75 gallon mixed reef

[WBJ]

Hi everyone. I have a very low tech mixed reef setup, but you can see from the corals, I seem to be doing ok!! I have no sump. I use 4 hyperreef 30 lights on 100%, and 2 Aliexpress blue light bars for lighting. I converted an Aquaclear 110 into a refugium with a small Amazon strip grow light, I have an old HOB Reef Octopus skimmer, and a SunSun canister filter with sponges and carbon mainly for the UV light. For filters/circulation, I also have 2 Jebao SLW20's and a Tidal 55 HOB. I made the top from screen framing and plastic netting, and used fishing line to attach the light bars on the hyperreefs. And I use 2 Moistenland plant watering units, 1 for topping off and and 1 for the all for reef. Low tech but working well for me!

My favorite fish is the mimic file fish pictured here.

I use All for Reef, Instant Ocean Reef Crystals, and really only test for Alk. Occasionally check for Nitrates, but it always registered between 25 and 50, and the tank looked fine, so I decided not to worry about it.

This set up is about 7 years old and seems very healthy. We even survived a 3 day power-outage last winter with no backup. Water temp was down to 58 degrees and I used a battery powered bubbler, and I didn't lose a single creature!! Not tempting fate, though. Just bought a small gas powered generator.

 

[jonathan_dejesus24]

This looks amazing!!! I’m very jealous right now as I’m just staring out and my tank looks like a barren wasteland compared to yours. The best setup is the one that works for you. I love the recycling of parts to keep things simple and lower costs! I might be stealing some of your ideas as I start my journey. Thanks for sharing and all the best!

 

[WBJ]

Thanks, and it took 4 years to get this way. But, the only really expensive piece was the protein skimmer. The lights are pretty reasonable, and so are the pumps I used.

 

[DucRacer1199]

Great build!

 

[WBJ]

Thanks, definitely a labor of love!

 

[JVALE700]

Looks nice

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Hi everyone. I have a very low tech mixed reef setup, but you can see from the corals, I seem to be doing ok!! I have no sump. I use 4 hyperreef 30 lights on 100%, and 2 Aliexpress blue light bars for lighting. I converted an Aquaclear 110 into a refugium with a small Amazon strip grow light, I have an old HOB Reef Octopus skimmer, and a SunSun canister filter with sponges and carbon mainly for the UV light. For filters/circulation, I also have 2 Jebao SLW20's and a Tidal 55 HOB. I made the top from screen framing and plastic netting, and used fishing line to attach the light bars on the hyperreefs. And I use 2 Moistenland plant watering units, 1 for topping off and and 1 for the all for reef. Low tech but working well for me!

My favorite fish is the mimic file fish pictured here.

I use All for Reef, Instant Ocean Reef Crystals, and really only test for Alk. Occasionally check for Nitrates, but it always registered between 25 and 50, and the tank looked fine, so I decided not to worry about it.

This set up is about 7 years old and seems very healthy. We even survived a 3 day power-outage last winter with no backup. Water temp was down to 58 degrees and I used a battery powered bubbler, and I didn't lose a single creature!! Not tempting fate, though. Just bought a small gas powered generator.

Great looking tank! Looks packed full of some awesome coral!

 

[WBJ]

I've had great growth, so I must be doing something right!

 

[WBJ]

Looks nice

Thank you!! I'm trying for a natural look.

 

[WBJ]

Looks nice

Thanks. I tinker a lot with coral placement. Trying for a balanced look.

 

[apeshot]

Looks great!

 

[WBJ]

It's nice getting positive comments from other reefers, so thanks!

 

[BillM24]

Your tank looks outstanding! I just came across this post and your tank is exactly like what I’m hoping to setup someday soon. If you don’t mind me asking, how often do you do water changes and how much water do you change out each time? And do you use the tidal 55 just for flow or do you have filtration media in it as well?

 

[WBJ]

Thanks!! I change 10% monthly and I use the sponge and carbon in the Tidal 55. I bought it for extra surface skimming and it was easier to put carbon in there than in the canister! The canister has sponges, but I really use it for the UV!

 

[BillM24]

Thanks for the response! I’ve always struggled keeping up with large water changes but 10% a month isn’t bad at all! I’m definitely going to model my future tank after yours when the time comes!

 

[WBJ]

Thanks for the response! I’ve always struggled keeping up with large water changes but 10% a month isn’t bad at all! I’m definitely going to model my future tank after yours when the time comes!

It's actually about 10 gallons per month, just because that is the size of my container! And it is very manageable.