75 gallon upgrade! Sort of...

mattstanks2016 · Oct 5, 2016

Hi guys! I am really exited to announce I am sort of up-grading! I have had a 75 gallon tank for a while (freshwater) and I tuned it into a reef tank. I purchased a external overflow, but it was HORRIBLE! I came home from a vacation to see the siphon broke and our wood floors were destroyed and it soaked threw and messed up the ceiling of the 1st floor! I have decided now I am going to get a reef ready tank that is once again a 75 gallon. Over the next ~6 months I will be posting my assembly preparing to the switch, the aquascape and then the finally product! I can't wait! Here are some photos of the tank now.

Stay tune for more information.

mcarroll · Oct 5, 2016

Man, something to consider is an all-in-one system. No plumbing.

There are many options in that market, most of them very good. My favorite, because you pick any tank you want, is the Tunze Reefpack options.

Comline® Reefpack 100 – $161
Comline® Reefpack 100 – $213
Reef pack 500 – $608

For your size tank (up to about 180 gallons, so it's mostly future-proof) you'd want the 500 model. Comes with Osmolator and everything. Takes up no more space that your typical reef-ready drain box....less, actually. Gives you ATO, chemical/media filter and skimmer.

This is the 500:

Jimbo662 · Oct 6, 2016

Very exciting...can't wait to see what you end up going with.

mattstanks2016 · Oct 7, 2016

Oh boy!!! I just got a awesome grab! Over 1.8K of equipment from someone who needed to sell their items to get some quick cash. Ended up making a deal at $525 and will be picking up tomorrow! Will be telling you want I get once I pick it up!

mattstanks2016 · Oct 7, 2016

mcarroll said:
Man, something to consider is an all-in-one system. No plumbing.

There are many options in that market, most of them very good. My favorite, because you pick any tank you want, is the Tunze Reefpack options.

Comline® Reefpack 100 – $161
Comline® Reefpack 100 – $213
Reef pack 500 – $608

For your size tank (up to about 180 gallons, so it's mostly future-proof) you'd want the 500 model. Comes with Osmolator and everything. Takes up no more space that your typical reef-ready drain box....less, actually. Gives you ATO, chemical/media filter and skimmer.

This is the 500:

Already have what I need

Jimbo662 · Oct 8, 2016

mattstanks2016 said:
Oh boy!!! I just got a awesome grab! Over 1.8K of equipment from someone who needed to sell their items to get some quick cash. Ended up making a deal at $525 and will be picking up tomorrow! Will be telling you want I get once I pick it up!

WOW...sounds like someone hit the lottery!

mattstanks2016 · Oct 8, 2016

So today I picked up some items from Craigslist. 2x eco tech Xr-15 pro, mp10 power head, verctra pump, ato, other items under the price of $50 and then reef link. All for $525!!! Here are some photos.

Jimbo662 · Oct 8, 2016

Holy crap...you did score big time!

treedog5 · Oct 8, 2016

You found a crack head.... lol

mattstanks2016 · Oct 8, 2016

Totally! I could have taken the tank with stand and canopy for $100 more [emoji23].

mattstanks2016 · Oct 8, 2016

mattstanks2016 said:
Totally! I could have taken the tank with stand and canopy for $100 more [emoji23].

55 gallon

mattstanks2016 · Oct 11, 2016

I am getting everything ordered and I am going to make a canopy (I think) glasscages has one for only 168 I might get. I will be posting updates very soon with new equipment.

mattstanks2016 · Oct 19, 2016

making the canopy. Here is the frame

mattstanks2016 · Oct 19, 2016

So... At the moment I am thinking about either selling the old 75 or making a fish only tank. What do you all think?

mattstanks2016 · Oct 21, 2016

Ok!!! I finally finished the Canopy! I want everyone to know that I am by no means a craftsman, but I did my best. The overall length is around 10" tall from the top of the tank and then 48x18".

I just went to Home Depot and got 1x12 and then 2x2 for the frame. I also used a 1x8 board for the top so I could remove it.

The wood is very light and didn't require to much support. I did have one problem. The wood was so thin that it would split... I solved that by glueing all of it and then adding supports.

Overall it does look nice though has its flaws, but what can you do...

mattstanks2016 · Oct 21, 2016

Once I get the chance I am going to install some t5s into it and also hang a pvc bar for the xr15. Next week I will paint it to match the stand on the outside and then add waterproof paint on the inside. I got the plans to build this from
http://www.reefaquarium.com/2013/building-aquarium-canopy/ If anyone wanted it.
Also if anyone is interested for the size for a 75 gallon you can send me a message.

mattstanks2016 · Oct 22, 2016

Ok guys! I just picks up my new solution to leaks or drips, whatever it may be! So I'm going to tell you a little about my background in floods. a while ago I had a HOB overflow. I had this flood very many times and it killed me! So I then I got a mechanical filter and somehow that flowed back onto our floor!!! Simply water hates me! So I went down to a local welder and asked them to make a giant cookie sheet. It's 52x24x6 and it has a capacity of 10 gallons. Here it is!

So it's all stainless steel and will go under the tank!

mattstanks2016 · Oct 23, 2016

We are placing the order for the new tank tomorrow!!! It will arrive on November 5 and then during thanks giving I will disassemble the 75 and then start to setup the 65 starphire reef ready tank! I can't wait to try to aquascape the tank! That should be interesting. Anyone have any ideas on how I should do it or practice?