90 Gallon on a budget

[Kman2010]

STEP ONE: Build stand with father
$90 plywood ; $15 hinges ; $23 custom white paint

STEP TWO: Aquire used 90 Gallon from fellow BRS for $100; Sump off Facebook for $150; Pull ocean light from storage.

 

[FREAKINRICAN69]

GLWB chief. Looks like you got things rolling so far!

 

[mvallee]

Really nice, cabinet looks like a fine piece of furniture and that sump will add a lot of volume, you got lucky with that one.

 

[Kman2010]

STEP THREE: Aquire ~25 pounds of Tonga Branch from NH ; $111 shipped

 

[CAPSLOCK]

That's a fantastic sump for a 90g.

 

[scavdog]

Nice setup. Dual 250 watt Hqi? Looks like my old Aquamedic Fixture.

 

[Kman2010]

Nice setup. Dual 250 watt Hqi? Looks like my old Aquamedic Fixture.

Aquamedic 2x150

 

[Kman2010]

 

[Kman2010]

Fitting the sump ; had to cut out a chunk to angle and fit it in there

 

[Kman2010]

finishing up the light suspension
$1.30 for machine thread eye-bolts $1.92 for by the foot suspension cable at Lowe’s (6ft at .33¢) ; 2x $6.50 for the L-brockets ; forget how much the finished shelf was so I’ll say $10
The hinges were $16; Blum 1-1/4 full overlay soft close; free next day delivery from amazon

 

[Kman2010]

The doors are still to be painted with two coats and fine sanding in between. I wish I took more pictures of the build process for the stand. But the light is live! It’s been 10 years since this thing has been up and running

 

[Kman2010]

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Nice shelf
Budget but effective and clean.

 

[scavdog]

Tight build! Nice progress!

 

[thespsguy]

STEP THREE: Aquire ~25 pounds of Tonga Branch from NH ; $111 shipped View attachment 133534

did you just throw the rocks inside like that or you are going to scape it?

 

[Kman2010]

did you just throw the rocks inside like that or you are going to scape it?

the photo is a 60 gallon temporarily holding my rock and fish. I’ve actually dried the Tonga branch out because I noticed GSP on some of the rocks. I’m planning on forming some sort of branch nest

 

[Kman2010]

edge banding my dad had in storage since ???, installing these handles I found at the thrift store for $2.99

 

[Kman2010]

 

[Kman2010]

the reveal on the top looks wonky because I need to add 1/8” rubber feet on the back of the doors ✌

 

[Kman2010]