75 gallon reef build

[ConnorG]

Hi all I am in the process of collecting stuff for my 75 gallon upgrade. Currently have an 18 inch metal halide/actinic mix on my 24 gallon. I was wondering if I got a second one would that be enough for the bigger tank? Totaling about 356 watts.

Things I have:
-stand and canopy
-mag 7 return
-bio ball tower (I am aware of the challenges with these but I will clean 1/4 of them weekly)
-80 pounds of oolite live sand

Thanks for checking this out!

[ConnorG]

Also I am trying to decide between a perfecto vs aqueon tank. Is there a difference? Which one is better? What are the pros and cons of each?

[flea1]

Originally Posted by ConnorG

Also I am trying to decide between a perfecto vs aqueon tank. Is there a difference? Which one is better? What are the pros and cons of each?

Can't go wrong either way, both companies make good tanks and stands.

[ConnorG]

Bump?

[ConnorG]

Update! Got some new toys today! I got the tank in place and am going to make the sump tomarrow, it's a 30 breeder with a bubble trap and a baffle. Her is the tank I also got 2 korilla powerheads 1400 gph, and a few other goodies.
as you can see I decided to go with perfecto! Got it for a good price, $220 for tank and plumbing kit. I am doing a herbie overflow.





As you can see I marked out where the baffles will go! First chamber is the intake and skimmer, second is the fuge, and last is return.


Here is the 80 pounds of Oolite live sand!


Need to buy:
Reef octopus 100
Variouse plumbing supplies
1 150 watt metal halide with 2 14 watt actinics (already have one over my 24 gallon)
2 30 gallon trash bins
5 gallon bucket of salt

[TheReefJedi]

Can't wait to see the progress!

[ConnorG]

Oh I can't either! It's gonna need like a week for the sand to settle! And the RO/DI unit comes on Tuesday!

[flea1]

Tank is looking good man

[ConnorG]

Thanks! Any suggestions on the best placement of the powerheads?

[flea1]

Originally Posted by ConnorG

Thanks! Any suggestions on the best placement of the powerheads?

The powerhead on the right seems a little low, Bring it up a little bit to the level of the one on the left, and also place it towards the middle of the right side glass, you can also experiment and see how you want the flow in the.

[markaren]

That is the exact tank my wife likes. Where did you get the stand?

[ConnorG]

I actually baught it from one of my LFS used. It's in really good shape but I hated the color! It was an ugly yellow. So I stripped off all the stain, sanded it, stained it and sealed it with 3 coats of clear coat to make is semi-waterproof!

[sponger0]

Originally Posted by ConnorG

Thanks! Any suggestions on the best placement of the powerheads?

You wont be able to really decide that until the tank is up and running. You are going to have to play with the powerheads until you hit the sweet spot.

[ConnorG]

Thanks for all the responses! Today I will be getting all the plumbing and just ordered the skimmer and a new retune because I bought it locally and it costed $124 so I went online to BRS and it was $85! So I am returning it and will be receiving my order this week! I will also be buying some electrical components today along with the baffles for the sump and will post pictures when it is drying!

[ConnorG]

So a little update.....I made the sump today and decided to go with only 2 chambers and then use plastic buckets with tons of holes in them for the rock and a big container of sand. Here is what's bought today:

- 30 gallon brute trash bin (water changes)
- female to barb pipe fitting
- male the slip PVC fitting
- PVC primer and cement
- baffles for the sump
- 200 gallons worth of salt (makes 200 gallons)
- dolly for the trash bin
- 10 feet of vinyl tubing
- silicon
- door handles for the stand and canopy
- hose clamps for return

I will post pictures in a little bit of the sump!

[ChrisKirkland]

I just used the same caribsea sand (mine is a bit courser) but it created a very dense fog. I ended up using a 200 micron filter sock and a slotted spoon (to remove the thick foam) to clear my tank up faster. Just an idea for you.

[09bumblebee]

Looking good.

[ConnorG]

Pics I promised!

Sump:


Plumbing from overflow:


Plumbing from return: the gray hose fitting will screw into the mag 7 and then I will add another one to the other end with a male adapter that will screw into a u shaped PVC pipe which will screw onto a y shaped lock line:


Switch box taken from my computer


Water change bin:

[ConnorG]

Anybody know how to remove the haze you get from smudged silicone? I tried a razor blade to no availe.

[KnownStrangeR]

"goo be gone" works wonders for all that stuff. even takes the surf wax out of my boardshorts. had success with it and superglue and liquidnails

[ConnorG]

Any ideas on removing the "oily" smear after using goo gone?

[89Foxbody]

Make sure that trash can is pretty rugged. I used a regular old trash bin before and it ended up stretching from the water and the lid didn't fit anymore. Most people use Brute trash cans which are very thick and don't bow. Plus, the dolly for the Brute locks into the bottom of the can so there's no chance of it falling/sliding off.

Looks good so far though!

[flea1]

Originally Posted by ConnorG

Any ideas on removing the "oily" smear after using goo gone?

I was just going to tell you "don't use goo gone" it will make a mess, But i'm too late, If you use soap to clean it, make sure you clean ALL the soap off before adding water.

[ConnorG]

Ok so we ran into a big problem....We cant get the sump into the stand! wont fit in the doors and we cant go in from the top. We are now going to saw a hole in the back fiberboard of the stand to allow for some extra lee way to shimmy it in there and then cover the hole with a second piece of fiberboard. Will this hinder its stability?

[nbelohlav]

i dont think that it would make a huge issue but if you want more piece of mind cut a 2x4 and put it on the inside of the stand behind the sump standing on its end as another support...