75 gallon reef build

[Nonameben]

Before I start this build, I'd like to go ahead and introduce myself. My name is Ben and I could stare at a saltwater tank all day, especially reef tanks. I love everything about them. Kept a freshwater tank for a few years and decided to move on up to my real passion. This is my first saltwater tank ever, so cut me some slack if I don't know some things! Done my research for months and I am continuing the research, but finally saved up some money and have had the time to start the equipment buying process. Decided to do a build thread, not because I'm making some BA 150g+ in wall tank but because I'll be able to get positive feedback on the things i'm doing right and help/tips/criticism on the things I'm doing wrong. Plus I thought it would be fun to record my progress as I go along.

This will be a reef tank. Fish, corals, invertebrates.. the whole nine yards!
Live rock will be my biological filtration

Equipment so far: (anything I do not provide a brand/model for will be provided tomorrow 1/13/2012)

75g Aqueon tank with megaflow overflow
4-lamp T5 HO lighting
Eshopps Sump
300W ViaAqua Quartz Heater
Megaflow plumbing kit
Test kit
(1) 20lb bag Caribsea Aragonite substrate
Thermometer

Equipment still to be bought:
150W heater
(2) sicce powerheads
Sicce main drive pump
Another 20lb bag Caribsea Aragonite substrate
75-100lbs live rock
Octopus skimmer
refractometer

Fish list:
(2) Ocellaris clowns
(1) Longnose Hawkfish
(1) Midas, Ember, or Black Combtooth Blenny
(1) Kole Tang

Possibly adding Marine betta and Mandarin Dragonet..TBA

Feel free to leave constructive criticism, adivce, and tips about my above equipment and fish list.


The tank and some of the equipment


Close up, megaflow plumping kit.


Eshopps sump


ViaAqua 300W heater


T5 Timer control


Two blue, two white, three moon lights in middle


Stand is coming next week, will set tank up and connect the sump. Powerheads and main drive pump the following week!

Any suggestions on anything? Also thinking about a fuge but I know little-nothing about them.. HELP!

Almost forgot, I do have a Q-tank! Fish will be in there for a month before introduced into the DT tank.

[Reef264]

Sounds like a positive attitude!Your Equiptment Seems Good.Your Fish Selection can be improved, The Marine Betta May Try To Eat Your Blenny's, the Mandarin Dragonet needs a pretty mature tank that has a Heavy Copepod Population, because that is there primary diet.You sound like you have a solid head on your shoulders, and have a Real passion for saltwater/reef tanks.

[danderso]

Looks like a good start. +1 on the mandarin. It takes at least several months for the pod population to build up or they will starve. A refugium helps in this area. Good luck and keep posting as you go.

[Nonameben]

Originally Posted by Reef264

Sounds like a positive attitude!Your Equiptment Seems Good.Your Fish Selection can be improved, The Marine Betta May Try To Eat Your Blenny's, the Mandarin Dragonet needs a pretty mature tank that has a Heavy Copepod Population, because that is there primary diet.You sound like you have a solid head on your shoulders, and have a Real passion for saltwater/reef tanks.

Thanks man, and really? I thought Betta would be peaceful but thanks for the heads up. I know the dragonet needs an established tank so I'll wait for him. I really appreciate the positive support. I love reefs, I cannot wait to get this started!

[Nonameben]

Originally Posted by danderso

Looks like a good start. +1 on the mandarin. It takes at least several months for the pod population to build up or they will starve. A refugium helps in this area. Good luck and keep posting as you go.

Will look into a fuge more, definitely going to add one eventually. Thanks man, I will. Will post corals tonight/tomorrow!

[Nonameben]

Went to the LFS today pick out the powerheads, main drive pump, and protein skimmer. Checked my stand details, will be coming in friday 1/20/2012. They got some new clowns in today, BEAUTIFUL looking fish. Cannot decide between the Ocellaris clowns or the black ones, but that's okay. I've got plenty of time.



Sicce return pump



Sicce power heads



Octopus skimmer



LFS store. Great store, checked out a lot in my area and this one is the best in terms of prices, advice, and equipment. The guys here are real supportive and informative. Have been helping me the whole way through.

[Nonameben]

Coral to start with (subject to change):
LPS- Plate coral [Fungia repanda], Candy cane coral [Caulastrea furcata], Brain coral favites [Favites spp.]
Leathers- Green polyp [Sarcophyton sp.], Long polyp [Sarcophyton sp.], Thick finger [Sinularia spp.], Birdsnest [Seriatopera hystrix]
Zoa- Colony polyp corals

[xcastn0shad0wx]

wish there were more LFS like that!!!... that place seems pretty nice!

[Nonameben]

It's awesome! I'll post inside pics when I go pick up the stand!

[Waddleboy]

good looking fish store and equipment. How do you like the lights? I know they arent on the tank but i am thinking of getting them for a 150 and wanted to know what you thought?

[jer77]

Maybe i missed it in your list, but do you have an RO/DI water filter? Without one your corals will really suffer.

[Nonameben]

Originally Posted by Waddleboy

good looking fish store and equipment. How do you like the lights? I know they arent on the tank but i am thinking of getting them for a 150 and wanted to know what you thought?

the lights are really sweet. I'm not sure how to put them on the tank (either hanging by a wire or just set atop?) but The controls are easy, you can have blue and white both on or either just on and the moonlights are pretty sweet.

[Nonameben]

Originally Posted by jer77

Maybe i missed it in your list, but do you have an RO/DI water filter? Without one your corals will really suffer.

For the time being I will use to lfs's ro/di water they are supplying me but will invest into a ro/di system. I didn't list it on here but it's in my notebook under future investments, along with temp control

[Waddleboy]

Originally Posted by Nonameben

the lights are really sweet. I'm not sure how to put them on the tank (either hanging by a wire or just set atop?) but The controls are easy, you can have blue and white both on or either just on and the moonlights are pretty sweet.

Sweet awesome glad to hear it

Originally Posted by Nonameben

For the time being I will use to lfs's ro/di water they are supplying me but will invest into a ro/di system. I didn't list it on here but it's in my notebook under future investments, along with temp control

a temp controller may be a big thing. It might seem silly but heaters fail. My brand new heater failed I'm 3 days and my controller prevented my temps from cooking things.... Might be worthwhile to get sooner than later

[lowscooby76]

you have a Great start.i have the same AquaticLife Light.it has been a good light.i did change my t5s bulbs to (1)54W 12000K ATI Aquablue Special T5 HO Bulb,(2) 54W ATI Blue Plus T5 HO Bulb,(1) 48" 54W ATI True Actinic 03 T5 HO Bulb. i like how the ATI bulbs look.

[lowscooby76]

is that a Reef Octopus 6" Pinwheel In Sump Skimmer Model# OCT NWB150 that what i have and the pump is not that great a good skimmer when the pump work right. the sump i have is a Trigger Systems Refugium and sump Model# Elite CRYS36E i think that is the best sump i have ever bought.it has a lot of room to work and it thick acrylic.

[am3gross]

that does look like a really nice store adn i am all about supporting the local guys however i would look around online and see if you couldnt get some deals on some of the stuff you are wanting to get.. every little bit you can save really helps...

[reefermad619]

+1^

My LFS will match online prices. Even if they don't make money. They keep me happy. Which means I'll buy most of my fish from them. They'll probably make some money on those.

[jlylec]

Originally Posted by reefermad619

+1^

My LFS will match online prices. Even if they don't make money. They keep me happy. Which means I'll buy most of my fish from them. They'll probably make some money on those.

If they don't make money on something they won't be your LFS for long!

[wrxreefer823]

Looks like you've got a great start! I'll be following this one closely, as I just upgraded to a 75g from a 56g column.

[Nonameben]

The build may be slow wrxreefer, but I appreciate the follow. I'll be sure to list any and all problems I have. Any input on my coral list? I picked that list from the beginners area on live aquaria, as jlylec suggested. Also, how difficult are anemones to keep? I really like the bubble tip.

[Nonameben]

Originally Posted by lowscooby76

you have a Great start.i have the same AquaticLife Light.it has been a good light.i did change my t5s bulbs to (1)54W 12000K ATI Aquablue Special T5 HO Bulb,(2) 54W ATI Blue Plus T5 HO Bulb,(1) 48" 54W ATI True Actinic 03 T5 HO Bulb. i like how the ATI bulbs look.

I will have to check out the different bulbs, I need to replace the ones I have. They are 8 months old.

[Nonameben]

Originally Posted by Waddleboy

Sweet awesome glad to hear it



a temp controller may be a big thing. It might seem silly but heaters fail. My brand new heater failed I'm 3 days and my controller prevented my temps from cooking things.... Might be worthwhile to get sooner than later

doing my research tonight on temp controls tonight, thanks for the advice. Any good brands that I should check out?

[wrxreefer823]

Coral list looks good! Leathers are very easy to keep, as are zoas. LPS can be a little more challenging, I've heard candy canes are easy to care for, can't say I've heard the same about a brain or plate (I haven't heard the opposite though!). Currently I in the LPS department I have a lobophyllia frag, and a small duncan frag, both of which are doing well. To answer your question about the anemones, I've learned that bubble tips are probably the easiest to keep through my experience. Just make sure you feed it and it should do fine. I actually just had to get rid of mine because I had to take a rather LARGE gold striped maroon out of the tank, and broke the bond between the anemone and clown, so the anemone unfooted itself from the rock, stopped eating, and started dying... I hope to get another one though! Good luck!

[Waddleboy]

Originally Posted by Nonameben

doing my research tonight on temp controls tonight, thanks for the advice. Any good brands that I should check out?

JBl makes a good one. But you want to consider if you just want a heat controller or a multipurpose controller like RKL, apex, ect. You may think its cheaper to go with just a timer for your lights, heater, pumps, then just getting a complete one but i find the complete ones are much better IMO. Totally your call....

Also as for an anemone, your tank needs to mature a lot before you can get one. People say a minimum of 6 months. From what i have read and heard, bubble tips and carpets are the easiest to keep though