SLOOOWWWW 75g build

[lpsouth1978]

Well, the Petco $1/gallon sale has struck again. I already have a couple of tanks, but couldn't pass up the opportunity to take on another build. I picked up a 75 (DT), 29 (sump), and 10 (ATO reservoir). I will be slowly collecting all of the supplies. I think I will start with rock. I already have about 60lbs of "Real Reef" rock that came from my 200g tank when I broke it down. It has been in a Brute can with saltwater, heater, and water pump ever since. I will add the new rock to the Brute and let it cycle while I work on everything else.

The plan so far is to drill the tank. I am thinking the Eshopps Eclipse L overflow, though I am open to recommendations. I will use the Jebao DCP-8000 return, 2 x MP40's, 2 x Finnex 500W heaters on Inkbird controllers, and a JBJ ATO. The first order of business will be to build the stand. I will keep this thread updated with my progress.

20200112_143449 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200112_194818 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

 

[FARMBOYREEF]

Well, the Petco $1/gallon sale has struck again. I already have a couple of tanks, but couldn't pass up the opportunity to take on another build. I picked up a 75 (DT), 29 (sump), and 10 (ATO reservoir). I will be slowly collecting all of the supplies. I think I will start with rock. I already have about 60lbs of "Real Reef" rock that came from my 200g tank when I broke it down. It has been in a Brute can with saltwater, heater, and water pump ever since. I will add the new rock to the Brute and let it cycle while I work on everything else.

The plan so far is to drill the tank. I am thinking the Eshopps Eclipse L overflow, though I am open to recommendations. I will use the Jebao DCP-8000 return, 2 x MP40's, 2 x Finnex 500W heaters on Inkbird controllers, and a JBJ ATO. The first order of business will be to build the stand. I will keep this thread updated with my progress.

20200112_143449 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200112_194818 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

Nice

 

[lpsouth1978]

I will be ordering the first wave of parts and supplies for the build this weekend. I will be starting the stand build soon and hope to drill the tank in the next couple weeks.

My problem now is I can't decide on the overflow. I was originally going to go with the Eshopps Eclipse L, but then I came across the Exotic Marine Systems 32" overflow and think that would be a better option. The downside is that it is twice the cost. Is it worth getting or should I stick with the original plan? What would you choose if it were your build?

I will likely also get their 29g Sump kit.

 

[lpsouth1978]

I just placed my order for the 32" Exotic Marine Systems overflow and 29g sump kit. I emailed them earlier this week and was told they are currently getting things out in about a week. I look forward to getting it and being one step closer to moving forward on this build. Now to get started on the stand.

 

[45ZoaGarden]

Nice! I look forward to seeing how your build turns out. Going with the larger overflow was a good choice imo as it will probably be much quieter than the eshopps. What’s your plan for lighting? And skimmer? Going to set up a fuge?

 

[lpsouth1978]

Nice! I look forward to seeing how your build turns out. Going with the larger overflow was a good choice imo as it will probably be much quieter than the eshopps. What’s your plan for lighting? And skimmer? Going to set up a fuge?

Yea, I have the smaller eshopps on my 40b and have to keep the flow WAY down or it gets really loud. I am hoping that this will allow me to have a nearly silent tank while keeping the flow higher. For lighting I am thinking the Red Sea Reef LED 90's. I have been really impressed with them on LFS displays. I have AI Hydra 26 HD's over my other tanks and really like them, but would kind of like to try something new.

As for a skimmer or fuge? I haven't decided yet. The sump will only have room for one or the other so a decision must made. I have not had great success with fuge's in the past, the algae always just melted away after a while. Because of this I haven't run a fuge in years, and a leaning toward a skimmer. Probably the Simplicity 120DC.

 

[45ZoaGarden]

Yea, I have the smaller eshopps on my 40b and have to keep the flow WAY down or it gets really loud. I am hoping that this will allow me to have a nearly silent tank while keeping the flow higher. For lighting I am thinking the Red Sea Reef LED 90's. I have been really impressed with them on LFS displays. I have AI Hydra 26 HD's over my other tanks and really like them, but would kind of like to try something new.

As for a skimmer or fuge? I haven't decided yet. The sump will only have room for one or the other so a decision must made. I have not had great success with fuge's in the past, the algae always just melted away after a while. Because of this I haven't run a fuge in years, and a leaning toward a skimmer. Probably the Simplicity 120DC.

Good choices! I prefer the hydra 26hd’s because I’ve seen better colors under the hydras and don’t really like the red seas shimmer. You could always try a cheato reactor and put it next to your sump. Those are great for nutrient export and offer a safe place for pods. I would rather a skimmer and an external cheato reactor over a fuge without a skimmer. I have a hob cheato reactor on my tank and it keeps the nitrates down.

 

[lpsouth1978]

Got the main structure of the stand done today. Everything went pretty smooth! Only hiccup was not really an issue, just a "DOH" moment. In my haste to get the cuts done accurately, I accidentally cut 8 of the long boards, but only needed 4. Had to run to the hardware store to get some more 2x4's. I realized my mistake during the actual assembly process.

Hopefully I will be able to get the plywood for the inside bottom in the next week. Then I can skin it and start working on doors and finish work. Here are pics of the process and finished product so far.

20200118_102848 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200118_110520 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200118_111629 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200118_113756 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200118_114115 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

 

[lpsouth1978]

Alright. There has been some progress on the stand build. I was finally able to get the bottom shelf installed, added a shelf higher up to house all of the controllers and electronics. and got the "skin" done to go around the stand. I ended up going with 1/2" hardwood plywood. Both sides and front are removable and are held on with heavy duty furniture magnets.

I am hoping to get started painting it tomorrow. I plan on spraying the entire thing with Kilz primer first, then spraying white paint over that. Finally, I will spray polyurethane over top the white paint. Hopefully this will give the stand a durable finish!.

I am still waiting to get my overflow and sump kit, though they should both be here by Tuesday. This means I should have the tank drilled and the back glass painted by the end of next week. Only a few weeks before I expect to have it ready for the livestock transfer.

2020-01-31_11-29-32 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200131_213654 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

 

[lpsouth1978]

I got the stand primed and painted today and hope to get the polyurethane on tomorrow. The overflow will arrive Monday and hopefully the tank will be ready for plumbing by next weekend.

20200201_161248 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200201_161234 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

 

[Scratch08]

I got the stand primed and painted today and hope to get the polyurethane on tomorrow. The overflow will arrive Monday and hopefully the tank will be ready for plumbing by next weekend.

20200201_161248 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200201_161234 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

Stand looks good. You'll love tha EM overflow, I have/had (tank is in storage right now) one on my 75 and love it...super quiet. Only thing you need to be cautious of is drilling that tank...Aqueon is notorious for putting out tanks with all sides made with tempered glass for the $1/ gallon sales. Sometimes you get lucky and get one thats not all tempered...sometimes you're not so lucky. Easy to check using a laptop and polarized glasses...and worth the piece of mind.

 

[lpsouth1978]

Already checked the glass, no tempered glass on front or back.

 

[lpsouth1978]

Ok, the stand is officially done. I spent a good part of the day applying the polyurethane. I has been drying for about 9 hours and we just moved it into the house to finish curing. The tank won't go on it until after the holes have been drilled for the overflow and returns and the back glass has been painted. That should all happen this week.

20200202_201149 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200202_201152 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200202_201018 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200202_201024 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200202_200957 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

 

[lpsouth1978]

Got the sump kit mostly installed. I am just letting the silicone cure overnight and then putting the last of the silicone on tomorrow. The last thing that is needed it to silicone around the filter sock holder to make it water tight.

I also got the overflow yesterday but forgot to order the drill bit to get it installed. I ordered one today and will have it tomorrow. Hopefully this means I can drill the tank this weekend. Then I just need to paint the back glass and get everything plumbed. Unfortunately, the plumbing won't happen until next weekend.

20200204_201804 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200204_201816 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

 

[lpsouth1978]

The build is progressing faster than I expected, though it is still just small steps each day. Today I moved the sump and ATO reservoir into place. Placed the heaters in the sump, got the ATO float switches in place, and installed the cabinet lighting. I hope to drill the tank and paint the back glass on Friday and start working on plumbing over the weekend. With any luck the tank will see water before going back to work Monday, though I am still waiting on the return pump so things could stall waiting for it.

20200205_190454 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

 

[lpsouth1978]

Things are moving now!!!

I got a lot more done tonight than I had expected. I was able to get all 4 holes drilled in the back glass, 2 for the EMS overflow and 2 for returns. I also went ahead and cleaned the back glass well with alcohol and then painted it. It will dry overnight and tomorrow afternoon I can install the overflow box and return bulkheads, then start the plumbing. Once the plumbing is done I can start filling the tank. Since I have a 400gpd RODI, it should only take about 5 hours to fill.

More to come tomorrow!

20200206_220102 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200206_220106 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200206_220118 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200207_004514 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200207_004408 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

 

[lpsouth1978]

Ok, today was a busy and productive day. We got almost everything done on my tank and my nephews new 105g. Sand and water is in both tanks and rock will be moved from their Brutes into the tanks tomorrow. My nephew is hoping to move all of his livestock tomorrow as well. His 40g is currently setup in my house, but the 105 is about 8 miles away, so tomorrow is likely to be another busy and productive day.

My tank is currently still a bit cloudy from the addition of the sand, but is clearing pretty fast. Hopefully it will be pretty clear by the morning. Unfortunately, my return pump still hasn't arrived, so I have an extra pump I had laying around in there for now. It is a bit loud so will definitely not stay long term.

I also ordered an Aquatic life hybrid fixture today and will be mounting my Hydra 26's in it. The light fixture should be here Monday, so I hope to have the lights above the tank early next week.

Now for the pics.

20200207_104153 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200207_104245 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200207_154642 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200207_164755 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200207_154657 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200207_222437 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

 

[lpsouth1978]

Yesterday was a VERY long and busy day. We basically completed everything for both of our tanks. Got all of the rock we could comfortably fit in the tank, moved all livestock including the 3 carpet anemones and RBTA. The nems were probably the most difficult part of the move. That part of the transfer probably took a full 2 hours.

Todays task is too clean both 40s and get them ready to sell.

20200208_131211 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

 

[lpsouth1978]

I got the Aquatic life fixture yesterday and got the Hydras mounted to it. I was surprised to find that the fixture did not come with the bolts to attach the lights. I had to go rummaging through the garage to find some that would work. Once I found some bolts it went up quite easily. I will be getting the T5 bulbs this weekend. I'm thinking 2 each of the ATI Blue+ and Coral+.

20200211_194635 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200211_194413 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

 

[lpsouth1978]

**UPDATE**

The tank is doing well. I finally got T5's in the AL Fixture. I ended up going with Geisemann bulbs. I chose to try 2 x Aquablue Coral, 1 x Actinic Blue, and 1 x Super Purple. I like the way it looks overall, but may end up ditching at least one of the Aquablue Coral bulbs and trying a different combo at some point.

I also got a few new additions, completing my fish stocking for this tank. I added a small group of Lyretail Anthias (1 male and 3 females) and a Tobacco Basslet. I also picked up a "Black" blue tipped torch, at least it is black under heavy blue lighting. Under my lights, it is more brown with pinkish tips. My final addition was what I think is a Cristata, though I could be wrong and it could be a short tentacle torch. It's tentacles are shorter and more densely packed than any of my torches, Let me know what you think, I will include a pic of it below.

20200221_111955 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200221_112610 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr

20200221_121540 by Lyle Southard, on Flickr