Would this setup for 75G Reef work out?

75G Dimensions measure as 48x18x18
30 pounds of live sand
20 pounds of crushed coral
100 pounds of indo live rock
2 Aquaclear 110 Filter with just sponge
2 48" T5 dual 65w outputs
Open Top
250W Heater
A very good skimmer (still yet to decide but this can make a difference in making this work i very much suppose)
2 maxi jet 600s

If i do not want to do any kind of drilling on the aquarium, is it possible that i can provide enough filteration off my rocks and a very sufficient skimmer? or would you think at this size, it is ABSOLUTELY necessary to have a sump? I currently want to upgrade from a 40G 36x18x16 but I do not want to go the sump way, please get back to me on your thoughts.

Yes, I do know that I can go online and see how I can make a sump, but the question is, would it work in the long run witout the sump?

 

probably not

 

For a reef tank you could probably skip those aquaclear filters. With a good protein skimmer and water changes they are unnecessary in a reef. You may need some more lighting if you want a reef tank(more wattage) although you'll find many good suggestions. And as reefguru said you should definitely consider a sump and keep in mind that dosen't always mean drilling. And one question i have is why your going with crushed coral and sand?

 

I have a 30 gallon tank, and I am planning to move to a 75 gallon in the near future.

Decided I was going to build a sump, which will be going live this weekend. I have a skimmer rated for 120 gallons, and will be adding another 20 pounds or so live rock in the sump to provide some additional bio filtration.

All skimmers that were HOB just didn't appeal to me - and the general consensus from what I read, put micro-bubbles back into your tank. Plus, you have the visible equipment. With a sump you can either drill or have one single overflow box and stuff all equipment inside, no micro-bubbles, and additional room for some live rock.

I can't see doing a 75 without a sump. I would get it drilled, personally - in Tampa, just near where I live, a shop will drill for 10 bucks. Check with your LFS for some recommendations, and lots of glass shops can drill for you. Bulkheads are cheap as well. My 75 will definitely be drilled - for the cost of two holes and two bulkheads + fittings, it's cheaper and better looking than a box.

By the way, in my tank I have 50 pounds of crushed coral and indo pacific sand - and will bump it to 70 pounds for a 75 gallon.

Might want to add to the lighting as well.

 

I still don't get why you're mixing sand and crushed coral...

 

The crushed coral I got had some sand, shells, etc. all mixed in - mixed it with the live indo pacific sand, and it made for a very interesting looking sandbed. My maroon clown loves to pick up shells and move them around :-D

 

same, my crushed coral are VERY FINELY crushed, they are definitely not as fine as sand, but it gives the tank sand bed a contrast, looks real nice.. it's not the big pieces of crushed coral, so you guys would still suggest doing a sump, but could do without drill?

 

also, what ultimately cleans up the dirty left over food and waste from the fish, because i see tons of waste and left over in my aquaclear sponge? it's all fine just remaining in the tank? i feel like ever since i put the aquaclear in there mainly for the flow, my water parameters have been far more stable? any other thoughts on that? in my 40 gallon, should i remove the aquaclear filter or remove it? it's a aquaclear 110 mainly for flow and also for biological filteration

 

You can do it without drilling. You just need a good overflow box and appropriate return pump for the sump.

For leftover food and such, you need a good cleanup crew. I have several turbo snails and trochus snails, several red leg and blue leg hermits, some fighting conch, and a lawnmower blenny that is very efficient and extremely entertaining to watch. You will need more (shrimp, crabs, etc) as your tank is larger.

Your bio filtration should take place with your live rock / sand - get some good powerheads (Hydor Koralia's are good and easy to position) for flow. My sump will have a 100 micron berlin sock as a prefilter before the water overflows to the skimmer for the larger waste.

 

Peace.......John.