Back in again. 75g sps build thread

[DesertReefT4r]

Not much new...just a water test!!! Just tap water for now to test for leaks ect. Found 3 leaks all at bulkheads on the overflow. 1 on the bottom center drain bulkhead and of coarse both bulkheads on the back of the tank have a small drip. Got them as tight as I can by hand but still a small drip every few minutes. Stuffed a towel under the overflow for now and I will see if it seals up overnight. If not a big wrench will come home with me from work and I will get them to stop dripping. I am pretry happy with the Speed Wave/Jeboa DC return pump. It moves a lot of water, way more than I need at 100% so its dialed back to 60%. It does make a little noise, like a computer fan, but I dont think it will bother me. I also picked up a 5g aquarium for ATO res while I was out LFS hopping today. I was very happy with 1 store in particular. Very friendly, awesome coral selection and very clean stock tanks. Of the other 2 I went to one I have been going to for years and it seems like they have been slacking on the corals systems for a while but still looking decent. The 3rd is whats left of an older pet store that closed down reopened in a smaller location after a few employees bought the store contents. Has the same feel as the old store and not the best looking systems or coral selection. I did buy the 5g tank from there though and they had a good selection of dry goods. On to the pics

Last 2 pics are the drains in the sump in action, water is moving in there and next to no bubbles.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Got the leaks all fixed. Had to pull off the overflow and swap gasket locations around. Thanks Eshopps for incorrect install directions! I also finally decided on powerheads. This so far has been the hardest decision for the reef tank so far. I have been going from Tunze to Jeboa to Vortex to Icecap to Maxspec back to Jeboa back to Tunze back to Icecap back to Maxspec, well you the idea. After much research and thought I decided to give Jeboa PP 8s a try, the price was just too good not to at least try them. If Im not happy of have issues I will get 2 XR230 Gyres.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

I drained the tank and sump last night after a 4 day leak test. Also played with 1 PP8 before draining the tank. So far I am happy with it. Build quality is ok. Its very small and move a LOT of water. Had a wave going in the tank in under a couple minutes of hooking it up. Its also pretty quiet but you can hear it in a dead silent room as they ramp up and down. Thats ok though my skimmer will drown them out. Time will tell if they hold up.

 

[LVE]

Looking forward to following along. Off to a great start so far

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Looking forward to following along. Off to a great start so far

Thanks and glad to have along for the ride.
Ordered ro filters just need the membrane and new pressure gauge. Spectrapure is local so I will just drive to them and pick those up directly from them. After some research and hearing what Mike Paletta and Sanjay had to say about dry rock, I have decided to hunt down some clean live rock. I have a few decent local sources and fou d a little hear and there online.

 

[ReefWithCare]

Following. I'm debating on drill for the return on my build. I'm just very nervous about the drilling side of things.

I wish my overflow gave me more room (I have a Modular Marine Overflow. The emergency drain is in the middle with is a HUGE PITA when it comes to doing plumbing for it. I wish the emergency drain was on the left or right side :-/.

 

[zcedric]

Looking awesome! Following along!

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Thanks everyone. Getting closer so Im getting excited.
I have everything I need to reboot my old trusty Spectrapure RODI. Also ordered a DJ power strip to supply power to the stand. Painting the walls today and tomorrow, got to keep the wife happy too. Building the light rack is next in the list and last thing needed to get the tank in its final location. I had to tweek the drain lines in the sump to install and remove the filter socks, used some cupplers to slip pipe on and off. Works pretty well I just wish it was easier to change the socks out, ime easier is better when it comes to maintenance. I have been re thinking my lighting a little as well. I will use what I hqve for the time being but will be on the lookout for something different....

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Nice , well worth it. Keep us posted, lots pictures.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Not much to show right now. I will get something up pic wise soon.
I pulled my n old RO membrane out earlier and discovered I kind of bought the wrong one. Both are Spectrapure 90 gpd membranes but my old one is the better tested 98% rejection membrane and I bought their non tested basic 90 gpd membrane. So I will see how it performs. Old membrane was dated 2011 btw, shows how long I have been out.

 

[RCS82]

Looking forward to seeing the lighting set-up. And how are you liking the overflow?
Everything's lookin good definitely.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Looking forward to seeing the lighting set-up. And how are you liking the overflow?
Everything's lookin good definitely.

I like the overflow, only negative is the slots in the wier box are cut too long and the water level is just at the bottom of the trim. Lighting is old school PFO MH for now......

Painting is done just have to do molding and some touch up.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Sorry no new pics but a lot is about to happen with the build. The wife is sick of the mess in the front room and told me to just finish ordering what I need to finish the tank! So last night I placed 1 last order from BRS. Salt mix, new Ph probe, heater, ATO pump 40lbs dry sand and 40 lbs live sand. As well as a fan for the sump off Ebay. Should all be here on thursday just in time for me to spend the weekend geting the tank going. All I need to do is get live rock from my local scource.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Update finally. Got the last big order from @BRS in today! Unfortunately my 40lbs bag of live sand got a hole in it during shipping and it totally dried out. So I got 2 40lbs bags of dry sand instead of 40lbs live and 40lbs dry. I have emailed @BRS about the damaged package, waiting to hear back. I am 90% to the point I can add saltwater to this reef. Last things on the list are: lighting rack, test kits, fuge light, Brute trash cans for water, chaeto. Need to pick up the rock as well. Now for some pics.

 

[Clayton Jessup]

The build looks good ! I am following along .. , keep up the good work . I am building a 75g as well.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Picked up 2 blue Rubbermaid trash cans for water mixing and storage. Going to get as much done on the tank as possible over the next 2 days. We will see if I get enough done to get the LR and fill the tank. For now Im going to see Solo a Star Wars Story........

 

[medic17]

Picked up 2 blue Rubbermaid trash cans for water mixing and storage. Going to get as much done on the tank as possible over the next 2 days. We will see if I get enough done to get the LR and fill the tank. For now Im going to see Solo a Star Wars Story........

Almost to the point of putting water in. I know the feeling, my 75 is almost done cycling ammonia just spike the other day. Following along with your build looks like everything is coming along nicely.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Got the light rack made, simple but it works, waiting for the paint to dry. Tested out the programing in the RKL, ATO is working but getting errors due to not having temp and ph probes setup yet. Getting all the equipment in the sump and mounted in the stand, taking a break now to relax and post update. The fan I got is too big and will take up too much room under the stand so I still need to find a smaller fan.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Nearing the end of the build. All needed equipment to start the cycle is installed, I hate dealing with all the wires. Seems like there is never a good way to route and hide them. But is done, tank is level and in its final home. Fired up the RODI and flushing the new filters now before i start filling 5g jugs and 2 32g trash cans.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

RODI unit working like a champ. 448ppm in 9ppm out of membrane. Thats 98% rejection! On Spectrapure's cheaper membrane, hell yeah. 60-65 psi at membrane, water temp unknown at this time.