90 gallon upgrade ?'s

[seahorsedreams]

Hey you... more brawn less brain..... we got a tank to move this weekend!

[dsfdbutterfly]

You guys are helping me out so much you have no idea. Thank you so much for all the tips and for answering everything. I unfortunately don't know much when it comes to the other things of marine. I know how to stabalize a system and keep fish alive but everything else um escapes me.

I don't know what a standpipe is. I can take a pic above the tank and maybe that will help. There are pipes on the inside. Your pic is giving me some ideas. What is the purpose and all and maybe I can figure it all out. GO SLOW I do catch on eventually.

Angie

[seahorsedreams]

Angie, the tank pic I threw up there was just to show the fact that I love plumbing. There are some things on that design that reduce flow and I wouldn't recommend on a normal tank. What is your knowledge of plumbing? Have you done any projects before? There are risks involved when you work on your own tanks. Y'all don't know me that well yet so I want to make sure I don't come off as sounding like a plumbing elitist saying you shouldn't drill your tank because you don't have the experience. Nobody does until they do it the first time. But sometimes you get into situations that can be difficult to handle without someone around to give you visual support. You didn't come in this thread with the question "How do I drill my tank"..... are you sure you want to leave with that answer?

If the overflow doesn't have a standpipe maybe we should start with that project. Even if it DOES have a standpipe I would replace it I think (depends on the "model"). But that would be a good place to start to see if you like plumbing. Because if that project turns out to be unpleasant for you, you shouldn't go any further at this point IMO and take a drill to your tank. I'm going to make a separate thread about how to build a standpipe.

What do you plan on keeping in this tank?

[dsfdbutterfly]

I think I should start with I know probably nothing about plumbing except that there are different size pipes and that if you are smart before you start water through those pipes you will make sure that you have glued them together so there are no leaks. And I don't even know if you can glue pipes for fish tanks together because of contamination problems (as I was typing that I just thought of it).

The tank already has an overflow and is drilled so I think I'm lucking out there (making this project easier). Now to figure out the rest of it.

I plan on housing a bigger reef in it. I have my fish only. The type of reef for me is more of a mixed reef. I have a feeling that once I get this one started and up and running I will be turning my 30 gal into a more stonie type reef. I have to find a place to house my anemone which has totally outgrown my 30 and I can't just get rid of it and the clowns that host it. So here I am. However, I'm willing to take my time and get it set right before I get it wet and have to replace things that I don't like or deal with the things I got cuz I don't have the extra cash to replace the things I spent money on in the first place. I'm learning patience if anything.

Angie

[dakar]

I think I should start with I know probably nothing about plumbing except that there are different size pipes and that if you are smart before you start water through those pipes you will make sure that you have glued them together so there are no leaks. And I don't even know if you can glue pipes for fish tanks together because of contamination problems (as I was typing that I just thought of it).

Yes you can most certainly glue PVC pipes for your tank... Just be sure to use a primer before you cement them.... once the cement has cured it is quite inert. Of course the golden rule applies here as well... measure twice and cut once. Now to throw another wrench into your puzzle, using spa-flex, or vinyl hose can be a lot more forgiving and easier to work with, it can also result in lower head pressure (less restriction).

[lReef lKeeper]

i haven't forgotten about the skimmer Angie, i have been very busy ... will call him back in the morning and post a price for you after work. sorry for the delay, but 60-70 hours a week is killing me !!

[dsfdbutterfly]

Everyone is being so helpful thank you. After chatting with Tyler I think I understand plumbing a little better. I might even be able to understand standpipe after a few more talks.

Dakar, we talked about flex piping because of headloss. I think for some of the project anyway we just may go this route. Some of it I think will be a trial and error type of thing when I get the fuge into the system. We'll just have to see. It appears that the person that owned the tank before me did do some modifying to the tank to improve performance (one nice thing about buying used). I am hoping this works in my favor. Again, a lot of ideas are being thrown around at this point.

Bobby, don't stress it. I think at this point I have Shad's (thanks Shad) skimmer wrapped up and hopefully will have my money soon and have that baby on it's way to me.

As far as lights go I have decided to buy a retrokit for a T5 set up. I think this will give me the best set up and allow me to keep the canopy without any major modifications. Now to determine which lights. I want 4 lights in the hood but don't know if I should go with 3 white and only one blue or if that will make it too white. What are your guys thoughts on it?

Keep the ideas comming on the plumbing. I know I will still have a million questions as I get it under way. Thanks again for everyones help. You guys rock!!!!

Angie

[Dirt4dinner]

Angie,
I just went from 2 daylights, and 2 actinics to only 1 actinic, and 3 daylights and I think it looks much better! It was just to blue before. I liked the blue at first, but as I stared at it for a few months it became apparent that it was unnaturally blue. Just some more input for you to think about.

[lReef lKeeper]

so you got Shads skimmer huh ?? i got his lights ... small reef world huh ?? looks like Shad is making some money around here !!

[Whoyah]

Just helping you guys equip your tanks. All the funds from the equipment are being funnelled into the new set-up either for hardware or livestock.