My I've been peer pressured into starting a 75 gal reef tank build

[Bdoncford]

This is how the display currently looks.

Hey guys. Starting my first reef tank and figured I'd start a build thread so I can get some criticism and advice. I got this 75gal tank with a custom 55gal sump from my brothers friend who moved and couldn't take it. I was originally to cheap to do salt so I made it a planted tank but over the years my brother and his friends finally convinced me to switch over to the salty side. As of now all I've done is complete my aquascape but I still need to get all of my equipment in order to make it run. I'm actually installing a rodi system tonight in my basement. Wish me luck!!

 

[mcshams]

I love the look of the freshwater aquascape as well (I posted on your newly joined). Beautiful.

Looking forward to the build.

 

[Bdoncford]

Just finished mounting up my rodi system up. Just need to hook it up to water and I will be ready to mix up some saltwater to get the tank cycled.

 

[Bdoncford]

Today has been an interesting day for sure. As I write this post I am currently sitting in the hospital parking lot at 2am waiting on a call from my wife who just went into active labor with our first kid. On the plus side I got to stay home from work today and get some more work done to the tank! I fully set up my rodi system and started filling up some large garbage cans with water to mix some saltwater. I never realized how long it takes to make rodi water lol. I now get why you also want to have some water on hand at all times in case of an emergency. Anyways while I was waiting on the slow drip of clean water I filled the tank with tap water to try to clean the crap out of all my dry rock I put in the tank. In hindsight I should have rinsed it all before putting it in the tank but what can you do. Anyways here's a pic of the tank filled with tap water with my old planted tank light on it.

 

[MERKEY]

Looking good!

 

[fishguy242]

nice start, making the most out of a day i'd say..congrats

 

[Bdoncford]

Quick the baby is napping time to get some work done on the tank!! Today I filled both my buckets with RODI water, mixed saltwater, spread live sand throughout the tank, and started to fill the tank with water to start the cycling process. Unfortunately my buckets weren't big enough to fill the last 5 or so gallons in the display as well as my sump so just got to wait for my buckets to fill again. As for now I'm just going to run my old powerhead to get some flow untill I can run the sump for better circulation.

 

[LRT]

Congrats on the baby and the reef tank.
I am one of those peer pressure friends too! Do It, Do it, Do it lol

 

[Bosreef]

congrats on your newborn (we all know I mean the tank)

That aquscape is dope.

 

[fishguy242]

houston we have water

 

[Bdoncford]

congrats on your newborn (we all know I mean the tank)

That aquscape is dope.

Yea I can't wait to see what he looks like when he gets older (my tanks name is carl. Jk)

 

[Bdoncford]

Setting up the sump today. The wires are a bit messy right now as I have 3 heaters running to get the water up to temp. Building the platform to hold the sump up as I type this out. Btw what heaters do you guys use? Right now the ones I have are for smaller freshwater tanks and not really rated for a 125gal system. Also my brother dropped off some of his live rock from his tank so I can cycle mine a bit quicker.

 

[fishguy242]

looking good ,i'd recommend eheim 200 wtt

 

[Bdoncford]

Just picked up and installed a hydra 32 hd from one of community members here. Just need one more now for the other side of the tank. Hopefully if I have the time I will do a water change and start putting in my first frags soon that are waiting at my brothers. It's so hard staring at an empty tank

 

[fishguy242]

Build thread badge time

 

[Bdoncford]

Some side shots. And yes the fake turtle is staying

 

[Kev The Fish Keeper]

Congrats, on the newborn. I love the aquascape. Im starting a 72g myself. Your tank looks great.

 

[Bdoncford]

Just installed the second light!! Not nearly as much shadows caused by the rock work as I thought which is great.

 

[Bdoncford]

A month later and here's a new update!! Got some frags, a pair of clowns, and a clean up crew in the tank. Everyone is looking good so far and the frags are definitely getting bigger since I put them in a few weeks ago. The only issue so far is a bit of brown hair algae (I think) covering the sand and rocks. I've lowered the lighting intensity and duration and it looks to have stabilized and stopped spreading. If anyone has any advise let me know!!

 

[fishguy242]

hi,more snails,phosphate remover,but do not deplete phos to zero