Shayne's 90 Build

Well, I guess this will end up being my build thread.

I just picked up my new 90 G glass tank today. I know I said I was going to go with used equipment but I'm really picky about some stuff. I decided to go with a new tank because it's the main focus of everyone who's going to see it, and I wanted it to be clean and flawless. I've got a few routs I can take with my stand and they all fall well within my planned budget. Now I just need to start piecing together all of my other equipment. I plan to buy used as much as possible. Here is a list of things I'm going to start looking for:

RO/DI unit, Utah Oolitic sand, rock, lights (preferably 48" T-5 4 or 6 bulb), skimmer (eventually), pump, heater, power-heads, and test equipment. Feel free to PM me if you have any of these items for sale.

I plan to build my own sump.

Ok, back to the show. Here's the tank. (Pardon the crappy cellphone pic.)



Edited by Shayne - May 22 2010 at 3:37pm

Thanks! It's an Aqueon.

Dang, that would have been a great way to go but I almost never go to Orem (25-30 min away). I'm actually closer to Salt Lake which is where I work.




Edited by Shayne - May 22 2010 at 2:04pm

Grats on the tank! My returns come up in the overflow and t off for 2 outlets. Are you going to do a durso stand pipe? Most lfs carry bulkheads, Have never seen them at hd.

I had this crazy idea of running the return pipe inside the emergency overflow pipe. I'm not sure it would work though. Probably too little space.

bugzme wrote: I don't even know why you would need 1.

In case your primary drain gets clogged but your pump keeps running. Doesn't that ever happen?

Are Durso's self-priming? IE: Something interrupts the water-flow so it no longer pulls water but then the interruption is removed (water level rises) and it starts flowing again on its own.

Any reason you prefer Durso over Hofer? I notice most people use Durso but the Hofer sounded interesting. The Durso seems easier to build though (and possibly less likely to clog up).

Edited by Shayne - May 22 2010 at 4:39pm

Ah! So you are running 2 drain pipes. Obviously yours are both being used as primaries but if one clogs up the other can keep the tank from overflowing (or at least slow it down).

Here is a link to the Hofer design: http://home.everestkc.net/jrobertson57268/HGB/

Does anyone else have any opinion on how I should use my bulkheads? I've seen a lot of builds that incorporate an emergency or secondary drain. I think I could even drill out a 3rd hole in my overflow (never drilled glass before) but I don't know if that's a good idea.

(Jeff, I really appreciate your advice. I just want to see if there is anyone else out there with an opinion before I go with what you've told me. Thanks!)

Using a Herbie style with a primary drain allows your overflow to run silently, not quietly, and no burps. It has to have a secondary drain just in case something slows the flow in the primary. It also eliminates bubbles in the sump because it doesn't suck any air with it. It's easy to drill a couple holes in the back of the tank and put some loc-line in for your returns and keep both primary and secondary drains in the overflow.