First salt tank reef build 75 gal

TriggerCorals · Nov 10, 2018

I’ve been immersed in fresh water and fully planted tanks for almost two decades. I’m now moving up to reef tank. Follow along with my build and offer advice along the way. Looking forward to getting things going for a reef. Already looking forward to my second tank for frags. RO/DI purchased and used 75 gal tank leak tested and cleaned.

hdsoftail1065 · Nov 10, 2018

Nice size tank. I seen you were also tossing around a 180, is this in addition to that one?

SPR1968 · Nov 11, 2018

Great pictures so far, and also welcome to R2R!

Captain Quint · Nov 11, 2018

Great pics TriggerCorals. Thanks for sharing and keep us updated with the build, please.

Coralreefer1 · Nov 11, 2018

Can’t wait to see it set up with all the bells and whistles. The one thing you have going for you is that you have been in the aquarium hobby, albeit a freshwater one. However, you get the gist of it regarding water parameters, equipment to some degree, feeding, husbandry, and the notion that problems do happen...it’s not IF, but WHEN.
Best of luck to you! Read...research and go slow... I can’t stress these points enough!

TriggerCorals · Nov 12, 2018

hdsoftail1065 said:
Nice size tank. I seen you were also tossing around a 180, is this in addition to that one?

i am still planning on a 180, but my wife just started law school and it has now been delayed with two kids in college too. we compromised. I work all the time to pay for school, and get to have a smaller reef in the living room and a coral frag tank in the basement until someone is done with school.

hdsoftail1065 · Nov 12, 2018

TriggerCorals said:
i am still planning on a 180, but my wife just started law school and it has now been delayed with two kids in college too. we compromised. I work all the time to pay for school, and get to have a smaller reef in the living room and a coral frag tank in the basement until someone is done with school.

Ah, been there and done that my friend! Congrats on the tank!

TriggerCorals · Nov 14, 2018

Got the main frame of the stand done, almost. Need to put in a couple cross braces in top to hang a refugium light and the floor for my sump to sit on. Plywood and foam board on top, and finish trim on outside of frame.

Thingsibuild · Nov 15, 2018

Looks great. Will you have a sump?

TriggerCorals · Nov 15, 2018

Thingsibuild said:
Looks great. Will you have a sump?

I'm using a 35 gal tank i picked up for a sump and refugium. I may decide I need a bigger one once i get my equipment in.

Thingsibuild · Nov 15, 2018

Nice. I always want bigger, but my wife and my wallet think differently.

TriggerCorals · Nov 17, 2018

Sometimes, it’s more than new reefing toys we need for a tank build. Just have to make the false front. Will be held on with magnets for full access to sump and equipment.

ZoWhat · Nov 18, 2018

Let me help you save $10,000

RUN away from reefing as fast as you can. Lol

.

dugthefish · Nov 18, 2018

Thingsibuild said:
Nice. I always want bigger, but my wife and my wallet think differently.

Funny, my wife always wanted bigger [emoji38]

TriggerCorals · May 18, 2020

UPDATE

It’s been a long and tumultuous year for sure! Unfortunately, it literally took a global pandemic for it to slow down. I finally got the Elite overflow from Marine Depot. First time drilling a tank, and was nervous. However, thanks to BRS and their videos, it came out like a champ! Will be finishing the stain and seal of the stand and prepping second tank I picked up for the sump.

TriggerCorals · Jun 6, 2020

Top stained and sealed. Got a little help from the Mrs to seal the inside of stand with marine grade epoxy paint. Finished assembly on side and front panels. Front is fully removable.