Setting up my 75gallon reef + livestock tank

[robandrosco]

Well So far I have acquired a 75 gallon long tank. 2 aquaUFO LED lights, A 50 gallon refugium. A CS Overflow (800 gph). Rio 2100 return pump. and all the necessary plumbing to get it together. Got a bucket of NeoMarine reef salt as well.

Here's my questions.

As far as a protein skimmer goes.. I have no clue about these.. I know they remove waste from your tank and help with clarity but I have absolutely no clue what type, brand, or size that I will need. I want it to be in my refugium (on the intake side right?)

When should I add live rock and live sand? I was going to fill the tank with regular water and run it for a day or 2 to make sure I have no leaks, then drain and make my salt water.. Is that the point where i should add my LR and LS?

What is the best way to cut acrylic? I'm going to be making my own lids for this tank.

Will be posting more questions once I get past these.

Thanks in advance for any info and suggestions.

[binford4000]

Doing a water test is a good idea. Once you drain it add the rock and sand and mixed waterProtein skimmers are pretty much a must if you plan to keep fish for sure and always helpful to coral also. It is best to try and vision what your wanting to accomplish and then set your budget and then shop and read as much as you can about the ones you like. Then make your choice! Many people sell on the forums which can save you a ton f you know what ya want.

Acrylic and PVC can be cut several ways . You can use a table saw,jig saw,circular saw,band saw.glass cutters,utility blade and they also sell cutters made just for the task at hand. God luck!

[Tankster]

You might want to look into a mesh top http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/hardware/29-biocube-mesh-top-project-7937/

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

[robandrosco]

Thanks fellas will look into doing a mesh top for sure.. Any reason in particular to use mesh?

[Skyhigh]

I got a bunch of live rock, dry ocean rock and some base rock i could sell u cheap. PM me if u would like to get some.

[robandrosco]

Thanks sky I may just take you up on that!

I am having an issue with my setup tho..

My overflow is *gasping* for air and sending a ton of bubbles to my refugium. This is a freshwater leak test btw.

Here's the overflow level.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a217/w00tdc/th_IMAG0600.jpg

Here's how its plumbed.
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a217/w00tdc/th_IMAG0599.jpg

Could my pump not be supplying enough flow? Even with one side of my drain shut off completely I have the same issue.

[robandrosco]

Well I've managed to make it stop *gasping* by opening the other side of my drain... Still getting bubbles tho.. not sure if this is normal?

[binford4000]

Well I've managed to make it stop *gasping* by opening the other side of my drain... Still getting bubbles tho.. not sure if this is normal?

Installing a dorso down tube will help that problem. If you goto YouTube there's lots of videos on it

Here's a link. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9PHxP2Oqe6U

[robandrosco]

installed a dorso in my overflow WORKED !!! for the gasping sound atleast.. Now I have turbulence in my drain lines. any way to address this? Maybe I am just over reacting to every noise I hear...

[binford4000]

installed a dorso in my overflow WORKED !!! for the gasping sound atleast.. Now I have turbulence in my drain lines. any way to address this? Maybe I am just over reacting to every noise I hear...

Reduce the pipe size going from the tank to the fuge should do the trick or you could put a valve inline so you can adjust the drain to stop the surge. Down side to the valve is snails and stuff can get stuck in them. So if you add a valve use unions so you can remove and clean it out from time to time

[robandrosco]

Changed some things.. added a ball valve at exit of overflow also have a ball valve on each exit of the drain lines.. I want less water to flow in the refugium side so that is pinched down some. the other is pinched down a bit as well but not as much.. the ball valve on the exit of the overflow is wide open but since it is a double union it has a smaller passage way through the valve body so it did restrict the flow some..

At this point nothing is glued and can be switched around if need be so please critique.


http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a217/w00tdc/IMAG06061.jpg


http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a217/w00tdc/IMAG06051.jpg