icedearth15324
TeamCR
Many of you have probably seen me post about how if only my 75g was up and running I'd be able to buy this or that or go to this event or do whatever. Well I'm finally ready to post some information about my new 75 gallon mixed reef tank.
First, a little background about myself. I've been in fishkeeping for a little over 10 years now, but it's always been with fresh water. I finally jumped on the saltwater bandwagon in december when I bought a Fluval Spec V on Black Friday for $50, and decided to make a nano reef out of it. Here's a photo of the tank shortly before being upgraded.
I quickly became addicted to this new world, as many of you probably have as well. Around february I got a free 12g Nano Cube from a cousin, and upgraded over. I modified the nano cube with a Steve's LEDs retrofit kit, cobalt MJ900 pump, and the inTank media basket. I've been running this tank since then and have had substantial growth in my Deresa Clam, RBTA, and Birdsnest Corals. Here's the most updated photo.
Ok, so now fast forward to early April, I happen to be browsing CraigsList for deals on tanks and I find a great deal on a 50 gallon tank with stand. So I ask my parents (still live with them), and they give me the go ahead. So I go to pick up the tank, only to find it isn't a 50 gallon, but a 75 gallon instead. So now this begins the long process of getting the 75 set up in our family room. It's been a lot of headaches and definitely put a dent in my bank account, but it will definitely be worth it once it gets going.
To start, here's the tank when I first bought it:
The stand was in visibly bad shape, a lot of stains and small dents, so the first thing I did was sand it down. A couple of the front boards were also loose so I reglued and nailed them in.
I then found a nice tan color to paint the stand and got that done.
We then began working on the drain and returns. The system is running a 1.5" drain, with dual 1" returns. I then also got an overflow box off ebay.
I also went with a durso standpipe for the drain. Here's the tank with the bulkheads installed, the back painted blue, and the overflow being installed.
I then built a sump out of a 20L.
Here's the tank in the garage running the leaktest.
And a quick view of the plumbing behind the tank.
And here's the tank in our family room waiting to be filled.
Just waiting to borrow my brother's RO unit so I can make and mix water. Also building a canopy for the lights. I'll be updating this as I keep working on the tank.
First, a little background about myself. I've been in fishkeeping for a little over 10 years now, but it's always been with fresh water. I finally jumped on the saltwater bandwagon in december when I bought a Fluval Spec V on Black Friday for $50, and decided to make a nano reef out of it. Here's a photo of the tank shortly before being upgraded.
I quickly became addicted to this new world, as many of you probably have as well. Around february I got a free 12g Nano Cube from a cousin, and upgraded over. I modified the nano cube with a Steve's LEDs retrofit kit, cobalt MJ900 pump, and the inTank media basket. I've been running this tank since then and have had substantial growth in my Deresa Clam, RBTA, and Birdsnest Corals. Here's the most updated photo.
Ok, so now fast forward to early April, I happen to be browsing CraigsList for deals on tanks and I find a great deal on a 50 gallon tank with stand. So I ask my parents (still live with them), and they give me the go ahead. So I go to pick up the tank, only to find it isn't a 50 gallon, but a 75 gallon instead. So now this begins the long process of getting the 75 set up in our family room. It's been a lot of headaches and definitely put a dent in my bank account, but it will definitely be worth it once it gets going.
To start, here's the tank when I first bought it:
The stand was in visibly bad shape, a lot of stains and small dents, so the first thing I did was sand it down. A couple of the front boards were also loose so I reglued and nailed them in.
I then found a nice tan color to paint the stand and got that done.
We then began working on the drain and returns. The system is running a 1.5" drain, with dual 1" returns. I then also got an overflow box off ebay.
I also went with a durso standpipe for the drain. Here's the tank with the bulkheads installed, the back painted blue, and the overflow being installed.
I then built a sump out of a 20L.
Here's the tank in the garage running the leaktest.
And a quick view of the plumbing behind the tank.
And here's the tank in our family room waiting to be filled.
Just waiting to borrow my brother's RO unit so I can make and mix water. Also building a canopy for the lights. I'll be updating this as I keep working on the tank.
