75 gallon equipment recommendations

mekesterson93 · Feb 5, 2019

So the wife okayed me to upgrade from my current nano tank(fluval 13.5) to a 75 gallon. Need some recommendations for equipment. For example; what size sump, what lighting, which return pump, etc. For lighting I'm thinking about getting an aquatic life hybrid fixture and having 2 ai primes and a hydra 26. And also thinking about getting a glasscages tank, sense their pretty reasonably priced. Either that or a deep blue rimless. Any input on the topic would be greatly appreciated!

miPapareef · Feb 5, 2019

Congrats and good luck.

After building my first tank. A 75 gallon marineland and then spending a bunch of money on equipment and livestock over the next 2 years, I’d buy the best “tank” and delay spends on pricy equipment. The tank is the one piece of equipment you can’t easily upgrade. So for me I’d go rimless and buy quality.

I like your light idea as I started with LED and added the hybrid later. I really like the combo. I believe things are easier and healthier with the T5 lights. But of course I like the ramp up and down and all blues at twilight that come with the LEDs. The combo setup gives both.

I used a Varios 2 for about a year and love the silent pump. I just wanted more flow and upgraded to the Varios 8.

I started with 2 Tunze 6055 that I still use and love the quiet, reliable, easily to direction powerheads. That amount of flow worked well but then I wanted more flow, I added 2 Gyre XF230. Their a little noisy for me and take more maintenance, but they move water and give great flow.

Don’t forget the Tunze Osmolator.

mekesterson93 · Feb 5, 2019

miPapareef said:
Congrats and good luck.

After building my first tank. A 75 gallon marineland and then spending a bunch of money on equipment and livestock over the next 2 years, I’d buy the best “tank” and delay spends on pricy equipment. The tank is the one piece of equipment you can’t easily upgrade. So for me I’d go rimless and buy quality.

I like your light idea as I started with LED and added the hybrid later. I really like the combo. I believe things are easier and healthier with the T5 lights. But of course I like the ramp up and down and all blues at twilight that come with the LEDs. The combo setup gives both.

I used a Varios 2 for about a year and love the silent pump. I just wanted more flow and upgraded to the Varios 8.

I started with 2 Tunze 6055 that I still use and love the quiet, reliable, easily to direction powerheads. That amount of flow worked well but then I wanted more flow, I added 2 Gyre XF230. Their a little noisy for me and take more maintenance, but they move water and give great flow.

Don’t forget the Tunze Osmolator.

Thank you very much for your input. I definitely want to go rimless, as I think it looks way better. I like LEDs, like you do, but I dont like how the under side of sps and other corals have "shadows". So that's a big reason why I want to incorporate t5s in there as well. But I do like the other features of LEDs. I dont care how long it takes me to set up, I just want the best possible setup I can "afford". I will probably buy some items used to save on some cash. But definitely want to buy a nice, new tank. Probably going to be using dry rock, and seeding the tank with the rock in my nano. I have an auto aqua smart ato, will that work for a 75? It works great in my current tank, just not sure about a larger one.

A sea K · Feb 6, 2019

Not trying to sway you or anything but if your considering the Deep Blue rimless then I would forgo the 75 and use the 80 gal shallow they offer. I have truly enjoyed mine and consider it to be a nearly perfect size.

mekesterson93 · Feb 6, 2019

A sea K said:
Not trying to sway you or anything but if your considering the Deep Blue rimless then I would forgo the 75 and use the 80 gal shallow they offer. I have truly enjoyed mine and consider it to be a nearly perfect size.

Thank you for your input! I'm actually glad you mentioned the 80 shallow. I just checked with my LFS and I can get a 80 reef ready rimless for around $450. I do like the idea of having a little more "depth". Got any pictures of your 80?? I'd like to see it

A sea K · Feb 7, 2019

mekesterson93 said:
Thank you for your input! I'm actually glad you mentioned the 80 shallow. I just checked with my LFS and I can get a 80 reef ready rimless for around $450. I do like the idea of having a little more "depth". Got any pictures of your 80?? I'd like to see it

Unfortunately I do not. Guess its time for me to get up to speed and learn how to do that. If you do decide on the 80 I'm certain you will be happy. IMO it has several advantages over a standard 75 or 90 even.

mekesterson93 · Feb 7, 2019

A sea K said:
Unfortunately I do not. Guess its time for me to get up to speed and learn how to do that. If you do decide on the 80 I'm certain you will be happy. IMO it has several advantages over a standard 75 or 90 even.

I'm pretty sure you have already persuaded me into the 80.. it will cost a few more bucks on initial set up but I think it will be worth it. I do like the real estate that it provides as well as the top view that is available. Thank you again, your post has been extremely valued!

A sea K · Feb 8, 2019

mekesterson93 said:
I'm pretty sure you have already persuaded me into the 80.. it will cost a few more bucks on initial set up but I think it will be worth it. I do like the real estate that it provides as well as the top view that is available. Thank you again, your post has been extremely valued!

You're more than welcome. If you decide to do a build thread give me a heads up, I would like to follow your progress.