Howdy!
I recently set up a new 75 gal SCA aquarium with sump. It's been set up for about a month. I cycled with Dr. Tim's and added a pair of gold nugget maroons plus a blue tang from my existing 40 gal cube. Everyone is happy and healthy! Right now I'm just looking for advice on the next few steps in setting up a refugium.
Setup list
SCA 75 gallon 36x24x20 12 mm rimless (herbie overflow)
20 gallon sump
SCA-302 protein skimmer
filter sock
BRS 300w titanium heater
Varios 4 return pump
carbon reactor (still need to mount it)
marine pure biofilter block (cut in half and placed in baffles)
80 lbs live sand
60 lbs caribsea liferock
2 AI Hydra 32 HD
1 AI Prime 16 (currently not in use, intended for refugium)
I guess my main question being is it too early to buy chaeto and start the refugium? Should I keep the wattage low until I have the refugium setup to help with the algae? I'd rather try to get it under control early if that's even possible. I know diatoms are unavoidable but I'm just trying to prepare everything. The long term goal for the tank is 10-20 reef fish plus a mixed reef of LPS/softies and possibly a few heartier SPS. Maybe overkill on the filtration? Curious to get some feedback on my progress so far and make some adjustments if needed. I was planning on ordering some chaeto and coralline algae in a bottle(had great success with it in my other tanks) from AlgaeBarn in the next week or so.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Sump picture below!
I recently set up a new 75 gal SCA aquarium with sump. It's been set up for about a month. I cycled with Dr. Tim's and added a pair of gold nugget maroons plus a blue tang from my existing 40 gal cube. Everyone is happy and healthy! Right now I'm just looking for advice on the next few steps in setting up a refugium.
Setup list
SCA 75 gallon 36x24x20 12 mm rimless (herbie overflow)
20 gallon sump
SCA-302 protein skimmer
filter sock
BRS 300w titanium heater
Varios 4 return pump
carbon reactor (still need to mount it)
marine pure biofilter block (cut in half and placed in baffles)
80 lbs live sand
60 lbs caribsea liferock
2 AI Hydra 32 HD
1 AI Prime 16 (currently not in use, intended for refugium)
I guess my main question being is it too early to buy chaeto and start the refugium? Should I keep the wattage low until I have the refugium setup to help with the algae? I'd rather try to get it under control early if that's even possible. I know diatoms are unavoidable but I'm just trying to prepare everything. The long term goal for the tank is 10-20 reef fish plus a mixed reef of LPS/softies and possibly a few heartier SPS. Maybe overkill on the filtration? Curious to get some feedback on my progress so far and make some adjustments if needed. I was planning on ordering some chaeto and coralline algae in a bottle(had great success with it in my other tanks) from AlgaeBarn in the next week or so.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Sump picture below!
