>>>My 75 Gallon RR tank build<<<

[bigdeeezy]

i was planning on having 2 hydor koralias, 1 maxijet 1200 w/mod with the mag 7 pump being the return...is that enough flow for an sps tank? im actually curing the rocks i have right now and its looking good...before i was thinking of buying 2 20lb bags of aragonite just to cycle the tank? but now i kind of wanting to go BB...decisions decisions decisions...

[fish.freak]

Id step up to the 3 or 4 on the koralias and get two mjs

[Ratpack]

I am voting for BB. That is what my 75 is gonna be. And as far as flow, definitely do as fish freak said and get the bigger koralias. My 75 will have a closed loop powered by a Sequence Barracuda as well as the return pump.

[bigdeeezy]

right now i actually have (2) koralia 4s and 1 mj 1200...should i get more or bigger pumps??? just got back from a vegas vacation and didnt really get to do anything to the stand yet...going to HD tomorrow to get some more shopping done and work on the stand

[Ratpack]

I would go ahead and get another mj 1200 with the mod kit. Then when you set it up BB, have a mj 1200 on each side about a foot from each side panel facing straight down behind your rock. That way they can blow all the stuff from behind the rock to help keep it suspended or at least get it to the front where it is easily cleaned. Then you can run each Koralia from each side facing each other, then they will create tubulent current when they meet. Also, keep you rock work very open so the flow can get all over it and no dead spots. When I get a chance I will try to post the rock work I have made for my tank. Each piece is suspended above the next and each island is suspended on small legs so that it doesn't sit on the bottom at all. Flow can go under, over, around and through the whole structure.

[thekid55]

Great start. Good tank size. Another maxijet wouuldnt hurt, i would put a maxijet close to the bottom on each side of the tank and the koralias on the top of each side of the tank. and you'll have your return too and you can have that pointing in the middle pointing at the surface.

[DarthOcellaris]

your build looks great so far

How do you get your wood straight? Everytime I try to build anything, it's all warped

[bigdeeezy]

i actually had a couple of pieces which were not straight so i soaked it and put on a heavy load until it dried...also with the help of some clamps i was able to make them straight...wasnt able to go to HD today because i had to work on the other project:







do any of you guys know where to get some crown molding for a good price?

[bigdeeezy]

this is starting to be one slow build...lol but i actually had some time to work on it and now the parts have been put together and the basic stand is done...now awaiting for some molding and plywood to complete the skin...in the mean time i picked up a harness, 4 t5 caps, and a 3 prong power cord for the icecap 660 that i found under my parent's freshwater fish tank...should i go with a 4 bulb setup or 2 250w halides with 2 true actinics? i will be posting pics of the progress possibly tomorrow

[bigdeeezy]

here are some pics of the progress as promised:








ran out of pvc piping for the top of the tee so this is how it stands as i speak...does anyone have some enkamat they want to sell or know where i can get some?

[PowerManJ316]

Nice looking build so far! My first tank was a 75 gal and they are a great tank, I learned soooo much with it.

About the BB or DSB approach, my 75 was a DSB and my next tank will be a BB for sure, no doubt. I'm not knocking DSB's, but I think the concept/fundamentals of a BB are better suited for me. But like it was mentioned before, it can be a little dependent on what you want to keep as well. I kept primarily tridacnid clams in my 75 so lower flow in a DSB made them happy. I want to move on to SPS in my next tank...so I am gonna go with a high flow BB.

[bigdeeezy]

i think i will be going BB with a SB in my sump...i was mainly trying to keep SPS...for those who are BB, what do you guys use to cover up the bottom of the glass so light doesnt shine through?

[jamessp01]

I have HDPE on the bottom.

Im also curious about your reasoning for a remote sand bed?

[PowerManJ316]

I am toying with the idea of getting some straight pieces of light reflector type material (reflective aluminum) and putting that on the outside of the tank on the bottom. I think it would look cool to see the reflection of the corals and putting something reflective on the bottom of the tank would certainly increase the total amount of light hitting the corals.

Do a search for remote sand beds, it seems like a certain number of people switching over to BB sometimes run this. You can find lots of peoples experiences with them. What is your reasoning for it, out of curiousity? Is it going to be a refuge of sorts with macro?

[bigdeeezy]

from doing some research in the beginning about RDSB...i was planning on filling up a part of the sump or 5g bucket with argonite sand to the top with about 2-3 inches of water flow on top of the SB...from what i have heard it can reduce nitrates through denitrification