Bandit's 75g reef tank build

[Fishn28]

The adventure begins!

For just about a year I've had a 40g breeder running successfully, but I need more... When I first started I feel as if I rushed the process and may have caused problems for myself down the road that were easily avoidable, so now I restart.

My tank will not have a sump but rather a HOB Filter, it's going to be a relatively low tech setup as I look to continue building this tank for years to come.

The tank was free from a friend and came with a stand (can't get much better than that!)

Equipment I will be using:
Lights - 3x Hipargero 3rd gen (used these on the 40 and grew just about everything, including SPS)
Filter - SeaChem Tidal 110
Wave makers - 1x Jebao SLW-10 and 1 or 2 amazon off brands (these worked well on my 40)
Heater - Eheim Jager

Live rock - Currently have 50 lbs, will most likely purchase about 10-20 more lbs

Sand - 60lbs special grade live sand

potential livestock
Corals - Just about anything... if it looks good and I have the room and parameters it's coming home with me

Fish - I've had a rough time deciding on what fish to add to this tank so this list is tentative and I look to add more to it (recommendations accepted)
2 occ. clowns
YWG and Shrimp pair
Neon Wrasse
Diamond goby
Tang (undecided)
One spot Foxface (only until it is about 6 inches in size)

Any input is appreciated, thanks!

​

 

[Wooden Reef]

I'm envious, a 75 gallon set up is what I want my first reef aquarium to be. I really like the wood laminate tank bracing with the old wood stand there, some T5 lights would complete the "classic look" if you decide to go that direction. As for the tangs, I pray you choose a Tomini as that is my favorite salt water fish (well, it's tied with the flame angel).

 

[Fishn28]

I'm envious, a 75 gallon set up is what I want my first reef aquarium to be. I really like the wood laminate tank bracing with the old wood stand there, some T5 lights would complete the "classic look" if you decide to go that direction. As for the tangs, I pray you choose a Tomini as that is my favorite salt water fish (well, it's tied with the flame angel).

I am a big fan of both of those fish, maybe even adding a flame angel wouldn't be so bad... if they leave the corals alone

 

[Fishn28]

I'm envious, a 75 gallon set up is what I want my first reef aquarium to be. I really like the wood laminate tank bracing with the old wood stand there, some T5 lights would complete the "classic look" if you decide to go that direction. As for the tangs, I pray you choose a Tomini as that is my favorite salt water fish (well, it's tied with the flame angel).

A 40g breeder is an amazing place to start, I wouldn't recommend any tangs unfortunately.

BUT you can help yourself to clownfish, blennies, gobies, small wrasse, grammas, dottybacks, and maybe even a flame angel!!

 

[Fishn28]

Finally got the rocks into the tank!

the stocking list has taken some hits…
after a trip to my lfs we decided to replace the foxface and scopas in favor for a two spot tang and a yellowfin tang

looking to add water and sand in the coming days

 

[Fishn28]

Been awhile since my last update and a lot has happened…

fish have been added
2 occ clowns
cherub angelfish
tomini tang
goldrim tang
YWG

corals are also in!

everything looks happy, and the diatoms have started growing so I added some apocalypse pods

 

[Fishn28]

Future additions (if you have any thoughts or experience with these fish please feel free to respond)

exquisite fairy wrasse
longnose hawkfish
Possibly 1 lyre tail anthias
some sort of grouping fish

 

[Subsea]

Following. Would you take a full tank shot with white light?

 

[Fishn28]

Been awhile since the last update and it’s been a wild ride. The tank effectively crashed about 3 months ago and I have been building back since. While I still have some algae to deal with, the corals are looking the best they have in a long time.

My current fish list
2 clowns
1ywg
1 twinspot goby
1 purple fisrefish
1 yellow Cori’s wrasse
1 Scopas tang
3 lemon chromis
1 lawnmower blenny

I still want to add more fish but can’t decide on what to get.

As for corals I haven’t bought any in a long time and I’m getting eager to do so with how much rock space I have in the tank

My main goal is getting the rest of the algae under control, not even sure what kind it is

 

[Fishn28]

New additions!

Purchased a red digitata and a bubble top anemone. It’s my first anemone so I’m excited but also nervous it will take a stroll and take out my corals. I’ll have pictures later.

Also want to find a solution to get rid of the bubble algae that’s growing in the tank

 

[Fishn28]

Heres some pics of the new corals and nem. The nem hasn’t opened up much since being introduced. Hoping it will tomorrow. I need to deal with the algae in the tank though.

 

[Fishn28]

Alright im back for real this time. Tank has gone through many changes so instead of detailing them all Ill just layout where its at currently

Stock
1 yellow tang
1 cherub angel
1 yellow coris
3 chromis
2 shrimp gobies (1YWG and 1 unknown)

Corals
Mostly Zoas, LPS and now adding more SPS frags.

Successes
Had a large bubble algae breakout that I remedied with the addition of an emerald and pitho crab. Some corals are growing fast

Challenges
Nitrate and Phos bottomed out, Dino bloom started. Working on getting those back to a good range slowly and trying to defeat the Dinos

New addition
2 AI Nero 3 which will be arriving Monday, looking forward to it.

Goals
Get parameters back to good level and keep them stable.
Put together a final stocking list of fish that I want to add next (suggestions would be great)
See better coral polyp extension with better params

 

[Fishn28]

photos taken before bubble algae was taken care of

 

[vlangel]

Alright im back for real this time. Tank has gone through many changes so instead of detailing them all Ill just layout where its at currently

Stock
1 yellow tang
1 cherub angel
1 yellow coris
3 chromis
2 shrimp gobies (1YWG and 1 unknown)

Corals
Mostly Zoas, LPS and now adding more SPS frags.

Successes
Had a large bubble algae breakout that I remedied with the addition of an emerald and pitho crab. Some corals are growing fast

Challenges
Nitrate and Phos bottomed out, Dino bloom started. Working on getting those back to a good range slowly and trying to defeat the Dinos

New addition
2 AI Nero 3 which will be arriving Monday, looking forward to it.

Goals
Get parameters back to good level and keep them stable.
Put together a final stocking list of fish that I want to add next (suggestions would be great)
See better coral polyp extension with better params

Thanks for sharing. I love looking at other folks 75g tanks.

 

[vlangel]

Alright im back for real this time. Tank has gone through many changes so instead of detailing them all Ill just layout where its at currently

Stock
1 yellow tang
1 cherub angel
1 yellow coris
3 chromis
2 shrimp gobies (1YWG and 1 unknown)

Corals
Mostly Zoas, LPS and now adding more SPS frags.

Successes
Had a large bubble algae breakout that I remedied with the addition of an emerald and pitho crab. Some corals are growing fast

Challenges
Nitrate and Phos bottomed out, Dino bloom started. Working on getting those back to a good range slowly and trying to defeat the Dinos

New addition
2 AI Nero 3 which will be arriving Monday, looking forward to it.

Goals
Get parameters back to good level and keep them stable.
Put together a final stocking list of fish that I want to add next (suggestions would be great)
See better coral polyp extension with better params

Welcome back!
I also just set up a low tech 75g tank that I transferred from my 56g column tank and 30g sump. I did not want a sump this time so started out with a AquaClear 110 HOB filter. It was pretty loud so last week I switched to a canister filter with live rubble rock in it. I will say that I love the dimensions of the 75g. It was fun aquascaping. Here is a video :

 

[Fishn28]

Welcome back!
I also just set up a low tech 75g tank that I transferred from my 56g column tank and 30g sump. I did not want a sump this time so started out with a AquaClear 110 HOB filter. It was pretty loud so last week I switched to a canister filter with live rubble rock in it. I will say that I love the dimensions of the 75g. It was fun aquascaping. Here is a video :

looks great!!

 

[Fishn28]

Some updated pics of the tank still working on Dino problem. LMK what you think! Looking to get another fish what would you suggest?

 

[vlangel]

Some updated pics of the tank still working on Dino problem. LMK what you think! Looking to get another fish what would you suggest?

Everything looks real good. If your fish and coral are doing well, then I think I would just do the normal maintenance of water changes, watching your parameters (especially NO3 and PO4 that they don't bottom out), maybe dose some live bacteria but not stress out too much over the dinos unless they are taking over. As the tank matures they may just run their course.

I really like my One Spot Foxface. He is an excellent grader. Some folks feel a 75g is too small for a One spot but he seems well adjusted and multiple online fish suppliers say its OK. I see you already have multiple yellow fish however so maybe a fish in a different color would be more desirable. What about a firefish or blue grudgeon. Or maybe a cardinalfish, bangaii or pajama? They do ok in mated pairs if you see 2 hanging together at a lfs.

I am thinking of adding a small group of chalk bass and a longnose hawkfish to my tank.

 

[Fishn28]

Everything looks real good. If your fish and coral are doing well, then I think I would just do the normal maintenance of water changes, watching your parameters (especially NO3 and PO4 that they don't bottom out), maybe dose some live bacteria but not stress out too much over the dinos unless they are taking over. As the tank matures they may just run their course.

I really like my One Spot Foxface. He is an excellent grader. Some folks feel a 75g is too small for a One spot but he seems well adjusted and multiple online fish suppliers say its OK. I see you already have multiple yellow fish however so maybe a fish in a different color would be more desirable. What about a firefish or blue grudgeon. Or maybe a cardinalfish, bangaii or pajama? They do ok in mated pairs if you see 2 hanging together at a lfs.

I am thinking of adding a small group of chalk bass and a longnose hawkfish to my tank.

A long nose would be great! I’m thinking about a potential tomini or Kole tang

 

[vlangel]

A long nose would be great! I’m thinking about a potential tomini or Kole tang

I have a kole tang and its a nice addition to my tank.