Here is my 72 build thread

[payyourtoll]

Hi all, I am new to reef tanks and new to the board, so go easy on me

I am posting this to receive feedback and to help others who, like me, know the basics and learn as we go. I decided to post here in the Tampa forum as I am nervous of the advice provided in the 'new to hobby' section. Plus I have met a few locals already and are all very helpful.

I have always had FW tank with mollies and stuff (now in my son's room), but after a few months ago seeing my buddy's SW setup, I had to join the club! The wife said OK so here we are

Here is a quick recap of what I have, need and what my goals are.

Have:

72 Oceanic bowfront RR w/ single overflow
stand and canopy
glass tops
Oceanic drain kit
125g wet/dry misc fittings, valves and tubes
mag 5 (skimmer pump)
misc smaller mixing pumps
GFCI
RO/DI auto shutoff relay

En route:

super skimmer
test kits
RO/DI system
mag 9.5 (return)
2 seio powerheads

Need:

Aragonite
LR (did not budget enough for this )
fans
moon leds
timers
surge strip(s)
lighting (canopy dimensions greatly limit my options). 99.9% sure I am going with Reefgeek's IC T5 4x54w SLR VHO Retro kit
Brute container for RO/DI
Instant Ocean

Goals:

Mostly softies, few SPS down the road, few fish, 4" sand bed with lots of cleaners. I want something that is easy to maintain, and a setup where I can fit all pumps/plumbing, etc neatly underneath the tank in the stand.

It took me a long time to find this particular tank combo. I wanted something polished and ready that would match the house furniture well, yet something a little taller than the typical Oceanic stand to provide easier viewing.

I will update as we go forward! I hope to have the tank wet in 1-2 weeks

thanks for looking

Rob

 

[Don Lino]

Rob, Looks nice, I love the tall stand. On the wet/dry u might want to consider taking those bio balls out and replacing with a 100micron filter sock. Bio balls produce high nitrates.
In the canopy can u fit 4- 48 T5 bulbs in the back and 2- 36 T5 bulbs towards the front?? 4- 48 T5 bulbs dont seem like enough lighting for a 72gal. JMO. Good luck..

 

[payyourtoll]

hey Don, I had no idea about the bio balls problem, I will have to look into the filter sock for sure.

I should be able to fit a single 36 in the front, but not two. I will look more into this. thanks for the advice

 

[CMcNeil]

yeah im with don lino on the bio balls(dump them).the micron socks work great at stopping micro bubbles and filtering the water.they do need to be changed often as they build up nitrates.id recommend getting at least 3 filter socks,that way you can rotate them out every other day.

 

[akwtampa]

From experience, you may want to rethink the Coralife Super Skimmer.. They ran really well on my tanks for about 6 months and then stopped pulling goo.. Replaced with Aqua-C on one tank and ASM on another and both pull like champs..

Also, I concur on the socks.. Although not for the same reasons.. Bio-balls produce high nitrates because they do their job so well.. My meaning is, if there weren't nutrients in the water to nitrify, they wouldn't produce high nitrates.. Combined with LR, and a good deep sand bed or 'fuge, I don't see any trouble with bioballs..

I happen to like 25 micron socks because if you change them every day, they trap a LOT of crud.. Now, I've also found that when I run 25 micron socks, my skimmer produces less.. Kinda tells me something there..

Just my 2cents..

 

[mflamb]

Both are right on the bio-balls. The reason to remove them if you have rock and sand, is the fully submerged biofiltration (rock and sand) will provide all the complete denitrificaiton that you will need. The wet/dry biofiltration (bio-balls) only converts ammonia and nitrites, leaving nitrates. Bio balls also cause a lot of salt creep due to the splashing. Get with someone local to look at your wet/dry and help you convert into a sump or sump/fuge, and you will have better success.
BTW akwtampa, Don Lino, and checkinhawk are known for their good advice. Most folks here on the TBRC site have good intentions, but some offer advice that's not quite the best idea.

 

[payyourtoll]

thank you for the bio reasoning. I do NOT like the idea of having to clean/change the socks every day or two, but it sounds as if I will need to.

akw I will keep my eyes open for a good deal on a ER / ASM / Aqua-c to replace the super.

I went ahead and ordered the lights and lunars today. Once they are installed and I can see the remaining space, I will consider additional lighting too.

man this hobby adds up quick!

 

[mflamb]

I have a several year old Coralife skimmer on my 50 QT. It requires lots of "TLC" to keep it working well.
If you set your system up well, socks aren't a real problem. Get enough for 2 weeks. Change them every 2 or 3 days. Put the dirty ones in a salt bucket with the lid on it, about 3/4 full of water with a cup of bleach. When you put the last clean sock/socks on your system, empty your bucket into the washer, add another cup of bleach and wash them with a double rinse. NO DETERGENT. Turn them inside out to wash.

 

[adnup]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10647096#post10647096 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by payyourtoll
I do NOT like the idea of having to clean/change the socks every day or two, but it sounds as if I will need to.

I am dealing with a nitrate problem now because of my poor maintenence habits. I would change the sock for a week or 2. A couple of weeks ago my nitrates were off the charts. John and his wife have both told me in the past to change the socks EVERYDAY. Did I listen NNNOOOOOO. Well now I'm changing them everyday and coupled with some water changes my nitrates have gone from 200 to 25.

Do like mflamb said and you'll have a healthier tank to show for it.

 

[adnup]

Oh yeah nice looking set up. Betcha $1 you'll be watching your tank more than that LCD on the wall and welcome to our sickness..

 

[lazaro torres]

I do NOT like the idea of having to clean/change the socks every day or two, but it sounds as if I will need to.

It makes a big difference, clean them everyday.

man this hobby adds up quick! [/B]

and heck yes this hobby adds up.

 

[akwtampa]

You can find websites that sell the socks for like 2.50 each.. I get 25 micron cotton.. And since I'm about to add ANOTHER tank to my collection, I'll probably be making an order..

MFLamb, Thanks for the props! I really apprieciate it.. As far as the CSS, I had a 125 model on my 65 for a while and it was OK, but you're right on the TLC.. My ASM and Aqua C have worked perfectly after about 1 week of break in..

The only other thing I can recommend is to research a LOT and ASK questions.. I've assembled a pretty good batch of info from over 2000 hours of reading/researching/sorting through websites.. I know most of these guys have 5, 10, 20 years of experience.. Just take every opinion for what it's worth and get 2 or 3 or 10, and then ask John at FAIOS and do what he says.. hehehehe

Aaron

 

[lancelogaglio]

the lighting you have in mind will be fine for that tank. i have a 72 with a similar 4 bulb t5 setup and my tank has been thriving for about 2 yrs. i have mostly lps and softies and have had no trouble growing and maintaining healthy corals

 

[Don Lino]

akwtampa, let me know when u put that order in, I'll get 8 of those 25 micron socks to try out. Thanks
Mike, thanks for the kind words. When I started this hobby I had a 55gal with a wet/dry and my nitrates stood around 80. I couldnt figure it out till I learned on here that it was the bio balls.

 

[payyourtoll]

some updates!

Krylon spray back of tank

lighting

I went with the Icecap SLR T5 Very high output retro kit. The reflectors are awesome, the lights are BRIGHT as hell with them in. These bulbs run hot off the ballast, so fans were a must. Picked up two 4" 12v fans from Radio shack and wired to lamp lines. Added two moon led's. One fan will be bringing air IN from behind the canopy, the second will be blowing the air OUT on the opposite side of the canopy, and will also help to move air past the ballast. I should be able to fit one additional 24 or 36 T5 fixture in front of these 4, I will have to look into this more.

and they actually work!

I taped the wires together every 6", tucked them into looming. added reflectors and used 2 sets of J hooks to hang the fans on each end.

 

[payyourtoll]

so canopy is complete!

Next up: plumbing.

I have decided to keep the bio balls and allow the tank to cycle for a few weeks, then slowly swap them out for a sock. No skimmer yet. Plumbed ball valve off my mag9.5 return, and ran re-inforced tubing from overflow to sump. Sorry, no pictures of the plumbing yet.

Ensured tank was level. Happily it is perfect.

Purchased:

Test kits
2 surge protectors
6 timers
80lb live sand
bucket Instant Ocean
32g Brute container
RO/DI system


Next up: RO/DI

Installed the RO system in laundry room cabinet, tapped the washer cold water line, and voila, clean water! I don't know the exact rate of the water being made, but it is SLOW ha. I filled it with approx 25 gallons, mixed with ~12 cups salt, mag5 and small maxi doing the mixing for me. Tweak until 1.024 and into the tank it goes. Tank will be filled tonight and plumbing can be (GASP) tested.

Next up

-GFCI, I tried but could not figure out. Also, I have 15amps running to this outlet, I should be fine?.?.

-complete tank fill, run powerheads and assure plumbing is good

-buy LR (found some with local member, fingers crossed that he gets back to me)

-get skimmer in

-buy digital thermometer

-aplogize to wife for going 3x over budget

 

[W Ellis]

Looking good. Cant wait to see it with rock in there. I am going to be converting my 72g to a reef tank here soon.

 

[MikeBrke]

Looking good. I had the tek 8x54 over my 72g. It was way too bright and could have got by with 4 or 5. The only reason I got the 8 was for when I upgrade.

 

[mflamb]

Nice work dude.

 

[payyourtoll]

more progress

I dumped the super skimmer as recommended, purchased ER RS80, already pulling crap out.

I also 86'd the bio balls. need to purchase filter sock instead.

I purchased 75 lbs of real nice Haitian LR and dropped in last night. Ran everything overnight and 8 hours later the water has cleared up a lot, but still a long way to go.

Tonight I will get the fans installed and get everything on timers.

woohoo :smokin: