Got my 90 Gallon RR

[Riderc82]

Well yesterday I braved the weather and finally found a used 90 Gallon RR AGA aquarium.  It came with a stand, canopy and mag 7.  I'm pretty excited, I've been working on getting the stand painted all day.  My plan is to use my halides, sand, and live rock out of my 55.  I think all I need/want is a decent sized sump and a better skimmer.  I also need a bulkhead was leaking when I picked up the aquarium.  I'm going to post some pictures when I get the stand painted and I'll probably have some plumbing questions.  Any suggestions on a decent skimmer?  If anyone has an old sump PM me please.

[verper]

Good to hear that you found a 90.  You'll be glad you were patient until one became available.  Bigger is always better in this hobby when it comes to tanks.

[Riderc82]

Does anyone know if you can still use a magnet cleaner on a painted background without scratching it?  My current aquarium is covered in coralline but I want to keep the back glass spotless on my new setup.

[mrs. justcoral]

I always thought you painted the outside. Is it safe to paint the inside? Then the magnet would not be scraping the paint, it would only be scraping the glass. There is a felt type material on the magnet scraper on the outside so it will not scratch the outside paint.

[Riderc82]

I was going to paint it on the outside, I was just curious as to whether the felt would scratch the paint off over time. 

[larrynews]

never having tried it i would say yes...but thats a guess

[saltybuckeye]

I would worry more about the paint tearing up the felt on the magnetic cleaner.It seems to wear out after a while on just smooth glass.

[verper]

I would worry more about the paint tearing up the felt on the magnetic cleaner.It seems to wear out after a while on just smooth glass.

Good point.  I would think that between the poor paint/glass bond, the rubbing across it with the magnetic cleaner, and the less than glass smooth paint surface you would end up having problems.  Maybe not right away, but down the road for sure.

[Riderc82]

Ok, Looks like I may try window tint, Has anyone tried this?  My luck it will look like one of those 1985 CRX hatchbacks where the kid done it himself.  While I'm typing does anyone know off hand if Aquariums Etc... or Marine Solutions has bulkheads in stock?  Next question sounds silly but I've never owned an aquarium with an sort of overflow, but the bulkhead gasket goes on the dry side of the aquarium right?  Thanks for all the help. 

[aquavista99]

Aquariums etc has bulkheads in stock

[slandis3]

Ok, Looks like I may try window tint, Has anyone tried this?  My luck it will look like one of those 1985 CRX hatchbacks where the kid done it himself. 

Hey, easy now i drive a 89 crx. 

[MechanicalEngineer]

If you need window tint, I work at Advance Auto, and we have blue window tint on sale for next to nothing (I think less than $5).  I'm at the one in Huber.

[Riderc82]

I knew someone would say they had whatever car I used as an example, if you do have one slandis I'm sure your the one laughing when you pull up to the pump and get 48 M.P.G.  I may have to stop by next week and check out the window tint if I don't get my aquarium up this weekend.  Well I need to slap one more coat of paint on the canopy.

[verper]

Next question sounds silly but I've never owned an aquarium with an sort of overflow, but the bulkhead gasket goes on the dry side of the aquarium right? 

Negative.  It goes on the fixed flange side no matter what.  If it is put on the threaded nut side, it will leak between the threads.  So your question is sort of a trick because depending on the orientation of the bulkhead, it could be either.  With most overflows, the fixed flange is on the inside.

[Riderc82]

Well the painting is finished but I still need new door handles. I also need to find a sump and attempt to tint the back glass. I just didn't care for the stain.

[K9Gunner]

looking good!

[Riderc82]

Thank You, I just finished the tinting but until I talk the Fiance into helping me take the aquarium outside and hose the inside off I can't tell if I did a good job or not.  I was wanting to get it setup this weekend but I don't think it's going to happen.

[verper]

It will be a perfect weekend to hose it out.  Especially Sunday by what they are forecasting.  I might actually get my baffles siliconed in the 125.

[Riderc82]

I just stopped by Marine solutions and picked up a new toy  .  This should keep the water clean.

[aquavista99]

Nice new toy!

[Riderc82]

Well I picked up a 29 Gallon at Jacks and I just finished my plumbing so I guess that just leaves the dividers inside the sump/refug.  I have more respect for plumbers now, my plumbing was as simple as possible and it still took me forever.

[Riderc82]

I got everything transfered from my 55 to my 90, I started at about 6 P.M. and had everything transfered by 10 P.M.  It was a complete mess.  I bought 3 30 gallon rubbermaid totes, I had 30 gallons of water mixed up but it took a little longer than I expected to get it up to temperature using a 200 Watt heater.  About half way through the transfer I was starting to get real worried but my corals/fish but they look as healthy as they did yesterday before the transfer.  I filled the aquarium just under the top trim because I didn't want to add another 15-20 gallons of water until I was sure all my parameters were stable.  I still need to aquascape but I didn't want to stress anything more than I had to.  The only problem I ran across was my Yellow Tang got stuck in the new net I bought specifically for him.  He looks happier than ever today.  So far so good,  I think I will get the overflow running tomorrow.

[Riderc82]

Well I can't get my sump going due to the magnet on the impeller assembly breaking on the mag 7 so here's a picture.  Monday I should be receiving a new impeller, phosban reactor & pump and also one more koralia powerhead.  I decided to use the phosban reactor to see if it cuts back on the green hue which seems to be attracted to the glass.  I can't wait to get the heaters in the sump and get the new skimmer running.  The only thing I may want/need now is to get a temperature controller because my temperature seems to swing about 3 degrees.  Anyone have any suggestions of a cheap controller and also a decent heater?

Sorry the picture isn't great but until I get the heaters and Remora Pro out of the display i can't clean the glass much better.  I don't think it looks to bad,   also if you have laminate flooring don't worry about the weight of the aquarium messing it up mine looks fine after a year of having the 55 on it, also I didn't wash my sand I took it out of my 55 and threw it straight into the 90.

[MechanicalEngineer]

The phosphate reactor should help out a LOT with the algae. 

As far as getting a temp controller, I thought about it.  I two more heaters, and my temp quit swinging.  I removed one, and repositioned the two other heaters...and I don't think mine swings much anymore.  Might want to try that first if you haven't already.  Much cheaper. 

[saltybuckeye]

Lookin good.What did you end up using for the back?Tint or paint?

[Riderc82]

I used the stick on window tint from Walmart, I really Like the look of it.  My last background was stick on so the tape would always peel.  I haven't got to clean the back glass because of the HOB skimmer.  I was all excited Wednesday night to get my sump started and when I plugged the pump in all I heard was a clunk so thankfully I put a union on the plumbing.  When I removed the cover of the pump I discovered the magnet had broke right down the center.  On a brighter note I plugged in the Octopus skimmer for a minutes and it looks like it's really going to produce for me. I've never had any real problems with algae but everyday I have to clean the neon green light film which sticks to the glass.  I'm thinking it may be the Reef Crystal Salt but I sure like how fast it dissolves.

[MechanicalEngineer]

I use Reef Crystals and don't have any problems with it.  The only problems I'm aware of are that a few batches were low in Ca and Mg. 

Sorry to hear your pump broke. 

[Riderc82]

Well everything is running, I just hooked up the Phosban Reactor 150, im using a Maxi-Jet 600 pump which is located near the bottom of the sump.  The water flows up 16 inches I think I would of been better off using a MJ400 because I'm worried I'm going to burn up the pump.

[MechanicalEngineer]

I'd be more worried about grinding up the reactor media than burning up the pump.  I hope you made sure it's not going to be too powerful.

[Riderc82]

That is why I'm worried about the pump.  It seems like I have to turn the flow way down to get the phosban to stay put on the bottom of the reactor.  I need to post a short video clip on the internet and have someone take a look and see if I have the flow in the reactor where it should be.

[verper]

You can't really burn up a magnetic impellered pump.  It is not like a regular motor with a direct drive impeller.

[Riderc82]

I found a Maxi Jet 500 in the nano I don't use, it seems way quieter than the 600.  I didn't know magnetic pumps couldn't burn up by cutting the flow that is good to know.  When I put in my sump I didn't put any dividers in it due to the size of the skimmer, it looks like I may regret not adding them.  I thought it was sand floating around in the aquarium due to the diamond goby but after further inspection it seems that they are microbubbles.  Hopefully they won't be as bad after the skimmer breaks in.  does anyone know off hand the best water level to run the Octopus needlewheel 200?  I've tried searching but haven't come up with much, I'm running it in nine inches of water and the standpipe is up as far as possible and the bubbles are still about two inches from overflowing into the cup.  It seems this is common with this skimmer during the break in period but I don't see how it is all of a sudden going to make the bubbles go up another two inches.  I guess the thing that is bothering me the most is the amount of microbubbles returning to the display does anyone think these will subside a little after everything breaks in?  Thanks for all input. 

[verper]

There is a chance that the microbubbles will stop.  Not real good odds, but I have heard of it happening.

[slandis3]

you can run the output of your skimmer throught a filter sock to help with the bubbles

[Riderc82]

Well the skimmer has some foam going into the cup  ,  I'm still going to have trace down the microbubbles.  I turned on a light over the sump and there really doesn't appear to be any microbubbles making it to the return pump.

[Riderc82]

Some more pictures.

[UD Flyer]

I know this is bringing up an old post, but im interested in the paint you used for your stand.  I just primed the outside of my homebuilt stand and want to paint it black. I like the way yours turned out and would like to use the same sheen.  Did you use Flat, Satin, or Semi-gloss?

[Riderc82]

It's Kilz Semi-Gloss, I would tell you the color but I'm in Waikiki    I will look Saturday when I get back.  It's seems to hold up well I usually wipe it down with a wet cloth after I drip saltwater on it but it still looks like the day we painted it.

[Todd W.]

Lived there for 3 years...

Try to get up to Roundtop Drive and hike the "hidden" bamboo trails.

Get up to Punchbowl, very cool veterans cemetary.

Of course you probably have hit all the other touristy spots, Waikiki Beach, Haunama Bay, Arizona, North Shore, a laua, etc... 

Eat at the Wisteria, Yummis, and get an authentic Korean Plate lunch at a roadside shack.  Try the Hulihuil chicken if you can find someone stopped....

Excellent diving on the West coast by the power plant, they have sharks.... BTW AFAIK Pearl Harbor is the largest breeding ground for Hammerheads, (the big ones not the bonnets)

[UD Flyer]

Thanks Riderc82, Tomorrow im going to pick up some black semi-gloss and paint my stand.


I wish I was in Waikiki; our weather is plummeting to the 60’s for a high tomorrow.

[Riderc82]

It's really funny you mentioned the Roundtop Drive we done that today after we hiked to Manoa falls and went to the Zoo.  I went snorkeling  at Haunama Bay yesterday the fish were amazing.  I also went to a laua at Paradise Cove yesterday.  I just got married on the 20th so this is our first true vacation together except going to Tennessee because we both went to college and were busy with work.  I must say I would recommend Waikiki to anyone it is breathtaking and extremely clean.  People told us everything was super expensive here but really the prices seem similar to other vacation spots that are not half as nice.  My only complaint is the price of parking we are staying at Wyndham Resort which has an attached parking garage and it cost $25 a day.  The people in the resort claim the parking garage doesn't belong to Wyndham but I have a hard time believing it.  I would have to say we saved more by getting the rental car though because we can drive to the locations and not have to ride the bus and pay the price to see these "hidden places." 

[Todd W.]

Most of the parking in the Honolulu area belongs to a consortium of the Parking Mob, Parking Nazi's, Parking Gouge your wallet because we own the only parking area group.  It's so bad that we lived 1.5 miles from UH and my wife would walk to school to avoid parking, that and to avoid taking the bus which took longer than walking.  The wait to get on campus parking was like 2 years.

All that and I would move back there in a heartbeat.