New 75 Reef

[Symbiosis]

Quick update, got my new tank back about a week ago. No cracks this time! The new tank has black trim so that was kind of a bonus as it will match the stand better. Unfortunately I won't be able to set it up at all for a few months . I decided I was tired of the same old everyday job so I got involved in wildland firefighting! Took a class, met some awesome people and if all goes well I will be out on the fireline within a week or two. This of course means that doing anything with the tank right now would be worthless as I wouldn't be able to maintain it or tinker. Also I plan on moving after I get back at the end of the season, so taking it slow is probably the better choice, even though its not as fun.

[FragOutpost]

Wow! Fighting wildfires...That sounds like an adventure. You would definitely never run out of work here in FL. Good luck with your tank when you are able to get it up and running again.

[Symbiosis]

Haha, from what i've been told by guys that have gone to fight fire in florida, it's horrible. Heat + humidity + fire = a bad time. Lol

[Symbiosis]

So firefighting is out as I haven't gotten any replies from anyone seeing as they are all out in the field... really wish I had known about it back in January. Oh well, just means my tank will be up and running that much faster. It's 2:40 a.m. and I can't seem to sleep so I thought I would re-list my updated equipment wish list to see what everyone thinks. Here goes nothing...

Lighting
-IceCap 660 T5HO Retro Kit with SLR's
-2 Aqua Blue bulbs, 2 aqua blue+ bulbs

Filtration
-26 lbs live rock
-50-60 lbs DIY base rock
-Carbon in sump

Skimmer
-ASM G2 or G3 if I can fit it under my stand

Sump
-20L
-Compartment for skimmer, heater, pump for RDSB, small fuge, return area

Circulation
-Mag 9.5 or Mag 12 for return, run through a SCWD with a total of 4 locline outputs
-Mag 9.5 running a closed loop with an additional 4 outputs

Livestock
-False Percula Clown, Yellow Tail Damsel, 3 Zebra Dartfish, Yellow Tang, Foxface Rabbitfish, Mandarin Dragonet after 6 months, Tridacana Deresa, 2 Cleaner Shrimp, 20 Trochus Snails, 20 Nassarius Snails

Corals
-GSP, Hammer, pulsing xenia, green striped mushrooms to start, move towards a more SPS dominated system as the tank matures

[Symbiosis]

After three months im finally getting the ball rolling on setting up my 75gal. So far I've finished the sump and completed the drain line plumbing. I also purchased 30lbs of sugar sized aragonite, a skimmer, and filled the tank up with water. Below are some pics of what I've done so far.

Drain line


Sump


Full tank


Skimmer


Next week I'll be ordering the pumps for the return and closed loop. The week after that I plan on getting at least a small clean up crew and live rock. Lights will be the last addition before I start focusing on stocking the tank.

Some things that have changed from my original plan include the pumps and the skimmer. I went with a PCI NW250 over an ASM as they are built much stronger and offer the same perfomance. The pumps will now be a OR 2500 for the return (650 gph) and OR 6500 (1700 gph). Also, I decided to use less rock in the tank, so I will probably have close to 60 lbs of true live rock and only a little base rock.

[joey10sl]

cant wait to see it stocked but i bet your walet can!ha keep us updated

[Symbiosis]

Yeah, lately it seems as soon as I get paid I'm broke again... but it will be worth it. The lights are the last really expensive part. After that it will just be a little every once in a while till I get the fish I want. Coral will be spendy, but Christmas is coming