Tom's 75 reef build

[TommyP]

Hello MR,

I re did the silicone on my 75 for piece of mind. Not sure if it was leaking when I bought it. So that was done last week and now I'm just filling it with waste water from my rodi unit to check for leaks.



I'm going to break down my 55 and transfer everything over. Maybe tonight depending on how this goes. If not, tomorrows the big day!

Also making more rodi water to make up the difference.

This is the stand


I'm going to be using a 20 long sump that I got a couple months ago (thank god no one bought it lol) thanks Doug.

It's going in the same place my LEDs are hung, so that's good.

My first question is since this isn't drilled, can I still use my ph800 (I think) overflow box and the same return pump (unknown) as I've been using on the 55?

That's about it for now. Will post pictures as they come. What's a tank thread without pics right!?

 

[TommyP]

So it just hit 5am lol. Just finished tearing down the 55, corals and fish are in a tub with heater and powerhead. transferred all my lr back into the 75 gallon, and re-used the same sand.

Heater and jabao powerhead in there now tanks cloudy. Half way full, going to do the rest tomorrow. My back is killing me.

 

[TommyP]

So I finished the transfer on Friday. Everything went well so far. I picked up a new skimmer (thanks Joe). The Reef Octopus nwb-110. Just hooked it up so will monitor the skimmate it pulls and dial it in correctly. Really happy with the way things came out so far.

Pics to come and as always, comments and feedback is most welcome!

 

[TommyP]

Here are some pics of the year down and build. Ill take a new pic/ FTS when I get home tomorrow night.

 

[BaaMNYC]

Nice to upgrade to a deeper tank. The only thing is people don't suggest reusing sand. Hopefully it didn't have that much detritus.

How's everything doing in the new tank? No losses I hope.

 

[TommyP]

Nice to upgrade to a deeper tank. The only thing is people don't suggest reusing sand. Hopefully it didn't have that much detritus.

How's everything doing in the new tank? No losses I hope.

Oh it's so much nicer. It seems so empty now because I broke it up into 2 different islands. Not one huge arch anymore. But, it's different and will take time to get used to. I like it.

I've done a lot of research and had mixed reviews. The sand was always turning over from my diamond goby (until he jumped). I didn't use all of it so a fs thread will come. Just need to measure the weight.

No losses (fingers crossed) at this time. All corals/fish/inverts are well. :usa1:

 

[TommyP]

Here's a pic my gf just sent me of the skimmer. Never had a cone before. Look okay ?


It's only been running for 8 hours or so...

 

[TommyP]

So my buddy gave me a return pump that I've had on the 55 and am currently using on the 75 gallon. Not sure of the turnover off the top of my head. When using the eshopps ph-800 overflow box, what would be a good return pump? I always see everyone using mag's. What is a good one for my tank? 5, 7 ? Thanks.

 

[Jaftica]

Depends what your needs are, if your going to be running reactors and stuff off of the return pump you may want to go a bit larger than a mag 7, in my 75 I used an ehiem 1262 and it was perfect, ran my gfo/ carbon reactor and fed my calcium reactor.

 

[TommyP]

I didn't think of that. I don't have any reactors (at this time) so I think just normal return back to the DT is what I am looking for. However, I may look into getting something larger for when the time comes and just dial it down if needed. For now, the pump I have is fine but just want to get ready if/when the pump fails.

 

[Jaftica]

How do you use gfo , and carbon without a reactor?

 

[TommyP]

How do you use gfo , and carbon without a reactor?

I've never used carbon or gfo...

 

[TommyP]

So I took some pics. Everything has been settled in. I lost 1 fish, my algae Benny. everything else is thriving (so far)

Lmk what you guys think!
Pics taken on my iPhone 5

 

[TommyP]

What's this growing out of the zoas??
Sump with an 18" zoomed light over the chaeto (which like doubled in size)
Or I just got this clip on neater looking light with a 40w regular bulb in there. What's better or what type of bulb should I get instead?

 

[rideit6578]

lookin good dude.

 

[TommyP]

lookin good dude.

Hey thanks man. Been trying real hard to make it nice. I appreciate that. The bop colony is really nice. Which sump light do you think I should stay with? Is the regular 40 w light bulb even going to do anything? I read about flood lights, which I got one, but its so damn hot I literally could get rid if my Heater lol.

 

[TommyP]

All I care about is providing sufficient light for my chaeto to grow.

 

[Gabe]

Nice.

 

[TommyP]

Thanks!

 

[TommyP]

Any idea on the fuge light?