My 75 Gallon SPS Display Tank

Reefer Matt · Jul 21, 2022

Here is my 75 gallon sps tank. It was my "challenge" tank about 4 years ago, to see if I could grow sps coral.

It is a standard Marineland aquarium with a triple drain overflow design, and a 3/4" return. It has a 29g sump. I used the cheap dc Amazon return pump with jebao powerheads. (They usually last about 2 years) I put all the rock on the center of the tank to allow full circulation around it.

It was a challenge for 8 months to keep the coral alive, as I used dry rock with live, black sand. I found out after the fact about the iron scratching the glass!

The tank started out with three Mars Aqua black boxes, but now has four Kessil A360X lights run on the Spectral controller.

Nowadays the reef is thriving and overgrowing. I am very happy with this tank!

blaxsun · Jul 21, 2022

Challenge met!

fishface NJ · Jul 21, 2022

Very nice!

Reefer Matt · Jul 21, 2022

fishface NJ said:
Very nice!

Thank you! I added a vid. I didn't realize I could!

Reefer_kano · Jul 21, 2022

Life goal! Stunning!

icedgxe · Jul 21, 2022

Gorgeous!

Ober_Reef · Jul 21, 2022

I have seen the tank before on the Facebook group, great shots !

Reefer Matt · Jul 25, 2022

Reefer_kano said:
Life goal! Stunning!

Thank you!

Reefer Matt · Jul 25, 2022

PapaPat said:
I have seen the tank before on the Facebook group, great shots !

icedgxe said:
Gorgeous!

Thank you!

PR_nano · Jul 25, 2022

Really nice, which is the yellow center coral?

caddnima_reef · Jul 25, 2022

Beautiful tank. Like yours, I have a petco or petsmart 75g tank since 2008 with 20gl long as a sump. Keep posting pics of it. And the equipment too.

Reefer Matt · Sep 13, 2022

The latest for Top Down Tuesday!

Syntax1235 · Sep 13, 2022

Do you attribute the turnaround at month 8 to the rock maturing? Did you change lights then?

Reefer Matt · Sep 15, 2022

Syntax1235 said:
Do you attribute the turnaround at month 8 to the rock maturing? Did you change lights then?

I think it had to do with tank maturity, but I am not certain. I had black box leds on this tank for 2 years. They kept the coral alive okay, but about 6 months after I switched to the Kessils, the coral started to color up and thrive. I started with two Kessil A360X, and added the other two eventually as my budget allowed. Here is a fuzzy pic I found from around year two...

Fishfreak2009 · Sep 15, 2022

Following! Nice to see your build thread here, representing us Southeast Michigan Reefers!

Syntax1235 · Sep 15, 2022

So, when are you going to sell frags?

old_lady_4am · Sep 16, 2022

Reefer Matt said:
Here is my 75 gallon sps tank. It was my "challenge" tank about 4 years ago, to see if I could grow sps coral.

It is a standard Marineland aquarium with a triple drain overflow design, and a 3/4" return. It has a 29g sump. I used the cheap dc Amazon return pump with jebao powerheads. (They usually last about 2 years) I put all the rock on the center of the tank to allow full circulation around it.

It was a challenge for 8 months to keep the coral alive, as I used dry rock with live, black sand. I found out after the fact about the iron scratching the glass!

The tank started out with three Mars Aqua black boxes, but now has four Kessil A360X lights run on the Spectral controller.

Nowadays the reef is thriving and overgrowing. I am very happy with this tank!

Absolutely stunning!
What is your light schedule?

Reefer Matt · Sep 16, 2022

Syntax1235 said:
So, when are you going to sell frags?

I have been for a year or so already, but I only sell locally and do not ship. That may change soon, though.

Reefer Matt · Sep 16, 2022

old_lady_4am said:
Absolutely stunning!
What is your light schedule?

Thank you! I use the Kessil Spectral X controller, so I can't share an app setting here. But I ramp up starting at 9 am (15%) to 55% from noon to 4 pm, then ramp down to 0% at 930 pm. Par is about 200 at the top of the tank, and 100 at bottom at peak period. It is a pretty even spread with the 4 lights.