My return to SPS/Reefing: 75 Gallon, T-5, SPS dominate tank build

ChrisKirkland · 05/05/2012, 09:10 PM

So I posted my build thread originally in the Reef Discussion forum. Didn't get hardly any replies. So I thought I would post a thread here since the tank is going to be mostly SPS (some LPS).

I have been out of the hobby for about 3yrs as I was traveling a lot for work. I have been servicing tanks but I really need one of my own in my house to enjoy and setup to suit me. I finally bought a house about 8 months ago and am ready to begin my SPS reef again. It is a bit small for what I actually wanted (had a 150). However I already know after a year or so I will be upgrading to a custom made tank. Will post pics of the progress. Planned Equipment and Livestock lists are below. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Equipment:
-75 Gallon Deep Blue Tank
-Black Pine Stand (built by local builder)
-ASM G-3 Skimmer with Gate Valve Mod
-20 Gallon Long Sump
-TLF Reactors (GFO and Carbon)
-200 Micron Filter Sock
-300 Watt Fluval E series Heater
-Custom Acrylic Over Flow Box
-Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T-5 fixture - 6X54watt
-Odyssea Aquarium Pump WP-700 700gph - Really need a good suggestion on a better pump.
-3 Koralia Evolution 750's
-Red Sea Coral Pro Salt
-RO/DI filter system (previously had, changed filters)

Live Stock:
Caribsea Aragonite Live sand - 80lbs
80-100 lbs of Live/Dry rock - Likely 40lbs dry and 40-50lbs live
Have yet to decide on fish or corals - Browsing online

consumed corals · 05/06/2012, 04:01 PM

By the looks of your list this is gonna be a pretty sweet build can't wait to see some pics, Hve you decided on what kinds of sps your going to have. Is there a good lfs near you that has sps or are you gonna get from other reefers?

MBIETZ · 05/06/2012, 10:01 PM

Sounds like it will be a sweet build and make sure you post lots of pics we all love pics lol.

ChrisKirkland · 05/06/2012, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by consumed corals

By the looks of your list this is gonna be a pretty sweet build can't wait to see some pics, Hve you decided on what kinds of sps your going to have. Is there a good lfs near you that has sps or are you gonna get from other reefers?

Unfortunately there is no good LFS within 80 miles. So I will likely be getting them off other reefers on RC or traveling up to Cincinnati to the LFS there. As for the corals I have not decided what species of SPS I will put in the tank. Likely some Acros, Stags, and Montis. Really want to go with the semi exotic to exotic type.

ChrisKirkland · 05/06/2012, 10:16 PM

I will get some pics up very soon. Tank is currently cycling with half the rock as I am waiting for another shipment

arshad98 · 05/06/2012, 10:38 PM

Tagging along

ChrisKirkland · 05/07/2012, 07:05 AM

Pay no attention to the coralife skimmer in the pics, I changed my mind when I decided to put a sump in. Will take current running pics when the lights come on for the day.

Some Equipment pics:

ChrisKirkland · 05/08/2012, 08:34 PM

Hasnt been too good of a day so far. This morning on one of my daily checks I found that one of the baffles in the sump had become loose and leaking water like crazy and making my skimmer not skim at all. So I ended up having to remove all equipment from the sump and clean out the sump and redo the baffles. I used plexiglass (the bowing of the plexi likely caused the issue) in the beginning. So this time I called the local glass shop and had some baffles cut from 1/4 inch plate glass. I siliconed them in place and am now waiting 24hrs for them to dry. It seems like every time I build a tank I learn something new.

ChrisKirkland · 05/08/2012, 08:38 PM

Full Tank Shot with only half the rock in (dry rock):

ChrisKirkland · 05/11/2012, 01:38 PM

Sump baffles have been rebuilt and the sump is back online now. Starting to get some brown diatoms on the sand bed.

sponger0 · 05/11/2012, 02:48 PM

Need more rock lol. But looks good so far.

What are those things in your tank that look like they are on suction cups?

ChrisKirkland · 05/11/2012, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sponger0

Need more rock lol. But looks good so far.

What are those things in your tank that look like they are on suction cups?

lol agreed, getting more as we speak I have about 50-60lbs coming in. Those are nori clips for a possible tang I have not decided fully yet I know the tang police will be on me for the tank size

but I really would like one to help pick at the rocks.

sponger0 · 05/12/2012, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisKirkland

lol agreed, getting more as we speak I have about 50-60lbs coming in. Those are nori clips for a possible tang I have not decided fully yet I know the tang police will be on me for the tank size

but I really would like one to help pick at the rocks.

You can chose from a few tangs. Yellow eye kole, yellow tang, or tomini tang. Then you wont be running from the tang police.

ChrisKirkland · 05/12/2012, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sponger0

You can chose from a few tangs. Yellow eye kole, yellow tang, or tomini tang. Then you wont be running from the tang police.

haha, thats what I was thinking. I will likely upgrade to a much larger tank in a year or so anyways,

sponger0 · 05/12/2012, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisKirkland

haha, thats what I was thinking. I will likely upgrade to a much larger tank in a year or so anyways,

i hear that lol. Ive had my 40 breeder up for only 6 months and considering upgrading to a 90 already lol. but thats the biggest ill go in the house im in now. not much room really. but ill be happy with a 90.....i think

ChrisKirkland · 05/12/2012, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sponger0

i hear that lol. Ive had my 40 breeder up for only 6 months and considering upgrading to a 90 already lol. but thats the biggest ill go in the house im in now. not much room really. but ill be happy with a 90.....i think

Not bad at all. I can fit a 72" tank so I can do a pretty sweet upgrade soon

ChrisKirkland · 05/12/2012, 12:44 PM

and the beginning of Diatoms:

sponger0 · 05/12/2012, 12:45 PM

I could fit a 6 foot tank....but would take up most of my dining room....ill pass for now...maybe later lol. even though my local club has a 180 for sale (drool)

ChrisKirkland · 05/12/2012, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sponger0

I could fit a 6 foot tank....but would take up most of my dining room....ill pass for now...maybe later lol. even though my local club has a 180 for sale (drool)

Very nice, but I dont like the tanks that are 30 inches tall. I am 5'4" so it is a bit hard to clean it.

aquaspace · 05/16/2012, 08:01 AM

What is your current tank dimensions....

ChrisKirkland · 05/16/2012, 02:50 PM

They are: 48" x 18" x 21"

05/05/2012, 09:10 PM	#1
ChrisKirkland Reef and Coral Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington, Ky. Posts: 1,339	My return to SPS/Reefing: 75 Gallon, T-5, SPS dominate tank build So I posted my build thread originally in the Reef Discussion forum. Didn't get hardly any replies. So I thought I would post a thread here since the tank is going to be mostly SPS (some LPS). I have been out of the hobby for about 3yrs as I was traveling a lot for work. I have been servicing tanks but I really need one of my own in my house to enjoy and setup to suit me. I finally bought a house about 8 months ago and am ready to begin my SPS reef again. It is a bit small for what I actually wanted (had a 150). However I already know after a year or so I will be upgrading to a custom made tank. Will post pics of the progress. Planned Equipment and Livestock lists are below. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated. Equipment: -75 Gallon Deep Blue Tank -Black Pine Stand (built by local builder) -ASM G-3 Skimmer with Gate Valve Mod -20 Gallon Long Sump -TLF Reactors (GFO and Carbon) -200 Micron Filter Sock -300 Watt Fluval E series Heater -Custom Acrylic Over Flow Box -Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T-5 fixture - 6X54watt -Odyssea Aquarium Pump WP-700 700gph - Really need a good suggestion on a better pump. -3 Koralia Evolution 750's -Red Sea Coral Pro Salt -RO/DI filter system (previously had, changed filters) Live Stock: Caribsea Aragonite Live sand - 80lbs 80-100 lbs of Live/Dry rock - Likely 40lbs dry and 40-50lbs live Have yet to decide on fish or corals - Browsing online __________________ Christopher M Kirkland Work as an IT Tech Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon T-5 SPS Dominate

05/06/2012, 10:16 PM	#5
ChrisKirkland Reef and Coral Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington, Ky. Posts: 1,339	I will get some pics up very soon. Tank is currently cycling with half the rock as I am waiting for another shipment __________________ Christopher M Kirkland Work as an IT Tech Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon T-5 SPS Dominate

05/07/2012, 07:05 AM	#7
ChrisKirkland Reef and Coral Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington, Ky. Posts: 1,339	Pay no attention to the coralife skimmer in the pics, I changed my mind when I decided to put a sump in. Will take current running pics when the lights come on for the day. Some Equipment pics: __________________ Christopher M Kirkland Work as an IT Tech Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon T-5 SPS Dominate

05/08/2012, 08:34 PM	#8
ChrisKirkland Reef and Coral Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington, Ky. Posts: 1,339	Hasnt been too good of a day so far. This morning on one of my daily checks I found that one of the baffles in the sump had become loose and leaking water like crazy and making my skimmer not skim at all. So I ended up having to remove all equipment from the sump and clean out the sump and redo the baffles. I used plexiglass (the bowing of the plexi likely caused the issue) in the beginning. So this time I called the local glass shop and had some baffles cut from 1/4 inch plate glass. I siliconed them in place and am now waiting 24hrs for them to dry. It seems like every time I build a tank I learn something new. __________________ Christopher M Kirkland Work as an IT Tech Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon T-5 SPS Dominate

05/08/2012, 08:38 PM	#9
ChrisKirkland Reef and Coral Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington, Ky. Posts: 1,339	Full Tank Shot with only half the rock in (dry rock): __________________ Christopher M Kirkland Work as an IT Tech Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon T-5 SPS Dominate

05/06/2012, 04:01 PM	#2
consumed corals Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lake County Ohio Posts: 256	By the looks of your list this is gonna be a pretty sweet build can't wait to see some pics, Hve you decided on what kinds of sps your going to have. Is there a good lfs near you that has sps or are you gonna get from other reefers?

05/06/2012, 10:01 PM	#3
MBIETZ Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Chico CA Posts: 395	Sounds like it will be a sweet build and make sure you post lots of pics we all love pics lol.

05/06/2012, 10:38 PM	#6
arshad98 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: U.A.E. Posts: 53	Tagging along

05/11/2012, 01:38 PM	#10
ChrisKirkland Reef and Coral Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington, Ky. Posts: 1,339	Sump baffles have been rebuilt and the sump is back online now. Starting to get some brown diatoms on the sand bed. __________________ Christopher M Kirkland Work as an IT Tech Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon T-5 SPS Dominate

05/11/2012, 02:48 PM	#11
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,016	Need more rock lol. But looks good so far. What are those things in your tank that look like they are on suction cups?

05/12/2012, 12:44 PM	#17
ChrisKirkland Reef and Coral Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington, Ky. Posts: 1,339	and the beginning of Diatoms: __________________ Christopher M Kirkland Work as an IT Tech Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon T-5 SPS Dominate

05/12/2012, 12:45 PM	#18
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,016	I could fit a 6 foot tank....but would take up most of my dining room....ill pass for now...maybe later lol. even though my local club has a 180 for sale (drool)

05/16/2012, 08:01 AM	#20
aquaspace Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: India Posts: 4	What is your current tank dimensions....

05/16/2012, 02:50 PM	#21
ChrisKirkland Reef and Coral Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington, Ky. Posts: 1,339	They are: 48" x 18" x 21" __________________ Christopher M Kirkland Work as an IT Tech Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon T-5 SPS Dominate