New here/Tank rebuild.

Looks like i am going to set up my old 75 gallon fish only I had set up back in 89-2005
Have a whole bunch of old stuff most new never used. Most early 90's I never got to use back then
But will upgrade some stuff. Already have newer T5 light swap instead of the old T8 system

 

Welcome to 3reef and back to the hobby.

Sounds like the tank had quite a run. Going with any corals this time?

 

The tank too a hit in 2005 {Karina} and has sat waiting till now.
Dealing with an old oceanic that was custom dome when new. Local guy would epoxy crushed coral on the glass. It was put on the whole back glass and the 2 chambers on the backs that house 402 power heads
So it has a a under gravel hooked to some pipes in each conner that has the 402 power heads pulling watter down threw the under gravel {ie} 2- 402 power heads one each side
They can also be reversed for down flow and may be If i hook uop the wet dry stuff i have.
The flood pretty much wasted this tank.
So far I have the old sign ballast, wires T8 bulbs and switches ect all out and gutted lights ripped out
And a whole new Retro system T5 HO ones on the way with some 15-20 LED for night use from Hamilton will go in
Have to do some repair to the wood canopy, Paint, Install lights
Then will move on to the wet dry I had, and see what can be used hope most as it was picked up out of harms way
Not sure if willing use the hang on back over flow I have now or get a better one and a heater
SO ANY SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT WOULD BE BETTER IN THE LONG RUN Than what I have planed SPEAK UP Thanks
Few shots of it. South Louisiana Cypress stand and hood base is beaded one side tongue and groove
I made up the stand hood and side panels to hide the power heads and pipes.



I had them held on with Velcro and had a heater say 11" long that fot under the power head so looking at doing same again.
Not sure what type brand to get. Do have a new Fan on order and the light kits like i posted above with 15 Blue LEDs
TANK IS NOW CLEANED BUT STILL NEED TO DO THE HOOD.
Nasty old lights and hood from just being flooded and picked up

 

The cabinet is absolutely beautiful.

I used undergravel in my first couple of SW tanks. Now you rarely see undergravel, it's considered very old school, but I am of the mind it worked back then. There is some amazing stuff out there now and you will be hypnotized by all the bells and whistle just like the rest of us.

Skimmers are really where it's at, and pretty much a must have for bigger systems with heavier bio-loads.

 

welcome to 3reef! well, you said you were open to suggestions? I would paint the stand and hood - either a white or black.

If you have sufficient live rock, you shouldn't need the bioballs but if that is the system you are the most comfortable with, it should be fine if it's a FO. Many people now have sumps with live sand/plants (refugium) and the skimmer. I'm thinking that is what your overflow goes to correct? As Corailline said, a good skimmer is a must.

I've been a hobbyist since the (cough, cough) 70's and still find this hobby incredibly interesting and rewarding albeit expensive

 

No no no no no no!!!! The beautiful grains the wonderful finish. It would be sinful to cover that up.

 

I would definitely ditch the hang on back overflow and drill the tank or have a shop do it. In the long run it will be much safer.

 

I will have the lights and electrical finished up this week. Still waiting on the fan for hood to get here.
Then will repaint the inside and reinstall the Hamilton Retro fit T5 Kit lights
So will be looking at getting a heater next. Would like to hide it in one of the corners like i had the old one. Kinda taped out for funds but want one that will last.
Have 11 to 11.5" from power head down to fit one.
Live in a warm state and home is kept pretty constant so will try one 100-150 if it has trouble will just do one in each side.
So looking for suggestions. Brand wise and what would fit
Are the cheap Hydor Theo Submersible, or Aqueon Pro Submersible any good as 100-150 looks like they may fit.

 

yay!! another person with a crushed shell background! Fist bump