DB's Back! ~ 75gal Build ~ Mixed Reef

DB9181

DB9181

New member
Finally getting back into the swing of things - Some of you may remember that I had a 29gal Mixed running, which previously looked like:

View attachment 4509

The 29gal has been on minimum maintenance as I recently purchased a house (March) and have been doing a lot of remodeling, etc. Unfortunately, my lobo when on the fritz and stung/killed a lot of my current frags... I will attempt to save what I can/place it on the sand-bed and see if I can get any growth from the skeletons.

A co-worker of mine was getting rid of his 75gal 'European Show Tank' that had been sitting in the garage for the last 2 years, which i was able to pick up for FREE =P

Thus, the bug has bitten again and I'm moving everything left in the 29gal over to the new 75gal. I have only thought of SW on the Nano scale (was in the middle of upgrading to a 40B) and am still somewhat new to it all, so any help/guidance/suggestions would be great.

Here it is, empty - recently painted the backing black.
View attachment 4510

Stand:
View attachment 4511

FILTRATION:
It previously had a wet/dry sump, I will be changing it to a DIY 30gal fuge. It was plumbed from the sump through an Aqua 15w UV Sterilizer w/ a RIO-2100. Since that was obviously working (lift, etc) I plan on keeping it... (I also have a Mag-7 Pump if needed).

15w UV:
View attachment 4512

Phosban Reactor 150 - recommentions on what to run ... Carbon? GFO?

I have a Coralife Super Skimmer 65 (planned for 40B) however this will need to be upgraded as its now a 100+ gal system

POWERHEADS:
-JBJ SP2500 = 530 GPH
-K4 = 1200 GPH
-I also have 2 K3s (850GPH each) that I may toss on random timers to 'mix up' the flow. (Plus obviously the return from the fuge)

LIGHTING:
Previously was 2 4ft Coralife PCs...
Hopefully Upgrading too: 2x 250w Reef Optix HQI Pendants//2x 110w VHO super actinics (From Eric)

AQUASCAPE:
-Planning on placing plastic egg-crate on the bottom to prevent rocks from sliding, etc.
-Moving the 30-40lbs of LS from the 29gal, then adding additional sand from other reefs and/or dry.
-I have roughly 40-50lbs of Rock, afew pieces that are still LR to seed - obviously plan on getting much more - dry so that I can epoxy it.

STOCKING:
(Coming from 29gal)
-Currently have 2 ocs Clowns (Black/White & Orange/White)
-3 Sexy Shrimp
-2 Peppermint Shrimp
-Coral: Torch, frogspawn, lobo, scolys, acans, a few SPS, Xenia, Kenya, Zoas, shrooms, etc
-CUC to support 29gal, will upgrade/add (probably from reefcleaners.org)


Stocking is where I will need assistance (again always been thinking on nano-scale) for reef-safe/peaceful members. Looking for good variety, size, movement, etc - I will probably make a separate stocking-side-thread.

Please let me know if and/or what I missed here ... again any suggestions are always welcome as well as equipment/stocking assistance - Not opposed to... discounted starter frags =P
 
Bout time! Haha,

Anyway, That tank looks exactly like Lil bam Bam's tank (Dre)... He is also running an overflow box on his setup so you may want to either see if you can check out his setup in person or PM him with questions, etc. Can't wait to see the thing up and running.

As far as the phosban reactor, I would say wait till u got some livestock in there first. For mine, I"m running carbon only(BRS ROX) as I have no need for GFO cuz my phosphates are always at zero. I just run the carbon for water clarity and in case if my anemones or other coral decide to have chemical warefare.

-Eric
 
Lil BamBam said:
Dan,

Hope to see this up soon ;) It was nice to meet you and Pedro..
Click to expand...

Dre, Its was great to finally meet you in person - Great setup too. Yeah, K9 Pedro has been making quite afew SW Pickups with me lately :)


Smitty said:
That's gonna be an awesome setup.
Click to expand...

Thx Smitty, I'm hoping so too :)

I'll be posting a brief update a little later this morning, need to get some other work done first.
 
Alright, mini-update: Been busy driving around and meeting up with other reefers for equipment, etc. Thank you to all that I have met up with so far.

I Believe I have aquired enough additional dry sand that combined w/ what is the 29gal I'll have enough for the 75gal. (a lot calculating the volume of random amount of sand in buckets lol).

I have also picked up 2 more PHs, 2 Koralia 1050s and a quad-wavemaker so I have lots to play with in regards to flow.

Skimmer: Obviously the Super Skimmer 65 isn't going to do the job. I now have 2 options:
-Under-skim w/ a SS 65 rated up to 65gal...obviously not.
-Over-skim w/ a ASM G-2 rated up to 200gal...meh
-Super Over-skim w/ a ETSS 800 rated 180-400gal... :D :D :D
View attachment 4654
SS 65 next to the ETSS 800 ... bit of a difference in size :)

Also picked up 113lbs of additional LR from a local reefer. Several of the rocks still have unknown polyps on them, so I'm curious to see once the tank is running and they open up.

View attachment 4655 View attachment 4656
Since I had 20-40lbs of dry rock and now 113lbs of LR, I set up a 40b and crammed it all in w/ 4-5 powerheads giving me close to 4,000GPH in the tank. The rock is so tightly packed in that I wanted to make sure there was decent flow throughout everything. I also set up the SS 65 as a HOB to help pull debris out. Running pretty wet, but Still getting it broken in. This is what is what it pulled out in about 5hrs.
View attachment 4657

It doesn't look like I'll be able to get the 75 up and running before I leave for vacation on Thursday, but this allows me to drill the tank when i get back, build the custom sump, and do all the plumbing correctly. I want also want to make sure the flow in the fuge/sump to reduced enough to allow the debris to settle/everything pass through the skimmer.

Since the ETSS 800 is so large, it would need to be in-stand, plumbed into the fuge/sump. Luckily my stand is extra tall as this badboy sits 25in tall and a footprint of 7x10. But this allows me to get the skimmer out of the fuge/sump and allow more space in there for filtration.

Eric also mentioned maybe running an external return w/ a closed loop system to get some 'crazy flow'. I'd need some help with this, but definitely up for the possibility.

With all the LR running in the 40b along w/ the dry rock for at least the next 2 weeks, plus moving over 40+lbs of Live Sand from the 29gal I'm anticipating a VERY short cycle-period :)

I've also been trying to do a lot of research regarding livestock. As mentioned, I would prefer a larger variety of color/movement over just a couple large fish. Additionally, the ETSS 800 can handle a huge bio-load.

Below are some of the livestock I'm considering. By no means am I planning and stocking this entire list, its just an 'interest' list. Please feel free to comment and/or recommend others. "*" indicates types I've very interested in.

LIVESTOCK OPTIONS:
Tangs (Just One)
**Kole
**Regal
-Yellow
-Tomini
Yes, I know the regal would eventually outgrow, but I can purchase a very small one and watch it grow for a few years.

Wrasses (Several)
-Lunare
**Flasher
-Pygmy
-Leopard (Future -need sufficient pod population)
-Lightning
-Solar (For Flatworms)

Dwarf Angels (1 or 2, both would be added at the same time)
**Flame
-BiColor
-Coral Beauty
I understand that angels CAN nip coral, but almost all the reefers I've talked to said that they have not had issues (its hit or miss w/ the particular fish). Again, oversized skimmer allows for extra feeding.

Others
***Orange/White & Black/White Osc. Clowns (transferred from 29gal)
-Blue/Green Chromis
*Bartlett Athias
*Mandarin (Future: Need sufficient pod population)
-Pygmy Hawkfish (may eat my sexy shrimp?)
**Chalk Bass
-Scooter Blenny (Need sufficient pop population)

Inverts
Obviously the variety of snails from the 29gal. Purchased a CUC from reefcleaners.org -Like usual they provided me with MUCH more than I ordered :)
***3 Sexy Shrimp (moved from 29gal)
***2 Peppermint Shrimp (moved from 29gal)
-Coral Banded Shrimp
-Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Will they all 'get along' since its a 75gal????
-Urchin (maybe)
-Strawberry crabs
-pom pom crabs
-Halloween Hermits

Let me know your thoughts :)
 
Yo! It was good seeing you again. That G2 isn't an overskim, you butt...haha...we'll argue that all day long, huh? Enjoy your vaca and let me know if you need help, Neighbor.
 
jayjigga said:
Yo! It was good seeing you again. That G2 isn't an overskim, you butt...haha...we'll argue that all day long, huh? Enjoy your vaca and let me know if you need help, Neighbor.
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Well... one would argue you can NEVER over-skim ;) The reefers that I got the ETSS 800 was running it on a 75gal as well, said one if his kid's friends pouring a full can of coke into the tank. Within 20mins the 800 had removed it all. Anywho, any comments on the stocking list? other fish to consider?

I'll definitely take ya up on that. I'm thinking the weekend after I come back of doing some massive work. Need to drill the 75, build the 29gal fuge (baffles, etc) plumb it all, pretty sure I need to build a canopy to mount the VHOs, make my mesh screen, etc. There may even be free beer ;)
 
Thought it was about time to get this 75g finally going. Here are some updates:
-One new fish added (to 29gal for now) a 3in fat Mel Wrasse - Great personality, goes to sleep in the sandbed every night around the same time and of course tosses sand on my frags lol. Also have been adding several new frags - pics later...
View attachment 6773

View attachment 6774
(Ignore the reflection of the large zip-lock bag)

Roughly 120-150 lbs of LR has been sitting in the 40B with 3000+gph of PHs (because the rock is so tightly shoved in there) with a SS-60 skimmer running - Haven't done a water change, just topped off so im sure there's plenty of bacteria in there / cycled. I'll probably shake them off in a bucket of SW before placing in the new tank.

Also just received my order from Glass-Holes.com - Great site! Created a 10% off discount code for me (I reminded them it was 'National Play Doh Day' :D ).

I will be drilling two 0.75" returns at both ends of the tank w/ loc-line and flare nozzles - The returns will be fed by a Mag 7 to a "T" split - 1.5" Drain in the middle. Both lines will have ball valves on then so that I can fine-tune the drain vs. return. Went with a large 1.5" drain to avoid blockage (although there will be a strainer attached) as well as if I want to upgrade the return pump in the future. Looking at doing most of the plumbing in flex-line to reduce noise, from the "T" split to both returns will be PVC. I plan on drilling the returns closer to the surface and calcuate the location of the drain bulkhead so it is impossible to flood the sump during a power failure.

I will be using a 29gal tank as the sump/fuge. Again Skimmer will be external (ETSS 800) leaving more room in the sump. I plan on tossing the the skimmer pump in, Mag 7 return, heater, and a ton of LR (over due what i plan on putting in) and see how much volume I'm left to work with. Also still need to create the sections/baffles. Hopefully, when running normally it will be about 1/2 full so I have roughly 15 gals of extra capacity to work with...

75gal is 48.5 x 18.5 x 21.375
So 1 inch of tank water = 1,112.75 cubic inches
1gal = 231 cubic inches

So 1in of water in my DT = roughly 4.82 gal
15 gals of available room in sump = roughly 3in of water from DT

That means that the lowest point, bottom of my drain bulkhead, can be 3 inches below the suface of the water and makes it impossible to flood the sump. Correct?

Hopefully I can get this puppy drilled / Filled this weekend and/or early next week (Still finishing up a bathroom remodel - plus I have taken on the role of housing/training a second K9 Patrol dog) and let it run for a bit. Several fellow reefers have generously donated old/dry sand that I have cleaned - I will also add several cups from my 29gal to seed it, and then add the rest just before transfering everything else over.

I'm also thinking about painting the current stand / tank trim black - Currently it is meant to look almost like stone (speckled grey) - The exact same tank that Dre has if you've seen his. I will eventually be building a canopy that will be black, and think it would look more uniform this way. Hopefully I can just paint over it, verse sanding it down - although it is slighly textured... guess we'll find out...
 
Also... Since all the LR was from a previous reefer breaking down his tank, think I should give all the LR a quick Coral dip and/ or FW for pests. With that much LR I have no idea what could be lerking inside, but I obviously dont want to dry it all out because that defeats the purpose of cycled/seasoned LR lol
 
Joe5688 said:
Nice updates. We should have a contest who gets their 75 up and running first lol
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Haha well if you mean up / Filled thats one thing - obviously dont want to rush the Livestock transfer. I could literally have it running by the end of the day tomorrow, but like i said I'm finishing a bathroom demo/remodel and want to finish up the tile-work. Eh, well see... I might just get impatient and drill/fill the 75. Sump wont be done for a little while but Ill just close the valves on the lines and/or hook up a 90 degree elbow w/ PVC extending up - that way it can't drain anywhere unless it decided to defy the laws of gravity.
 
That's what i did yesterday. Put my sump under my tank, installed the valves. Shut them filled my tank. Tonight probably going to drain some water and mix salt for tomorrow.
 
Alright, well it was a pretty productive weekend. I drilled the two .75" returns and 1.5" drain, installed the bulkheads and test filled - no leaks :)

I then decided that i rather have the tank trim and stand black (instead of stone grey) that way when I build a black canopy it will all match .... So I went ahead and painted all that. Then moved the stand into place (plywood underneigh to protect my floor) and put the tank on. So I had to move the stand and tank from the backyard and into the house ... Then get the 150 lb tank on the stand. The catch? Doing all this by myself - none the less, I managed to do it.

View attachment 6838

Dre, recognize it anymore? Dre and I have the exact same stand/tank ... mines just black now :)

Then it was time to place eggcate on the bottom to prevent sliding, start stacking live rock, fill/mix water, and add the sand. The bottom 2/3 of the sand is relatively coarse, top 1/3 is ultra fine (almost sugar-grain) - not sure if I like it that fine but we'll see how it works out. I also added about 4 cups of LS from my current 29gal reef to seed with.

View attachment 6839View attachment 6840
(water is still really cloudy from the sand - picture was taken with just a single crappy PC strip light, will have two 250w MH and 2 48" VHO Actinics)

I think I really like the current aquascape - It provides tons of nooks / overhangs / passageways for fish to duck into and is very stable. Also there is still a ton (at least in my opinion) of swimming space and the rock work comes out no farther that the middle of the tank leaving 8-10in of completely open space/sand. I will probably eventually toss some smaller coral/rock colonies on the sand as well.

I think the positions of the Powerheads will work - need to check and make sure there are no dead-spots, but it doesn't appear to be. On the right side are two Korilla Evo 1050's and on the left is a Korilla 4 - I'm afaird a K4 is going to be too much flow from a single source as I will have mainly softies / LPS with afew SPS mixed in - Thoughts?

I still need to add about 10gallons of water, but the plumbing/valves aren't hooked up yet - just elbows turned up. Hope to add the drain/return lines today so I can put the valves on and close them off, then add 5-10gal of water from my 29gal reef, I'll also be ghost-feeding the tank. The sump won't be done for a little while, but with the valves closed it won't be an issue.

Now its time to sit back and let it run for a week or two (testing periodically). Maybe get the sump done but I'll be out of town for 5 days this weekend.
 
Joe5688 said:
Looks awesome. Get this thing done already! Lol how much lr is in there
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Haha, I'm working on it - Honestly I have no idea - I had over 150lbs of LR, i know I used at least 1/2 of it but these were mainly all big pieces. Still need to add a little more on top once I add the rest of the water. Plus cram a ton of LR in the fuge. May still have some left over... Buuuuut i think im going to turn the old 29gal in to a FOWLR / maybe a preditory tank =P since its already set up, just need to add new LR ... which i have lol
 
Since I think the K4 is too much from one source (specially w/ LPS and Softies), thinking of tossing it and added 2 800gph Powerheads - One at each end, then a Evo at each end - So that would be 800 gph and 1050 gph at each end of the tank, angled differently. I also have a wavemaker box that i could plug all 4 into - or leave 2 running constantly and alternate the other two :P

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-800-1300...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item25755e7b50

2 800gph PHs for $25... hard to pass on
 
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