75 gallon SPS

ZebrasomaReefer · Sep 15, 2025

Well after being out of the hobby for 15 years, I got a Biocube 32 last and of course have inevitably upgraded just recently to a 75 gallon. It is currently cycling. I’ll post some pictures and a description of my build is below.

75 gallon Marineland glass aquarium
Fijicube 800 external overflow
20 gallon long sump (homemade) with refugium
Popbloom RL90 100 watt lights x2
Handmade stand
Bubble magus 5 protein skimmer
80 lbs Fiji pink aragonite
65 lbs Marco rocks

Crabs McJones · Sep 15, 2025

Welcome to R2R! Looks like you're off to a good start!

Josh Will · Sep 18, 2025

Following!

Foxy-88 · Sep 19, 2025

My second reef tank is built was a 75 with a 20 gallon long sump. Definitely my most successful tank I've had. Looking like a good start for sure

vlangel · Sep 20, 2025

Nice start! I too am starting a 75g tank. Mine is a complete transfer of animals and coral from my former 56g and will be an AIO. Best of luck!

reacclimating 2 the hobby · Sep 20, 2025

DES_Reefer · Oct 6, 2025

Good day and good luck!
In my opinion, you have a very thick layer of sand that looks more than 5cm in the photo, especially it's very thin-dispersive. Be careful if you plan sps, this can be an evil joke in the long run.

ZebrasomaReefer · Oct 7, 2025

Interesting that you brought this up actually! I was avoiding the sugar fine sand for this reason. I really liked the look of the Fiji pink that’s 0.5-1.5 mm which I was hoping wouldn’t have this problem. Once I put my power head in it did slowly start to move the sand away. You can see in the pic here. It’s not terrible but I plan on adding another power head. I guess we’ll see how it goes. lol.

Dread Pirate Dave · Oct 7, 2025

ZebrasomaReefer said:
Interesting that you brought this up actually! I was avoiding the sugar fine sand for this reason. I really liked the look of the Fiji pink that’s 0.5-1.5 mm which I was hoping wouldn’t have this problem. Once I put my power head in it did slowly start to move the sand away. You can see in the pic here. It’s not terrible but I plan on adding another power head. I guess we’ll see how it goes. lol.

How's the 20 long working out for a sump? I'd love to see some pictures if you got them. I am slowly working on replacing my biocube 29 with a 75 gallon marineland too.

DES_Reefer · Oct 8, 2025

ZebrasomaReefer said:
Interesting that you brought this up actually! I was avoiding the sugar fine sand for this reason. I really liked the look of the Fiji pink that’s 0.5-1.5 mm which I was hoping wouldn’t have this problem. Once I put my power head in it did slowly start to move the sand away. You can see in the pic here. It’s not terrible but I plan on adding another power head. I guess we’ll see how it goes. lol.

It's still a very small fraction. So as you showed despite all the length, it's blowing up just by little wavemaker on the other side. No way. This is an additional problem you've already faced, there will be a lack of Flow for sps, otherwise you'll have a flying transfering sand. And its still a very thick layer.
That's just my advice to you.
Check my thread, especially Check please the layer of sand. I have 3 wavemakers 10.000 l/h working on 100% during the day and i will replace it for more powerful. 1cm - viewing glass, 3cm max - back wall. The sand is 2-3mm fraction. It's no fly or sand transfer by flow. No matter the color of sand just Check the layer of it.

ZebrasomaReefer · Oct 22, 2025

Dread Pirate Dave said:
How's the 20 long working out for a sump? I'd love to see some pictures if you got them. I am slowly working on replacing my biocube 29 with a 75 gallon marineland too.

Here is the sump. Sorry if it’s hard to see details. If you want to see anything in more detail let me know.
As far as how it’s going, things are a little cramped. If you can go bigger, I would think about it for sure. I had a similar set up a number of years ago and I didn’t remember it being this cramped until I remembered that I had a hang on the back skimmer on the sump instead of in sump like I do here. I think it will work ok but it’s a little cramped in the first part. The second part is going to be a refugium. And then there’s some space between the baffles for media that I will add later.
For the overflow, definitely put in a gate valve to make a siphon and get a DC pump so you can adjust it. It is super quiet. I can explain more if you don’t know what I’m referring to. All in all things are going well though!

Dread Pirate Dave · Oct 22, 2025

ZebrasomaReefer said:
Here is the sump. Sorry if it’s hard to see details. If you want to see anything in more detail let me know.
As far as how it’s going, things are a little cramped. If you can go bigger, I would think about it for sure. I had a similar set up a number of years ago and I didn’t remember it being this cramped until I remembered that I had a hang on the back skimmer on the sump instead of in sump like I do here. I think it will work ok but it’s a little cramped in the first part. The second part is going to be a refugium. And then there’s some space between the baffles for media that I will add later.
For the overflow, definitely put in a gate valve to make a siphon and get a DC pump so you can adjust it. It is super quiet. I can explain more if you don’t know what I’m referring to. All in all things are going well though!

Thanks! I'm actually thinking I'll go with a fiji cube advanced sump. I was considering a 40 breeder + sump kit but this will end up being a bit more than half the price of the fiji sump I have been dwelling on. (when on sale) lol

I sort of thought the 20 long wouldn't be quite big enough but wanted to hear first hand from someone with the setup.

ZebrasomaReefer · Nov 23, 2025

Updates!
The tank is done cycling! The clownfish have joined the display tank as well as a couple of anemones and a few new corals over the last few days.
Seriatopora, montipora and acropora.
I also have a hippo tang and copperband butterfly in quarantine. The CBB was a little stubborn to get to eat at first but it’s coming around and is looking rather good! I also started dosing with Tropic Marin, carbocalcium and trace elements.