75 gallon mixed reef

prospervandale

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Hi! I was out of reefing for a bit but now I’m setting up a new tank. Figured I’d document everything and price it out. As well as seek some advice. I hope some of my inevitable mistakes will be entertaining, and something to learn from for newbies like me. please follow along, and don’t hesitate with criticism!

so far I have
1 75 gallon tank ($112) @dpg sale
Ecotech MP40!! (Scored for free)
Custom 55 gallon sump with 29g refugim and skimmer compartment w/ bubble trap
Custom stand I built
About 60lbs of dry rock (so far)
I’ll be drilling the tank today or tomorrow once I buy a drill bit. Here’s a pic of the aquascape..
P.S. when I say “custom” I mean D.I.Y.

CA0FF022-D00B-4D7B-A3AB-40B58FAC22B3.jpeg
 
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Also don’t forget to get tour build thread badge! Here’s how (copied and pasted from another members post):


1. Click here to edit the link in your profile: https://www.reef2reef.com/account/account-details
2. Add the URL (link) of your build thread to your R2R Tank thread Link.
3. Save it, and BOOM you have the build thread contributor badge

-HAPPY REEFING!-
 
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prospervandale

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So, I’ve got the tank filled. Currently bringing the salt up to 1.025 then when she’s warm I’ll get my “cycle fish”
 

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prospervandale

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I had a black box laying around... i saw the brs episode on how you get what you pay for. But I figured a PAR hotspot is ideal for growing chaeto. And the spectrum may not be PERFECT. But I’m sure I’ll have some insane amounts to remove in 2 or 3 weeks. Has anyone else had success with these for a refugim light?
 

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prospervandale

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STILL waiting on the ammonia to drop. But I set up a wave maker I had lying around, and organized all the cords WITH drip loops!
 

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prospervandale

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Things are really coming along, added red gracialara, and some Xenia to the sump. Along with 2 Darwin clownfish
 

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prospervandale

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long absence but the tank is going strong! The fish are growing and the Xenia rock too.
 

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prospervandale

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My theory with a refugim is, 20% MINIMUM of the total water volume should be in your fuge. And I believe you should only use a quality led light. (To keep heat down). I like how BRS phrases it when they say “ trying to have a five dollar incandescent bulb compete with the >$500 fixture over the display is kind of silly“. I’ve learned if your end goal is to avoid maintenance this hobby probably isn’t for you. But if you do enjoy doing MORE than what everyone says is the minimum, and a constant challenge... that’s when the results show. I will never again think of the refugim as a way to do fewer water changes, I think of it as competition for algae in the display, giving me a leg up on the algae
P.s. I bought a ball the size in the photo in January and it’s quadrupled in size, I should be removing chunks like that every week from now on
 

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prospervandale

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This weekend i was really bored and so I picked up a 15 gallon and a 20 long from petco, I plumbed in a regugim and now I have a place to throw frags (in the 20 long). I just need a light.
 

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prospervandale

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The tank is really going steady now... ordered a coralvue hydros control 2, and an ato kit for it. Also put a t5 on the DT. The second picture is after I sold some frags of hammer corals.
 

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