My 75 gallon tank

[Rham1281]

This is a thread for my 75 gallon display tank that I am in the process of slowly assembling.

I started my build off with the stand. I wanted something that wasn't from the big pet stores but I also wanted it to be budget friendly. After getting some lumber for a pretty decent price (for 2021) I got to work.

After getting the stand fully assembled, I wasn't so sure that I wanted to make a vertical pillar in the middle of the front of the stand. I wanted unrestricted access to my sump for maintenance as well as some under-tank storage. So I had to change the top of the frame to something a little thicker than a 2x4:

I was happy with the look as well as confident that it would still be structurally sound without a support blocking the middle of the doorway. Now it was time for the sides (because its current look isn't exactly what I had in mind.

Breaking down the 4x8 sheet of plywood wasn't what I would describe as "fun" but the end result was beginning to meet my vision. After I got the sides cut, sanded, and primed it was time for some paint and the finished product was exactly what I was wanting. Something modern, subtle, and sturdy.

While I was getting the stand built, I was always keeping my eyes peeled for any equipment that was available in my area and I was able to meet up with someone in my town that was tearing down their tank and selling the rock. They very generously sold me nearly 100 pounds for $50 (and I got to keep the neat trash can!)

Got to test my plumbing skills installing this John Guest valve. Super convenient piece of equipment that is really easy to install.
RO/DI unit fits nice and good underneath my sink



Got a cheap Mars Aqua light for my nano rock seasoning/future frag storage tank

Super high-tech salt water mixing machine made up of some old Fluval tweezers I had from my fresh water tank.

A little cloudy, but here is the tank that I am going to be using to start getting some of my rock ready to go. I also plan on using this as a frag tank in the future. I have an old Fluval AquaCear 70 for filtration. A little overkill on a 10gal considering it filters 300gph, but I figured it would help provide some good flow in the tank as well.

Hoping I can get my homemade frag rack put soon so the rock is a little elevated. Also getting a chunk of live rock from a friend to help introduce some bacteria.

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, following. Great stand!

 

[spawn79]

What did you use to attach the front panel so you could remove it again?

 

[Jedi1199]

Looks great!! Well done!!

What are your plans for the setup? Softies, mixed? Fish only?

Hey are you keeping that rock wet? If you let it dry out, chances are you will lose all of your cycling bacteria and have to start from square 1.

Put the rocks into the "neat can" and fill it with salt water. Add a heater and flow maker as if that was the actual display. You won't need light, but the rocks will need to be kept wet, near tank temp, and circulating. Also, feed the can with fish food every couple days.

 

[Rham1281]

What did you use to attach the front panel so you could remove it again?

It has french cleats so it just hangs there.

 

[Rham1281]

Looks great!! Well done!!

What are your plans for the setup? Softies, mixed? Fish only?

Hey are you keeping that rock wet? If you let it dry out, chances are you will lose all of your cycling bacteria and have to start from square 1.

Put the rocks into the "neat can" and fill it with salt water. Add a heater and flow maker as if that was the actual display. You won't need light, but the rocks will need to be kept wet, near tank temp, and circulating. Also, feed the can with fish food every couple days.

The previous owner had left it dry for about 6 months in their garage so I'll have to start it all over.

My plan is to have a mixed tank!
I haven't quite decided on the first corals that I want but I am pretty set on a pair of clowns to be my first fish.

 

[Zomp]

Looking great, love the stand

 

[Julbra]

The previous owner had left it dry for about 6 months in their garage so I'll have to start it all over.

My plan is to have a mixed tank!
I haven't quite decided on the first corals that I want but I am pretty set on a pair of clowns to be my first fish.

Amazing work, very sleek.

Be careful putting clowns first they can be mean, depending on what tank mates you have in mind. If I could redo my tank I would add the clowns at/towards the end.

 

[Rham1281]

Amazing work, very sleek.

Be careful putting clowns first they can be mean, depending on what tank mates you have in mind. If I could redo my tank I would add the clowns at/towards the end.

Interesting! I'll definitely keep that in mind.

 

[Rham1281]

This is a thread for my 75 gallon display tank that I am in the process of slowly assembling.

I started my build off with the stand. I wanted something that wasn't from the big pet stores but I also wanted it to be budget friendly. After getting some lumber for a pretty decent price (for 2021) I got to work.

After getting the stand fully assembled, I wasn't so sure that I wanted to make a vertical pillar in the middle of the front of the stand. I wanted unrestricted access to my sump for maintenance as well as some under-tank storage. So I had to change the top of the frame to something a little thicker than a 2x4:

I was happy with the look as well as confident that it would still be structurally sound without a support blocking the middle of the doorway. Now it was time for the sides (because its current look isn't exactly what I had in mind.

Breaking down the 4x8 sheet of plywood wasn't what I would describe as "fun" but the end result was beginning to meet my vision. After I got the sides cut, sanded, and primed it was time for some paint and the finished product was exactly what I was wanting. Something modern, subtle, and sturdy.

While I was getting the stand built, I was always keeping my eyes peeled for any equipment that was available in my area and I was able to meet up with someone in my town that was tearing down their tank and selling the rock. They very generously sold me nearly 100 pounds for $50 (and I got to keep the neat trash can!)

Got to test my plumbing skills installing this John Guest valve. Super convenient piece of equipment that is really easy to install.
RO/DI unit fits nice and good underneath my sink



Got a cheap Mars Aqua light for my nano rock seasoning/future frag storage tank

Super high-tech salt water mixing machine made up of some old Fluval tweezers I had from my fresh water tank.

A little cloudy, but here is the tank that I am going to be using to start getting some of my rock ready to go. I also plan on using this as a frag tank in the future. I have an old Fluval AquaCear 70 for filtration. A little overkill on a 10gal considering it filters 300gph, but I figured it would help provide some good flow in the tank as well.

Hoping I can get my homemade frag rack put soon so the rock is a little elevated. Also getting a chunk of live rock from a friend to help introduce some bacteria.

Got to test my plumbing skills installing this John Guest valve. Super convenient piece of equipment that is really easy to install.
RO/DI unit fits nice and good underneath my sink

Got a cheap Mars Aqua light for my nano rock seasoning/future frag storage tank

Super high-tech salt water mixing machine made up of some old Fluval tweezers I had from my fresh water tank.

A little cloudy, but here is the tank that I am going to be using to start getting some of my rock ready to go. I also plan on using this as a frag tank in the future. I have an old Fluval AquaCear 70 for filtration. A little overkill on a 10gal considering it filters 300gph, but I figured it would help provide some good flow in the tank as well.

Hoping I can get my homemade frag rack put soon so the rock is a little elevated. Also getting a chunk of live rock from a friend to help introduce some bacteria.

 

[Rham1281]

Got the lights up on the rock seasoning/future frag storage. If it's ugly but it works, it's not really ugly, right....? It's only temporary and it gets the job done I guess.

 

[nallured]

Any updates?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Stand looks good for your tank!!!!

 

[Rham1281]

Any updates?

I have some new updates that I will actually be posting today!

 

[Rham1281]

A ton has happened with the frag and the display tank!
My order from ModularMarine came in and I got the glass drilled and the overflow box installed.
This baby is good for 1600gph (significantly more than I intend on running through it..)


I love the look of this thing. Everything is insanely high quality and it's sleek and fits perfectly. 10/10 so far. I can see why they come so highly recommended!

Taped up, clamped up, and ready to drill:

With the most nerve racking part done, it's on to the plumbing!

Here is the first version of the plumb:

After thought and input from some users on here, I decided to change the 90* angles for 45* angles for a quieter flow. My gate valve was delivered as well so I got that put on ASAP:

And then I realized I still needed to drill my return line, so I got a bit from Home Depot (it was a rather expensive purchase for a one time use.....) It was a great bit and got me the hole I needed for the return:

With all of the drilling out of the way I got to work getting the scape finalized and even got some of the lone rocks put in. There will be more to come, just need TIME!!!!!!!!!

Meanwhile on the 10 gallon frag, I upgraded the heater and filter. The heater is just a selectable Aqueon and the filter is the Sicce Shark Adv 400. This thing is NICE for a small filter. Adjustable return flow, easy maintenance, and 100% silent. It does a really great job. Also stopped by my LFS and picked up some new corals! I am obsessed with Zoas so I bought a few, along with a couple larger Kenyan Tree. My little Kenyan frag is growing its own little branch and I am super pumped! The zoas seemed to be a little light starved when I got them, so I ended up moving them higher and they're slowly getting back to normal.

(also about ruined my pants when I went in to move a rock and 5 bristle worms came to greet me.....)
Unfortunately I had a little flat worm infestation. But I set up a bucket to match the parameters of the tank and dosed some Salifert Flatworm Exit. That stuff is MAGICAL. I haven't seen a single one back since!

Had to upgrade my hermit crab cribs! Went to Hobby Lobby and got some variety shells, soaked them and put a couple in the tank and my little hermit crabs are digging them. Got to watch one change shells. Not sure how I feel about it.....
Here is a shot of my biggest hermit (on his 3rd shell) riding Rufus the Turbo snail around the tank:

Freaking love these little things. They're such simple creatures, but they're so adorable.
For Christmas, I was also given a hermit crab ornament:

On a slightly less fun note, I tried adding a couple of clowns into the frag tank. Unfortunately it did not go well and both wound up passing away. Thought I had a good enough acclimation process, but through a lot of helpful people on here, I found ways to improve it. No more fish for a bit until this display is ready to go.

 

[Rham1281]

Lights=
I got a pair of 165W Viparspectras used from a user on here.
All that's left is the scape and the return line and we are good to go. It feels so weird to be this close to the finish line.

 

[Rham1281]

Got the tank all finished up over the weekend. Had a lot of spare time so I dug in and got it done!
Really happy with the final result. I think it gives plenty of space for corals while still allowing for a lot of space for fish to swim around in.
Let me know your thoughts.
Next step is getting a heater and finishing the sump!

Close up shot of the scape under the

 

[Rham1281]

Not a lot happening since the last update.
I ordered a sump kit from Fiji Cube so I can finally get the sump completed and fill the 75 up!

I added a couple new critters to the frag tank (which at this point could just be called a nano tank...)

Meet Bonnie (Clyde has yet to be added. Wanted to try to keep 1 alive before adding another)
Bonnie has conveniently chosen my algae scrubber to be her territory and will LOSE HER MIND if I even move it a little bit. God forbid I want to actually scrub algae off my glass...

And Eugene

This guy had me on a roller coaster of emotions. Thought he was dead. Wasn't moving a bit and wouldn't react if poked him. So I pulled him out and as I was doing that I saw a significantly larger Eugene standing on a rock. So I pulled the molt out and am currently encasing it in resin cause it looks cool and why not?

Along with sitting around and staring at my tank, I have taken to a new hobby of stained glass and the first step naturally is to start making fish related stuff!

Bonus picture of my Aussie/Border Collie "helping" with my plumbing

 

[Rham1281]

Another big update!

Got the Clowns moved over to the 75 as well as added a few more critters!
I picked up a Lawnmower Blenny and he has helped clean up a ton of algae! He puts in more work than I do.
I also added a Valentini Puffer.
This little fish is by far one of my favorites. I am guessing it's a female. She really enjoys eating shrimp. I love feeding her by hand. It's so fun to have a fish that interacts with you.

(one of my favorite shots of the puffer!)

I have two dogs, one is a purebred Border Collie and the other is a Border Collie/Australian Shepard. The Border Collie loves to watch TV and reflections and shadows and the fish, but the Aussie doesn't particularly care about things like that. However, she has seemed to take a liking to the puffer and will watch the tank very intently, following every movement!

Last little update I've got is my coral transport. I don't live particularly close to shops that sell corals or more interesting livestock. So I whipped up this transporter to help when we do travel somewhere that has a shop. Hoping to try it out soon!

 

[nuxx]

Looking great so far