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I'm new to both the podcast and the hobby. I've been keeping freshwater fish for a few years now, and always knew i would make the switch. Well it's time! After quite a bit of research and alot of hardwork (to pay for it all!) i've decided to go for it.
I've decided on a 75 Gallon with a 20 gallon 'long' for my sump. I'm still in the process of finishing the plumbing and putting in plexiglass dividers in the 20 gallon. I'll post some pictures as soon as i get them off my camera!
Alright guys, so far i've got it plumbed and the sump/refugium(haven't decided which yet) built and all connected. I've rinsed and dumped the sand in, and am going through the painstakingly slow process of filtering and mixing my water. Here's a pic of the tank so far(the desk is moving into my room as soon as i can make room).
looks very good man. My piece of early advice to you is to devote as much of that tank to a fuge as you can (the sump tank) your system will thank you for it by replenishing all the little critters very quick. (i reccomend you listen to the "refugiums" podcast to understand why you would devote to a bigger fuge.
Thanks Small Fry, i was actually looking at your tank project earlier this evening, i really like the set up.
I listened to the episode on refugiums a few days ago, because the tank i have is so small(it's a 20 long) by the time the skimmer and return pump and heaters go in... i don't have too much room forother things i'd really like to put in there... for the time i'll fill as much as i can with extra live rock, then when i upgrade the tank( i plan on building my own custom from acrylic) i'll be able to have a deep sand bed and a nice low flow environment.
I hope to be getting LR this weekend and letting it cycle while i'm on vacation in a few weeks, then when i get back i'll be ready for some livestock!
Thank you for the complement Alex, i am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to build (and afford ) such a system. It just shows that having a years worth of patience (the most important thing in this hobby) will really pay off.
Keep us updated on the new sump will ya?? I am planning on moving the door in my fish room about 6 feet to the right so i can add a 75 gallon Dedicated Fuge to the system
Love the plan, love how quick the systems movin along for ya, and i hope you can find some great live rock for your tank
Welome aboard Alex, can't wait to see your progress! I was a rookie at this myself about 18 months ago and if you read my journal you will see may of my mistakes came from jumping to conclusions and / lack of patience. And also most of the assistance that got me out of my jams came from help from the good folks on Talkingreef. Take your time and ask away!
Alright i have my first question(actually second, first was on RO filters).
I'm about ready to purchase some lighting for the tank, i know this is sometimes a controversial(sp?) topic and asking what kind of lights should i get is a loaded question. I know it's based on what i want to do.So here's a short list of things(corals) i like and hope to someday keep.
Ricordea, Zoanthus, Trumpet(CandyCane), and possibly Torch Coral and a few others. These are the ones that drew me into reef tanks and made me want to have one so bad. With that list made and some research done, i've come to the conclusion that i need moderate to high level of lighting for these corals.
Has anybody had experience with these systems? Or do you have a better recomendations? I'm not in dire need for the lights, as my tank doesn't even have Live Rock in it yet... but i'd like to start thinking about it.
Im sorry i cant help you on specific systems, but that lighting does sound sufficient for the corals that you are planning for (to me anyways :s)
They both look solid to me, from my point of view, the orbit would probably run a little bit cooler (only becuase the mounting pegs would put it up higher) And it also has some extra LED's. So its your choice, are extra led's and the possible tmep difference worth $30??? (
btw, the other fixture prolly comes with mounting pegs too, so dont decide mainly on the temp
lol, pay more attn to what reefkeeper said above me, i only have experience with MH's
I have all my sand in, quite a sand storm atm... i've got some uncured live rock chillin' in there atm, as i try to finish filling the tank up. I'm not home long enough to make more than 5 gallons of RO water. So it's kind of a long process, i'm tempted to go to the store and buy distilled water, but i'm gonna stick it out.
icon under their name to add to their reputation. 
) such a system. It just shows that having a years worth of patience (the most important thing in this hobby) will really pay off.
