75g Beginners Tank

[Civicman86]

I figured it was time to start my own build thread. A little history on the tank - it was previously a terrarium for 2 Leopard Gecko's. Once they passed my wife finally okay'd a saltwater aquarium. The tank is a standard all glass 75g aquarium and the stand was built by my wife's grandfather who has since passed away. She wanted to use the stand on this project so I was limited on the tank footprint.

I had a tank about 12 years ago and it did not go well. I didn't have the money nor the time to invest in the tank and the results showed. This time around I am not trying to make the same mistakes.

Items purchased so far and are operational...

75g All Glass Aquarium Tank
Eshopps large overflow box
Reef Octopus 150SSS skimmer
Maxspect Gyre XF-230 (single pump for now)
Hydor ATO with Tom's Aqualifter pump
2 Jager 150W Heaters
Reefbreeders Photon V2 48
Eheim return pump (can't remember the model but its around 700gph).
80# of LR purchased but only about 60 in the main tank and another ~5 in the sump.
~70# Caribsea Argonite Sand


Pictures of the tank so far. Just finished QT of two black/chocolate percs. Other inhabitant is a skunk cleaner shrimp (and some hermits / astrea snails). Not too much to see right now but hopefully it will grow more and more in the future. Trying to be as PATIENT as possible but I'm getting the itch :beer:

 

[York1]

Looks good so far. Its hard to take things slow but it will pay off in the long run

 

[Lunchbox514]

Going to be following your thread since I'm getting ready to set up my own 75 gal and it will be nice to get ideas/help if needed.

 

[BigBlueTang]

Nice tank so far! I also have a 75, and I like it quite a bit. I would highly recommend getting more surface agitation, as in the last pic you can see the buildup on the top of the water. Doesn't look great. Also, more surface agitation=more oxygen for critters. Win-win . Good luck! You're going to love those clowns, and did I mention that your aquascape is excellent??

 

[Civicman86]

Nice tank so far! I also have a 75, and I like it quite a bit. I would highly recommend getting more surface agitation, as in the last pic you can see the buildup on the top of the water. Doesn't look great. Also, more surface agitation=more oxygen for critters. Win-win . Good luck! You're going to love those clowns, and did I mention that your aquascape is excellent??

Thanks for the compliment.

I had been wondering about the film up top. Ill raise the gyre up to see if I can get enough flow across the surface to eliminate it.

 

[Civicman86]

Going to be following your thread since I'm getting ready to set up my own 75 gal and it will be nice to get ideas/help if needed.

Dont hesistate to ask. I have already learned from a few mistakes. For one, double check your meausrements if you have a sump and skimmer. Its not fun when you buy one and it doesnt fit :sad2:

 

[lizri]

Well this has solidified my decision to put a Photon v2 48" over my 100. Looks good! I'll be following along.

 

[Deezill]

I am going to follow this thread too. I am setting up a 65 reef and I am going with a sump for the first time. My 125 gallon has a fluval FX6 canister so I am a bit nervous.
Civicman86 i love the way that tank is looking please keep us posted.

 

[Lunchbox514]

Dont hesistate to ask. I have already learned from a few mistakes. For one, double check your meausrements if you have a sump and skimmer. Its not fun when you buy one and it doesnt fit :sad2:

Is this by chance the Marineland 75 gal Majestic ensemble you got ? Petsmart has it on sale for $300 right now and I'm thinking that's the tank I might go with considering te stand comes with it for that price.

 

[Civicman86]

Is this by chance the Marineland 75 gal Majestic ensemble you got ? Petsmart has it on sale for $300 right now and I'm thinking that's the tank I might go with considering te stand comes with it for that price.

No...the stand was built by my wife's grandfather.