Newbie Reefer (90 Gallon)

[blaze1013]

Hi everyone this is my first post on TRT but certainly not my first vist. I have consulted TRT and its members post for my FOWLER tank that I am now transforming into my first reef. My tank is a 90 gallon acrylic show tank 48" wide 24" high and 15" deep. Right now I have one overflow in the left corner but plan on putting another one in on the right side. At this point I'm in the process of removing some of the scratches that are on the inside as well as the outside. I also have a stand that I plan on modifing a little or I jus might make a new one, not sure yet. I hope to do as much as I can DIY as possibile mainly for lower cost but also for a greater sense of accomplishment. I have a sump I belive is 10 gal. but I will be getting something bigger at least a 20gal, right now I have pc lighting but would like to add some MH so to not be restricted from housing certian types of corals but not sure on what wattage would be sufficiant. I will post again later today with some pics and a list of what I have and want to get.

[cujion]

Welcome to TRT

[blaze1013]

Thanks for the welcome Anthony.
Well here is what I have so far

Bio Reef 90 gal. acrylic tank

Stand and open back hood

About 75 lbs. of live rock

2 dual 96w current compact flourescents

ballast for lights

10 gal. bio reef sump

vecton 25w uv sterilizer

300w heater (not sure what brand)

Mag 7 pump for return

coralife skimmer

2 other pumps that the guy I bought the skimmer from through in for free one is a rio + 1400 and the other runs the skimmer but not sure what brand it is didn't really care since I got it all for $50 and it's only a year old.


As for what I would like to have. Like I said I will be doing most of my stuff DIY starting with some live rock that I have already started to make out of oyster shell and cement. I wanted to start this first because I have to cure it for six weeks before it will be safe to put in the tank, will post pics. DIY moon lights not too sure how many I want or will need. Diy MH 2 250w lights. Eventually I will replace my skimmer with a Geof skimmer. DIY calcium reactor. 4in. DSB, fly guy rock lifts I have already built, spray bar for the back wall, cls, DIY stand (maybe), And DIY sump, I want a bigger one then the one I have 15 or 20 gal. I think that is it for equipment as for inhabitants not sure yet exactly but I know I want some zoos, shrooms and some sps. Now I going to read how to post pics.

[Jflip2002]

Where in CA are you? And welcome

[blaze1013]

Ramona it's in San Diego county

[blaze1013]

The tank

[Loverotties]

Welcome to TRT!

[mtfatwork]

As far as the moonlights go, I dont know if you have Home Depot type stores down there but you can get 3 or 6ft blue rope lights for about $4. That is what I am doing.

[YLChik]

nice looking lifts!!! Impressive and well done a getto version of that is this weekends project

[blaze1013]

Making DIY live rock

[tashier]

Those look suspiciously like Fly Guy rock lifts.

[blaze1013]

[blaze1013]

Originally Posted by mtfatwork

As far as the moonlights go, I dont know if you have Home Depot type stores down there but you can get 3 or 6ft blue rope lights for about $4. That is what I am doing.

Thanks for the tip there are a couple of home depot/lowes type stors near by. The only thing I would be concernd about is I have read that the LED's have to put out a certain spectrum of light, can't remember exactly what is is off hand do you?

[blaze1013]

Originally Posted by tashier

Those look suspiciously like Fly Guy rock lifts.

Thats because they are, I mention that they were fly guy lifts in my first or second post as I will always do if I use any thing from TRT as part of my build.

[blaze1013]

here are some pics of me and my brother making the first batch of live rock