New 75g Build

[skibum1681]

So like most i jumped into this hobby too fast without enough research. My current tank is a 40 tall and i have only been at it for about 4 months. I'm already sick of the 40 and i just bought a 75g corner-flow tank (48"x18"x20").

As for the new set up this is what i'm thinking so far:

- 75g Marineland Corner-Flow tank (Already have)
- Octopus 150 skimmer (on the way)
- My 40 will be converted to the new sump / fuge
- Mag Drive 7 return pump (gotta check the flow of the skimmer first, i will have about 5 feet of head)
- Koralia 2 (already have in my 40)
- Koralia 3
- Heater in sump
- 40# live rock (already have in my 40)
- 40-50# more live rock
- shallow sand bed
- RO/DI unit a lil down the road
- No clue on lights yet-any suggestions???

I also plan on building a cabinet because im pretty handy and tools are my other hobby, and im on a budget

Let me know if Anyone has any comments / suggestions on my shopping list.

Once i start building i will post progress, questions and photos.

Thanks for the input!

 

[BLKTANG]

With 5' of head i would go with a 9.5


Now where are the pics.

 

[skibum1681]

All i have is an empty tank om my floor, nothing worth taking pics of yet

 

[BLKTANG]

sure there is we like empty tanks on the floor.

How abut pics of the 40?Pics of your shoes something!!!!

 

[seagirl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12093513#post12093513 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BLKTANG
sure there is we like empty tanks on the floor.

How abut pics of the 40?Pics of your shoes something!!!!

lol, spoken like a true reefing fanatic:lol:

skibum1681- one thing that has really helps keep my 75 gal stable is a ranco temp controller. normal hobby heaters are prone to failure and the thermostats are not very accurate. using a temp controller and 2 smaller heaters in case 1 malfunctions is a good idea. the temp controller can also turn on a chiller or fan to help keep the temp in your set range. good luck on the build and lets see some pics of that empty tank
:smokin:

 

[schigara]

I have basically the same setup except my sump is 55g and I use a mag12 return which is T'd off to slowly feed the refugium.

 

[skibum1681]

So the drain from your DT goes directly into your skimmer section then overflows into your fuge which overflows into your return and then you pump back to your DT as well as your fuge?

my plan for the sump was skimmer on the right, overflowing into the fuge in the middle, overflowing into the return with a mag pumping back to the DT.

I'll draw up a CAD drawing of my plan on monday at work.

 

[skibum1681]

So does anybody have any Lighting ideas remember i'm on a budget?

 

[skibum1681]

So here are some pics of my "learning expierence" 40 gal and my new empty 75 gal! I'm not proud of the cheesy stick on background but what are ya gonna do. The 75 will be painted black.

I will post more as my new toys come in.

 

[BLKTANG]

Nice space boots.

 

[mile sq. reefer]

If you have the room for a four footer I would have went with a 120. If you purchased it at an LFS see if you can swap it out and settle the difference.

 

[skibum1681]

I dont really have room for the 4' footer to begin with. lol. This tank was on sale and it was the biggest they had. Plus i live on the second floor of a relatively old house and i am already nervous about the weight of a 75g DT, about 30g in my sump plus the tank and stand weight - i'm figuring about 1200 - 1500 pounds for a system weight. Plus i cant really afford the live rock for a 120 (i'm not sure where i'm going to pull the $$ out of for the rock for this tank. One more thing - when i move to over 100g club i want a 6 footer!

Thanks for the suggestions so far please keep them comming!

 

[skibum1681]

Someone had a link to Buckeye Field Supply regarding RO/DI units. They are pretty inexpensive. Does anyone have any expierence with them?

 

[Akronviper]

Check in the vendor section for their link. I went with The Filter Guys just due to customer service. The price was little less than most also.

 

[skibum1681]

Thanks. I'll check them out as well. I want to start curing / cycling live rock and i dont want to use conditioned tap water for it. I think that is part of where all the red slime is comming from in my 40g.

 

[seagirl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12135760#post12135760 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skibum1681
Someone had a link to Buckeye Field Supply regarding RO/DI units. They are pretty inexpensive. Does anyone have any expierence with them?

i've never purchased from them, but i have heard nothign but good things about them and their products. I have a tyhoon III from air water and ice, it's a great 5 stage unit for a good price

 

[skibum1681]

Thanks. I'll check them out too.

 

[skibum1681]

Ok so since no one seems to have any suggestions on budget lighting here's what i'm thinking:

4x54w T-5 (2 - 460nm Blue Antic & 2 - 10,000k)
would prefer a fixture with moon lights as well

MH lights are out of my price range and VHO seem to be quite pricy too.

So the light im leaning towards is the Current USA Nova Extreme ($250 price range)

Does anyone have any suggestions for a better light in this price range?

 

[gavin123]

It really depends on what corals your going to keep. SPS, LPS or softies or mixed? Then we can answer your lighting questions.

 

[skibum1681]

As of now it will be FOWLR. But who knows i may add a coral over the summer.