Outlaw's 75 gallon adventure.

[Outlaw]

Assembling my sump today! Got my GFCI multi-outlet, refractometer, and titanium heater yesterday. All I am waiting for is my return pump and power heads. This thing should be wet within the week! Probably have to wait on the skimmer until mid-late cycle.






I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around. Don't let anybody tell you different.
--Vonnegut

 

[Outlaw]

Finally got my pump in. I think I've finalized my plumbing and will cement this afternoon! Very excited.

I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around. Don't let anybody tell you different.
--Vonnegut

 

[Outlaw]

Been a while since I got to work on this. I've got all my equipment except lighting. Got it assembled and was finally able to do my water test! Now I get to work on aquascaping!!

 

[Outlaw]

And here it is in the house!

 

[Outlaw]

Any thoughts or suggestions on my hard scape?

 

[Carlson Moncrief]

Looks good. How many pounds of rock is that and what type? Im setting my tank back up this weekend

 

[ReefFreak@]

looking good, i would get the biggest skimmer i can fit and forget the fuge. more of a nitrate trap in my opinion

 

[Outlaw]

Thanks!
I got an SCA-302 (180 gal) and still have room for a small fuge. Basically a place for extra live rock, some macro and maybe a reactor.

 

[Outlaw]

Looks good. How many pounds of rock is that and what type? Im setting my tank back up this weekend

I have 80lb base rock, this is probably 70lb of it. Rest will go in the fuge.

This is the type I got, with prime shipping was free, and one of the boxes arrived the next day.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0017JBX7M/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1416114420&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX200_QL40

 

[Outlaw]

Getting to the point where I need to consider my stocking list. Below are some fish I am interested in. I was hoping for some opinions about what is possible and if possible an order of introduction.

My wish list (in no particular order)
(3) Blue Reef Chromis
(1) Fairy wrasse (Whipfin/Red Velvet/Longfin) or Flasher Wrasse (Carpenter's/McCoskers)
(1) Goby - shrimp pair (Hi Fin Red Banded/Yellow Prawn/Pink Bar/Orange Spot)
(1) Court Jester Goby (will this work with other gobies as there is a difference in body shape?)
(1) Tail Spot Blenny (?)
(2-3) Dartfish (Zebra-Barred/Blue Gudgeon)(?)
(2) Ocellaris (Wife must have - part of the deal)
(1) Yellow Eye Kole or Tomini Tang

Would love to have Anthias (Dispar/Ignitus/Bartlett's) but not sure if possible in a 75.
Would love to have a One Spot Foxface, but not sure.

So those are the folks I dig, any input by the good folks @ R2R would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[ReefFreak@]

Mccocskers are awesome. Although there really cool in a harem, maybe something to think about. Chromis are a pretty fish but tend to kill each other of till the biggest fish is left. Dart fish might not get along with wrasse and with dart fish and wrasse your going to have to make a sceen top.id pick the kole tang. You could keep anthias but not with all those fish. I would go to the lfs look at all those fish in question and pick your top 5 and then work from there.

 

[Outlaw]

I would go to the lfs look at all those fish in question and pick your top 5 and then work from there.

Heh, if only. I have never seen anything on this list except the chromis at my LFS. They get deliveries Thursday, by the weekend they have nothing really left.

Thanks for the info!

 

[fishroomlady]

well, just catching up with all of your progress! Scape looks awesome! I can sense your excitement - and yet, you're being very patient - excellent :) in terms of stocking - ime, reeffreak is right, with the chromis - 3 will eventually become one. You could possibly start with a higher odd number like 5. I really like kole tangs - great choice. wrasses are always a great choice - lots of color and they're very active. If your gobies have a nice area to have as their own territory I think the two should work. Blennies are usually pretty peaceful as well. I'm with your wife, gotta have clowns :)

Looking forward to seeing your progress! Many LFS will order livestock in for you and then hold - might be worth inquiring on whether yours will do this.

 

[ReefFreak@]

Your welcome.Is your lfs a mom and pop shop or a big name brand?

 

[Carlson Moncrief]

I dont know if this is rare but I've had three chromis getting along fine in my 75 for several months

 

[Outlaw]

Your welcome.Is your lfs a mom and pop shop or a big name brand?

Yeah, it's a little mom and pop for animals of all types. I was assuming I could get them to order me stuff. Either way, it's time for a day trip to a store or 2. There are 3, each 2.5 hours away in various directions.

 

[Outlaw]

well, just catching up with all of your progress! Scape looks awesome! I can sense your excitement - and yet, you're being very patient - excellent :) in terms of stocking - ime, reeffreak is right, with the chromis - 3 will eventually become one. You could possibly start with a higher odd number like 5. I really like kole tangs - great choice. wrasses are always a great choice - lots of color and they're very active. If your gobies have a nice area to have as their own territory I think the two should work. Blennies are usually pretty peaceful as well. I'm with your wife, gotta have clowns :)

Looking forward to seeing your progress! Many LFS will order livestock in for you and then hold - might be worth inquiring on whether yours will do this.

Thanks!

 

[Outlaw]

I dont know if this is rare but I've had three chromis getting along fine in my 75 for several months

Yeah, I was just going by what liveaquaria says aboutaintaining them in groups.

Which Chris do you have? And are there any recommendations on chromis that I can maintain in a small school?

 

[ReefFreak@]

I would try to find a reef specialty store

 

[Carlson Moncrief]

I had two orange line and three blue/green. The orange lines grew faster but we're more aggressive and died off. I haven't had any trouble with the other three but aggression increases ever time you add a fish that is bigger than the chromis. You'll have one chromis that gets bigger than all the others and stays in charge.