Cade's 90 Reef Build.
 

Hello, My name is Cade. This is my first journal and my second reef tank. My previous set up was a 55g with a tiny 10g sump that was not even big enough for my heaters, oh and lets not forget should the power go out would flood all over my oak hardwood floors. (which happened 4 times!!)

Anyways Im sure you can understand why I didn't start a journal for that one lol.

As for my new tank, last year I bought a used 90 gallon from a local reefer "Rice Reef" some on you may know him. ;) Then I went ahead and built myself a nice stand using all corrosion resistant fasteners along with some pricey marine paints and varnish.

finally having enough time to complete the stand and tackle the "BIG" move this january I jumped in head first like I do for most things. Got my plumbing together, bought a used 40 gallon acrylic tank to use a my new sump and ordered a new Vertex IN-180 Skimmer. :lol: I suppose my HOB 7+ year old coralife skimmer (up to 60 gallons) was not going to do the trick.

I also replaced my DIY 4x48" T5HO hood with a coralife 2x250w Fixture that Rice Reef also sold me about 6 months after the tank lol.

I have also built a algae scrubber for this tank I will post pics of this as well.

http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/t...9-47-44_42.jpg
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/t...-48-01_149.jpg

When it was First set up. (I was not happy with the aqua scape)

http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/t...-58-45_572.jpg


Some pics on my Algae Scrubber:
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/t...-23-05_913.jpg
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/t...-38-39_914.jpg

After building a huge one by accident..Guess bigger isn't always better especially when working with a small space ;) and 2 major mods here is the end result:
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/t...-04-41_407.jpg

Partial View of my sump:
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/t...-04-52_751.jpg

And How my Tank looks Now:
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/t...-56-34_673.jpg
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/t...-04-27_817.jpghttp://i626.photobucket.com/albums/t...-05-04_474.jpg


Thanks for looking, I will try to keep this journal updated.

take care.

Looks awesome! I am currently doing a 90G build and am very impressed with yours. Keep up the good work!

Quick question, how did you attach the rocks? Epoxy or rods?

Thank you very much. I used acrylic rods, it worked pretty well but I lost one of my favorite rocks it kept breaking when I was drilling. This happened to 2 of my big rocks luckily I had extra.

Cade, looking good! That tank looks mighty familiar... I really like the rock work... :biggrin:

Hi nice tank. How is the algae scrubber working for you? I'm thinking of doing this myself.

Its working great, I dont have any algae issues but the thing that helped me make the decisions to use one is that you wont have to clean the glass as often and I can feed the fishes more which will make my corals happier as a result. Fish poo = coral food. :lol::lol:

Picture Update!! :mrgreen::mrgreen:

2 months since the move from my 55 to my 90 gallon.

Perameters:

Nitrate - 0
Nitrite - 0
Ammonia - 0
PH - 8.2
Calcium - 430
Alkalinity - 6 <-- I know, currently raising.
Mag - (dont have the test kit... is this horrible?)


Full Tank Shot 3/9/2012
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/t...-32-32_791.jpg

Corals
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/t...-26-58_406.jpg
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/t...-27-18_416.jpg

Did you put that black background on yet?

No, thanks for asking tho. I will do an update after I barrow a decent camera.
Soon I promise. :mrgreen:

Tank looks great. Do you experience any tang aggression? I have always wanted those 3 tangs in my 90.