Upgrade from 30G JBJ to 90G (1 Viewer)

[Aquarist]

Hello all,

Recently moved to Houston in April 2019 in the West side and decided to take a dip again in the reef hobby after about 14 years. Picked up a used but nice 30G JBJ from a good fellow reefer in the NW area. System included 30G JBJ tank, custom tall (36") stand, Maxspect Razor 120w LED Lighting Fixture, AquaMaxx HOB-1.5 Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer, JBJ ATO system with a plastic container as a reservoir in the cabinet and some live rocks.

Bleached everything and gave it a fresh start. Attached is a recent video from Jan 2020, I think it's coming along nicely. It's a mix reef and I tried not to go crazy on corals and fish but still, it's getting crowded. There are couple of Tangs and Flame Angel in the system which were just added few days ago in order to prepare for 90G.

Couldn't upload the video as .mp4. maybe someone can help me out with it how to upload the video here.

Picked up a used 90G with stand, the stand was useless as it was poor DIY project and wasn't wide enough to have space for bulkhead therefore it has to sit hanging back portion in the air to let the bulkhead fit. Turned that stand into a cabinet for my Badminton club but putting a top, back and shelves inside... Not a clean job but good enough for the backroom purpose, Pics later as I forgot to take pics.

In Jan started working on my DIY stand project as I found free time. Please see attached some pics as the stand coming along...

I used, 2*4 for the structure and 2*6 in the Top front/back width to add more strength to avoid the middle support. The stand will be accessible from all the sides. Three sides thru door and back will remain open.

 

[Aquarist]

Had some 3/4" playwood laying around to be used as top and bottom.

 

[Aquarist]

Used 3/4 finished plywood to wrap the stand and cutout the front and sides for the doors. I wanted to use the 1/2" finished plywood for the doors but after getting it cut, the pieces curved a little and showed some bend. curved doors wouldn't look good therefore had to go back to the 3/4" cutouts that I had from the stand wrap plywood. Put some trim inside the stand cutouts and also a 1/4" trim around the doors to make them bigger than the door cutouts.

 

[Aquarist]

I built the stand little wider and taller to have at least 49*19 floor space inside to put big sump and other equipment. I liked the 30G tall stand (36") and kept the height to around 38". I wanted to have a little counter around the tank so I can keep things there on a temporary basis and not have to reach out to other table or counters nearby. Also I don't like to see the black plastic trim in the bottom therefore included a 2.25" trim in that little counter. As of right now, I am keeping the counter free floating to remove if needs to be but eventually I will put couple of finishing nails or screws from the bottom to hold it's place.

Cut out the Top plywood to accommodate the bulkheads. put some trim around and ready to stain...

 

[Aquarist]

I was debating about paint vs stain, but decided to go with the stain as I had a good color stain laying around and later on if I want to go with paint I can always paint it over the stain but, can't do the same other way around...

One coat of stain was enough to give the color I wanted. I put couple of layers of Polyurethane to seal the color and also used the Polyurethane inside the stand to seal the wood as there will be lots of humidity there.

 

[Aquarist]

In Jan I put the tank out on the floor on few pieces of 2*4 to test for the leak and left it there for around 2 weeks. Also earlier in Jan I setup two 55 Gallon garbage bins filled with saltwater with heater and powerheads to start cycling the water with daily doze of starter bacteria and some frozen food.

Couple of week ago brought the stand inside and setup the tank, put about 60lb washed CaribSea Aragonite sand and transfer the few weeks old saltwater into the setup. picked up a used 40g breeder sump from another fellow and plumb it up for Fuge and sump.

Friend of mine lend me his spare 8 bulbs T5HO light fixture to use until I buy my LEDs for the setup. By the way, this 8 bulb T5HO fixture is for sale, bulbs are couple of months old and it's programmable with 3 channels, Daylight, Actinics and Moonlights.

 

[Aquarist]

In Jan I picked up a used Bubble Magus Curve 7 skimmer and put that in the middle section. After testing the plumbing leak, I plugged in the Skimmer to find out that it's not pushing water and zero bubble and making loud noise. I trusted the seller as I was told it was in a good working condition. I had to drive about an hour to meet in the middle and couldn't test it there.

Upon opening the pump found out that impeller's magnet was cracked and causing the noise and was the reason for pump failure. Called the seller and got the expected response. Google for spare parts and found a new impeller on eBay for around $50, on it's way should be here in a day or two.

Ordered a 4' long 12 socket electric Outlet to connect all the equipment but it came damaged in the mail with plastic clamps broken and end metal hanging area bent and pressed. Walmart sent a replacement and asked me to throw away the outlet, there it goes in my electrical collection. Later I decided to go with the multiple 6 socket outlets and ordered those and installed them in the back. This way I will have flexibility to group some equipment together which I can turn on/off while feeding fish and especially corals.

 

[Aquarist]

I am experiencing a loud water fall noise in the sump right now. checked the overflow and it seems quite but the Sump and Fuge both are having a waterfall noise as there are minimum twist and turns in the PVC. Any ideas how to quite it down?

Thinking about either to attach more PVC with some turns to break the straight water fall or use couple of feet of flexible hose and attach it to the PVC at the end then let it curve around in the sump and that will also break the water fall. What you think? need some ideas...

 

[Bullitt519]

I am experiencing a loud water fall noise in the sump right now. checked the overflow and it seems quite but the Sump and Fuge both are having a waterfall noise as there are minimum twist and turns in the PVC. Any ideas how to quite it down?

Thinking about either to attach more PVC with some turns to break the straight water fall or use couple of feet of flexible hose and attach it to the PVC at the end then let it curve around in the sump and that will also break the water fall. What you think? need some ideas...

You can turn down flow might help, or maybe drain is under water lvl. Look forward to the build.

 

[ITreefer]

As far as uploading videos; I think most people just upload to youtube then link the videos here. No way to upload vids directly as far as i know.
Beautiful work on that stand. I wish I had woodworking skills like a lot of you people here on MARSH.
Sucks you got burned on the skimmer purchase, hopefully it wasnt from a MARSH member lol

I'll be following along to see the progress.

 

[Aquarist]

You can turn down flow might help, or maybe drain is under water lvl. Look forward to the build.

I tried keeping it right above or little below, no difference. I have turned down the return pump to the lowest speed.

I will try out by adding a flexible hose and twist it around in the sump to see if that makes the difference. My bet is on the flexible hose than PVC, let's see...

 

[Aquarist]

As far as uploading videos; I think most people just upload to youtube then link the videos here. No way to upload vids directly as far as i know.
Beautiful work on that stand. I wish I had woodworking skills like a lot of you people here on MARSH.
Sucks you got burned on the skimmer purchase, hopefully it wasnt from a MARSH member lol

I'll be following along to see the progress.

Thanks man, it's nothing fancy, just a little bit of work...

 

[Aquarist]

Looking into LEDs for the setup. Anyone has used these lights below, appreciate the feedback.


Relassy LED Aquarium Light Panel, APP Control LED, Programable

Amazon.com: Relassy LED Aquarium Light Panel- APP Control Full Spectrum LED Coral Reef Light Panel for Saltwater Freshwater Fish Tank with AUTO ON/Off Timer & Dimmable: Home Improvement

Amazon.com: Relassy LED Aquarium Light Panel- APP Control Full Spectrum LED Coral Reef Light Panel for Saltwater Freshwater Fish Tank with AUTO ON/Off Timer & Dimmable: Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

Lightimetunnel WiFi LED Aquarium Light， 165W WiFi + Dimmable/Prograbable

Amazon.com : Lightimetunnel WiFi LED Aquarium Light, 165W WiFi Plus Dimmable Full Spectrum Fish Tank Light with Four Channels for Freshwater Saltwater Marine Tanks LPS/SPS : Pet Supplies

Amazon.com : Lightimetunnel WiFi LED Aquarium Light, 165W WiFi Plus Dimmable Full Spectrum Fish Tank Light with Four Channels for Freshwater Saltwater Marine Tanks LPS/SPS : Pet Supplies

www.amazon.com

 

[Bullitt519]

I would check with reeftopia as he has used the black boxes but not sure which ones

 

[Aquarist]

I think David is using MarsAqua. The Relassy lights are bigger footprint and no fan. Seller claims they run cool and not needed any fans.

Lighttimetunnel is similar to any BlackBox, both with programming and ramping features.

 

[Aquarist]

As far as uploading videos; I think most people just upload to youtube then link the videos here. No way to upload vids directly as far as i know.
Beautiful work on that stand. I wish I had woodworking skills like a lot of you people here on MARSH.
Sucks you got burned on the skimmer purchase, hopefully it wasnt from a MARSH member lol

I'll be following along to see the progress.

Thanks for the tip, upload the Video on the YouTube and here is the link...

 

[Cody]

I think David is using MarsAqua. The Relassy lights are bigger footprint and no fan. Seller claims they run cool and not needed any fans.

Lighttimetunnel is similar to any BlackBox, both with programming and ramping features.

David is not using the mars ones. I cant remember which ones though, but I'm certain it's not mars @reeftopia

 

[Cody]

I am experiencing a loud water fall noise in the sump right now. checked the overflow and it seems quite but the Sump and Fuge both are having a waterfall noise as there are minimum twist and turns in the PVC. Any ideas how to quite it down?

Thinking about either to attach more PVC with some turns to break the straight water fall or use couple of feet of flexible hose and attach it to the PVC at the end then let it curve around in the sump and that will also break the water fall. What you think? need some ideas...

Like @Bullitt519 said, just reduce the water flow. Adding turns in the pvc is just going to create slightly more back pressure which will cause the same effect as just dialing down your pump.

 

[Aquarist]

I remember now, David is using viparspectra Black Box LEDs.

 

[Aquarist]

Like @Bullitt519 said, just reduce the water flow. Adding turns in the pvc is just going to create slightly more back pressure which will cause the same effect as just dialing down your pump.

Pump is at lowest setting.