Snake's 75g build thread

snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I'll look into those. I was looking at fish in the divers den, actually. Just some random, really pretty fishes that aren't your typical bread and butter fishes. I am hesitant to get a yellow tang because they are pretty common, but I dont know - something about them really takes me back to better days.
My skimmer and RO/DI unit came in today!!! I have pics - when I can upload them.
I ALSO realize now that my 20g long sump is... going to be taking up a lot of real estate underneath the stand. I was considering using my 20g tall as the sump. Then again, the protein skimmer will then have to sit on a stand in order to drain properly - and there won't be as much of a "run time" to get all the microbubbles out. I need space under my stand because I was really wanting to get a skimmate locker for the protein skimmer (as well as a neck cleaner) and still have enough space for a phosphate reactor and a calcium reactor... which also means I have to have room for a CO2 bottle. NOT TO MENTION all of the electrical wires, plus, powerstrips and ballasts for the metal halides. :X
I guess if I use my little 20g, I could somehow set up a small frag rack in it underneath the tank and use a PAR 38 bulb of something on it. Just really don't know at this point.
 
S

smallreef

Guest
WOW...thats alot of stuff to think about putting under your stand, lol
many many options...
 
novahobbies

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
Well, don't forget the difficulty in having a taller sump. If you need a reminder, just look at the clearance (or lack thereof!) with my 29g sump. It's not impossible, but it's tight and you have to accept that fact before you commit.
Do you really think you need a Ca reactor with a 75g? How heavy of an SPS tank are you thinking of? Have you considered going Old Skool and just do daily two part and/or drip kalk?
I just googled a skimmer locker....never heard of that before. Kinda cool!
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
The only real problem I see is that in my 20g long, the protein skimmers output pipe is right at the top of the sump. I don't necessarily want the water to have to drop down and splash...
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I got my RO/DI Unit installed - the container that it fills is just temporary until I can figure out a better solution. I am thinking about running a line from my RO Unit to a pressurized tank underneath the sink. Another idea is to clear out a space somewhere else in the laundry room and use a trashcan on wheels.

 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Yeah, yeah, the plumbing is sloppy, I know. But, whatever. At least I had the foresight to install a pressure gauge as well as use plenty of ball valves and extra line to pull the RO Unit out from beside the washing machine to change the filters. So what if it's a little crazy....
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Octopus Diablo XS160 skimmer inside of my 75g tank... just for a size reference...

And next to my 20g tank...

Don't even commend about the clownfish. I know.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/20#post_3492179
AWWWW...she is growing up....LOL
Yes,.. too fast. She is just over six months old now. In another three to six, she will be walking and saying a couple of words. She is just.. in my mind... not supposed to be doing those things just yet - growing up too fast. lol
Quote:
Originally Posted by sviellvoicae http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/20#post_3492194
Following! I cant wait to see this progress.
You and me both! I bought the wood to build the frame of the stand... woohoo! I am making it out of 2x6's and I am not using a center brace. The reason is because I want to have full access to the sump so that maintenance is not so difficult to do. The doors that I am going to put on there are your basic double doors, made of birch. It really is going to look country - but I think that it will look pretty good. If not, I will start covering it with trim.
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/20#post_3492203
Yes,.. too fast. She is just over six months old now. In another three to six, she will be walking and saying a couple of words. She is just.. in my mind... not supposed to be doing those things just yet - growing up too fast. lol
You and me both! I bought the wood to build the frame of the stand... woohoo! I am making it out of 2x6's and I am not using a center brace. The reason is because I want to have full access to the sump so that maintenance is not so difficult to do. The doors that I am going to put on there are your basic double doors, made of birch. It really is going to look country - but I think that it will look pretty good. If not, I will start covering it with trim.
I like the bulked up lumber. I would feel just fine without a center brace. With all the stuff that you plan on packing under the stand you will really benefit by not having the center brace getting in the way.
I am with Nova, why not just does a two part (at least at first until the tank gets overrun with SPS, LOL) then plan on adding the calcium reactor later??
BTW your daughter is a cutie, and she is getting big. They do grow up fast, don't they?
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Yeah. I like the bulked up lumber too. Im probably going to have to build a side cabinet to house the electrical as well as cover up the overflow. But that shouldnt be a really big issue.
I dont like dosing two part. Im busy and just dont have the time to do a whole lot of testing and manual dosing. I would rather invest in a calcium reactor than a auto dosing unit anyways.
Thanks, she is.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Thanks Gemmy - this build has been a long time coming!
The only space that I really need beside the sump is for the calcium reactor, CO2 bottle and a skimmate locker. I can choose a smaller diameter, taller skimmate locker to save on space. I can also choose a smaller CO2 bottle such as a 5 pound or maybe a 10 pound, depending on the footprint.
I am not quite sure if I am going to take my next "fun money" and buy a calcium reactor or a neck cleaner and skimmate locker. I'm thinking probably the cleaner and locker. I am going to add the calcium reactor in a few months. Right now I am just trying to concentrate on the basics. I guess I should build in a few things into the stand such as a ventilation system and a couple of computer fans, and of course that takes money.
I just can't wait until deer season!
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/20#post_3492225
Yeah. I like the bulked up lumber too. Im probably going to have to build a side cabinet to house the electrical as well as cover up the overflow. But that shouldnt be a really big issue.
I dont like dosing two part. Im busy and just dont have the time to do a whole lot of testing and manual dosing. I would rather invest in a calcium reactor than a auto dosing unit anyways.
Thanks, she is.
I hear you. I don't dose much at all. I have stuff just in case but I would rather do a nice WC instead. I do need to test more. But I kinda get a feel for what the tank is doing just by observation.
A Ca reactor is not a bad idea then. Do you need a Ph monitor with them??
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/20#post_3492249
Yes. I have a profilux II controller for the reactor as well as my lights and heater. :)
Bang!! I am hoping that Santa brings me a reef controller for Christmas. I am not sure which one I like but I would love something that helps me monitor the tank better.
I'll start growing our some SPS frags for you now, then when you get this baby up and running we can trade!! LOL.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/20#post_3492267
Bang!! I am hoping that Santa brings me a reef controller for Christmas. I am not sure which one I like but I would love something that helps me monitor the tank better.
I'll start growing our some SPS frags for you now, then when you get this baby up and running we can trade!! LOL.
Sounds awesome man! I'm holding you to it. lol
I have a buddy named Harry at Harry's frags... he has a lot of excellent quality SPS corals that are actually pretty cheap and I know that his SPS corals are nudi, AEFW, and Bug free. (as far as I can tell). I'll be ordering, most likely, the majority of my frags from him.
I like the Profilux II controller, but I don't. It's interface is... outdated. I would much rather an Apex unit, but I have to work with what I got. Perhaps if my Profilux doesn't work out the way that I want it to, I will go to a more "user friendly" controller.
Now that things are going pretty well with my finances I will actually be able to enjoy the hobby and get back into it even more. I am really excited about this transition in my life.
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/20#post_3492274
Sounds awesome man! I'm holding you to it. lol
I have a buddy named Harry at Harry's frags... he has a lot of excellent quality SPS corals that are actually pretty cheap and I know that his SPS corals are nudi, AEFW, and Bug free. (as far as I can tell). I'll be ordering, most likely, the majority of my frags from him.
I like the Profilux II controller, but I don't. It's interface is... outdated. I would much rather an Apex unit, but I have to work with what I got. Perhaps if my Profilux doesn't work out the way that I want it to, I will go to a more "user friendly" controller.
Now that things are going pretty well with my finances I will actually be able to enjoy the hobby and get back into it even more. I am really excited about this transition in my life.
I don't mind that at all. But unfortunately I have a few that look like Gemmys new SPS coral frags she just got in yesterday.
I am working on setting up a coral QT/frag tank. I have some AEFW (I think) and some major tissue recession on a couple SPS. I want to get all the SPS in the QT tank and hit it up with some interceptor, let the DT go Acro free for a while and then put them back. I hope to frag some and leave them in the QT/Frag tank to grow out.
I have heard good things about the Apex controllers. The Neptune (I think that is the smaller/ more affordable one) looks pretty decent. I like being able to interface it with a PC.
Glad things are looking up for you man. I would love to see what your set up looks like with a bit more of a bulked up budget. Can't wait!!
 
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