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75 gallon tank - New to Saltwater (1 Viewer)

Ok, I've read some other diy siliconing looks simple enough. Do you cut down to the top of the seal for the bottom?
 
That's what i did. Then just smoothed out the silicone so it flushes with the rest.
 
JayJeep said:
I think that's the heater I have on my cichlid tank but not sure. I had a marineland stealth but it was recalled and I got similar replacement of a different brand but can't remember.

All I know is that I am not going to get a glass one. I have not had any luck with those in the past.

I think for now I will run one big heater and keep a cheaper one on hand in case the other goes out. Maybe someone will chime in on the RKL with 2 heaters.....
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Lots of info here that you should really check out on heaters:

http://www.tcmas.org/forums/showthread.php?t=39079
 
Well, there's a couple things added to my to do list. Get heaters and re-silicone the two front corners.

Going to try to do the silicone this weekend and will also be picking up a sump today.

I have a question about lighting. Right now, I plan on using the current lighting because my tank will start as a FOWLR then get corals after I update the lights. In the spring I plan on building a LED fixture. What should I plan on for the height of the LED fixture above the water? 6-8 inches? 10-12 inches? something else? I don't plan on using any optics with the light unless I should??

I need the height so I can accommodate that into the canopy I am building.
 
Well I didn't get the sump today because mnbartender never showed up. What a good way to waste 2 hours of my friday evening. A little frustrating but what do you do.

So the search continues for a 30 gallon long.
 
I have one, but it's occupied by goldfish...if you had a 29G with a stand and topper, or a 40 breeder with a stand and topper :biggrin:
 
JayJeep said:
I have a 29 gallon and a 37 gallon. no top or stand
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Honestly, I would use the 29 g for your Sump if you can't get that 30 you were looking at, that's what I'm running, ad I am happy with it, my refugium is probably about 10g. My only complaint is it is almost too tall for my stand, but it also gave me room to put my Auto topoff inside the stand.
 
JayJeep said:
Well I didn't get the sump today because mnbartender never showed up. What a good way to waste 2 hours of my friday evening. A little frustrating but what do you do.

So the search continues for a 30 gallon long.
Click to expand...

Keep searching man, If you want the 30 long. Took me a while to find one too but it's going to be worth it. Finish other things on the tank while you search.
 
PengXiong, What brand of silicone did you use? I have a 10 oz tube of DAP 100% Silicone Rubber Sealant, and I also have a small tube of DAP Aquarium safe silicone but is says not to use it in tanks >30 gallons or >18" tall.
 
I personally used aquarium safe silicone. There's a lot of debate on what silicone to use. I used it because it just gave me a piece of mind. I've seen other people use the other products with no ill results that they can specifically say it was from the silicone they chose.

Remember that the silicone is just to ensure no leakage. It's not to hold the tank together. So the 30 plus 18 rule doesn't apply. If it did my water would be all over the floor now :gay1:
 
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Yeah thats what I'm going to go with. I just measured the height the water would be at based on the height of the overflow. Its 18 1/4 inches.

I think I have the glass ready now. I had a hard time getting it clean, I think some of it is due to water spots and not silicone. We'll see how it turns out.

How long did you let it dry before test filling it?
 
3-4 Days. Something like that. Rule of thumb is, if you cant smell the silicone curing anymore it should be good to go.

Here's my build thread, maybe there might be some info that can help you there.

Best of luck
 
Damnit, was gonna fix it before someone caught it. And of all it had to be you. :mad:
 
got the silicone done in the corners on saturday so I will probably test fill it tonight or tomorrow night. I'm going to test it in my laundry/utility room with a floor drain. I'm hoping if it does leak it will be a slow leak.

Last night, I ran a water and vinegar mix through the skimmer, return pump, and powerhead. Then rinsed everything with just water.

If the tank passes the leak test and I can get my sump this week, I should be doing the major setup and plumbing this weekend. Then probably start a search for sand and rock. I'm thinking I will go with BRS fiji Dry live rock, but I'm still not sure.
 
Has anybody used the BRS "Reef Saver" rock? Do you have any pics of the aquascape with that rock?

Now I'm leaning towards that instead of the fiji rock. ugh decisions.

Did not test the tank last night but should be able to get to it tonight.
 
I read that somewhere too, but also many people use it. Does anybody have any direct experience with this?

Also, what size sand should I look for? I plan on getting a diamond goby or something similar that sifts sand.

Thanks
 
i got carribeasea reef sand. Its big enough that it doesnt blow around but its small enough for diamond goby (I have one in my tank) to sift through. Also soft enough for a yellow wrasse and jawfish to sleep and make their homes. Clint sells it in a different brand. I also saw it at SWE. Foster&Smith also sells it online and free ship. Up to you where you want to get it. I got two 50 lbs bags which filled my up 75g pretty well up to 2-3 inches.

I say go with something everyone uses - fiji. If you need to ask around and around maybe its not the best?
 
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