building my 75 reef

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shella

Guest
Day 2 of my cycle. Started with a 29 gallon where I made my mistakes and I have now decided to try a larger reef.
75 gallon 48x20x18
PM R30 refugium
Aqua Euro 135 skimmer
Initially I was planning to purchase a Aquatic Light T5 HO since this worked really well on my 29 but I have now decided to use a canopy with retro fit lighing. I am working with my LFS on the specs so I should have on order tomorrow.
Any suggestions or comments are appreciated. I have learned alot over the last 2 years with my 29 but I still have more to learn.
 
jerth6932

jerth6932

Active Member

That middle rock, the one that looks like a sea fan, is AWESOME!
+1 that will be fun 2 add corals 2!
 
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shella

Guest
2 weeks and I am adding life! My plan origianlly was to have a 35 gallon trash can that I keep my top off water in along with 1 pcs. of live rock "simmering". I have been keeping the water level up so that when I started my 75 it would possibly give me a jump start on the cyling process. I took a sample to my LFS and for the 2nd week in a row all levels are perfect so I guess it really worked. LFS said he has only seen this happen 2-3 times before but that he would start slowly adding life. My canopy will arrive later this week and LFS is installing the light kit so I should start moving my corals this weekend. I purchased a starburst coral yesterday, added it since I don't have a light yet and moved some of my crabs and a snail. I hope to capture my clown and yellow eye tank and I will move them tonight, then hold off on everything else till this weekend. In my 29 gallon I had a sump, this tank will have a refugium so there will be learning curves I am sure. I have read about refugium starter packs which includes worms, tiny stars, ect. Is this something I should consider? Right now I have only live sand about 2 inches deep. I will be adding the algae this weekend.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
You shouldn't be able to keep live rock in your top off, because your top off should be unsalted RODI water. Are you topping off with saltwater? This can increase your salinity quickly.
 
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shella

Guest
I do have RODI water in it and when I am preparing for a water change I add salt. After the change I top the container back off with RODI water which brings the level back down. This process has worked well for me for 2 years but I see the point you are making with the "live" rock if the level drops.
 
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shella

Guest
Week 3 and I have slowly moved my corals from my 29 to my 75 and everything is going well. The canopy I have on order along with the lighting has been pushed out one more week but it is due this Friday. I moved the T5 I had on my small tank to this one in the mean time. I thought I had the timing set so that the corals would be moved by the time the light arrived but apparently not. So I will continue to watch their behavior just in case I need to group any of them more to the center of the light. Any comments are greatly appreciated.
 
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shella

Guest
Actually I painted the back black so I don't have to see the power cords. I hope the coralline that I have brought to the tank from my LR spreads quickly.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by shella http:///forum/thread/385977/building-my-75-reef#post_3392903
Actually I painted the back black so I don't have to see the power cords. I hope the coralline that I have brought to the tank from my LR spreads quickly.
It all takes time, just keep phosphates down, calcium at 400 to 450, and you will see those pink and purple spots here and there all over.
 
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shella

Guest
Week 4, still waiting on my canopy the manufacture is killng me :) Checked my parameters and all are perfect even the calcium is at 400. I recently ordered a Two Little Fishies Kalk Reactor but realized this won't work for what I need so I have ordered the PM Kalk Reactor, does anyone have experience with this? I plan to have it run with my ATO.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Tank is looking good...I hate waiting for stuff I order...You just have to daydream of how good it will all look when you finally get it. Did they tell you the canopy is out of stock or what?
 
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shella

Guest
Apparently the manufacture is discontinuing the 75 gallon line so they are slow to make the canopy and last week it missed the truck. He promises it will ship Thursday and my lights are already here so we can install them right away. Hope to have it all up and going by Saturday.
Do you know anything about the PM Kalk reactor?
 
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shella

Guest
The lights came in and the Kalk is up and running and I have added a Tang and Coral Beauty.
 
J

jlbiggs11

Guest
Amazing! Planning on following in your footsteps. Setting up a 29 gallon now, its almost done with the cycle and hope to upgrade to something bigger in a few years when I get my own place.
 
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