Newbie 90 gallon build

[Brianh]

Hi everyone, I'm new. I'm starting a 90g reeftank I bought used. Good deal, it has (2)250 MH, 4 actinic, an iffy skimmer (I'll get a better one), a nice 1/4 hp oceanic chiller, a lot of live rock (I added about 30# of Fiji to enhance it). I have a couple of inexpensive CA1800 power heads in the tank that I want to get rid of since they are a little ugly, and create a lot of heat. I'm going with a minimum sand bed.

Forgive me for being exited about a tube worm, but I am! (see pics) I also started my CUC today. Cool to see the snails munch on my algae.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Looks like a good start! Looking forward to watching your progress. Have you decided what you're going to stock it with? I'm Trying to hunt down a RR 90 gal for an upgrade myself. No luck so far.
I found a tiny feather duster on my rock after about 5 months. I was ecstatic! My wife thinks I'm a dork but she's the one who married me. Well, I'm glad you started a thread and welcome to reefland!

[Brianh]

About a month into my new tank. I have snails, blue legs, and now a couple of clowns. I'm going to build my new sump as soon as I get my upgraded protien skimmer. I'll let it settle in for a while before adding anything else. This is very addicting!

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Looks great so far Brian! Watch out though. Addicting is an understatement for this hobby. I fell like I'm graduating toward obsession.

[gregony]

I'd be leery of adding more fish for the time being. You're probably going to get hit with a filamentous algae outbreak soon (6 to 8 wks in), it will be more complicated to get through it if you have too many fish in the tank. That usually takes some of the addiction out of the hobby. A lot of people quit over it.
That said, that's a great looking tank, I've had my old 90g running for a month now. No fish in it, I'd like to wait a few months before I put any fish in it. I'm just starting to get derbesia algae on the glass and powerheads (I'm using two Koralia Evo1050's). I ebay'd a Lifereef protein skimmer and just set it up today. I've seen them in action and I like them, but, and here's a big but, the outflow is too low on the body, and while I built my stand to clear 28" inside, I still don't have enough room to get the outflow over the edge of the sump (a homemade 20g). So I have to put the skimmer outside of the stand. It'll work for now, but I should have been more diligent (spellcheck?). Still, a Lifereef for 75 bucks is a Lifereef for 75 bucks.
I tell you this because you have a sweet stand and canopy and you'll want to avoid doing what I just did on my homemade 2x4 stand. Also, I wanted to warn against adding too much livestock too soon. Good luck!

[twisted]

Welcome to Reefland, Brian. your tanks looks great! there is some good advice for you from these guys. its so easy to start adding fish and keep adding and adding. your tank is going to go through changes over the next few months that work out best with little to no livestock. you've got your clean up crew and a few fish....now its time to sit back and slow down for a bit. let your tank finish its cycle and you will be much happier and get less frustrated in the long run....good luck!

[Brianh]

Thanks for the encouragement. I wasn't going to add any fish for a while. I'm going to get my equipment in order also. From what I have read, skimping on equipment is not the best option. I'm designing my new sump setup at the moment. I own a machine shop/ acrylic fab shop, so of course I want some DIY projects.

Any suggestions for must have items would be appreciated. I have a good skimmer coming. I have a phosban reactor. I'm thinking about calcium for my future reef (reactors etc.). I also design automated control systems for machinery, so I want to have some cool electronics.

Think about what you would have, and or have seen, that you would put in your setup if you had an unlimited budget. I want to hear about the possibilities! I also want to know what items are a complete waste of money. Thanks,

Brian

[Brianh]

my pump tube came loose when I was adding new water, I took a salt water bath. I'm sure it won't be the last.
My son spotted copepods! how exciting. I probably would have never seen them, my wife may be right, I need glasses.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Nothing like a saltwater shower to make you feel refreshed!
I gotta make some time to swing by your shop. Maybe next week. Have you checked out any of those stores?

[Brianh]

Here are pics of my new additions. The tank seems to be doing great. I have one unwanted gorilla crab, but other than that I think i'm fine.
I bought my xenia glued into a shell, but by the next day the foot was missing the head! I thought for sure it was dead and eaten by somebody. I happened to be looking behind the rock one day, and there it was! I put it in a plastic tub with vents, and a small piece of rubble. It attached itself to the rubble, and now seems very happy. I had no idea. I thought it was dead.

Sorry if my pics are attachments. Please explain briefly how to make them show in the thread. Thanks.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Some people have trouble keeping Xenia in their systems. The rest have to beat it with a stick to prevent it from taking over. Mine went from 1 insignificant stalk to 15 big ones in just a few months. Glue usually doesn't hold well to those slimy suckers but once they take hold, look out! Glad things are going well for you Brian.
I'm going to see about stopping by tomorrow during my lunch. Around noon. Let me know if you're gonna be around.

[twisted]

lol...xenia....its so pretty in the tank as is flows with the current...i had a huge outbreak of it last year. it grows really fast but sometimes too fast. just try to keep it away from other rocks and it wont spread too fast. it is a good way to monitor your water quality though. if its out and pulsating, your tank water is pretty good. it doesnt tolorate poor water. tank is looking good!

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Sorry if my pics are attachments. Please explain briefly how to make them show in the thread. Thanks.

I upload my pictures to photobucket and copy the BB image code. Then paste it in your thread reply box. It will look something like this.

[IMG]http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z356/jamesh831/LEDzoas.jpg[/IMG

It will show up like a text but when You preview or submit the post, the picture will be displayed.
like this.

[twisted]

+1 on photobucket. thats the way to go.

[Brianh]

Some people have trouble keeping Xenia in their systems. The rest have to beat it with a stick to prevent it from taking over. Mine went from 1 insignificant stalk to 15 big ones in just a few months. Glue usually doesn't hold well to those slimy suckers but once they take hold, look out! Glad things are going well for you Brian.
I'm going to see about stopping by tomorrow during my lunch. Around noon. Let me know if you're gonna be around.

I won't be at my shop tomorrow, let's try next week. Thanks.

[Brianh]

Made with 1/8" acrylic cut on my laser.

[Original Fin]

Brian,

Can I commision you to do one for me? That's awesome.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

+1 that is too cool!

[twisted]

yeah, thats cool, but can you shoot lasers from your eyes?......

[Brianh]

That's how I do it