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Arce's 75 Gallon Mixed Reef Build

A

Arce

So I was going to just upgrade the 20 gallon tank I have setup into a 40b but I figured id go bigger. Im going to keep the 20 up and running and start a 75 gallon. Im hoping to get the build started soon and up an running within a month.

Its going to be mostly LPS/softies but I would like a few SPS

The plans...

75 gallon standard tank w/ corner overflow
80lbs dry rock
1/2" sand bed ( I don't know how many lbs)
DIY stand
30 gallon sump
Jebao wp-25 and another 800gph pump I have laying around along with the return pump
LEDs from reefbuilders
Skimmer ( not sure which yet, on a tight budget after the LEDs)


That's pretty much where im at so far. Im hoping to start ordering things within the next week. I still have to cook my dry rock to clean it off so that will be another couple weeks ontop of the tank cycle which I might try to speed up by using live sand and some bottled bacteria.

Ill keep you guys updated...
 
AnthonyJerseyShore

AnthonyJerseyShore

Save your money on the bottled bacteria. Cycle the tank with the dry rock. No need to cook it lol. Just make sure you rinse it REALLY well before hand. Put it in a bucket, and run a hose through it till the water comes out clear (it won't be crystal clear, but pretty clear is good). Then, pick up a piece of LR. That will seed the dry rock. As long as your tank is fishless, using the rock to cycle the tank with is perfectly fine :)
 
iTzJu

iTzJu

Officer Emeritus
NJRC Member
I recommend the SCA-301 Skimmer for that size of a tank. Ebay it and you will find it. It's pretty much a Bubble Magus NAC7 knockoff, a bit smaller compared but that thing is a work horse. I picked one up for $100 new on ebay, I'm pretty sure the price has gone up since then but probably not out of reach!
 
A

Arce

The bottled bacteria is cheap enough whether it works or not anything will help. Im probably going to run the dry rock in a tub for a week then finish off curing it when i set the tank up.

Thanks for the info Judeo ill look i to that skimmer.

I was thinking of getting the BRS gfo carbon reactor but im not sure if ill need it right away so it might be a future purchase to add to the list ontop of dosers
 
iTzJu

iTzJu

Officer Emeritus
NJRC Member
Arce said:
Thanks for the info Judeo ill look i to that skimmer.

I was thinking of getting the BRS gfo carbon reactor but im not sure if ill need it right away so it might be a future purchase to add to the list ontop of dosers
Click to expand...

Here is a link. Sorry, it was the SCA-302, not the 301
 
M

mnat

Officer Emeritus
Staff member
Moderator
The bottled bacteria works and I would recommend it when setting up a tank.
 
falconut

falconut

NJRC Member
iTzJu said:
Here is a link. Sorry, it was the SCA-302, not the 301
Click to expand...

+1, I've been using this same skimmer (SCA-302) on my 90 and am very happy with it. Great skimmer at a low cost.

For the sand, I'd recommend getting finer stuff. I went too large with mine and wish I hadn't. I didn't realize the stuff I got came in two sizes. I thought I was adding the same stuff in my other tank until later. I've tried adding fine stuff on top and using a net to filter out the larger stuff, but there's too much. The fines I've added just filter down.

Good luck with your build. I always enjoyed that time, just get impatient.
 
A

Arce

Just ordered the wp25 and ill be getting the tank within a week or two. Trying to figure out what kind of return pump to get. Then i have to baffle my sump.
 
falconut

falconut

NJRC Member
I'm currently running a Mag-Drive 9.5 as my return pump with an eshoppes dual overflow (twin 1" outlets). I was originally running a Mag-Drive 18 with the same overflow box. The MD-18 worked fine for years, I just had to be more on top of cleaning the u-tubes of algae, since it was near the limit of the box. The MD-9.5 does a nice job of moving water through the sump. I've got (4) Koralias pushing water around the tank. If you want a little more flow, go with a Mag-Drive 12. They're the only ones I've used, so can't talk about another brand. They've been very reliable for me.
 
NyteGTI

NyteGTI

I run a Mag18 on my 90. I have it split off to run all my reactors as well so i don't need extra pumps to run the biopellets, carbon, & GFO. It's a little extra work dialing it in, but once you do it's set it & forget it
 
H

horseplay

NJRC Member
Check out the quiet one 4000. I have been running the said pump for 4 years and no problem at all. It consumes half the electicity as the equivalent mag pumps.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2
 
M

mnat

Officer Emeritus
Staff member
Moderator
Arce said:
Which brand is best? I used biospira awhile ago when i had my 55 fowlr setup but ive heard people talking about dr.tims
Click to expand...


From what I have read apparently Dr. Tim created Biospira and then went off on his own. I have used both, but for some reason prefer the Dr. Tims.
 
A

Arce

Just got back from vacation yesterday and got my WP-25 in the mail and I also got my Reefbreeders LEDs thanks to Judeo

dsa.jpg

I should be getting the tank on Tuesday so more pics and updates to come within the week.
 
iTzJu

iTzJu

Officer Emeritus
NJRC Member
Arce said:
Just got back from vacation yesterday and got my WP-25 in the mail and I also got my Reefbreeders LEDs thanks to Judeo

View attachment 5960

I should be getting the tank on Tuesday so more pics and updates to come within the week.
Click to expand...

No Problem! definitely want pics when it's all up and running!
 
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