My very first saltwater tank :-) , help needed

[Ramiro.OK]

Hello everyone, this is my very first post here. As the title says, I will be setting up my very first salt water tank soon. I don't have all the components yet due to cost. As such, I will be setting them up in stages.

I already have my 75 gallon tank with a stand pictured below>http://www.myaquarium.net/visit/marineland-majesty-ensemble/
I plan on doing an internal Overflow Box pictured below>www.f3images.com/IMD/1000/QH95862/Eshopps-Overflow-Box-Eclipse-L-99.jpg
I plan on setting the overflow box on the top center of the tank and two 1" return pipes on the top left and top right of the tank.

This is as far as I have gotten thus far.

Any tips or recommendations to anything that I may be doing wrong?

I've made sure that the back of the glass is not tempered before i drill the holes for the Overflow Box.

The next step after this will be doing the piping down to the sup box I will need to purchase ready made or make myself.

Thanks!!

 

[fishchef]

Is there a ?

 

[Clowning_Around]

Welcome. Just start partying your questions sands members will be willing to help you out. Where areyou in the process? Do you have a tank already, or trying too decide on one for example?

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[Clowning_Around]

Posting your questions and members will*

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[mcgyvr]

Guys and Ramiro..
This forum has an automatic post "jail" function if you are a new member and posted an external link or image I believe
As such we cannot see the post by Ramiro..
We just have to wait (approx 24 hours) for one of the moderators here to come and "ok" the post so it will show up..

I really wish this forum would get better software or at least alert people about that function (and a couple other screwy ones)..

 

[Ramiro.OK]

My tank is 75 gallons and my sump is going to be 20 gallons. Can anyone recommend a decent quite external pump. How many GPH should the pump be?

Thanks!

 

[mcgyvr]

In general for the size of the "Return pump" you take the display tank size (75) and multiply it by anywhere from 3 to 10..
And thats the size pump you want (that number should be after head loss,etc..)
So you want a pump rated to push up to like 750 GPH @ 5ft of head (or whatever head distance it is from your sump to your display tank)..
Some people put the sump in the basement so they need a bigger pump,etc..

There are so many choices for pumps though..
I personally just picked up a Jebao DCP6500 for my new 80G tank.. Its rated to more than I need but its adjustable as it a DC pump..

 

[Clowning_Around]

A quick side note, a crude way to calculate your head loss and to size it like mcgyvr mentioned. Every vert foot of pipe = 1 head ea
Every 10 horz foot of pipe = 1 head ea
Every 90 deg elbow = 1 head ea,
I usually dont have much horz so I combine that with the check valve and call it 1 head for both. Add all of those up and you have ypur headloss. If you want a more accurate number you can pop in all your info in headloss calculators, this is good imo for when you have something more than a sump in the stand below the tank or lg volumes. Now compare that against the pump candidates charts for sizing.

I also think the old 10x turnover is for uncalculated headloss and the correct range is 3-5 but there are many schools of thought on that out there, I personally like to keep it down around the 5 instead of 10 so the water has a little more time in the sump for various reasons.

I have a similar 75 setup, I went with a magdrive 9.5. I was torn between it and the 7 but opted for the extra capcity and artificially reduced its flow. That's anpther aspect you can consider in the sizing, will you want to tap off of your return line for anyting...

Im very pleased with the mag drive, its a good bang for the buck pump perhaps start looking there.


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[Ramiro.OK]

Thank you so much. I should be buying one shortly

 

[Ramiro.OK]

Well here is my progress so far.

I was wondering if i should get live rock or dry rock and if yall had a recommendation on a Salt Mix brand. Thanks!

 

[Ramiro.OK]

Another question. What would the optimal temperature for the tank be? I will have coral and fish.

Thanks!

 

[fishyguy7]

One small thing I would change is those pipe clamps. I'd remove them and replace with plastic ones. You don't honk they will rust but trust me when I tell you that over time they will

 

[Bobbitworm13]

A good salt mix would be instant ocean when you are just starting, cheap and a good salt. I would do mostly dry rock like bulk reef supply reef saver or pukani and then like 5 pounds of good live rock from you lfs(local fish store). I run my tank around 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

[EzReefs]

Your tank looks great so far! I keep my tank at 80 degrees Fahrenheit. What lights do you have or plan on getting?

 

[crawlerman]

I'd go with a DC pump, they are quiet. you can sometimes find good deals on live rock on Craigslist, usually $2-$3 per pound. If not Marco rock or Pukani dry rock is good. You will also need a good skimmer, power heads a heater and lights. If you have enough posts there is a classified section on here. You can get some good deals on quality used equipment. I would personally go with quality used than cheap new. There are cheap "black box LED" lights that will work fine for you, I would get those new. Mars aqua makes a decent fixture. If you are saving as you go you may want to go with a cheap pet store light to use until you are ready for coral. Bulk reef supply has a youtube series that would be beneficial for you to watch, goes over all the basics you need to know and more.

 

[Ramiro.OK]

Thanks! I still have not decided on what types of lights to get yet. Kinda leaving that for last. Any feedback on lights you have that you love would be appreciated!

 

[Ramiro.OK]

Yea, the AC pump i have is quite loud. I think most of the noise is coming from the fan it has on the back and from the hose vibration to the sump tank. My try a different type of hose. Im going to install some sound barrier foam around the pump to see if that quiets it down without cutting air flow. Next time I will go with a DC pump.

 

[allendehl]

Hello Ramiro,

I am setting up a similar system and just got this from Amazon. It is rated for 714gph, so about 7.5X your total volume and about 9X yut DT volume. From what I;ve learned (I think) that should do it. The price is hard to beat and after my research it seems to be a nice quiet pump.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ZJDNI8/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=

 

[Ramiro.OK]

Thanks for the infromation allendehl

 

[Ramiro.OK]

I just ordered 70 pounds of BRS Reef Saver Aquarium Dry Live Rock.

I have a question on the best way to cure it. I got my tank set up with the Live Reef Sand, the salt mixed to 33ppt and tank temp at 77F.

Would you recommend curing the rock first in a trash can or in the tank? Also should I aquascape it before or after the curing?

Pictures include of what my setup currently looks like.