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75 gallon tank - New to Saltwater (1 Viewer)

JayJeep

JayJeep

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2011
Messages
376
Location
Farmington, MN
I already posted some of this in the new to the hobby forum but I thought I would post my official build here. The tank is still on the living room floor until I get the stand finished (once the wife gives me time to polyurethane it)

Items I have right now:

75 gallon RR tank
37 gallon for sump
Euro Reef 180 skimmer
Pondmaster 950 pump
used Koralia powerhead, not sure what size
Used Light (2 t12 white and 2 t5 actinic)
RO/DI unit
29 gallon for QT tank w/ filter and light

Items I still need/want:

Updated light - probably going to build a LED fixture in the future
Stand - almost done
Canopy - haven't started building
Powerhead
Rock - Base/Live
Sand - base/Live
-anything else that is recommended

I hope to have the stand done this week then I will start building the sump baffles. Hopefully I will be ready to cycle the main and qt tank soon. Then I will put together a cuc, still need some more research.

Any advice?

-Jason
 
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ditch the 37 for a 20L or 29G..

37 gallons is just to tall to be practical for a sump I am afraid.
 
I guess the 30 gallon tank that I have is more like a 29 gallon. The dimensions are kind of weird though compared to typical. Its 29 3/4" x 12 1/2" x 18 1/4".

It would be nice to find a 30 gallon thats 36" long.

I used this site to see tank dimensions.

http://alysta.com/books/fishtank.htm
 
JayJeep said:
I guess the 30 gallon tank that I have is more like a 29 gallon. The dimensions are kind of weird though compared to typical. Its 29 3/4" x 12 1/2" x 18 1/4".

It would be nice to find a 30 gallon thats 36" long.

I used this site to see tank dimensions.

http://alysta.com/books/fishtank.htm
Click to expand...

If you want 36" long - why not go with a 40g breeder?
 
Welcome to the club.

You will need an ATO system, Controller, Better Lighting, are some I would recommend to get right away also. Good Luck let me know if you have any questions.
 
After I get it up and cycling, I plan to get the canopy built with the existing lights for now. Then I think I will build a LED fixture.

I'm not sure if I will get a controller, What can they do? I looked a little at the apex jr but wasn't sure what to look for. Can they control the leds? is the control like a gradual brightening of the lights or is it basically an on off switch.

I plan to use timers for the lights right now.
 
For lighting, it is an on and off switch. I think that some controllers sell modules to do lighting effects for LEDs. What they are most important for is a failsafe for your heater, in case it gets stuck on. This happens more often than you would think.

Just a fyi, I have a reef keeper light controller for sale :gay1: and a cheap 29g with baffles already cut. I'm in town too, if you need any help.
 
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I guess the tank I had that I thought was 30 is actually more like 29 gallons. I might use that in the sump and use the 37 gallon for a QT. Is that too large for a QT?
 
A 30 Long would be a great tank for a sump. However depending on the stand if you build it I would make it big enough for a 40br.

Make sure you get a ATO for your tank is a must. Upgrade the lighting when you can. For the controller I would recommend the Apex Jr. I have 3 coming in this Friday. They are hard to come by right now.
 
So while I'm waiting for myself to finish the stand (just have to water proof the inside), I was thinking about re-doing the silicon on the 75 gallon tank.

Is that hard to do? Do I have to do it outside due to the smell of the silicone? What silicone should I get to do it?
 
Here is a link: http://www.aquahobby.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=35335

Just try google dude.

deneed4spd said:
I heard new silicone doesnt stick to old silicone.
Click to expand...

I have heard this too, but I haave also read that new silicone will stick to old silicone as long as its prepared correctly (and cleaned well)...

I've never done it before but I think I would be nervous doing it. I wouldn't do it unless your old silicone looks bad (torn, worn, ripped, whatever)
 
I might look at it closer... i noticed one spot that was slightly peeled up but not much.

I might not do it.
 
Merkurfan said:
ditch the 37 for a 20L or 29G..

37 gallons is just to tall to be practical for a sump I am afraid.
Click to expand...

+1 on this, I've got a 29G as a sump for my 75G, and it is perfect in almost every way, except it is just 1-2" too tall. I was gonna throw a 30B in there instead, but other plans were made for that tank, so...
As for the auto top-off, you can make one for about $17.00 in parts. Well worth the money because you will probably lose a little over a gallon a day due to evaporation.
 
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Yeah, I'm going to use the 29 gallon for the sump unless I can find a 30 long. Do you have a pic of your sump? I want a sump and refugium but I'm not sure if there is enough room for both.
 
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