75 Build

Hello,

This is my first "larger" scale salt tank build. I ran a 22 gallon cube for a year but it was too small. I moved / sold the african cichlids that called this 75 gallon tank home and moved it upstairs (to the living room).

Here is what it looked like downstairs (finished basement):




I began by building a DIY stand.

Here's the sketch I made of the stand on the computer. It came in real handy when trying to figure out how much lumber I would need:


Here is the basic framework built. I used 2x4s all around except for the front top support. I used a 2x6 so I would not need a center support. This way i could slide a sump/fuge in/out while the tank was up and running. The center support is removable. First pic is with it in, second pic it's out.




Here are a few pics of the removable center support. The only reason it's there is to fill in the space between the doors when they are closed. It provides no load bearing support at all:

Top:


Bottom:


I skinned the frame with 1/4" luan, added some trim, doors, hardware and paint:



Sorry for the quality on some of these pics. They were taken with my camera phone do to lazyness.

And now here is the tank with some life in it.



80 Pounds of live sand.
40 Pounds of base rock.
40 Pounds of live rock.
2 Damsels (4-Striped, Blue Devil)
Few hermits, sally lightfoot, bunch of snails (turbos and nassuris)

I'm waiting for the tank to cycle. I know its not recommended to add this amount of live stock but I had no choice. It was either add them and risk it or give it to the LFS.

Here are some shots of my 20L sump. I plan on upgrading to a larger one. It is plumbed for a split sump/fuge. I have a ball valve to control how much water the fuge side gets.





Here is the infamous false support removed:


I'm currently running 260w PCs but plan on upgrading to T-5 down the road. I'm using a MAG9 for my return pump. Vertex IN-100 Protien Skimmer (Shout out to Dasco for the killer review ;D)

I also purchased a 75GPD RO/DI unit. I ran my 22 off of tap without any issues but I figured I wouldn't push my luck. lol.

I am planning on getting a Red Sea Wavemaker with 4 MJ1200 and Hydor Flo rotating deflectors for some flow in the tank. I'm also planning on adding another 50-75 pounds of live rock.

Here are a few more misc shots of the tank:

Side:








LED Nightlights:



Thats it so far. Please post comment to help a newbie out! Thanks.

 

Great start!! looks great. K+

 

Why didnt you keep tank inwall behind bar?

 

Yeah the bar shot look bad rump!

 

I still have my 55 that was in the wall prior to the 75. I will probably put the 55 back in, we'll see.

I also run a 180 african cichlid tank atm. I'm sure it will be a nice reef tank some day. ;D

 

Oh yes i see. cool man thats a sic 180 you got there.

 

Should I keep my skimmer going during the cycle? This is my first time using a skimmer so I wasn't sure.

 

I wouldn't run the skimmer through the cycle.

 

Ya not much need for it now during cycle.

 

Ok. I will shut it off for now.