90 gallon upgrade ?'s

[dsfdbutterfly]

Ok, I have aquired a beautiful 90 gallon tank that is drilled with an overflow. First things first it is acrylic and I would like to buff a few small scratches out before starting. What is the best way to accomplish this?

It came with a sump but is missing the pipe and pump for return. What would be the best pump to use?

What is some good skimmers for this size tank? Obviously not hang on I would like it to sit in the sump.

Lighting, I know that there are so many options. I think most are familiar with what I have in my 30 gallon. This would be what I would like to keep in there. What is the best way to accomplish this and do I need to take anything into consideration with it being acrylic?

I'll start out with these questions as it is a lot to cover. I'll try to get some pics later today for you all to see the tank! I'm really excited though.

Angie

[lReef lKeeper]

how tall is the tank ?? (for lighting). i can get pretty good prices on euro reef comparable skimmers (through a friend of mine (LFS owner), that builds them). in fact there is one for sale on my LFClubs website... here is the thread ...

http://www.lmas.org/index.php?name=P...iewtopic&t=895

BTW ... there is a great pump on there, but it is a little pricy !!

[Reef_Angel]

You can get acrylic scratch remover in the hardware department of most stores like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target or other hardware stores. Sometimes they don't come out real good, but it does help. Just make sure you don't leave any residue behind. Polish it real good. There are also buffers and things you can buy too, so just use your best judgement when looking through the choices. If you find a real good one, make sure you let me know too. :o ....Angel :angel1:

[Sweetpea]

I'm really excited for you Angie! Looking forward to pictures!

[dakar]

Best thing to remove scratches from acylic is called Novus plastic polish, should be able to find it retail at any local glass shop.... if they scratches aren't too deep start with Novus #2 then #1.

As for the return pump how big is the sump? What size is the over flow pipe(s)? From there we can figure a reasonable guess in the size pump.

[dsfdbutterfly]

Leave it to me to get so excited to not give you the details to actually help me out. The tank is 24" Tall, 48" Long, and 18" Wide. Now to the part I don't know. The pipes. I've taken pictures so that maybe you can help me. The return pipes are smaller than the one going to the sump. I would like to add a refuge to the system. Thinking of adding it before the return back to the tank? What do you guys think. Would this create any unforseen problems.

Thanks for the help!!

Angie

P.S. none of the scracthes are deep. Most should not take much work. It looks like the person didn't know not to use a mag float on the tank if it's acrylic. It will take some time but they didn't do any major damage.

[dakar]

Nice pics, looks like it's going to be a great setup. Though tough to determine the pipe size... see if you can get a measuring stick in there and measure the inside diameter of the pipes... maybe 3/4" down and 2 x1/2" up but that seems wrong... 1" and 3/4" just seems more 'right'.

On the other note, a refuge would be a definate benefit... since it looks like you have room in the cabinet to add it... setting it up right while it's dry is the best time.... it helps keep the floor dry.

[seahorsedreams]

Best thing to remove scratches from acylic is called Novus plastic polish, should be able to find it retail at any local glass shop.... if they scratches aren't too deep start with Novus #2 then #1.

We are buffing our tanks with that right now as I type (okay, my boyfriend is buffing and I am typing). My tank has a few good scratches and we are using 1500 grit on the deep ones with a firm finger and then going to Nouvus 3 with a ransom orbital electric polisher followed by the 2 and then a to 1. It's the hardest thing I've ever done. (okay, watched my boyfriend do :-)

The nouvus products can be used on the inside of the tank unlike other polishers.

[dsfdbutterfly]

Thanks for the polishing tips. I will check our home depot and walmart but more than likely have to make another run to the valley. I will have to encourage said hubby that it will be easier for him to do it since his arms are longer!

Dakar, I will measure the pipes insides when I get home from work today. I could not tell you what size they were even for a guess. Plumbing is not my forte. About the fuge, that's what I was thinking. Get it all set up now instead of trying to add later.

Angie

[dsfdbutterfly]

Ok measured the pipes and this is what I came up with. The pipe into the sump looks to be 1 1/2". The two return pipes are 3/4". It would be about 6 inches down and then a foot and a half over to the sump. For return I want to add a fuge first so I would plumb that into the system where it comes out of the sump then have a part in the fuge that the water flows into empty the fuge would sit in the middle and would have the return pump on the other side. I would have no idea what kind of pump I would need to run it but I would assume it would need to have some power.

On the lights, I have been looking at the coralife systems but I'm still not sold. I'm thinking of going with T5's but I would definately need help getting that system set up.

Bobby, I need more clarification on this skimmer thing. You can get me one from your supplier or that was the one? Sorry the only skimmer I have ever used has been my Aqua C and I don't know much except that I dump the collection cup and there are no adjustments that I needed to make. Just don't want to get one that is useless and have to buy another one. Thanks,

Angie