Frozen Reef Rookie

Hello all

My name is Dan, and Im from the frozen north (aka Calgary Alberta). I've always been a Freshy guy, but about 10 years ago I sold off all my FW equipment and haven't had a tank since.

A couple months back, my wife thought it would be a good idea to get my 3 year old son a small Betta tank. After hooking it up and getting it going, she showed some interest in getting a bigger FW tank. So a couple weeks ago we went to the LFS and picked up a Fluval Edge 12 gallon. Its now up and running with a few Barbs and looking good. The little Fluval tank got the old juices flowing and had me thinking about a good sized Reef that I couldnt afford when I was younger.

So while we were at the LFS she noticed that over the holidays they were having a huge "Boxing Day" sale. That was my opening. I pounced.

On the 28th, we went back to the LFS and brought home all new equipment to start a 75 gallon Reef

Hardware
75G Marineland Tank & Stand
Aqueon Refugium
Eheim 200W Heater
Coralife 120G Super Skimmer
Hydor Koralia Evolution 1050 Power Heads
Aquatic Life DT T5 & LED Lighting
LED Refugium Lighting

Substrates
DT: Caribsea Oceanlife Sand
Refuge: Magic Mud & Oceanlife Sand

So we got it all put together today, and got it filled after mixing the salt last night.

Its still a bit cloudy but clearing up. Will be heading back down to the LFS on Wednesday to pick up some LR to get the cycle going. Hopefully in about 4 weeks its stable enough to add some Inverts and Coral


Anyways, here's a few pics of the system:

 

nice start, looking great, just a few pieces of advice, I'd google coralife skimmer mods, you'll want to do these for now, and maybe consider an upgrade in the future, and also, order dry rock from reefrocks.net, marcorocks, or BRS, much cheaper that way, and add some Dr tims one and only or microbacter 7 or similar, much cheaper and safer that way

 

Welcome to 3reef madchild and to the SW hobby. Looks like you have been doing your homework.

That is an awesome start.

 

Thanks for the tips on the skimmer mods. Just pulled it apart to do a few of them and will get a couple done tomorrow when the LFS opens (Yes they are open on NYD) and I can get some parts

 

Hey welcome to 3reef
im from edmonton! glad to see other people in the same region as me!

 

Clean set up. Another tip, when aquascapeing make sure you leave space between the rock and glass. Will make it easier to clean and allow you to fully view your tank. You may need another power head down the road. Also just a reminder you can go lights out during the cycle. I took the dr Tim's path and it worked out great for me. Granted I waited longer it was about 3 weeks before I added fish from my existing tank. If anything comes up ask away on here everyone is very helpful. Also before the LFS sells you something you "need" ask here. Most will have a cheaper alternative for you. I only say this bc a friend of mine got taken for a ton of money for lump "live" rock at $8 a lb. he paid more for the rock then I did my whole 90 gallon.

 

Welcome to the SW hobby! You are going to love it and it will become quite addicting pretty quickly. Congrats on the sale and it does look like you've been doing some research to put together what you have. It's great that your wife is also involved - it can become something you'll enjoy together! This is a great site to get advice and to inquire about possible cheaper alternatives to things for sure. You only need a piece or two of live rock and the rest can be dry rock that will get seeded by the live. I would use the bacteria accelerator - it also seems to really produce clear water in my experience....

 

To be completely honest, that skimmer is perfectly fine and will do a great job for you as long as your water level stays consistent. Fluctuating water levels can really screw with this skimmer. I had a 55 gallon with this skimmer and it ran very very well and did a great job for me. Keep your bio load low and you will be fine.

 

Added the rock today



Not overly happy with the aquascape, but got it in there.. will probably move it around a bit

Lights were only on for the picture.. still keeping it dark until it cycles.

 

Trust me you will move it around LOL.

If you do not your a better person than me.

Try big pieces on bottom and small pieces on top, you could try a peninsula scape. Maybe two smaller structures..... See what I mean I could mess with a scape for hours and still never be happy.