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gettareef

My 75G Reef Tank - Recent Build

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Hi all! I've been reading blogs from this site for a long time now and figured it was time I share my setup. My tank has been setup now for 8 months. My plan it to create a mixed reef system, SPS dominant. I only have a few corals currently, and want to make sure my system is matured and have been waiting until I get all the equipment I want before adding more coral. This is my first setup so I have been researching and experimenting so I get it all right the first time. My setup includes: x2 250watt MH, T5, and moonlight LED fixture, Aqueon Proflex Model 2 sump using refugium with miracle mud and Chaeto and skimmer (I have the skimmer pump in the first chamber pushing water to the skimmer in the return chamber, outputting water in the bubble filter), AquaC EV-180 skimmer using mag 9.5 pump, 2 mag 7 pumps for return (one goes straight into the return plumbing and the other through my chiller and then to the return plumbing), Pacific Coast 1/10 CL-280 HP Chiller, x2 200 micron filter socks, 2 single deluxe media BRS media reactors using BRS ROX Carbon and BRS high capacity GFO, Vortech MP10, Koralia Evolution 750 and 1050 pumps with Koralia wavemaker, JBJ ATO, Finnex titanium heater, started with BRS dry Pukani, Tonga Branch, Figi, and Reef Saver rock (95 lbs total), Carib Sea's Special Grade dry Reef sand, use Reef Crystals Reef salt, and have/use RODI water. Livestock: Royal Gramma Basslet, x2 blue/green Chromis, Lawnmower Blenny, Six-line Wrasse, Orange Ocellaris Clown, Black Ocellaris Clown, Powder Blue Tang (my fav fish), Black Longspine Urchin, Pencil Urchin, Brittle Star, Blue Linckia star, tons and tons of snails/crabs, and used a few POD starter kits to help mature tank. Weekly I test parameters using refractometer, Salifert kits, Red Sea kits, and Hanna Checkers. I have a strict maintenance routine and conduct 15 gallon water changes weekly. Currently (and for quite a while now) my parameters have all been in check. Before I start to add more coral to my system I want to add a Cadlights Biopellet reactor using BRS biopellets and APEX controller. With Christmas coming up I think I will have these items. I have not started to dose Calcium, Alk, or Mag yet because my levels stay consistent and in check. I think this is due to my lack of coral to use up Calcium and Alk. What do you think?
My plan is to not add much more livestock....maybe 2-3 more fish. Once thr system is ready, I will slowly add several SPS coral (birdsnest being my fav) and various LPS and softies. I also want to add a RBTA for my clowns. My current corals consist of a zoa rock, ricordea, orange plate, smalll green Acro (with great growth so far), a few Acans from Cherry Corals, bubble coral, and a Hiatian Anemone (very happy). I have had a few corals die but other corals very happy so want to add anything new slowly. I also would like to add a MP40 ES but want to many other things at the moment to make that big purchase. I haven't made the jump to LEDs yet as I would like more time to pass to see reviews and for prices to drop. I posted some pictures on this post of my system, filtration, and close-ups. Please feel free to comment on my setup, any suggestions or questions, or advice. Now that I have a post of my setup, I'm excited to have the place where I can seek help for any upgrades, problems, or just updates of my system. It is great to have a place with so many people who are experienced and successful in this hobby who can help us NOOBS. Thank you all for reading and a special thanks to Melev for creating this great site ~ Dustin Getta
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Comments

  1. Midnight's Avatar
    Is that a snail graveyard or do you have hundreds of snails in there? What size tank is it, 55-75?

    I would add the RBTA soon so that he can pick a spot and hopefully stay there. Get some covers for your pumps so that during the first month of so he can find a spot and not get sucked into a pump. They tend to like spots with good flow but not direct flow. Do you have a bunch of candy canes in there or are those just skeletons on the rock?

    You may be able to get rid of that chiller if you could replace the three mag pumps with one external pump.
  2. Hat39406's Avatar
    Your reef looks awesome! Greqt job!
  3. melev's Avatar
    Welcome to R.A. It's nice to get to see your system. Keep an eye on that floor lamp, as they have been known to start fires. In a fishroom, it may get some salt creep and condensation within the fixture's exposed bulb.

    I like your red emerald crab.
  4. gettareef's Avatar
    Midnight - that photo of all the snails and shells is when I first introduced my CUC. I plan to add a RBTA soon so it can pick a good spot before I add more coral. Also, I tried the system without a chiller and just a Mag 7 as a return. Unfortunately the temp swing throughout the day was too much (around a 5 degree shift) due to the MHs. I got a good deal on the chiller from a reef buddy so am pretty happy with it. Now the tank doesn't swing more than 2 degrees with the MHs. Thanks for the comments!

    Hat39406 - Thanks for the compliments! Much appreciated! This took much time and planning, and I loved every minute of it. I am definitely addicted!

    Melev - Thanks for welcoming me! I plan to continue to post updates with my system (and future systems in the works) as well as questions/problems I will face. I believe this will be a great spot for expert advice. Thanks for the advice regarding my floor lamp. I will keep caution. Do you know of any other light fixtures for my refugium (preferably something I could pick up at Lowes or a similar store) that would be safer? Something that will be powerful enough to grow the macro algae? I'd like a LED fixture but really don't care either way. Also, it would have to hang like the one I have or be able to fit on top of my Profilux Sump model 2. Another question I have regards the light bulb I am using for that floor lamp. I have 3 types of bulbs but am unsure which one will work the best for growing macro. I have: a soft white GE indoor floodlight 65W 575 Lumens, a energy smart GE 26W soft white 2700K 1750 Lumens, and a Sylvania spot-gro 65W 120V. Do you know which of these would be the best to use for my purposes, or another type of bulb I should get? I am not sure how to measure what type of bulb works best. Thanks for any advise! Also, my emerald crab appreciates your recognition!

    Thank you all and I will keep you posted on my system! Thanks for the warm welcome! ~ Dustin
  5. melev's Avatar
    For refugium lighting, you'll want something around the 6500 Kelvin range, which is considered daylight. As you approach the redder spectrum, you may see even better results. I used a 5100 K bulb for years, one I purchased online and recommended to others. It is a self-contained floodlight that only uses 23w of power, and doesn't need a reflector.

    You may find some type of LED floodlight at Home Depot or Lowes, and you are looking for bright white lighting. If it has a Kelvin rating or a phone number to call to ask, that's what I'd be looking for.
  6. gettareef's Avatar
    Melev - Thank you for the info. I will make a trip to Lowes and check online for prices.