My new 75 gal. Upgrade

[wonderloss]

I am getting ready to move, and have decided that upgrading to a bigger aquarium will be much easier than trying to move my current 55 gal (at least, that is what I tell my fiancee). Fortunately, I can leave my old aquarium set up indefinitely, which will help make this an easier transition.

In the 55 gallon I have a (true or false) percula, firefish, flasher wrasse, and scooter blenny. There are also 2 BTAs, some red or blue (depending on the viewing angle) mushrooms, some green Ricorida Florida, and many types of zoanthids.

I got the predrilled 75 gallon aquarium with center overflow and stand last Saturday. Yesterday, I finally got to fill it up with water to make sure there are no leaks. I plan to coat the stand with polyurethane to protect it, and I am going to spraypaint the back of the aquarium with a metallic blue.

I have a Sunlight Tek Light fixture coming from Reef Geek, 6 X 54W 10000K and 2 X 54W 11000K.

I just got in an RO/DI unit, ordered from Melev's Reef. I also got some containers for water storage. Until now I have just been buying DI water in gallons from the grocery store, but I am done with that.

There are some things I still need. The biggest need at the moment is a sump. I have a 20 gallon aquarium I could use, but I recently got recommendations to go with 30 or higher. I am too lazy to link the thread. The sump will mainly be for the refugium, and I will probably keep the heater in there. I do not have a design yet, but I am mulling over some ideas. I will probably also try to plan for the addition of a skimmer in case my Remora Pro is insufficent.

I am planning to go with a DSB this time. Of course, this means I need sand and a cleanup crew.

I also want to use magnetic holders for my power heads. I do not trust suction cups, and the clips I currently use limit them to being at the top. Also, magnets will allow me to hide them behind the rock. I have though about a closed loop, but for now I will use my existing powerheads.

I will try to get some pictures of the current equipment. I did not document the growth of my first aquarium as well, but I am looking forward to seeing how this one changes.

Any recommendations on a pump for the sump return? The drain line is a 1" standpipe, the return is 3/4".

Any recommendations other than magnets for attaching powerheads?

Any vital equipment I am missing? Suggestions or recommendations?

[lcstorc]

Cool project!
It's great that you can make the change slowly.
A couple of things that come to mind.
While the Remora Pro may be fine for the bigger tank ( though it is rated at 75g most manufacturers overrate their skimmers.) I would plan the sump based on the theory of upgrading the skimmer somewhere down the line. I love ASM slimmers and a G2 sounds perfect. You could go with a G1x but the price difference is minimal so I would go with the bigger skimmer. Even if you leave the Remora on you will still get the benefits of the water volume and you can likely fill the area with cheato or something in the meantime.
Particularly if you are going with a sump/fuge combo then I would get the biggest tank that will fit under the stand and still give you some space for cleaning and adjustments.
As to the power heads you may want to look at the Hydor Koralia powerheads. I have two that arrive today so I'll let everybody know my experience. Those that I have read have been excellent. Several people though have traded in for a smaller model because they were just too much flow. Makes me nervous about my 2 #4s that get here today.

That's enough for now. I gotta get to work.

[wonderloss]

Finally, some pictures. Everyone loves pictures.

Here is my new tank. The back is spray painted.




Next is the side view, with the aquarium that will become my sump/fuge when I finally get everything set up.




Finally, here is the setup I will be using for my water making and storing.

[GeeWizzItsMe]

Can't wait till its running!

[wonderloss]

Last weekend, I finally finished the plumbing and added water. Everything was going fine, no leaks. I added salt. I added way too much salt, due to a major duh moment. Now, everything is covered with a nasty white residue.

This weekend I get the exciting task of draining the tank, cleaning the residue, and filling it up all over again.

:

[wonderloss]

I got everything moved this weekend!!

Unfortunately, I lost my flasher wrasse during the transportation. Also, one of my BTAs is looking a bit rough. I am not sure if it is going to make it.

However, my clownfish and firefish seem pretty happy. I will see if all my zoanthids and mushrooms open up in time.

The best part is, I get to start planning my new stocking list.

I also have an empty 55 gallon aquarium, and nature abhors a vacuum, so I am sure it will get full soon.

[wonderloss]

New pics.

[lcstorc]

Very nice. I really like the aquascape.

[wonderloss]

I am a bit overdue for an update. I have added quite a few fish: five Carpenter's Flasher Wrasses and a Foxface Rabbitfish. Unfortunately, one of the Wrasses was lost due to faulty cover design which has since been improved. Also, I think the addition of the wrasses was too much for the firefish. It disappeared, and I believe it has perished

My initially high phosphate levels (much greater than 3 ppm) have finally come down to be undetectable. Perhaps after the holidays I will get some extra money to start adding some more corals, though I have not started working out a plan yet.

[Ratpack]

Cool, I can't wait to see more as I am working on almost the same setup.

[wonderloss]

Things are improving. Phosphates are under control, and algae is getting under control. I just ordered a clean up crew from ReefScavengers.com, one of our wonderful sponsors at the sanctuary. They have not shipped yet, but I will get a report when they arrive. I used their cleanup package for 75 gal and larger as a guide, but did not get any crabs. I also threw in a fighting conch, because they are neat.

I have moved around some things around and have noticed a lot of growth in my zoas and rics. Colors are very bright and everything is opening up nicely.

My fish are doing well, though I lost another wrasse to a tile surfing accident. Since I have a HOB skimmer and HOB fuge, it is difficult to make a tight fitting cover. I also had the fun task of removing a wrasse from the over flow a few weeks back. This was accomplished by turning off the return pump and siphoning the water out of the overflow so the critter could not swim. I have long, skinny arms, so I was able to reach down and grab it.

Pics. I need more pics. Maybe this weekend I will have time to take some and get them posted.

[wonderloss]

Hey everybody!!! New pics!!!

Full tank shot.


Some rics and zoas.






My rabbitfish.


A couple of my flashers.


The new cleanup crew, being acclimated in a bucket.

[lcstorc]

Looking Good!

[wonderloss]

An update without pics for now.

I decided to take the risk, and I have gotten a yellow leaffish. Right now he is about the same size as the clownfish, and they are not supposed to get more than about 4 inches. Right now he shows no interest in the fish. I think he may have gotten my peppermint shrimp, though. I do have a really good pic of him to post later.

I just ordered some new light bulbs, and I am getting ready to adjust the light schedule. Right now I run all 8 bulbs for 12 hours each day. I have 6 daylight and 2 actinics. I am going to switch to only 6 bulbs, 3 actinics and 3 11000K. I am also going to go to a 10-hour photo period, with only actinics for the first and last 2 hours. I will see how this goes, and make changes if necessary.

Overall, I have reached a point where I am really happy with my tank. I enjoy the look of the rocks and inverts, and I really like the fish I have. I would like to possibly get a clam in a few months, and I will probably add more zoas eventually, and possibly some rics. However, it it not because I feel anything is missing.

I guess this means it is time to start a new tank

Hopefully a pic update will come soon, maybe by Sunday at the latest.

[haydenfish]

I'm enjoying this thread. I am designing the lighting for my upcoming 75 and am looking forward to hearing how the 6 bulbs vs. 8 bulbs work out. Is there a particular reason you started with 8 and want to go to 6 now?
Thanks,
Mike