My New 75.

[KingRicky]

I have just upgraded from a 55 to a 75. I am starting this thread as a way to document my progress as I get into SPS. The new set up is a Oceanic 75 with an external overflow. I kept my DIY sump which is a 20T. The skimmer is a ETSS Reef Devil Deluxe. I have switched from T-5's to 2 X250W Radiums, I like the look of the Radiums. I have everything in the stand and barely have enough room to remove the collection cup from the skimmer. I will be posting pictures of my progress periodically and would welcome all comments and advice. my plan is to perform a 20 to 30 gallon water change every 2 weeks. Well its not much to look at right now but here are some pictures.
Coral view ballast, I have to tame the tangle of wires.

Sump with skimmer

FTS

 

[KingRicky]

More Pics.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn71/KingRicky1961/Aquarium/75%20Gallon%20Tank/DSCI
1254.jpg

 

[KingRicky]

More Pics.

 

[KingRicky]

 

[KingRicky]

Having problems with posting this morning. It's on my end, can't get it right.

 

[KingRicky]

Just a few pictures to update progress.

 

[ronnie]

Looks good. Couple things though.

Get those ballasts off the bottom of the stand. And that plug/timer combo need moved too. That is just asking for disaster. Stick all electronics at least above sump water level. Putting those ballasts on the bottom of the stand is dangerous. Any splash or overflow or leak, and you are mixing saltwater and electricity - a deadly combo!

What kind of water changes do you do? I saw you will be transitioning to SPS (dominated I assume). If that is the case, you will probably need to do some pretty large/frequent water changes to keep the water pristine with the heavy bioload you have (I counted three tangs and a large foxface at least). As those four fish grow, they will be a heavy load on your system. So water changes will need to be pretty frequent to keep nutrients low enough to benefit SPS.

HTH,

 

[KingRicky]

Looks good. Couple things though.

Get those ballasts off the bottom of the stand. And that plug/timer combo need moved too. That is just asking for disaster. Stick all electronics at least above sump water level. Putting those ballasts on the bottom of the stand is dangerous. Any splash or overflow or leak, and you are mixing saltwater and electricity - a deadly combo!

What kind of water changes do you do? I saw you will be transitioning to SPS (dominated I assume). If that is the case, you will probably need to do some pretty large/frequent water changes to keep the water pristine with the heavy bioload you have (I counted three tangs and a large foxface at least). As those four fish grow, they will be a heavy load on your system. So water changes will need to be pretty frequent to keep nutrients low enough to benefit SPS.

HTH,

Thanks for the advice, I have already made some corrective actions. I mounted the power strips on the wall of the stand. I made a stand out of egg crate for the ballast to sit on. It doesn't get them above the sump but it's the best that I can do. Living in an apartment doesn't really leave me with a lot of room for equipment. I have added a DIY ATO. I placed it in a cabinet sitting next to the tank. Having a 21 month old, everything has to be up high or locked. Seems he can get into just about anything.

As for water changes, I am currently doing 30 gallons every 2 weeks. I am monitoring my prams pretty close and if need be can increase the frequency of the 30 gallon changes. When the fish get to big for the tank, I will be trading them for smaller ones. So far, the water changes and my skimmer seem to be doing the job. I have had this tank for about 3 or 4 months and have seen some really great growth. I am running my Radiums on a 8 hour cycle. They come on at noon and go off at eight. I feed the flake food daily and cyclopese and brine shrimp every two to three days.

 

[sprinklerdudes]

looks really good,

 

[KingRicky]

Updated Pics.

Here are some updated pics of my tank. I have moved a few things around and replaced some others.
Full Tank Shot

 

[ronnie]

Looking good man!

What are the red zoas? Any closeups of them?

 

[KingRicky]

The guy I got them from called them Fire and Ice but I had someone else tell me they were Lunar Eclipse.

 

[KingRicky]

Here are a few more pics.

 

[KingRicky]

 

[skinz78]

Looking great, everything is growing in really nicely!

 

[KingRicky]

Looking great, everything is growing in really nicely!

Thanks, I am fighting an outbreak of Bryopsis. I pulled all the rock out a couple of months ago and scrubbed it with a wire brush but it has started to come back, I started using Kents Tech M to try and beat it.