Xander's 75g Mixed Reef

XanderPR

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Hello everyone! I am a Marine Biologist and teacher! I started in the hobby with a 29g saltwater aquarium I set up last year for my students last year (Nov 2020) to show them how! I upgraded that tank and started adding corals in January! Got a bit coral happy in May an baught a couple of Acro frags that I shouldn't have and paid the price. You can check out that deabcle's thread here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acropora-bleaching-please-help.836996/page-7#post-9092846

Before getting into trouble I had decided to upgrade my system as I had quckly run out of space for both fish and corals so I purchased a 75g on sale at Petco, a stand at Petsmart, and everything else has been purchased from @Bulk Reef Supply , @MarineDepot , Amazon, Home Depot, amd Lowe's.

I watched a lot of the BRS and Marine Depot videos about plumbing, painting the tank, cutting holes, etc.

I cut my own overflow and return holes in the glass which was a bit nerve racking (and scratched up the tank a bit on the return as it did not have a guide to cut the hole). My Herbie overflow plumbing is 1" purple schedule 80 pipes with black corner fittings, grey gate valve and union fittings which goes to my sump.
My sump is an IceCap 15A sump purchased on sale a BRS. I will be using the filter socks the sump included and will be changing out socks every 2-3 days to control nitrate. It also has a media cup which I will use for Carbon. I have a Brightwell MarinePure Block for biological filtration media and plan to use Brightwell Microbacter7 to cycle my tank. My return pump is an ultra cheap 500 gph Generic brand recommended by Amazon, but I plan to switch before adding any corals to the system.

I have purchased 60 lbs of CaribSea Arag-Alive Fiji Pink live sand, but am considering changing to the Special Grade as I do want Acros in the tank and do not want issueas with my sand vlowing around because of too much flow (Am I right? Should I keep the Fiji pink? Give me your opinion in the thread please.) I have 20 lbs of dry live rock from CarbSea and plan to move my 20 additional pounds from my 29 gallon aquarium once my new system matures and is ready for corals.

I think that about sums it up so I will leave you with some pictures of my materials and tank. If there is anything I missed you would like to know, don't be afraid to ask!!

20210615_183409.jpg 20210615_183227.jpg 20210615_183222.jpg 20210615_183218.jpg
 
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XanderPR

XanderPR

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Hello everyone! I am a Marine Biologist and teacher! I started in the hobby with a 29g saltwater aquarium I set up last year for my students last year (Nov 2020) to show them how! I upgraded that tank and started adding corals in January! Got a bit coral happy in May an baught a couple of Acro frags that I shouldn't have and paid the price. You can check out that deabcle's thread here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acropora-bleaching-please-help.836996/page-7#post-9092846

Before getting into trouble I had decided to upgrade my system as I had quckly run out of space for both fish and corals so I purchased a 75g on sale at Petco, a stand at Petsmart, and everything else has been purchased from @Bulk Reef Supply , @MarineDepot , Amazon, Home Depot, amd Lowe's.

I watched a lot of the BRS and Marine Depot videos about plumbing, painting the tank, cutting holes, etc.

I cut my own overflow and return holes in the glass which was a bit nerve racking (and scratched up the tank a bit on the return as it did not have a guide to cut the hole). My Herbie overflow plumbing is 1" purple schedule 80 pipes with black corner fittings, grey gate valve and union fittings which goes to my sump.
My sump is an IceCap 15A sump purchased on sale a BRS. I will be using the filter socks the sump included and will be changing out socks every 2-3 days to control nitrate. It also has a media cup which I will use for Carbon. I have a Brightwell MarinePure Block for biological filtration media and plan to use Brightwell Microbacter7 to cycle my tank. My return pump is an ultra cheap 500 gph Generic brand recommended by Amazon, but I plan to switch before adding any corals to the system.

I have purchased 60 lbs of CaribSea Arag-Alive Fiji Pink live sand, but am considering changing to the Special Grade as I do want Acros in the tank and do not want issueas with my sand vlowing around because of too much flow (Am I right? Should I keep the Fiji pink? Give me your opinion in the thread please.) I have 20 lbs of dry live rock from CarbSea and plan to move my 20 additional pounds from my 29 gallon aquarium once my new system matures and is ready for corals.

I think that about sums it up so I will leave you with some pictures of my materials and tank. If there is anything I missed you would like to know, don't be afraid to ask!!

20210615_183409.jpg 20210615_183227.jpg 20210615_183222.jpg 20210615_183218.jpg
Sorry for the spelling! I was weiting at 5am!o_O
 
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XanderPR

XanderPR

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Here are some pics of everything set up. I only have 20 lbs of live rock in there now, but plan to add another 20-30 lbs when I get back from vacation. I have been adding MicroBacter7 to the brightwell brick for 10 days, but since I am leaving on a trip I will continue to cycle for an additional 3 weeks or more before I add any livestock.
 

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XanderPR

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Finally came back to my build thread (need to participate in contest )!! My babyvhas been complete and running smoothly for the last year!! Having a small bubble algae issue, but otherwise everyone's healthy and happy! Here are some quick pics!
 

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