heating system
-Eshopps AEO Cone Skimmer

-Quarintine Tank (old 10 gallon tank we had in the garage)
-Zacro submersible aquarium heater
-Seachem Ammonia Alert
-SunSun JVP-120 powerhead
-Old aqua tech hang on filter we had laying around

1. I've painted the stand brown to match our furniture
2. Water tested the tank and all the existing plumbing and bulk head fittings
3. Added some additional bracing to the stand
4. Set the sump into the stand and started dry fitting plumbing

Next steps are to finish the sump setup with skimmer and then I'll place the tank and finish the plumbing before putting the rock and sand in in prep for curing and cycling.

Once I figure out how to post some pictures, I'll add them to the thread.

 

[jsker]

Welcome to the saltwater reefing side, this going to be a great build. Following along

 

[sergeantnic]

Tank's spot in the living room sorted.

The sump tank set inside the stand. Just waiting for parts.

Outlet converted to GFCI with a splash cover.

 

[sergeantnic]

So, it looks like my single outlet isn't going to cut it as all of my A/V equipment in the living room is also sharing the circuit with the patio. Got an electrician buddy coming tomorrow to run me another outlet off a different 15a circuit. Should be good to go.

 

[dbl]

Welcome fellow Floridian to R2R. Signing up to follow this one come together.

 

[FishGuyBri]

Recently started my build as well on a 90. It's been a huge learning/screwing up experience! Haha

 

[sergeantnic]

Recently started my build as well on a 90. It's been a huge learning/screwing up experience! Haha

Any hard lessons learned you want to share? I've been reading as much as I can but to be honest, it seems like there are so many opinions and every thread I open seems to point me in a new direction.

-To cure first or as part of the tank cycle
-Cycle times and when to add fish
-Quarantine procedures

It is definitely overwhelming.

 

[Chrisfish]

Welcome to R2R, looking forward to seeing more

 

[FishGuyBri]

Any hard lessons learned you want to share? I've been reading as much as I can but to be honest, it seems like there are so many opinions and every thread I open seems to point me in a new direction.

-To cure first or as part of the tank cycle
-Cycle times and when to add fish
-Quarantine procedures

It is definitely overwhelming.

Just the normal stuff as with any project. If it doesn't look right, ask. Don't take any shortcuts. Lots of trial and error.

I didn't cure, used reef rock 2.1 so I'm cycling all at once. Fallow at the moment, but I do have some fish in QT so that they will be ready when cycle is done. I'm learning that water changes are critical in the beginning, even for QT. Taking time really does work with the exception of ammonia or disease. Those two things require immediate action.

I also learned that I hate PVC. I am also a weird one that loves the loud sounds of the drain pipe haha. I am constantly worried about my tank because I travel weekly for work so having a controller was critical but also having someone hat can make minor changes is very helpful.

My next addition is two ip wifi cameras so I can watch from afar.

Good luck. This forum had been CRITICAL to my early success in setting things up.

 

[FishGuyBri]

Oh and as for QT, absolutely required... you'll find lots of differing opinions, but I chose the original 76 day method where I will observe, monitor behavior, and treat if necessary: I'm using a 10 gallon (should have gotten a little larger) but it is ok for now.

 

[sergeantnic]

Day 2

Hit Lowes this morning for the stuff needed to install my 2nd GFCI outlet which my buddy will be doing for me tomorrow.

Also got some goodies from FedEx and the post woman. I still can't do much until the outlet is installed and my sump is together so the tank is sitting in the garage at this point.

Here is what I got in the mail today.
-AI Prime LED Lights (2) with flexible mounting arms
-Mingdak LED Clip Aquarium Light Kit (for sump)
-Micron bag holder
-TOM Aquarium Aqua Lifter Pump for ATO

I plugged the lights in and go them programmed to the phone app. Seems to be a bit of a learning curve on colors and what not so guess it's time for some more reading.

 

[revsgirl]

Nice!

 

[Denisk]

Awesome build

 

[sergeantnic]

Day 3, Part 1.

-The Postal woman, Fedex, AND UPS trucks all showed up for delivery today. Got to love Amazon prime!!

Here is what I got today.
-JBJ ATO controller
-JBJ Tru Temp heating system
-Eshopps AEO Cone Skimmer
-Zacro submersible aquarium heater
-Seachem Ammonia Alert
-SunSun JVP-120 powerhead
-Filter floss
-Chemicals for quarantine tank
-Fish net

I'll be setting up the sump tonight with the help of the neighbor and that should allow me to put the tank on the stand after my buddy gets done installing the new outlet this afternoon. Getting excited!!

I've also got everything I think I need for my quarantine tank.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Good move on getting the QT setup from the beginning! Following along on the build.

 

[sergeantnic]

Day 3, Part 2.

Made some great progress today. Buddy installed a 2nd outlet on a separate circuit.

1. Assembled protein skimmer and placed in sump.
2. Mounted ATO controller and set pump in place
3. Mounted heater and controller
4. Set tank in place and connected plumbing
5. Mounted lights and tested

Got some peeling paint on the back of the tank I need to fix and waiting for my Apex controller to come in before I can finish up the wiring and get everything looking nice.

 

[sergeantnic]

Day 4 has been a busy day.

Installed my dry rock and live sand. Also started filling with water. Super excited with how my rocks turned out. Took a few tries to get it stable and the way I wanted it to look.

Dry fitting my dry rock on the table to get a general idea of what I want to do.

Final look. Pretty happy with it. Sand in and water starting to fill.

 

[leahfiish]

Looks great, I like the aquascape a lot. I have a 90 too (4ft though)

 

[sergeantnic]

Day 4, we are up and running. All systems are go, I repeat, all systems are go.

1. Finished filling the tank and sump with my RO/DI water.
2. Finished connecting and configuring my Apex classic. Not sure why I see so many people throwing shade at the system, but I like it
3. Powerheads installed. Still need a couple more
4. Heater, skimmer, return pump, and ATO all setup and tested.
5. RO/DI system moved to the laundry room and first batch of top off water made
6. Started adding salt to the water

Couple of questions for anybody willing to answer

1. Instant ocean says I need 45 cups of salt. Does that sound right?
2. As I mix in the salt, I'm obviously displacing water so should I just scoop some out of the tank?
3. What's next? Start testing and waiting for things to cycle?

 

[leahfiish]

Couple of questions for anybody willing to answer

1. Instant ocean says I need 45 cups of salt. Does that sound right?
2. As I mix in the salt, I'm obviously displacing water so should I just scoop some out of the tank?
3. What's next? Start testing and waiting for things to cycle?

Yup, more or less.

Yeah, take out a few gallons first.

Yeah, you might have to add an ammonia source if you used all dry rock.