Dusty's 75 Gallon First Reef Build

[dustynavy]

This is my first reef build and I have no experience. Help and advice are appreciated. Thanks for your support during this adventure. Here is the equipment I have and everything is returnable minus the stand, tank, and rocks. Any thoughts or suggestions?

-75 Gallon aqueon tank
-Black stand
-5 x Marco foundation rock
-68lbs Marco rock
-OCTO Classic 100-HOB protein skimmer
-407 Fluval Canister filter
-Aqueon Circulation Pump 950
-imaitarium Refractometer
-Aqueon 300w heater
-Thermometer
-2 x FluvalSea reef formula
-VIPARSPECTRA Timer Control Dimmable 2 Pack 165W LED
-LiquaGen- 5 Stage Reverse Osmosis & Deionization (RODI) - 75 GPD
-CaribSea arag-alive sand fiji pink

 

[w8lifts]

HOB protein skimmer, that type of skimmer is irritating, going to have to always keep an eye on it. Had one in my first tank, that poor carpet.

 

[dustynavy]

HOB protein skimmer, that type of skimmer is irritating, going to have to always keep an eye on it. Had one in my first tank, that poor carpet.

I have been going back and forth with the idea of a sump but I would still have to put a hang-on back overflow. I can't drill this cheap tank or I don't think I can. It has a sticker on the bottom. Would you recommend a skimmer that would work better in this setup? Thanks again for the comments.

 

[Sebastiancrab]

Suggest you also purchase an Inkbird heater controller. I actually run 2 heaters with these controllers and one is set at a slightly lower temperature. Heaters are your highest possible failure point.
Amazon product

 

[Rmckoy]

I have been going back and forth with the idea of a sump but I would still have to put a hang-on back overflow. I can't drill this cheap tank or I don't think I can. It has a sticker on the bottom. Would you recommend a skimmer that would work better in this setup? Thanks again for the comments.

The bottom is the 75’s are tempered and can’t be drilled .
but I would look around and see if the sides or back is made of tempered glass .

my first reef tank was a 75 . With hang on skimmer , canister filter .
A nightmare when you get a call that there is saltwater everywhere destroying brand new hard wood flooring .

 

[w8lifts]

I have been going back and forth with the idea of a sump but I would still have to put a hang-on back overflow. I can't drill this cheap tank or I don't think I can. It has a sticker on the bottom. Would you recommend a skimmer that would work better in this setup? Thanks again for the comments.

Just get a sump and a protein skimmer that fits in it. I have a 75 gallon tank, and 30ish gallon sump and use reef octopus classic 110INT and also pick up a timer delay for when the power goes off

Protein Skimmer Delay Timer

Protein Skimmer Delay Timer Cheap Insurance from Skimmer Overflows Necessity on recirculating external skimmers Recommended for all skimmers of any type Installation Place the Delay timer box in a dry location away from water Plug skimmer Pump(s) plug into the Delay Timer socket Insert the...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Screwgunner]

Hang everything on your tank then give yourself a inch room to the wall. Get a two little fishies reactor for gfo or carbon.

 

[Screwgunner]

You can get a hang on back overflow to run to a sump. But it is not needed. I have seen that setup work before.

 

[dustynavy]

Suggest you also purchase an Inkbird heater controller. I actually run 2 heaters with these controllers and one is set at a slightly lower temperature. Heaters are your highest possible failure point.
Amazon product

Ok, I only have one so I will look into two and the controller. I do live in Montana so that will be necessary.

 

[dustynavy]

Just get a sump and a protein skimmer that fits in it. I have a 75 gallon tank, and 30ish gallon sump and use reef octopus classic 110INT and also pick up a timer delay for when the power goes off

Protein Skimmer Delay Timer

Protein Skimmer Delay Timer Cheap Insurance from Skimmer Overflows Necessity on recirculating external skimmers Recommended for all skimmers of any type Installation Place the Delay timer box in a dry location away from water Plug skimmer Pump(s) plug into the Delay Timer socket Insert the...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

You guys are awesome. Thank you for the friendly help and glad I found reef2reef.

 

[dustynavy]

Hang everything on your tank then give yourself a inch room to the wall. Get a two little fishies reactor for gfo or carbon.

Thank you again. I am looking up the two little fishies reactor now. I am excited to start putting all the puzzle pieces together.

 

[dustynavy]

Hang everything on your tank then give yourself a inch room to the wall. Get a two little fishies reactor for gfo or carbon.

Is the PhosBan Reactor 150 - Two Little Fishies added to everything or does it replace a piece of equipment?

 

[Screwgunner]

If you have problems with nitrates you can turn the reactor into a bio pellet reactor.

 

[dustynavy]

If you have problems with nitrates you can turn the reactor into a bio pellet reactor.

Ok, I will order one of those as well. Thank you

 

[Screwgunner]

You will have phosphates and nitrates that have to be lowered gfo or phosgaurd will lower phosphates . Or you can dose carbon like vodka, vinegar,suger, bio pellets. Are all forms of carbon. Not to be confused with activated carbon. To skip all of this you need a refugium or algea turf scubber. With no sump all you can go with is a algea reactor.

 

[Screwgunner]

Or you can do it the hard way water changes. A gallon a day would be perfect for that size tank.

 

[Rmckoy]

As mentioned above a sump
Is the best and easiest way but alsmo
Mentioned 2 phosban reactors. .
One for activated carbon and another for rows phos pr some other phosphate media .
a small pump Will be needed but be able to reduce the flow and not let the media tumble too fast
These reactors can be repurposed later for different medias if needed .

 

[dustynavy]

Tank update: Changed the aquascapes and moved the tank into position with the advice given. Sump would have looked better but I'm going to go with this. Any suggestions on equipment placement. Thanks again, everybody.

 

[dustynavy]

If you have problems with nitrates you can turn the reactor into a bio pellet reactor.

I ordered one off of Amazon. Now just need to look for a pump or figure a way to run it off of the canister with a split ball valve or something.

 

[Rmckoy]

they will have different flow rates .
to run it off the canister with a T will either restrict the flow through the canister or too much flow for the regulator