Stocking/Hardware plans during cycle

[runningrandy04]

Hello everyone,

My reef affair has resumed after a 2 year hiatus. While my tank cycles, I would like to get some opinions about stocking and hardware upgrades.

Current system:
-75 gal with 80 lbs of dry rock


-ReefKeeper2 controller
-2x Tunze 6015(550gph), 1x Tunze 6065(1700gph)
-30 gal sump


-Octopus Extreme 200 with OTP-2000 NW pump
-Phosban 150 reactor
-Magdrive 12 return with Magdrive 9.5 backup
-5 stage RO/DI for water supply using Seachem Reefsalt

System upgrades:
-Option1- Aquatrance 3000($109)
-Option2- BubbleBlaster 3000($235)
-Photon V2 48 led lighting ($650)
-light for cheato in sump ?
-Option 1 - Dosing 2-part 3 times per day with 2x BRS pumps controlled by RK2 ($160) + ATO ($140)
-Option 2 - Dosing Kalkwasser in the ATO ($140)

Potential stocking in order: (weeks after 3 month cycle)
-20-30 snails, pod supply, 2x Emerald crab (week 0)
-6x Pepermint shrimp, 2x Cleaner shrimp (week 2)
-2x TruePercula clownfish (week 4)
-3x Chromis, 1x Brittlestar, Cheato in sump (week 8)
-Foxface (One Spot) (week12)
-3x Anthias (type?) (week 16)
-Kole tang (week 20)
-BTA anenome (week 24)
-add numerous LPS after BTA settles

QUESTIONS
1. Is the BubbleBlaster 3000 worth twice the price, and will it be too much for my 8in skimmer body?
2. Being new to LED, is the Photon V2 48 enough or too much for LPS and BTA?


3. Is 1.1mL/min of the BRS pump too fast for 3 times a day dosing?
4. Would the 2-part or Kalkwasser dosing provide more stability?
5. Is this too much livestock for this tank?
6. I'm assuming the Anthias could wipe out the pods. Could my small cheato section (8"L x 12" W x 9" D) in the sump sustain the pods? If not, is there any other omnivore options that would be good for this group?
7. Is this a good order for livestock introduction to the display tank?

Thank you Reef Central in advance for the input. Previously, this tank was stable for 5 years. I would like to keep it going for much longer with your help.

[bif24701]

1. BB 3000 would be correct for your 8" skimmer, however that's a lot of skimmer and pump. Why do you think you need to upgrade, just because?

2. The Photon-V2 is controllable and yes, its enough.

3. Nope, that's what you need

4. Yes, add it to your ATO and then adjust as needed with two part. do one or the other, don't need a dosing pump if your doing Kalk in your ATO

5. I'm not the one that would know sorry

6. Anthias need several small feeding throughout the day (x3), you will still have pods

7. Starting with the snails and shrimp yes. anemone should be last however and I'm not sure about the rest


Looks like you are on track! I just started a new 75 myself, after a hiatus of 2 years!

[runningrandy04]

Originally Posted by bif24701

1. BB 3000 would be correct for your 8" skimmer, however that's a lot of skimmer and pump. Why do you think you need to upgrade, just because?

2. The Photon-V2 is controllable and yes, its enough.

3. Nope, that's what you need

4. Yes, add it to your ATO and then adjust as needed with two part. do one or the other, don't need a dosing pump if your doing Kalk in your ATO

5. I'm not the one that would know sorry

6. Anthias need several small feeding throughout the day (x3), you will still have pods

7. Starting with the snails and shrimp yes. anemone should be last however and I'm not sure about the rest


Looks like you are on track! I just started a new 75 myself, after a hiatus of 2 years!

Thanks for the reply Biff,

Haha, I guess 2 years is the limit on seeing perfect places to put a 75gal reef.
I switched to the OTP-2000 years ago for reliability but it was rated for half the flow and SCFH of the original Sicce pump. It worked fine then, but I would like to stock more fish than I used to have. I also like to feed, so do I need the massive pump? Probably not, but I do need an upgrade from the OTP and I'm not sure about the reliability of the Aquatrance. BubbleBlaster is always a home run though!

[bif24701]

In getting a new SRO myself because I like the BB pump.

I am also mulling over livestock and equipment choices. Though I'm pretty much down to livestock now.
I got the Gyre 130, SRO-1000, a pair of AI Sols (may supplement with T5s) and an Iwaki 40 return. Pretty happy so far! Just waiting for my cycle to be over.

[runningrandy04]

Awesome, that SRO-1000 is pretty nice. I doubt upgrading my skimmer body would do any good. I still need to determine a way to get random flow with surges to lift up the detritus. I think it will come down to an MP40 and a Gyre 130. My overflow is pretty much maxed out.

[bif24701]

Mine overflow too. I'm going to see how well that gyre works out and decide what power head I need.

I am also looking at those red LEDs for the fuge. Since my stand is open I think that might look pretty cool at night.

[runningrandy04]

That would look pretty cool. I'm still lost in the world of refugium lights. CFL vs LED and wattage/sqft?

[bif24701]

I've had great success with 5.5k-6.5k CFLs but I've seen the red LED grow lights that seem to be making Cheato explode.

[runningrandy04]

I'll have to look into those.