Diggler's Weird 90 Gallon Reef Tank

[DirtDiggler2823]

I'm building my first reef tank after spending years on the freshwater side. I was able to score a 90 gallon tank and stand, but the tank looks like it was an AIO so I'm working around what is already in the tank, and trying to use it for its new purpose. I'll post the pics that detail where I am so far, and the major steps taken to get there.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Looks like a challenge. Keep us updated.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Looks like a challenge. Keep us updated.

The most difficult part is done. The tank is drilled as of tonight. I've already built the sump as well. I still need more rock, a RODI system, test sets, salt, sand, and a few other things. I also have to drill the return plumbing, but I'm much more confident in my ability to do it now. I'm also building a reef-pi to function as the controller. Should be fun. I will be sure to post everything here.

 

[Rakie]

Ah, the Un-Uniquarium. I dig it.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Ah, the Un-Uniquarium. I dig it.

It's been a fun process thus far.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Adding the return bulkheads, and the plumbing for the UV sterilizer i already had.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Done drilling the tank. Now i have to wash all of the plastic shavings and glass dust out of it, then get the return nozzles. I was planning on going with RFG nozzles across the board. Thoughts? @reefjunkie

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Got the interior drainage plumbing done. I was able to fashion an adjustable stockman standpipe variant that i found a video on. So we have 2 1.5 inch herbie standpipes, the one stockman standpipe, and on the far left, there is the emergency drainage pipe. Let me know if anyone is interested in how i made the adjustable stockman.

 

[ArowanaLover1902]

This is looking like it’s going to be an awesome tank, I’m following. Shame we aren’t closer, I’d certainly throw some corals your way when the tank was ready.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

This is looking like it’s going to be an awesome tank, I’m following. Shame we aren’t closer, I’d certainly throw some corals your way when the tank was ready.

My next big purchase is my RODI system. I'm already building my controller from a raspberry pi 3. I have lights, rock, a sump, skimmer, return pump, and stand. I need salt, sand, bio-media, and the return nozzles and the such.

 

[ArowanaLover1902]

What types of lights are you using? I’m not familiar with a Pi controller?

 

[ArowanaLover1902]

What type of sand also? Big grains or little?

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

What types of lights are you using? I’m not familiar with a Pi controller?

There is a dude on here named Ranjib who has a how-to guide for the reef-pi. He has a really nice guide on the adafruit website.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

What type of sand also? Big grains or little?

Sugar size. Fiji pink.

 

[ArowanaLover1902]

What type of coral are you thinking? If just softies then fine grain is great, sps and lps need high flow so I’d definitely recommend large grain. I wish I had done large grain and will next tank I setup, it’s always getting stirred up onto my coral and it’s really annoying.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

What type of coral are you thinking? If just softies then fine grain is great, sps and lps need high flow so I’d definitely recommend large grain. I wish I had done large grain and will next tank I setup, it’s always getting stirred up onto my coral and it’s really annoying.

That is great to know. I did want to get into SPS, and LPS corals at some point.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Hopefully these lights are sufficient. I think they will be. I'm sure I'll have to replace the bulbs before moving in any corals, but they should be good for getting through the cycle.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Why buy a controller, when you can save a ton of money by building your own?

 

[ArowanaLover1902]

Can’t wait to see how the controller turns out

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Can’t wait to see how the controller turns out

Should be pretty cool. I still have components in transit, so I'm building what i can right now.