75 gallon reef build

[wrxreefer823]

Optimistic outlook noted I'm really hoping it is, and I was so excited when it came out of the rock! When we went to the LFS, Alex saw a scarlet upside down. She watched him for about ten minutes until I finally came over and asked what she was doing. "Ben, he can't roll himself over! What if he dies?!" The worry in her voice was absolutely adorable. Long story short, we had to stay there until the little guy rolled himself over and Alex was sure the hermit would live.

Hahaha, whenever I describe the types of fish I'll be getting in my tak, I use finding nemo as an example. "You know the yellow fish that was obsessed with bubbles? Thats a Tang, I'll be getting on of those"

The reason I went with the 75 was because of water volume. This being my first tank and all, I didn't want to make a mistake that couldn't be corrected quickly. I almost went sumpless, which now that I've learned a bit more would have been a huge mistake. I'll be adding a HOB refugium soon, but I'm not real sure about a few things. I know it can grow macro algae and pods and such, but how do I get those into my DT? So much to learn!!!!

I would say if possibly, try to incorporate the 'fuge into your sump. Take a look at my thread for a cheap idea... I just wedged two pieces of "eggcrate" light diffuser (you can find it at any Home Depot or Lowes) into the sump, and voila, instant fuge. As far as getting the pods into your DT, they would just go with the water flow. If the fuge was in your sump, they would go in via the return pump. If it was HOB, then just through the return pipe. The macro stays in your fuge... Its just another form or nutrient export, much like a protein skimmer, just a more natural water. The macro eats the bad junk and grows.

 

[Nonameben]

I would say if possibly, try to incorporate the 'fuge into your sump. Take a look at my thread for a cheap idea... I just wedged two pieces of "eggcrate" light diffuser (you can find it at any Home Depot or Lowes) into the sump, and voila, instant fuge. As far as getting the pods into your DT, they would just go with the water flow. If the fuge was in your sump, they would go in via the return pump. If it was HOB, then just through the return pipe. The macro stays in your fuge... Its just another form or nutrient export, much like a protein skimmer, just a more natural water. The macro eats the bad junk and grows.

I don't think I'll have enough room in my sump for one. I'll see what I can work with though, I'm still upset that I didn't go with a bigger sump. More the reason to upgrade down the road!

 

[wrxreefer823]

Eh, it happens. It's a learning experience. My sump is just a used 20 gallon tank... much cheaper! I do know that the CPR hang on fuges are very nice... If I was going to spend the money, that's what I would go for.

 

[Nonameben]

CPR?

I bet it was cheaper!! Oh well, I'll manage!

 

[wrxreefer823]

Yeah, CPR's products aren't cheap... but their hang on fuges are pretty nice. Worth the money... but there are many other cheap alternatives.

 

[Nonameben]

Not cheap at all, I just looked them up!

Eggcrate it is! Haha for the time being.

 

[wrxreefer823]

Lol... all in good time

 

[Waddleboy]

or a small 10 gallon sump on a small stand inside the base would work as a fuge and then drain it into the sump

 

[jayjigga]

Lol...there's a lot to read in the past 24 hrs! Nice scaping, and leaving that sandbed wide open...you planning something special? Looks good Man!

Looks like aptasia, otherwise the skirts are pretty long on that paly...but it's nothing you can't be proactive about if need be. Post a better shot so we can advise. If it is a zoa, its possible it may pull through. My first coral was a hitchhiker zoa, put in with some live rock 2 says in and it's doing well syill to this day.

Again, looking great. Can't wait for the future! I'll have to check out the twin thread tomorrow

 

[Nonameben]

or a small 10 gallon sump on a small stand inside the base would work as a fuge and then drain it into the sump

That's another idea I've been thinking about. I just don't know how I would get the DT water into it and be able to drain it out. Any suggestions?

 

[Nonameben]

Lol...there's a lot to read in the past 24 hrs! Nice scaping, and leaving that sandbed wide open...you planning something special? Looks good Man!

Looks like aptasia, otherwise the skirts are pretty long on that paly...but it's nothing you can't be proactive about if need be. Post a better shot so we can advise. If it is a zoa, its possible it may pull through. My first coral was a hitchhiker zoa, put in with some live rock 2 says in and it's doing well syill to this day.

Again, looking great. Can't wait for the future! I'll have to check out the twin thread tomorrow

Hahaha, a lot of stuff has happened Jay! Reefer and I had a pretty long conversation for a good hour! Oh you never know with me, but I can't reveal all my secrets. Got to keep y'all subscribed! Haha

I'll work on getting a better picture, I won't be around the tank till thursday night however so I'm praying that nothing bad happens in the next four days :worried:

Thanks man, I appreciate the kind words! Hahaha, he's got a real nice galaxea that just makes me want one even more, definitely check his out!

 

[Waddleboy]

That's another idea I've been thinking about. I just don't know how I would get the DT water into it and be able to drain it out. Any suggestions?

ya two ways i can think of quickly off my head are split the return line to a small line into the fuge then drill a hole at the top of the tank and let gravity allow flow back into the sump. second use a small pump and pump to the refugium and same gravity design back

 

[Nonameben]

ya two ways i can think of quickly off my head are split the return line to a small line into the fuge then drill a hole at the top of the tank and let gravity allow flow back into the sump. second use a small pump and pump to the refugium and same gravity design back

Split the return with a T shaped pvc? I'm no expert on drilling holes into glass waddle! Pretty hesitant about that!

 

[Nonameben]

Nothing new to update guys, still waiting for the tank to cycle. Been checking out some corals that I'd like to add once my tank is stable. Any suggestions? I'd like to start with leathers, zoas, mushrooms, and LPS. Remember, I am completely new to all this!

I may be fighting an aiptasia problem, we'll see this weekend :worried:
If so, how should I go about killing these guys?

 

[Waddleboy]

Split the return with a T shaped pvc? I'm no expert on drilling holes into glass waddle! Pretty hesitant about that!

yup t shaped pvc and drilling is supper easy. just get the right bit and keep water and it and it goes through super easy. i was afraid the first time i did it. and that was 3 1" holes. now i have done 6 1.5" holes and 1 2" and soon 3 more 1" haha

Nothing new to update guys, still waiting for the tank to cycle. Been checking out some corals that I'd like to add once my tank is stable. Any suggestions? I'd like to start with leathers, zoas, mushrooms, and LPS. Remember, I am completely new to all this!

I may be fighting an aiptasia problem, we'll see this weekend :worried:
If so, how should I go about killing these guys?

a kalk mix that super thick that you could put on them would kill them. or aiptasia x works well too

 

[Nonameben]

I just order aiptasia x from marine depot, along with a Seachem 2 part calc/alk supplement! Taking care of those suckers this weekend!

Another trip to home depot soon, more money to be spent woohoo! Drilling glass it is waddle, And I'll get to build a mini stand for it as well

 

[jlylec]

looking really good man...I just got caught up on all your activity over the past couple weeks and have a couple thoughts.

Save your money until you can buy the Apex. While it's a bit more than the Lite model it has no limitations on upgrades down the road and you'll be happy you did. I struggled with the exact same decision as you and can tell you honestly I have no regrets. I LOVE my Apex. iPhone control is money. More than checking the pH, temp, etc. is the ability to turn things on and off with your phone. very handy.

Scape looks good. I can't tell but try to keep all rock at least 2-3" away from the glass so you can easily fit a mag cleaner in there.

You're smart to nail those aptasia sooner than later, but I wouldn't stress them too much. Those are small and you should be able to control them easily with a few peppermint shrimp.

Also don't sweat any algae you see over the next month or so. During the initial stages of the tank "break in" you'll see a few different types come and go. Just let them run their course. As the tank settles and eco-balance starts to occur everything will clear and stay good with decent husbandry and a clean up crew of several different types of snails and hermits. It sucks looking at brown/yellow/red sand and rock but it'll pass!

 

[Nonameben]

looking really good man...I just got caught up on all your activity over the past couple weeks and have a couple thoughts.

Save your money until you can buy the Apex. While it's a bit more than the Lite model it has no limitations on upgrades down the road and you'll be happy you did. I struggled with the exact same decision as you and can tell you honestly I have no regrets. I LOVE my Apex. iPhone control is money. More than checking the pH, temp, etc. is the ability to turn things on and off with your phone. very handy.

Scape looks good. I can't tell but try to keep all rock at least 2-3" away from the glass so you can easily fit a mag cleaner in there.

You're smart to nail those aptasia sooner than later, but I wouldn't stress them too much. Those are small and you should be able to control them easily with a few peppermint shrimp.

Also don't sweat any algae you see over the next month or so. During the initial stages of the tank "break in" you'll see a few different types come and go. Just let them run their course. As the tank settles and eco-balance starts to occur everything will clear and stay good with decent husbandry and a clean up crew of several different types of snails and hermits. It sucks looking at brown/yellow/red sand and rock but it'll pass!

Yea, I'm starting to lean towards the apex over the other two. Everything about it is great, It's on my list of soon to be purchased.

When I was scaping, I tried to keep that in mind. I think the only part it's near the wall is right next to the overflow, and the right side but other than that I think it's pretty good spacing wise. Aiptasia X is coming in tuesday, so I'll be fighting them around that time. I also ordered the SeaChem two part calcium and alk supplements. Need to get some calc and alk test kits though. I've got my CUC already picked out on reefcleaners.org (I'm pretty sure I picked that site up from your thread) Just waiting on the cycle to finish so I can order them.

 

[Nonameben]

Hmm, I get home tonight and my tank is covered in brown stuff. I'm thinking it's algae, doesn't look too good though. I've got my water change to do tomorrow, First one!

I tested for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and my pH just now. Hopefully I did it all right, but I'll bring a sample to my LFS tomorrow to make sure. Everything read 0, and my pH is sitting between 8.2-8.3 I find that a little wierd, I added a cocktail shrimp to start the cycle about a week ago yet nothing is showing up. My live rock was cured, so maybe it happened all within a week and I missed it? Not really sure.

The bron zoas/aiptasia were neon green tonight under the led moonlights, even green under my blue lights as well. They are only brown under white. Maybe they aren't aiptasia?

I've also got a flow problem... I see why people go BB now -_-

 

[Nonameben]

Just got back from the LFs, I tested everything correctly. The cycle didn't start because I still had the nasty shrimp in there. Pulled that sucker out and now the cycle should be starting. No water changes, need to build my beneficial bacteria first before I change anything (including my filter sock) The brown stuff is indeed algae, and once my cycle is done I'll throw in a clean up crew to get rid of that stuff

The zoa/aiptasia is definitely a dark majano :worried: I found a few more in the tank and a huge aiptasia monster in the back of the tank. Bigger than someone's thumb, that sucker is huge! Tuesday can't come fast enough, I'm ready to go to war with these creatures :uzi: Aiptasia X and some peppermint shrimp will do the job nicely I think.

My pH is between 8.2-8.3 and my salinity is 1.026
I think my alk is between 8-9 according to the test I did.

I'll update the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates within the next few days.

I might be doing a DIY Fuge this weekend if I find the time and motivation, more on that later.