My first tank. 75g build

MonkeyDLuffy

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Edited version didn't mean to double post and can't figure out how to delete the one I didn't spell check. Sorry for two threads


Hi all.
Figured I'd share my journey thus far. I took the dive into saltwater from fresh (still love my cichlids). So what my goal is is to have a mixed reef 75 to enjoy with my wife and two small children (turning them into future aquariumist). So I wanted to do this build on our first floor where it would be most view by the family, as the kids are still too young to venture down to the basement. So having a construction background I was concerned about the floor supporting the tank, I figured for the investment bring on a structural engineer was worth the money and the piece of mind (also a happy wife). Unfortunately I was told my joists (10×2s) wouldn't safely support the load,so to the basement the build moved. I decided to build my own stand,rough framed with pine 2x4s and veneered with 1/4 red oak and stained with some minwax. So as of now stand is built dry rock is curing and tank is cycling, im just waiting on my doors (didn't have the proper tools to do it to my standards) I ordered. I'm running a ruby 36 sump with a eshopps psk 150, 65 lbs of pukani base rock, 60lbs special grade Caribbean live sand, bsr gfo reactor with an mj1200 pump, two 1500 gph koralia powerheads, two ehiem 150w heaters (one set slightly lower then the other as a backup, bag of carbon in the bubble trap, mag 7, and i will setup two arctic t247 when the cycle is over. Below I've included some photos, I've got plans to add a ato with resivor, a neptune jr (maybe the full if I can justify the additional cost), and some dosing pumps if needed down the road. I'm still a newbie so any critiques on setup or my workmenship is appreciated. I also have a 20l as a qt waiting to be setup. Thanks for reading I'll update as I get more done!
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Good job so far! Wait til its up and running,saltwater tanks are super rewarding but also a little bit of work.have fun and reef on
 
Welcome to R2R! Looking very nice! Your doing great for your first tank. Keep us posted on your progress.
 
Update on my venture :)

My buddy came down with the lights (he over ordered and sold them to me for half price). Have the two arctics set up running 50% power on the blues from 1300 to 2130 whites 30% from 1400 to 2100. I got the lighting schedule from watching melvsreef video on his 400g, is that an applicable schedule?

Also I added a piece of live rock from my lfs to help jump start seeding my base.

Tested the water alk is at 7.7 ammonia is at 0 nitrite is at 0 nitrate is at 20ppm I don't have a ca, mag, or phosphate kit yet so need to grab those. Planning on heading down to my lfs to grab the first fish, was thinking either a pair of clowns (wife really thinks the kids would like them), orchid dottyback, or a fire fish. What do you guys and gals think?
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Still waiting on my dang doors!!

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IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
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