Another 75G Build

[Linuxlostboy]

Hello! I'm a little late in finding this group. Who knew there were so many people in NoAla interested in reefs? I have been building a 75G reef for about a month now. It's been cycling since this past Saturday with live rock and sand. I think like most people, I searched for a stand that would have plenty of space and accessibility, but I could not find one. I built one that would allow for plenty of working room today as well as room to grow in the future. I used 2x4 and 2x6 lumber, a lot of glue, and screws. The top is a piece of quartz that was cut and drilled for the tanks plumbing. I still need to finish the trim.

Build Specifics:

• Deep Blue Professional 75-Gallon Rimless Aquarium Tank, 48 by 18 by 20-Inch
• Aqueon 34502 ProFlex Sump Model 3, 65-110-Gallon
• Jebao WP-40 Wavemaker
• Quiet One Lifegard Fountain Pump, 991-Gallon Per Hour
• Bulk Reef Supply BRS GFO & Carbon Reactor
• Coralife Cone Skimmer, 75-Gallon
• 2 of Kessil A360W
• Neptune Systems AquaController Apex Base Unit
• 2 of Aqueon 06106 Pro Heaters Submersible Aquarium Heater, 100-Watt
• Aqua Illuminations AI Nano LED Aquarium Light: White Fixture
• Approx 75 lbs live sand and 150 lbs live rock
• Float switches (on order)

I put together a quick RO/DI and saltwater making station in another room which is plumbed into the sump, bringing in/out top off water as well as mixed saltwater.

While the tank is cycling, I'm looking for any feed back on anything I may have overlooked or any advise.

Here are some pics:

 

[Linuxlostboy]

*please disregard the links, they were posted in error. :/

 

[ChrisKey]

Looking good. I love building my own stands because you always get it up to a viewable height. Those Kessils are some crazy lights for little pennants.

 

[Linuxlostboy]

Looking good. I love building my own stands because you always get it up to a viewable height. Those Kessils are some crazy lights for little pennants.

Thanks Chris. They're pretty neat, hoping the second is delivered tomorrow. The weather in TX has had it delayed for a few days.

Are you still selling your frag packs?

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Great job and welcome to R2R!

 

[Linuxlostboy]

Now that everything has settled, I'm beginning to see life. Can you help me ID these two:

and this crab:

 

[Tomoko Schum]

The creature in the second picture looks like some sort of hairy crab... Could be a gorilla crab, but it's hard to say from the picture.

 

[H@rry]

The first pic looks like a cup coral from the Caribbean. I've never been able to keep them alive though. Did you get Florida rock?

 

[eric.battani]

Like the rock work

 

[Linuxlostboy]

The creature in the second picture looks like some sort of hairy crab... Could be a gorilla crab, but it's hard to say from the picture.

My thoughts too, I worked so hard to pull the others off, I think two snuck by.

The first pic looks like a cup coral from the Caribbean. I've never been able to keep them alive though. Did you get Florida rock?

I'll have to look it up, and yes, from FL. There are a few now that I see, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

 

[Linuxlostboy]

The first pic looks like a cup coral from the Caribbean. I've never been able to keep them alive though. Did you get Florida rock?

Yes, that's it! The photos don't show the detail, but that it.

 

[Linuxlostboy]

Today's progress:

• Added approx 75 lbs more live rock
• snails, crabs, a Serpent and Brittle star, and four cucumbers
• a couple sponges

A few photos:

Can anyone tell me what these are:

 

[H@rry]

The last one (and probably the next to last one also) is a gorgonian.

 

[Linuxlostboy]

Thank you!

 

[joejoe1055]

looking good cant wait to see more

 

[aslmx]

Those are great pics. What camera and lens are you using.

 

[TrishW]

That second gorgonian is impressive!

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Looking good. I am not sure how your sump works from the picture. The left side of the sump seems to be the first chamber where the water drains into. Is the mid section your refugium? Where is your return pump? Is it hidden behind the skimmer?

 

[Linuxlostboy]

Those are great pics. What camera and lens are you using.

Thank you! These were with a Sony NEX7 with the 24mm Zeiss.

 

[Linuxlostboy]

Looking good. I am not sure how your sump works from the picture. The left side of the sump seems to be the first chamber where the water drains into. Is the mid section your refugium? Where is your return pump? Is it hidden behind the skimmer?

The left is the first, from the drain. I also have the dual reactor's output going back into there. The middle, the refugium. The return pump is behind the skimmer. It feeds the reactors too.

Is there a better way? The space is pretty limited in the sump, I should have probably gone bigger. Bigger is better.