Hectors 75g

smiley28 · Mar 9, 2016

Well finally got out of the army and moved back up north. Closed on my first house two months ago and the wife already let me buy a tank.

To start I'd like to thank Ben aka undertoe for allowing me to purchase the tank at such a great price. Ben went crazy on the plumbing job ( I'll go a bit more in depth on that down the road) I'm very impressed with the quality! He also did a nice job sealing up the stand and putting in an led while I'm working under the tank. Ben had a little help from his friends at Aqua World down by Pittsburgh( Very nice store ran buy a guy named Jeff) id probably be a regular if the drive wasn't 3hrs

Here is the tank with the ai 26s I just picked up today from ARC in Buffalo, NY I plan on stopping there a lot. I've never met Randy but I intend to.

smiley28 · Mar 9, 2016

Here is a pic with some of the stuff I'll be using on the tank.
So far I've got:
2 ai hydra 26hd
1 mp40
1 mp10
Reef octopus 160 classic skimmer
Trigger systems 34g sump
2 Finnex 150w heaters
1 vertex return pump
50lbs Marcorocks Key largo rocks

Some old stuff I have that I may use down the road include a bubble Magnus dosing system and a ato with a resivour made by Mark Levenson(sorry if I misspelled your name Mark!) from MelevsReef

So far that's the bulk of what I've got. I've got 40lbs of prime cuts from Marco on the way and a bunch of materials for the scaping. I'll also probably order a couple of brs reactors as Ben set up the pluming perfectly to run up to 3 if I want.

revhtree · Mar 10, 2016

Looking good so far!

smiley28 · Mar 10, 2016

Thanks Rev!

Currently messing with the lights and trying to figure out what I'm going to do with all the electronics. Also the myai app is awesome! Making up water to get everything started as well. I was going to wait to get the rock work in place but I'm being very millennial.

smiley28 · Mar 16, 2016

Tank is full of water and Marcorocks key largo rock! I've left a little room for branch rock look alike of the Tonga variety. Oh and corals down the road hopefully.

smiley28 · Mar 16, 2016

My ro/do system was 90gpd spectrapure that I added on to.

Trying to break in my skimmer.

Just got in my BRS reactors for carbon and gfo whenever I want to run those. Also love the way brs is packaging things as seen below seems very effective and convenient for us consumers.

R_C · Mar 16, 2016

Looking great. Can't wait to see the rest.

hybridazn · Mar 16, 2016

Great looking build, I am digging that floating rock.

And +1 to BRS. One of my favorite companies to deal with.

smiley28 · Mar 16, 2016

Thanks guys! My main concern now is what am I going to do as far as calcium and alkalinity. I was thinking esv 2 part and just hook up the old bubble Magnus I have. Anyone have a better suggestion?

smiley28 · Mar 21, 2016

Anyone have a suggestion on how to control this?

revhtree · Mar 22, 2016

smiley28 said:
Anyone have a suggestion on how to control this?

Vacuum?

smiley28 · Mar 22, 2016

I'm having trouble coming up with something clever

smiley28 · Mar 28, 2016

A plan is coming together! Should be situated this week.. Hopefully.. Probably be cycled by the time I get everything figured out.

smiley28 · Mar 30, 2016

Put a couple of the BRS screen tops on pretty simple just bought the smallest fit kit literally used a hacksaw just like Ryan from the videos and probably took 30mins or less couldn't ask for more from something so simple

Accidentally ordered 22 of these elbows really needed 12 lol guess I should have enough

Need to figure out how to cut this tube I was thinking maybe a pvc cutter would work not sure what else I have to work with been busy studying

Also thought it was important to let people know I used Prodibio the start vials not pictured as well as the biodigest above one you dose all vials at once and the biodigest just once every 15days for my 75g

Going to do some test this week after 3 weeks of cheato algae scrubbings that way I can add in some phyto/rotifers/pods and maybe a fish in 2-3 weeks

Also looking to add in the protein skimmer soon

McMullen · Mar 30, 2016

BRS alk and ca+ with BRS dosing pumps.

Actually, I think if (when) I have to replace those pumps I'll get the Jebao doser.

McMullen · Mar 30, 2016

Oh, and no rush with live stock. Taking things slow will save you money and frustration.

smiley28 · Mar 30, 2016

Funny thing though I'm spending more on putting the system together which isn't bad at all and will most likely lead to longevity of the system I hope

Anthony christian · Mar 30, 2016

Thank you for your service brother to this country . I'm a US Marine so thanks Alot I know the sacrifice you and your family endured.

McMullen · Mar 30, 2016

Don't skimp on equipment, I thought I got a great deal on a used system......ha........everything eventually had to be replaced!

Also, take time planning your system. The more thought you put into planning in the beginning the fewer "uh oh's" and mishaps down the road.

When you go through build threads, the really nice jaw dropping systems span months, leaving ample time for planning and prep. Or, Nice tanks that seem to be established overnight, are usually people that have setup multiple tanks and know exactly what to do and why.

smiley28 · Mar 31, 2016

Hey guys set up my reactors today I need input on them please! Is it ok to have them return behind my skimmer? And does it matter if the tubing is in the water behind the skimmer?

Struggling to post a video
Help please might just post pics