The 75gal RR build (1 Viewer)

[W8nSee]

I bought my tank in 2010, and ever since we (my bf and i) been saving some money and mostly researching. We hope to get it all done by the end of this year. We both work partime and go to school, but that off subj. We want our tank done with the least amount of maintenance as possible, but of course I just mean the least.

Here is my tank when we first bought it. 8) Its been running for a good 9 months. we got rid of all our damsel fish when we added the rock, but left one damsel and had a recent death of yellow and blue tang :x

We plan on building a canopy, but i will do that as soon as I have the money and the light.. im going to get the marineland reef capable led fixture...puts out 3340 lumens

The rock is eco rock"reef safe" and the sand is crushed coral.
I am planning soon to change the substrate to aragonite or salt fine sand...So anyone who wants crushed coral...LMK ill work something out.

Another plan is to add a background... I was going to do a mirror background, does anyone know how that would go in a reef tank?
I have it in my freshwater and everything seems to be fine.

I been growing the burgundy stuff and green dots mostly on the top of the rocks. Does anyone know what that is?

I recently been adding ph buffer to the tank, i was at 120[/img]

thanks for your time
opinions welcome!

 

[TexanReef]

Nice!

Welcome to the site and keep us updated, please.

 

[tektite]

Would need to see closer pics to identify the green dots, but the burgundy stuff is cyano, usually from not enough flow and/or excess nutrients. It does look like you have a good bit of flow though, I see 3 powerheads and an eductor? What do you use for filtration?

Don't quite understand the PH being at 120...you really shouldn't need to use a PH buffer though.

Don't know how a mirror would look as a background, could be cool, the only thing I could see as a problem is if the fish you get would try to attack their reflection. And keeping the back glass clear of coralline algae could get annoying

Welcome to MARSH!

 

[W8nSee]

Thanks, its much funner to be on a forum where people are at your reach. Were planning to go on the tank tour to meet everyone. Nice to meet you all.
Alexandra and eric

Our powerheads might be to low, they are Koralia 1, i was told i need the stage 4. I guess i read the wrong chart.

Specials suck if you dont get the right one!I guess i got suckered in b/c i got them for $40 shipped...

Here is a closer pic of the weird green Dots, I hope this helps, Identify what it is...

And another picture of the possible cyano, I fixed my flow to help out...

Here is my 30 gal. refugium...

But this is my new plan

amateur, i know, but use your imagination,please. 1st chamber will be the wet dry effect. 2nd will be filled 3in of aragonite sand, with mangrove shoots,cheato, and LR. 3rd will house the return pump and external skimmer.
I want the c-skim 1800

Im really glad im moving slowly, i get to catch my mistakes and change it without a headache...

 

[Llama]

K1's are way too small for your system. I think two Koralia Evo 1400's or even three 1050's would be great in that 75.

You may want to pass on the bio-balls in section one. They work in controlling ammonia, but need to be kept clean otherwise you will begin to build nitrates.
I'd see if I could find a skimmer small enough to fit in that chamber instead.

 

[tektite]

Im really glad im moving slowly, i get to catch my mistakes and change it without a headache...

So true I don't know what I would have done when I was first setting up without access to reef forums.

The red stuff is definitely cyano. Fixing your flow like you mentioned will probably help with it, another thing fueling it might be your bioballs. They really aren't recommended for use, they just become a nitrate factory that fuels algae growth. I'd just skip them in your new sump, gives you a little more room and an option for an internal or external skimmer (never know what you can find for sale used and save a lot on ). Your liverock/livesand and skimmer should be enough filtration.

Not really sure on that green stuff...maybe a type of sponge or tunicate? It doesn't quite look like algae, though I could be wrong, pictures are still a bit hard to see.

Nice to meet you too What part of Houston do you live in?

 

[Tnconcept]

Looking good so far nice tank!

 

[W8nSee]

Hey thanks again! I stay on hw.6 and 529 OR between I-10 and 290.

Since I'll be out of a car for a while, Im going to get those bioballs out ASAp.
Im not sure what to put in it, but i wont be able to fit a skimmer since the space is 5''X11.5''inches.
I can put a filter sock and run my carbon reactor from that space.

I got my cheato today and sand for the fuge.

For a list of what i need; white aragonite sand, powerheads, led fixture, a top for the tank, mangrove shoots, heater,
Livestock; Yellow tangs, blue hippo, coralbeauty, anthias, chromis
shrimp, some random snails...

Thats all i can think of right now

Sorry for the pics all i have is my evo phone and my camera is worse...If problem continues, I will bring out the heavy camera.

Keep things updated as i will be busy bringing my new car in from miami and not able to save much, but i will see what i can get used! There is definetly nothing wrong with used!