Charlie's 55 upgrading to 75 with sump

charliethezero · Jan 18, 2016

I was going to do a largish water change this weekend and mentioned the surface scum to my husband. I told him a sump would be nice, he asked how they worked and made the observation that the tank would have to be emptied to drill and we would need a new stand. Of course I mention the dollar a gallon, can just by a new tank. The next thing he said was the surprising part. (I may be pushing the limits on animals with him) He said "why don't we just get a bigger tank?" We started talking about a 180 but we will be moving this summer and I don't know if I want to go that big along with a shark pond. We settled on a 75 gallon. I just called one of my favorite lfs and they have one waiting for me for just 75 dollars.

Have to find something for the stand and I'm set to start an upgrade.

charliethezero · Jan 24, 2016

Okay, so this build is moving quite a bit faster then I had planned. I thought I would have to slowly pickup items to dissipate initial cost for my husband's approval. Turned out he had other plans, his goal is to have it running by the end of the week.

We picked up the tank and a dresser yesterday. Took off the top and we're replacing it with a nice stone tile. Just bought a rodi unit and picking it up tomorrow along with the tiles.

I decided not to drill the tank so I'm looking for an eshopps overflow. And still need to pick up two rw-8.

charliethezero · Jan 25, 2016

I just picked up my ro/di unit. I can't believe BRS is in Minnesota and a short drive away. Great staff and extremely friendly. Definitely found my go to store.

Time to start making my own water.

Heading to the tile shop and finish the stand.

charliethezero · Feb 3, 2016

The build slowed this week. Tiling the dresser took a bit longer then we planned. Just got it grouted. Should have the tank placed and filling on Saturday.

On the plus side everything is here and the sump is made. So once it's on the dresser it should go really fast setting it up barring any mishaps.

charliethezero · Feb 7, 2016

Finally all plumbing is done, only thing I regret is not painting the back(husband didn't want to since the turtle will most likely inherit the tank in a year or two). Now filling with water. It's the longest wait. I have only a 75 gallon/day rodi system and only two five gallon bins for storage. Wish I could've made all the water as we were building, now I know I won't sleep tonight just to get her filled by tomorrow. One thing I slightly miss about freshwater.

Greenstreet.1 · Feb 7, 2016

Loving that dresser [emoji1474]

charliethezero · Feb 7, 2016

Thank you, it was a hassle redoing the top but I really wanted to use it.

Greenstreet.1 · Feb 7, 2016

Nice look already bro

charliethezero · Feb 10, 2016

Tank is full and heating up. I've silenced the overflow a bit but it's still gurgling. Hoping it's to temp by tomorrow morning, really need my living room back.

Plan is to add sand in the morning, then my rock once it's cleared. I have prime on hand and hope for the best I guess. The fish are sick of buckets.

I'll have to build a new canopy but I don't plan on starting till March. I need a break between projects.

charliethezero · Feb 11, 2016

I need more heaters.

I am going with Fiji pink sand. I'm really hoping I don't get a bad cycle with live sand and all my live rock. The temp is taking forever to rise.

Can I add the live sand with the water temp at 70℉?

BeastMode335i · Feb 11, 2016

Wow, that stand is awesome..!!

charliethezero · Mar 25, 2016

I've had the tank up and running for about a month. Cycle wasn't too bad. Most corals made it, two sps receded a little but they seem to be recovering.

I guess this is the only photo I have after I rescaped, with moon lights.

I'm on vacation for two weeks so I'm slightly anxious for when I get back. My other pets should be fine but my brother in law never really had an aquarium, even freshwater. I have an automatic feeder and ato. Basically he just has to stare at it a couple times a day but I still worry.

charliethezero · Aug 21, 2016

The tank made it through the vacation fine. We ended up moving to an apartment mid July. Down graded my tanks and just kept the 75 reef, son's 55 planted tank, a 15gal planted betta tank and my nps bowl. Most everything made the move, lost one sps mini colony but the rest struggled through 2+ weeks of bucket living.

bknapp · Aug 21, 2016

Looks good. That dresser stand is nice.

charliethezero · Dec 8, 2016

Not much has changed. Two more sps colonies were lost at the beginning of the move. I got a few more gorgs and sponges. Looking for more macros also but then I'm just going to let it grow out.

charliethezero · May 17, 2017

I got more macros but now we are moving again in June. This time buying a house so it be the last one in a while. After I will be upgrading a few things.