Setting up

[Jbell246]

Looking to set up my first tank a 75 gallon saltwater with Fluval 306, Reef Octopus BH-2000, UV sterilizer and a fluidized bed filter (TMC V2 Bio 1000F). Have about 70 pounds of dry rock and just got my RO Buddie in today. Any recommendations on getting some sand/live sand or any other tips to get my tank up and running?! Any help appreciated! Hoping to get it all started tomorrow to start the cycle process started! Trying to attach picture of everything I have for this first time set up.
Thanks!

 

[MaxxuM]

You already have this equipment then? The canister filter is going to become a trouble spot in the future. It will require at least weekly maintenance of the mechanical filtration. A large HOB filter would be better because it will be easier to maintain.

I'd slow down a little. Have you decided how the rock will be put together? It should be held in place some how for safety. I try to slope the rock up and to the back with at least 5" clearance to the back wall. With the slopping back method things on top will not shade things in front as they grow. Also, there should be a bit of a cove at the bottom with as little foot print so detritus doesn't collect. The cove will shield water flow so you can mix the types of corals you can keep.

Fluidized sand filters have their issues. Is there a reason you decided to use one?

Same with UV. Seems like a little over kill for a main display tank.

What method are you going to use to cycle your tank?

 

[Jbell246]

You already have this equipment then? The canister filter is going to become a trouble spot in the future. It will require at least weekly maintenance of the mechanical filtration. A large HOB filter would be better because it will be easier to maintain.

I'd slow down a little. Have you decided how the rock will be put together? It should be held in place some how for safety. I try to slope the rock up and to the back with at least 5" clearance to the back wall. With the slopping back method things on top will not shade things in front as they grow. Also, there should be a bit of a cove at the bottom with as little foot print so detritus doesn't collect. The cove will shield water flow so you can mix the types of corals you can keep.

Fluidized sand filters have their issues. Is there a reason you decided to use one?

Same with UV. Seems like a little over kill for a main display tank.

What method are you going to use to cycle your tank?

I got this as a complete set up from someone who has been running this tank for about 5 years. This was how he had it set up andrecommended me to run it, but he was using crushed coral instead of sand.he has success with this set up and if needed I would get a larger filter compared to the Fluval 306 if needed.

Been messing around with how I want to set up the rocks in the system and should all work well. Have some zip ties that I can use if need be but seems all good.

 

[Pistondog]

Looking to set up my first tank a 75 gallon saltwater with Fluval 306, Reef Octopus BH-2000, UV sterilizer and a fluidized bed filter (TMC V2 Bio 1000F). Have about 70 pounds of dry rock and just got my RO Buddie in today. Any recommendations on getting some sand/live sand or any other tips to get my tank up and running?! Any help appreciated! Hoping to get it all started tomorrow to start the cycle process started! Trying to attach picture of everything I have for this first time set up.
Thanks!

Welcome jbell.
Good luck look forward to watching the progress and your success.

 

[Jbell246]

Welcome jbell.
Good luck look forward to watching the progress and your success.

Thanks! I know it will be a learning process. When I bought this set up was told all these components together would be just fine for a 75 gallon tank! So we shall see how it goes.

 

[Pistondog]

Thanks! I know it will be a learning process. When I bought this set up was told all these components together would be just fine for a 75 gallon tank! So we shall see how it goes.

My main tank is a 75, nice size for a good selection of fish.
Learn from others here and start simple, add as required.
All of us are still learning.

 

[Jbell246]

My main tank is a 75, nice size for a good selection of fish.
Learn from others here and start simple, add as required.
All of us are still learning.

Yeah I liked the options I could have with this 75. Got this set up I posted that picture of for a suuuuuper good price. So I am excited to get this started and learn as I go!! Makes it easier to get it all going with all the help

 

[Pistondog]

Yeah I liked the options I could have with this 75. Got this set up I posted that picture of for a suuuuuper good price. So I am excited to get this started and learn as I go!! Makes it easier to get it all going with all the help

There's a lot of good stuff there, use what you know how to use. Too early for uv for example. Maybe someone knows why.

 

[Jbell246]

There's a lot of good stuff there, use what you know how to use. Too early for uv for example. Maybe someone knows why.

Okay so I should wait on the UV?

 

[Pistondog]

Okay so I should wait on the UV?

Don't use anything you don't understand the purpose of. The protein skimmer removes organics, but we don't to need to know how.
The uv sterilizer cleans the water of micro organisms, including bacteria. This is not something you want when cycling a tank, which is establishing the tanks denitrifying bacferia.

 

[Jbell246]

Don't use anything you don't understand the purpose of. The protein skimmer removes organics, but we don't to need to know how.
The uv sterilizer cleans the water of micro organisms, including bacteria. This is not something you want when cycling a tank, which is establishing the tanks denitrifying bacferia.

This is why this place is great! Thanks so much for the information! Like I said just trying to learn and get going!

 

[Sebastiancrab]

Looking to set up my first tank a 75 gallon saltwater with Fluval 306, Reef Octopus BH-2000, UV sterilizer and a fluidized bed filter (TMC V2 Bio 1000F). Have about 70 pounds of dry rock and just got my RO Buddie in today. Any recommendations on getting some sand/live sand or any other tips to get my tank up and running?! Any help appreciated! Hoping to get it all started tomorrow to start the cycle process started! Trying to attach picture of everything I have for this first time set up.
Thanks!

Hi there! I am a newbie too. If that is a brand new RO Buddie, I would consider returning it and getting a regular size RO DI system. You are going to need a lot of water produced for such a small unit. Several threads here on picking out a system. Email me if I can help.

 

[Jbell246]

Hi there! I am a newbie too. If that is a brand new RO Buddie, I would consider returning it and getting a regular size RO DI system. You are going to need a lot of water produced for such a small unit. Several threads here on picking out a system. Email me if I can help.

I was recommended by a couple people that the RO buddie would be a good option. Is it just that it takes longer compared to a regular size? Or it does not work as well

 

[Sebastiancrab]

I was recommended by a couple people that the RO buddie would be a good option. Is it just that it takes longer compared to a regular size? Or it does not work as well

It is a good choice if you have a nano tank. You will spend more on filters, have slower processing time and a huge amount of waste water. Not that I am promoting anyone, but check out Bulk Reef Supply, Buckeye Hydro and AirWaterIce units. I purchased one from the latter because they have a lifetime warranty. The unit will pay for itself over time.

I have not heard of anyone online with near your size tank using a Buddie.

 

[MaxxuM]

I was recommended by a couple people that the RO buddie would be a good option. Is it just that it takes longer compared to a regular size? Or it does not work as well

It's fine, but slow. It will take a couple of days to fill that tank.

Run whatever RODI unit you buy a few gallons without DI resin to clear the perservatives. No need to waste resin to test run your unit. After about 30 minutes turn off the water then attach the DI unit.

 

[Jbell246]

It is a good choice if you have a nano tank. You will spend more on filters, have slower processing time and a huge amount of waste water. Not that I am promoting anyone, but check out Bulk Reef Supply, Buckeye Hydro and AirWaterIce units. I purchased one from the latter because they have a lifetime warranty. The unit will pay for itself over time.

I have not heard of anyone online with near your size tank using a Buddie.

Awesome info thanks! I know the first fill will take some time. Was going to get the water until it was mostly finished then mix and add to the tank. And for the water changes would be easier after initial filling.