90 gallon diy budget build.

KBlue · Apr 11, 2023

Well it’s been a productive past couple of weeks. Planning, prepping and completing all the plumbing. I started with adding a bean animal style overflow to the Modular Marine overflow. After trimming the bulkhead shorter everything fit very well. I followed that with adding the return lines and overflow lines. I used 3/4” pvc for both overflow and return. I wanted to use gate valves over the ball valves but couldn’t justify the extra cost. During the leak test I found it really wasn’t that hard to adjust the flow. I just had to make very controlled small adjustments. A little turn goes a long way. The pump is a Jebao DC-4000 and works great. I got it used for nearly free and it had little use.
After cutting, dry fitting, and marking the depths I took the system all apart so I could glue each piece starting from the top and worked my way down to the pump. I used Fusion One Step pvc glue and it was awesome. I’ve done a lot of plumbing and this stuff added an element of easy that I wasn’t expecting. It has a few more seconds of set time so you can make small adjustments. And with all the twists and limited space this really helped. After I glued everything I let it set over night to fully cure and the next day I filled it for the leak test. Fortunately there were no leaks!! A lot of people suggested using unions but I really didn’t want the extra cost and if I do end up with a leak I would still have to cut sections of pipe anyways. Also i didn’t want any added flow restrictions with the unions. I’ll just add in a coupler if needed.
This was a major milestone for the build and I’m glad to be done. I was dreading everything from drilling the tanks, to cracking the overflow, to cracking the bulkheads, to ending up with a leak and to my relief it was pretty smooth sailing.
On to the next project…

KBlue · Apr 23, 2023

I’ve been back at it for the past week. Finished up the aquascape. This was probably the most fun part of the build so far. I really got to embrace my creativity. It felt like sculpting.
I started with 110lbs of rock and ended up using about 80-90lbs. Most of the pieces were glued then mortared and ended up being very strong. I had to break up a few pieces but most of the pieces just worked great together. I was able to make several arched areas. Can’t wait to get this up and running… very soon. On to the next project!

KBlue · Apr 25, 2023

Let the cycle begin!! I’m using Brightwell MicroBactor Quick Start (ammonia) and MicroBactor Start XLM (nitrifying bacteria). We are getting so close!!

AIRDADDY · Apr 29, 2023

KBlue said:
Let the cycle begin!! I’m using Brightwell MicroBactor Quick Start (ammonia) and MicroBactor Start XLM (nitrifying bacteria). We are getting so close!!

Good start! It's a great idea to stay budget minded on any build because costs can quickly spiral out of control. With a little experience and lessons learned the hard way you'll start figuring out the items that you do and don't want to skimp on.

KBlue · May 5, 2023

The cycle continues! I’m on day 10 or the 7day quick cycle. But things are looking good. Ammonia is about at 0ppm and waiting on nitrites to drop. I’m thinking a few more days.
I think it’s taking so long because I used live sand and one bag had a small hole (thanks to the cat walking across it while it was stored in the garage) and I think there may have been some decaying of bio material. Anyways seems to be coming to and end and fish will go in soon’

KBlue · May 10, 2023

KBlue said:
The cycle continues! I’m on day 10 or the 7day quick cycle. But things are looking good. Ammonia is about at 0ppm and waiting on nitrites to drop. I’m thinking a few more days.
I think it’s taking so long because I used live sand and one bag had a small hole (thanks to the cat walking across it while it was stored in the garage) and I think there may have been some decaying of bio material. Anyways seems to be coming to and end and fish will go in soon’

Cycle finished on day 16.

KBlue · May 14, 2023

I’ve spent the week building the floating canopy and modifying the two Vipraspectra 165w lights to mount to the canopy.
At first I was going to use the canopy that came with the original setup, but after modifying it and setting it up it just wasn’t the look I was going after.
Building the canopy was pretty straightforward. I used 1x6 pine for the frame, aluminum flat bar and angle for the light support. Finished with staining, painting and sealing. Then hung with ceiling mounted cables. I think it turned out much better than the original.
This is pretty much the end of the build. Of course there will be tweaks and add ons, and upgrading equipment. But for now it’s good to go. In a couple of days I’ll add the first fish, two clowns.

KBlue · May 20, 2023

First fish and small cleaner crew! Picked up 2 Bali Percula Clownfish, three snails, and five small hermit crabs today. The clowns are quarantining and seem to enjoy their temp home. Can’t wait to add them to the display tank in a few weeks.