Tank swap complete!

shovelrider · Sep 4, 2013

I finally moved everything from my old 45g to the new 75g setup Sept 1st.
I couldn't be happier with the results so far.
I still am waiting on my led fixtures to arrive, ETA 1st week of October. I am also using my old 10g sump while I build my new sump.
So, it is not complete but it is up and running.

The breakdown!

shovelrider · Sep 4, 2013

The set-up!

In the spot.

Mostly full with new salt water.

Side view of the scape.

Filled and water flowing.

shovelrider · Sep 4, 2013

45g vs 75g...

This is the mother of all ghetto-rig light systems! 1x96w PC and a T12 blue. Cannibalized from other fixtures.

Blake11rebel · Sep 4, 2013

Thats awesome shovelrider! I hope mine looks that good after the upgrade

shovelrider · Sep 4, 2013

Thank you. If I had just one piece of advice it would be take your time and plan ahead.

pickupman66 · Sep 4, 2013

Man, that looks VERY NICE!!! what LEd fixture are you going with? Let me know when you want to come shopping for coral in Winchester to fill that tank. LOL.

shovelrider · Sep 4, 2013

Thanks,
I am going with 2x Reef Breeders value fixtures. Should be a big differece from my power compacts that I have ran for 6 years.

I may just have to take you up on the offer when my wallet recovers from the upgrade!

Duffam3434 · Sep 4, 2013

Looks Great!! Nice Upgrade!!

pickupman66 · Sep 4, 2013

Awesome.

I just ordered a Reef Radiance DM-132e fixture. they are very similar to the Reef Breeders. if you havent ordered yet, check them out. very nice pricing and packed with features. I cannot wait to get mine in next week for my frag setup.

gcrawford · Sep 4, 2013

Nice! I've got two reef breeders 48s and have not looked back. I really like the photon units that are programmable (2channels) in 30 minute intervals. The sun comes up every morning and we have a full moon every night in our room. (Luckily my wife likes it as much as I do...although she doesn't seem to stare into the tank as much as I...lol)

WesW · Sep 5, 2013

Very nice upgrade! Looks great!

Chameleon · Sep 5, 2013

Looking good!

Blake11rebel · Sep 5, 2013

I've got the budget reef breeders fixture and have been very pleased with them. I'm upgrading a 30g to a 75g soon. Did you use the same LR and most of the "old" water?

shovelrider · Sep 5, 2013

Thanks for all the complements!
I used all my live rock, all of my old sand(rinsed with rodi water very well), and all new water. Seems OK so far...

Blake11rebel · Sep 5, 2013

I think ill do the same except I'm using black sand now and want a change. I'll be following along to see how it goes

BayouBeard · Sep 6, 2013

Very nice! Great job on the upgrade! I also love the metal? art above the tank. My 75 just finished the nitrogen cycle so I'll have to update my thread now...you've inspired me!

808jaymakoa · Sep 6, 2013

How did you transfer the sand?

shovelrider · Sep 6, 2013

I transferred the sand by leaving it last in the old tank then scooping it out into 2 buckets, I then used a 3rd bucket and filled it about 1/4 full with the dirty sand, and then washed the sand with RO/DI water(stir the sand with your hand until the water is filthy, carefully dump out the dirty water, repeat until the water no longer gets dirty when stirring it up.). I repeated the process until all sand was clean, adding each 1/4 bucket of cleaned sand to the new tank.