New 75 Mixed Reef (My Third Child)

[KliJefs]

Hello everyone,

A while back I believe I created a page referring to a Marineland 60 rimless cube I was going to build... After framing three stands and tossing them all, I just was not happy with the amount of space I was going to have to utilize the sump I have chosen. So in short after purchasing all of the equipment needed or keeping a salty I posted the tank on Craigslist and it sold that day. I really love the look of cube tanks and wanted it to work but I was never happy, with the room that was available, plus the oversized corner overflow that came with the tank.

So after selling the 60 I began to research some 75's online. First looked at Glasscages then to Miracles and then back to Glasscages. I decided to call and get a quote for a 75 not drilled with low- iron glass. I don't think I was given two minutes before a price was stated and I was hung up on. So needless to say I went back online. I found SC Aquariums out of California and talked with Steve for probably twenty to thirty minutes about my new tank and random things about the hobby, really nice guy.

I ended up purchasing my new 75 gallon from SC Aquariums after they sent me a rendering the next day which showed all of the details we had spoken about, which included starphire glass 3-sides, eurobracing and drilled for a Synergy 16" Overflow system including two 3/4" return holes on each side. For a steal I feel like the tank should be good for our needs, its no REEF SAVVY but based on many more positive online reviews than negative and a good warrantee I feel comfortable. Plus the ability to speak with someone even after the tank is paid for and in production to tweak little things here and there made me feel good about the purchase. The tank is set to arrive at our doorstep at the end of this month.

As far as equipment goes I will list as much as I can remember:

Tank - SC Aquariums 75 Rimless
Stand - 48" Oak w/ doors on 3-sides & LED lighting
Rock - 60lbs BRS dry Pukani
Sump - Synergy Reef SS-34 Radioactive Red
Overflow - Synergy 16" Overflow
RO/DI - BRS 4-Stage 75gpd
Top Off - Tunze Osmolator 3155
Return - Eheim 1260 (extenal)
Heater - (2) Eheim Jager 250w
Skimmer - Reef Octopus110INT (bought for the 60, ill use it until I have a larger load)
Reactor - Vertex Rx
Controller - Vertex Cerebra
Lighting - (2) Kessil A360WE
Powerheads - (2) VorTech MP10WQD

The plumbing will be black 1" for Beananimal drain and black 3/4" return teeing off into a minifold. Fittings will be all schedule 80 using mostly 45 degree elbows, CEPEX ball valves and Spears gate valves. I will say it's nice having Bulk Reef Supply almost in your backyard.

I think that's about it, I have been purchasing items slowly over the past year and a half and now that our dog has passed away my wife gave me the ok to go full throttle with the tank build. My two and a half year old son grew up with Peacock Cichlids that I had had for years and just loves aquariums. He had bad colic and it seemed he would only calm down when he was watching the fish. I heavily believe in aquarium therapy.

I look forward to hearing your input through the build. Thanks for reading and hope to have you stick around.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Following looks like it's going to be good!

 

[KliJefs]

Thanks Rev! I'm excited and my father can't believe I am cutting holes in the wall.

I am using a washing machine outlet to make water changes easier. Honestly I can't believe more people use it!

 

[KliJefs]

Just finished framing up the stand. Took 2 hours using a lot of wood glue and 3" screws sparingly. Tipped her up and completely level on all corners, not what I was expecting but you will not hear me complain. Will post some pictures when I get a bit further along with the process. I'm debating going with a darker stain or painting white. I love the look of a well built white stand but I need it to match the house, we are moving soon so that's the troubling question.

 

[Drakonis]

A minnesotan dont ya kno. you got some good CL skills. i watch CL alot for tank stuff its hard to find good deals around here. really i guess i fared well myself but thats more in the tank and light aspect. i found a tank on there before the one i have in rosemount but i got there and dude was all o i sold it about a hour ago i was so peeved i drove over a hour with a trailer to pick it up. im jeleous you already have a vertex cerebra in your hands, i jumped on it second BRS listed pre order but they say it will be end of August before they get them. atleast i got open beta price. as for holes in the wall no big deal i did it and id do it again lol just drywall. with the skills reefing takes drywall is like checking salinity lol.

 

[KliJefs]

Once a Minnesotan always a Minnesotan. Are you from the state of beer, fishing and hockey? I pre-ordered my Cerebra from Aquariums Specialties in May, it did not get here until June. I feel kind of bad because I won't have it set up for a while and I know Vertex is pushing for info from all owners of the units already out. I've played with it a little but not much you can do without it hooked up to a tank.
Funny thing about selling my old tank on Craigslist was I sold it for more than I paid, it was on sale 50 percent off when I bought it.
My father is a carpenter and just wonders how I'll patch the holes when we move which will probably be this winter. But the ball is really cruising now my new tank gets here in a week or so and I've got a ton of stuff to do yet I think I've paid out a couple three four weeks of pay for one of BRS employees, lucky to have them so close!

 

[Drakonis]

I am. Just last week i had a work trip to hugo and on the way home i went to BRS thinking theyd have some tanks and fancy equip in their vids to check out in person... yea the clown harlem tank and a receptionist are all that you see besides cubicles. Was a tad disappointed but most supply stuff i order from them.

As for drywall just cut out square or rectangle pieces containing the holes making the horizontal edges on the center line of the wall studs. muds right in fare it and then paint that one wall with original color and no ones the wiser

 

[jsker]

Post up a few pictures so we can see the progress.

 

[KliJefs]

I'll throw some pictures up in the morning when I get some light for sure.

 

[KliJefs]

I am. Just last week i had a work trip to hugo and on the way home i went to BRS thinking theyd have some tanks and fancy equip in their vids to check out in person... yea the clown harlem tank and a receptionist are all that you see besides cubicles. Was a tad disappointed but most supply stuff i order from them.

As for drywall just cut out square or rectangle pieces containing the holes making the horizontal edges on the center line of the wall studs. muds right in fare it and then paint that one wall with original color and no ones the wiser

I have plaster walls so it will take some extra work to make the finish look right but nothing that can't be done. If you ask I'm sure someone at BRS will take you around. Last year when I bought a bunch of stuff they took me back to the testing room and to check out the 160 tank you see in the videos. It's pretty cool what they have going on.

 

[Drakonis]

Well thats crap cuz i said to dude at the desk i was hoping to see stuff they sell set up and he was all nope just a warehouse and some desks

 

[KliJefs]

Well i have my stand framed, will skin tonight and will install melamine sheet to the inside once Ilathe kids go to bed. Also will be a shower pan liner just to catch any water that may want to make its way onto my bedroom carpet.

In the Brute is 50 pounds of BRS Pukani. Let me tell you, you must soak this stuff prior to putting in your tank, the water was brown and so full of decaying material it'd not even funny. I will probably order a few more small pieces to help out with aquascaping.

 

[KliJefs]

Here's a pic of the overflow, I'm super pumped to throw this baby on, great quality.

 

[KliJefs]

Well after 7 months I believe, due to the shipping company going bankrupt. I have finally obtained the tank. Thanks a lot to Steve and the quick shipping from ABF, i can now move forward with the build. My stand has been completed and become somewhat of a nightstand in the time it has taken but will now meet its mate. I look forward to filling this weekend and seeing where my parameters come in. My live rock (pukani) has been in a brute trash can for months in my garage but the temp. outside has dipped, so I'm sure I will be starting over. Here is a pic of the tank!