A pic of my 75 g today 1 year details.

[tonym10]

After running for 1 year here is my setup :
I have made some changes along the way, but I am very happy with this set up now.
75g rr , 29 sump, 16" H.O.B. Refugium attached to sump.
Return pump is Velocity T4, I drilled the sump for the external pump. The T4 line tees off to two 1/2" sea swirls, I think it returns about 800g/hr. This is my only flow in the tank and I feel it is perfect, I have flow everwhere.
My lighting is 440 watts VHO , on timers, also moonlights for night.
100 lbs LR, 1-2" live sand
AquaC skimmer powered by Mag 5
Titanium heater
Ro/di unit
AquaMedic Kalkwasser reactor for topoff water.
Litermeter to pump ro water to kalk reator, to sump, litermeter pugged into a float switch set in sump.
Ph probe and monitor in kalk reactor to let me know how the kalk is.
Another litermeter to do water changes to tank. set to automatcally do a 5 gallon water change on Sundays.
I have little to no maintenance left to do to the tank, other then empty the container the skimmer flows into, and occasionaly clean the skimmer.
Tank mates:
1 Naso Tang, 1 Yellow Longnose Butterfly, Pair of Maroon GS Clowns,3 Firefish, 1 yellow watchan,1 Mandarin,1 sand siftng star, lots of snails and hermits, 2 emerald crabs,4-6 peppermint shrimp, 2 cleaner shrimp, 1 squamosa clam,Rose BT anenome.
Corals:
2 Hammers,1 torch, pompom xenia,zoanthias,flower pot,3 candy cane ,1 devils hand, Montipora capricornus,mushrooms,favite,brain,Oxyora.
Refugium contents: rubble rock, and chaeto.
tank peramaters:
Nitrate 0, phospate 0, salinity .025,temp 81.5, fan is canopy and in sump keeps the temp at 81.5
Calcium 400

 

[BeesGoneWild]

Very nice.

 

[tonym10]

Here is one of my sump

 

[johndawg]

Great job! Can't wait to see it after 2 years.
John

 

[AEALOVESHERGIRLS]

Tony, your tank looks awesome!!!! Keep up the great work!

Amanda

 

[tonym10]

So does yours AEA.

 

[AEALOVESHERGIRLS]

Thanks

 

[mattydub]

man, that is a really nice tank. Very well done tonym10, and thanks for all the info on the set-up. It's great to see people's positive experiences and not just the bad!

How's your growth been with the VHOs? Any pics of initial setup? Like Before/after shots?

 

[tonym10]

Here is two examples of growth
I got the purple colored hammer in Jan 04. The first pic here is taken just a couple weeks ago, the 2nd pic was taken when I got the coral in Jan 04. Its hard to see in the first pic , but there is alot of new heads on it.

Here is two from my Montipora Capricornus, 6 month growth

Tank pic Feb 04

 

[tonym10]

Forgot to thank everyone on Reef Central for all the help, most of my research came from asking questions here.

 

[tygger]

VERY NICE! The first pic doesn't even look like it's behind glass, soooo clear.

Was there a reason you didn't include fuge? Also, do you have a pic of the auto-top system?

 

[tonym10]

Was there a reason you didn't include fuge?
I did include a fuge. Originally I had it in the center of the sump, but chaeto would end up in my return pump. So I used a HOB Refugium , I have it hanging on the back of my sump, you can see part of it in the sump pic.It is powered by a mag 2.
I can try to take pics of my topoff system, it is in room next to the tank room. I will post some pics of the topoff system and water change system over the week end.

 

[Avi]

NICE! Two questions, Tony....have you had that anemone for a long time? And, I see that Longnose Butterfly in there...any problem with it grazing on your coral??

 

[Bass Master]

Very nice. Miracles never cease - not one flame about the naso in a 75; yet.

 

[tonym10]

The anenome has been in since Feb 11 04.
The longnose butterfly is great, He does whatever the Naso tang does, they are good freinds , side by side. He even eats from the seaweed clip with the Tang. No he does not bother any corals. He has pecked at the Sand sifting star when I first got him, I do not see him do thta anymore thow.
Here is a pic of the anoneme when I first got it.

 

[J4Life]

tonym10,
That is a really nice looking 75 gallon tank. I am going to have to rethink my layout.

Here is a picture of mine. Its not much, but hey I like it.

Its gone through some changes in the last month. I will have to post a more updated picture for all too see.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[Allen77]

I hate to ask the question...it may be painful.

I have a similar 75 Oceanic RR with African Cichlids and wanted an rough estimate of the this setup minus tank and stand?

Just want to know how long I should expect to save to change to a reef tank.

Allen

 

[tonym10]

You really dont want to know my costs. I was figuring all that out the other day. Without the tank and stand my cost is over $5k, for all my pumps, lights ,corals ,fish, rock, sand, test equipment, water making stuff .But thatââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s also because I wanted to make everything automated. Your initial expense would be lighting , approx. $500.
return pump and skimmer pump $250. sump $50, parts for sump and plumbing parts $300,Sea Swirls $300.Refugium and pump $100.Rock $500 , sand $150. Salt bucket $50. Test stuff $100, Ro/Di unit $150. Thatââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s the basics the rest of things like timers ,litermeters , kalkreactor etc.... just makes life easy, but adds allot of expense. My average Coral cost about $60, some cheaper some allot more.

 

[AEALOVESHERGIRLS]

For my 75 gallon, with no canopy or sump, just an Emperor filter lights and remora skimmer, corals and fish I have spent at least $5000.

However, if you look at my website I'd say it's all worth it!

I'm glad to see so many of us have 75 gallon tanks!!

Amanda

 

[Daddyo]

Wow, that looks great. I really like the stand. Did you make that or buy it?