If you could start all over..

What would you do? I'm moving soon and have to break down my 75gal tank. I'm taking this as an opportunity to make any improvements I can. My set up as of now is:

T5 two bulb fixture not high output
DIY sump 32gal Rubbermaid tuff guy container (live rock,cheato)
500gph Return pump
Reef Octopus NW110-6520B skimmer

I want to focus on corals this time around so lighting is first upgrade. Any Suggestions? Also a UV filter as Coraiiline(sp) suggested. Powerheads? I have a couple but they are old and need to be upgraded as well.

 

LEDs and Jaebo or Vortech powerheads,the best that you can afford.

 

Here is what I would do:

T5 two bulb fixture not high output - Obviously needs to be upgraded. Either a 4' T5/MH fixture, 2 Reefbreeders value fixtures (or maybe their Photon 32 if you can afford it), or equivalent.
DIY sump 32gal Rubbermaid tuff guy container (live rock,cheato) - You can make this work; add in baffles as we have discussed, or just get a tank during Petco's $/gallon sale. No need to go crazy here but you need to do a little more than what you have now IMO.
500gph Return pump - What pump? 500GPH at 0' head, or 4' head? You want to be in the 250-450 GPH range through a 30-40 gallon sump IMO.
Reef Octopus NW110-6520B skimmer - Ok, no need to upgrade this now.
UV filter - Only on a QT IMO. If you QT all of your fish and treat as required, there is no need for one in a DT.
Powerheads? - For a 75, I think two Jebao WP-25's would do quite nicely.

I would go in this order:

Proper QT tank
Sump/Return Pump
Lighting
Flow
Skimmer (if at all needed)

 

Return pump I believe is this one. There's a seperate thread on here somewhere asking about it. Head height on my tank is 55"

PondMaster Mag-Drive - - Submersible Pumps

 

That is only a 140GPH pump; that can't be right...

 

Marshall Marshall Marshall..... Scroll down on that page to the 500gph one!

 

Doh, obviously didn't notice they had them all listed on the same page! So yes, that should be fine for your tank.

 

Here's the actual specs on pump. That link I put up is the page google referred me to and the pump looks identical. I'm assuming Model 5 stands for the 500gph model

model 5 utility pump e160713 listed 8c99, 115 Volts A/C 60 HZ 45 Watts 8 Amp

 

If I started over I would make sure my tank was drilled (instead of my HOB overflow), I would have re-designed the sump so I had dual drains, one going to the fuge and one to the skimmer. Instead of one drain that goes skimmer, fuge, return.

I would have also looked at mounting brackets for Radions, because where my tank is now I cant have lights hanging from the roof.

Just those modifications alone I would of been stoked.

 

With all the fish problems I'm having, I have ZERO plans for any new livestock in the near future so my QT tank can be put on the side burner, unless it's recommended I have it up and running 24/7. I have a 10gal tank and HOB on standby in my garage. As far as my sump goes I think it would be easier to by a pre made one. I was looking at my set up yesterday and I don't really have the room to add another tub for my skimmer like Todd has in his video(height restrictions under tank). Adding baffles or dividers would be quite the task as well.

I was searching LED lights online. Would these work?
Amazon.com: Aquamana AQ LED-55x3W Dimmable 165W LED Aquarium Light Panel; Full Spectrum Range for Reef, Coral & Fish: Pet Supplies