Back in again. 75g sps build thread

DesertReefT4r

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So after taking a 4 year break from reef keeping I have gotten the bug again. This here is my 75g build thread for my reef tank. It will be a slow build, doing what I can as funding becomes freed up to buy equipment. A little history about me and the hobby. Like many my parents had a small freshwater fiwh tank that totally fasinated me as a child. Later on in the early 90s my Dad set up a 29g saltwater tank after I bugged him to for a while. I loved going to the fish stores and see all the fish and corals back then. Fast forward a few years and the saltwater tank was toen down and forgetten about until I found it and convinced my Mom to let me setup a freshwater tank. Well needless to say I was hooked. Over the years I had a 29g, 20g, and 55g fresh water tanks. Then in my early 20s I got a job at Petco, became the fish guy and set up my first saltwater tank, a 20H softy reef. That quickly turned into a 29g mixed reef, then a 55g mixed reef, a 6g Nano Cube, 40B sps tank and a 75g sps tank. The 75g was sold and I took a step back form aquariums for a few years. In that time frame I worked at a few LFS mostly specializing in saltwater, tank maintenance and installs. I even took a job in Long Island New York for a few months doing maintenance and installs. That pretty much leads us up to today with my current reef tank build.
Here is the specs and basic plan for the build.
75g Marineland tank and stand
20L DIY sump
RO 150SSS skimmer
Jebao DC return pump
RKL controller, SL1, float switch kit, 2x PC4, iTemp and Ph probes
2x 250w PFO MH with Phoenix bukbs and T5 or led supplement
Eshopps Eclipse L overflow
Glassholes 3/4" return kit
DIY return manifold to run reactor (s)
5.5g ATO res dosing kalk
Flow is still undecided. I like the cost and function the PP-8 pumps but they seem to hit or miss. Tunze 6095 is my other pick but the price for 2 is pretty high but I know they last forever.
So that pretry much sums up build to it cureent point. I still have a lot to do, paln out and purchase. Now for the pics of the build from start to now.
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TexasTodd

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Nice thread. Can you post more about drilling? Bits, tips, etc.? I've never done it.
I'm also getting back in after about 5 years out. Been doing it since the 90's (coral) and SPS from 2003.
Picked up a used decked out 150g system this week for a great price.
 
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DesertReefT4r

DesertReefT4r

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@delv2323 It does have an external portion to the overflow, its an Eshopps Eclipse overflow. Pics to come as plumbing progresses.
@MontiFanatic402 Thanks. Yea it may look familiar due to me also being a RC member. Just found this forum and its a lot newer and seems any have come over here as well. Firgured I would as well.
 
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DesertReefT4r

DesertReefT4r

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Nice thread. Can you post more about drilling? Bits, tips, etc.? I've never done it.
I'm also getting back in after about 5 years out. Been doing it since the 90's (coral) and SPS from 2003.
Picked up a used decked out 150g system this week for a great price.
For drilling glass I recommend kits that come with the glass cutting hole saw already. Glassh--es.com is great for return kits but I am no longer a fan of ther overflow style. Eshopps has nice overflows now that come with all that is need as well. Some tips for drilling the holes in glass: 1 have a good glass cutting hole saw, should come with kits as stated. A good cordless drill fully charged, second battery is nice if doing several holes, tape the glass under the area being cut this will reduce chipping and keep the cut out piece from falling, towel under drilling area in case the piece does fall you dont want to crack the tank. Lots of water, I like to have the garden hose on a slow flow right over the glass. Keep the drill straight and level as you drill. Start slow. Dont press down as you drill just let the bit do the cutting. Once you get the cut going increasse the drill speed a little and keep that water flow going. Once you are about to break through use no pressure other than the weight of the drill and do not slow the cutting speed down. And you are done. Also never drill tempured glass it WILL SHATTER.
For drilling acrylic tanks its a lot easier and not as much care needs to be taken. A good sharp normal drill bit hole saw and a drill is needed. Water is a good idea if drilling thicker than 3/4" but if the saw bit is sharp and you go slow taking several small bits at a time you can prevent the acrylic from melting as you cut. I still tape behing the cut to keep the chunk from hitting and scratching the inside.
 
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DesertReefT4r

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I got my uniseals and gate valve from BRS today. Plumbing will happen this weekend, at least for the bean animal drains. I want to do a return manifold for future add ons like reactors so I need more plumbing fittings, ball valves and threaded barb fittings. Man so much still to purchase and do. Powerheads and rock is going to kill me cost wise. Wishing I would have saved some equipment from my old tank.
 

jsker

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Great start, great information on the drilling!:)
 
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DesertReefT4r

DesertReefT4r

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Got a second PC4 and SiD for my Reef Keeper Lite, just need the float switch kit and Aqua Lift pump and all my controller stuff will be sorted out. As I said in my last post I will be plumbing in the next day or 2, either Sunday after Easter activities or Monday. Need to get to Homedepot for PVC fittings and Petco for a 5.5g tank for my ATO res. I guess next will be getting my RODI back up to spec, powerheads, sand and rock. Once thats all done I will work on how Im going to hang my MH pendants and decide if I will use T5 or LED strips for actinics. I need all new filters, pressure gauge and lines for my RODI. I also want to upgraded it with a dual TDS meter and add on 2 more canisters so I will have 1 prefilter, 2 carbon and 2 DI. Thinking about a RODI station out in the garage with a Brute trash can to store water.
 

NY_Caveman

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So after taking a 4 year break from reef keeping I have gotten the bug again. This here is my 75g build thread for my reef tank. It will be a slow build, doing what I can as funding becomes freed up to buy equipment. A little history about me and the hobby. Like many my parents had a small freshwater fiwh tank that totally fasinated me as a child. Later on in the early 90s my Dad set up a 29g saltwater tank after I bugged him to for a while. I loved going to the fish stores and see all the fish and corals back then. Fast forward a few years and the saltwater tank was toen down and forgetten about until I found it and convinced my Mom to let me setup a freshwater tank. Well needless to say I was hooked. Over the years I had a 29g, 20g, and 55g fresh water tanks. Then in my early 20s I got a job at Petco, became the fish guy and set up my first saltwater tank, a 20H softy reef. That quickly turned into a 29g mixed reef, then a 55g mixed reef, a 6g Nano Cube, 40B sps tank and a 75g sps tank. The 75g was sold and I took a step back form aquariums for a few years. In that time frame I worked at a few LFS mostly specializing in saltwater, tank maintenance and installs. I even took a job in Long Island New York for a few months doing maintenance and installs. That pretty much leads us up to today with my current reef tank build.
Here is the specs and basic plan for the build.
75g Marineland tank and stand
20L DIY sump
RO 150SSS skimmer
Jebao DC return pump
RKL controller, SL1, float switch kit, 2x PC4, iTemp and Ph probes
2x 250w PFO MH with Phoenix bukbs and T5 or led supplement
Eshopps Eclipse L overflow
Glassholes 3/4" return kit
DIY return manifold to run reactor (s)
5.5g ATO res dosing kalk
Flow is still undecided. I like the cost and function the PP-8 pumps but they seem to hit or miss. Tunze 6095 is my other pick but the price for 2 is pretty high but I know they last forever.
So that pretry much sums up build to it cureent point. I still have a lot to do, paln out and purchase. Now for the pics of the build from start to now.
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LOL. You did not buy the Pirate ship?
 
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DesertReefT4r

DesertReefT4r

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Made it to Homedopt after Easter luch with the family. I got all I should need to do the manifold and drain plumbing. I need to order so black tubing and 1"pipe clamps from BRS since I was not happy with Homepot offerings. I will start on the manifold tonight maybe and plumb drain tomorrow for sure.
 
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DesertReefT4r

DesertReefT4r

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I got the drains plumbed. Im kind of stuck on the return manifold though. I think w hat I have mocked up will work see last pic. Another issue I have is to have 1 or 2 outlets , I dont think I will run 2 reactors and if I do it will be for carbon and gfo which I can either mix the 2 in 1 reactor or have 1 reactor feed the second. Unless I decide to do bio pellets which I would want to have a dedicated feed to the bio pellets. Though I dont see harm in running carbon/gfo before the biopellets. Any help and experience here is welcome. Now on to the pics.
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DesertReefT4r

DesertReefT4r

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Ok I think I have my return manifold figured out, only running 1 valve off it. Only have room for 1 reactor so if I carbon dose it wont be with bio pellets. I would rather have the reactor for carbon and gfo and dose a liquid carbon like vodka if needed. I will get the manifold glued and mounted today and my return hose will be in tomorrow. Almost ready to freshwater test the tank, I hope it all works out. Pics to come.
 
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DesertReefT4r

DesertReefT4r

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About to hit a mile stone in the build! All plumbing for the drains and return is done and ready for a testing. You know what that means...WATER...soon.
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Next up is getting my trusty old Spectrapure RODI up and running, needs filters and pressure gauge. Alao going to add 2 more filter canisters, tds meter. Going to setup a RODI water making station in the garage, summer heat may be an issue though.
 

A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

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