almost set up ...i think...any last notes?

jacobsdad09

jacobsdad09

Member
ok so i think i have almost everything i need for my 90 gallon build but i want to make sure i have got everything and i am covering all of the basics....so i have a 90 gallon (not drilled)
i have a 20 gallon oceanic 1 sump(media box off the inlet for bio balls)
mag 9.5 return
berlin red sea protien skimmer rated for 250 gallons
2 korlina 750s and 1 1050
wave strip powerstrip
48 inch power strip for the other plugs
48 inch single light(Fowlr setup so im not going HO yet)
canopy with tinted glass tops
glass tops to keep salt of the light
60ish lbs of live sand
ph amonina nitrate and nitrite test kits
inline water filter and a di system
sooooo what i know i need and what i might be missing are..
i know i need:
LR
planning on a eshopps pf800 overflow
pvc pipeing
light timer?
do i need an air pump for the simmer im sure right?
bio balls/ any suggestions for other options?
so what am i missing? i know that i have alot of work to do but im still not close to setting it up but i know that im going to need some insight to what im missing and what should plan for before i get set up and go S@#T i forgot this thing....
thanks for the input
 
slice

slice

Active Member
Fun isn't it? Don't forget to post pictures of your progress.
My thoughts:
-Start with installing GFCI outlet(s)
-You may want to rethink using a glass top; most recommend an open (or mesh) top for gas exchange
-Might want to read more reviews on the Red Sea skimmer before purchasing (will not need an air pump with a respectable skimmer)
-Yes on the light timer, a simple $9 one does just fine
-Raw table shrimp for starting the nitrogen cycle
-Patience
 
mr. limpid

mr. limpid

Active Member
Are you going with fish only or mixed reef, if mixed reef loose the bio balls they produce nitrates, ok for fish only if you rinse them once a year. I would also think of setting up a QT. Also if reef you'll need a skimmer, nice to have one for fish only but you can add that latter. You can add to your wish list a RO&DI system, refractor meter. There be others out there with more, never can have enough stuff.
 
slice

slice

Active Member
Forgot to add, you may want to consider getting 2 smaller heaters instead of one large one. If it were me, I'd get a titanium with external probe and controller instead of a simple glass one.
Folks recommend doing this so if one goes rampant, it is not large enough by itself to cook your tank.
Conversely, if one fails to heat, you aren't completely out in the cold.
Oh...salt isn't on your list...
 
jacobsdad09

jacobsdad09

Member
yea i realize i forgot salt on the list lol...kinda important lol....anyways the skimmer i already got and it was 30 bucks, the guy at the lfs says it does ok but its not worth the price of a new one but for 30 its worth having. also i was only planning on having the back halves of the glass canopys just to protect the light from salt build up so there will venting from the tank. my plan is for a FOWLR setup becuz my son loves the fish more then "pretty rock" aka coral lol....and as for the QT my LFS honestly looks like u should have to pay to see the fish becuz they are set up so well and everything there revoles around the marine tanks so i talk to the guy in charge and he said honestly he personally has never used one on the fish he gets from the store and has never had anyone have any issues...they are awesomely health fish....so i plan on only having a hosp tank if need be and i have left overs from my dt that i can set up a hosp tank no prob
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Salt
Titanium ground probe
GFCI unit installed
Coralife makes a great programmable light timer. $30 or so, day/night timers and four constant outlets. I use one for my nano.
Ditch the glass tops
Ditch the bioballs and add live rock rubble or even base rock rubble.
Buy one more small heater
Ball valve(s)
Union(s)
Refractometer (or a hydromter, but a refractometer is much better) You could get by with a hydrometer with a fish only tank.
Extra filtration media - blue and white bonded filter media (cut-able)
A better protein skimmer in the future - look into Euroreef, Octopus, SWC, Tunze or even Coralife skimmers for a better one.
Books:
The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Fenner
Guide to 500 marine fish
Guide to 500 Marine Invertebrates
Eventually you will want to get into something more challenging and you will want corals. lol. It's inevitable.
 
jacobsdad09

jacobsdad09

Member
ehh not really and w the pvc i had planed on valves and unions...i have two hydrometers and for the bang of just doing a fowlr everyone says bio balls better for the set up esp since i have no plans for corals(LR at the lfs is $8 a Lb)....after talking to the lfs i am goin to add the media on top of the drip tray of my wet dry to catch larger pieces and hopefully cut down on the noise from the overflow
 
1guydude

1guydude

Well-Known Member
so a FOWLR tank is a Fish Only With Live Rock! You will need at least 20-30pds of the $8.99/lb stuff lol...
sounds to me like ur doing a fish only tank!
Ull need...
turkey baster
net
magfloat
kinda the essentials imo
 
mr. limpid

mr. limpid

Active Member
In my over flow I added a sponge with floss on top of that, as a prefilter for the large stuff also helps keeps bio balls cleaner. I change out the floss at every water change and rinse out the sponge in the discarded water when I think of it. And last take your time go slow, don't buy fish without researching them first, make sure they eat at LFS. They maybe great guys at the store but remember they want to sell fish, ask question here or other forums because everyone here wants to help. Good luck
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
A mag float is a glass cleaner that if it looses its magnetic pull, it floats to the top instead of sinks to the bottom. It's one of those little things that everyone wants to play with when they come over to your house. lol!
 
travelerjp98

travelerjp98

Active Member
I love my mag float! I always couldn't stand how my old one sank to the bottom. And I agree highly with snakeblitz, it's always something people love to play with when they come over your house.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by travelerjp98 http:///t/388009/almost-set-up-i-think-any-last-notes#post_3419248
I love my mag float! I always couldn't stand how my old one sank to the bottom. And I agree highly with snakeblitz, it's always something people love to play with when they come over your house.
LOL....My grand kids touched it ONCE......and I can tell you they never did again....

I will say it is a question piece.....everyone always asks what it is and what it is for
would not go w/o one or 8
 
travelerjp98

travelerjp98

Active Member
I agree with you mewozer, everyone is always like "What is it?" and I explain that it's just to scrub algae off the glass... and then they ALWAYS want to try it. Now why did your grandkids not touch it again?
 
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