Starting my 75g

The Cycle begins.

Here are a few pics of my set up so far. 75 gallon tank with 25 gallon sump that I built. So far I have added about 90 lbs of sand and about 20 lbs of live rock. Next pay I will be fixing the plumbing on the return hose as well as adding more live rock and a 4 bulb t5 lighting system in a hood that I am building. I will be picking up a protein skimmer a few weeks down the road from now once the cycle is complete.

Let me you what you think.

 

Sounds like you have a very good plan. Is this going to be a reef tank? Does the sump have a refugium section?

 

I am starting with FOWLR we will see what happens after the first year or so. The right side of the sump in the photo is the refugium section. One of the drain offs runs directly into it.

 

Looks like your off to a great start. ! Good idea starting slowly

 

I started the same way in Oct - don't get discouraged by the algae - it will go away (start with RO/DI water (I did not)
go slow and you will love this obsession. My tank is looking great (other then a poorly bought brain coral)

 

Ya, I am looking forward to getting fish in it, but I know its all about patience. I didn't you RO water. I know I will probably be kicking myself in the long run. I have a few local friends that have tanks and have had them for lengthy periods of time with out RO water and none have seen any related problems. I know I am pushing my luck, but I am on a budget.

 

Yea I also got that same advise - if you don't use ro - I would suggest getting GFO just to make sure no phosphates get built up.
Not sure if you know this already but don't turn on the lights till you have a good clean up crew ready IMO