75 gallon first legit tank

[Tx Medic]

Ok so I have been all over the place with tanks recently but I have finally settled on what I am going to do. I found a 75 gallon oceanic reef ready tank on craigslist with a sump (which looks a little rough). And a mag 7 return pump. All for $325. The tank is flawless and was running when I arrived so I could see it. I think I got an excellent deal on it. Tonight I am putting it back together so I can fill it with fresh and test my connections and work out those kinks. Any suggestions or whatever please feel free.

 

[Tx Medic]

Ok so I have everything plumbed up and have it filled with fresh and it is running like a champ. Only problem is my mag 7 return is freaking loud, and I will probably replace some tubing and piping. What kind of tubing can I use, just vinyl tubing from the hardware store?

 

[Tx Medic]

Ok so I have everything plumbed up and have it filled with fresh and it is running like a champ. Only problem is my mag 7 return is freaking loud, and I will probably replace some tubing and piping. What kind of tubing can I use, just vinyl tubing from the hardware store?

 

[Tx Medic]

I would really like to clean up all the craziness under here the guy I got it from has it frankensteined.

 

[heathd.hd]

I just went with 3\4" vinyl tube from manards. Works fine easier to work with. Mines dead silent. My skimmer is louder Than anything on my tank.

 

[Zero Nitrates]

Nice tank!
I got my tubing from Lowes.

 

[nature786]

Nice catch there, 75s are always session awesome.

 

[Tx Medic]

Ok so I don't like the stand that I got with the tank it seems ridiculously weak to hold a 75 so I am building one, its my first attempt and I have never been accused of being an excellent carpenter plus I am using all hand tools except a drill so yeah no power saw lol. I just hope I can level it out.

 

[cope413]

Do yourself and your tank a favor... Buy a compound miter saw or pay home depot our Lowe's to cut/rip your lumber for you.

 

[Tx Medic]

well after about 6 hours of screaming profanities and making a total hash out of building a stand I think I am just going to buy one are there any good ones on the market that don't cost an arm and a leg?

 

[Tx Medic]

so I am almost done with my sump and my stand is mostly built but if I cant get it level im going to have to figure something out.

 

[Tx Medic]

ok so stand is done minus a few things that can be added later.

 

[Tx Medic]

Ok so tank is on the stand and plumbing is done just filled it up and doing a leak test so far so good.

 

[Tx Medic]

Ok so leak test was successful last night and then I decided to go ahead and start putting my sand in. Well it turns out I only got half my order of sand so now I have to try and get my other half or just go spend an arm and a leg on some at petco, (there aren't any LFS around here). Very frustrating but I guess in the end it will be more satisfying when its done.

 

[Tx Medic]

Ok so I'm about to set up my sand bed I was thinking about using about 70Lbs of oolite sand on the bottom Erich should be about 2 inches and then using fine grain argonite sand on top of that till I have about 4.5 inches

 

[Tx Medic]

Which*

 

[ReeferRookie]

Looking good

 

[Tx Medic]

Ok so sand bed is in and I am currently filling my tank with rodi water and I will mix the salt in the tank before I add my live sand and my rock scape I will most likely hold my rock together by drilling holes and zip tying them together.

 

[Tx Medic]

some pictures of the sand bed

 

[Tx Medic]

Ok so for an equipment list
Oceanic 75 gallon reef ready tank
20 gallon long sump with skimmer drain area, refugium, return
166Lbs of aragonite sand seeded with live sand
80Lbs+ rock
1 jebao wp25
1 off brand 800gph ebay special for now
Mag 7 return pump
eshopps psk-75 skimmer (will be upgraded later)
eshopps float valve ato
Aquatic life 4 bulb t5ho light
eheim jager 150watt heater (another will be added later)