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First Reef - 90 Gallon Journal

8K views 36 replies 10 participants last post by  Arkamaic 
#1 · (Edited)
Hello everyone, since I'm going to college, so still living at home, and finally talked my parents into getting an aquarium since I'm too poor ATM to get a big one like I want haha.

I'll be helping them out with it along the way, setting it up, maintenance etc... so I figured since I'm helpin with the tank, I would start a thread on here to track the progress of it.

It's a 75 gallon (as stated in the title) bowfront. Don't have any pics ATM, as it was just purchased while I'm at work :-( This is my first steps into salt water as the title said too, so I may have some questions, but I WILL BE DOING RESEARCH on my own, then coming here if something is unclear. :-D

Just got off the phone with him, included in what he bought:

  • Tank
  • Stand
  • Canopy
  • Lighting Fixture (Holds up to 6 bulbs, built in timer, and bulbs)
  • Sump
  • Return Pump
  • Heater
  • Live Sand
So far he said about $2000 US. Not sure on brands, but knowing my dad, he is not afraid of and does the whole "give me the best", and the LFS are pretty honest and truly does give the best, even if its not the most expensive. I'll update with brands soon, as well as pics, setting it up tonight after I get home from work.

I know its a while off, but for a first timer, what are some fish, invertabrates and coral that you reccomend? Also, what other advice do you have to offer it setting this up? and and all help appreciated.

Thanks!!!

Well, back to work, will get some pics up here tonight, or in the next few days.
 
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#3 ·
How do you figure? Everywhere I look, all 75 gallon bowfronts without stands or canopies new are about 250-350. then adding the stand and canopy... I'm not saying that he did pay too much, but not that much too much.
 
#6 ·
It's a ASM Mini-G Skimmer. Looking around it seems to have gotten some good, and some not so good reviews. Since its the first tank, well see how it works out for me, if we need to upgrade it, we will.

And thanks for mentioning that, does anyone know of a good one in the Sacramento area? I know I can find them searching online, but I would like to find a decent one.
 
#8 ·
It doesn't sound like too bad of a deal. Yes you can find better deals, but if it was purchased from a LFS then that's why it was so much and it's not used. I've found people in my club selling 300gallon tanks for $300-500 for just the tank or more then that. Look for a local club, they can help you with hands on help, and literally walk through it or help you build it.
 
#9 ·
I can easily see that costing $2000.00. I see stuff on craiglslist for 90 gallon reef ready bow corner units with lights and sump and all the hardware for $1800.00. And that's used. It's all relative to what you want. The good thing about new material is that there are no surprises, like leaks or scratches.
 
#10 ·
Well I'm glad that its a good brand haha. I know a lot of people on here say that your protein skimmer can make the difference in the hobby. And yeah, thats why we bought new, it is nice though to be able to find used if we want/have to.

Took a few pics last night, but didn't have time to upload cause I had to leave to go watch Transformers 2.Will upload the FTS with all its cloudyness later today.
 
#11 ·
Seeing as people are familiar with this brand, and mine didnt come with instructions, can someone tell me how to have it set properly? Or do I need to wait till it starts collecting and adjust it accordingly?
 
#12 ·
i personally removed the foam from the tubing just so i didnt have to constantly clean it. your going to want to raise/lower the tube until bubbles are about 75% up the skimmer give or take. after the skimmer "breaks in" which could take a few days to a week or so this will most likely have to be fine tuned.
 
#13 ·
hey, it seems quite expensive to buy all of that. Go to a local fish shop instead of the franchise pet stores.. they're pretty much ALWAYS gonna jack up their prices. For example: i went to my local fish store.. and got to know the guy pretty well and sold me his 33 gallon tank for 50 bucks! and heater was free...try going to those pet shops that no one talks about because usually those are the ones that give the BEST DEAL!
 
#14 ·
This place is a LFS. Some updates, the 75 sprung a leak this afternoon, went in, guys were cool about it. Gave us free sand, bigger sump, as well as 200 dollars off a 90 gallon :-D. And this one is the cheaper store. I'm also taking the advice of others and checking into the local reef club, so in the future well be able to find some good deals on coral tanks equipment etc.

@onefish2fish

Thanks, I'll go ahead and do just that then.
 
#15 ·
It sprung a leak already? Wow. I dont think the 2000 is to much for all that stuff new. Although it can be had for much cheaper on craigslist (but you never know what something on there has been through). Anyways I just started a 45 gallon and got the tank and stand for 150 off craigslist, and have set up my tank. I have spent about 500 something for everything getting it set up. I am looking forward to seeing some pics!
 
#16 ·
Pictures!!!!!

Wow, thats a screaming deal! =) gotta love craigslist, we've looked a little on there, just didnt see much we like around our area atm.

Yeah, like I said though, LFS was awesome, the first thing they did was apologize, now its a 90g bowfront. :-D

For lighting it has the fixture by Sun Brite Lighting with the built in timer, it holds 9 or 10 bulbs, each bulb holding 267 LED lights. We only have one bulb atm till everything starts settling in some, plus they are expensive at $150 a pop. Here's a link to the actual bulb specs : Bulb

Anyone every have any experience with this fixture?

Now on to some pics! :)

Here's one of the 72 with the lights on, just so you can see what it looks like with just the one bulb



Here's the new 90, still cloudy, but clearing up by the minute


and a close up of some of the live rock

Theres a lot of the purple spots (assuming new growth??) all over it about that size. We have about 100 lbs in the tank atm, will prolly get some more for some acuascaping it.

Whats all the white stuff over the LR?? The stuff you can see at the top of the last pic? Should I use a tooth brush (new) and brish it off? or is it good to leave?

And the part of the LR bottom left of the pic looks like tiny barnicles almost, holes about the size of pencil lead, coral or just part of the rock? About 90% of the rock is Fiji, the other 10% starts with a "T", dont remember the name.

I'm exciting to start stacking rock here in the next dayor so.
http://sunbritelighting.com/?p=12&a=view&c=6&r=29
 
#18 ·
I must say that I really like that tank! Looks good, and I like the black stand; I went with black as well. I am going through a cloudy tank right now, too. I dont know much about saltwater yet, but I am pretty sure the purple stuff is coraline algae, and it will continue to grow onto other rock. The aquascaping is very important process! If you are going reef, you need to think about how you are stacking rocks, and where you want to place certain corals. Also, take your time with the aquascaping and make it look as good as possible while maintaining a good strong structural base. You don't want any of the rocks collapsing later on down the road. Good luck!
 
#20 ·
Cool cool, thanks for the tips, Ill keep them in miind tomorrow when I start to scape it up some. I have a few smaller pieces, so hopefully I can get something I am kinda content with tomrrow, Ill def take my time, and make sure I like it. So far I am enjoying my venture into the saltwater world =)

and Thx for changing the title onefish2fish
 
#22 ·
Here's a list of some possible fish for now:

-Ocellaris Clownfish
-Firefish
-Some Kind of Blenny or Goby
-Maybe Some Kind of Wrasse
- Chromis or Damsel

I'm not saying all of these in the tank, but thats a list of options. Anyone suggest avoiding certain combos of these fish? or a specific species of these in general? Also, about how many fish could I fit in the tank? Is somewhere around 5-6 the right number?

As for the CUC and other corals, not sure yet, still looking into those.
 
#23 ·
I say 5-6 is a good number! I am going with about 4 in my tank and its 45 gallons. Damsels can be territorial (from what I have heard). I was persuaded into getting a yellow watchman goby along with a pistol shrimp. The relationship they have is really cool, and it looks like it will be interesting to watch. Clownfish are great and have lots of personality. Someone else on here has a nice looking wrasse. You could also check out a royal gramma; I love their color. Persoally, if I had a 90 gallon I would get a yellow Tang..... I hate that my tank is to small for one! You have a lot of options.
 
#24 ·
wrasse and firefish like to jump so be sure to have a canopy or cover.i dont suggest a glass lid as it reduces light penetration and gas exchange.
i would personally skip the damsel completely, and if going with a royal gramma make it one of the last additions. same thing with any of the tangs.

a CUC is VERY important and should be in the tank prior to fish. after your diatom bloom is a good time to start slowly adding a few different vierities of snails and as your tank grows and matures increase the number of snails.

there is no "right number" of fish when it comes to a saltwater tank. personally i strongly believe in understocked tanks then overstocked ones. it is also a good idea to make a list of ALL the fish you would like to then shrink that list down to something more reasonable. this way you can plan what fish gets added first, who gets added at the same time with something else, whos getting added last and so forth.
 
#25 · (Edited)
Yeah, decided no on the damsels. They are cool, but I may do one or two in a nano tank down the road.

Still unsure on the fish other than 1 or two clowns, my dad is liking the green chromis a lot, so a few of those maybe.. picture time!

First one is of the tank with the newly stacked LR. Plan on getting more to stack the one on the left higher. Also got scrubbed some for the curing proccess.



Is that green algae? or just part of the LR?


LR close up, showing some of the colors and the caves/wholes to hide in.

Water parameters:

76-78 degrees
Specific Gravity: 1.0215
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
 
#26 ·
Just some water param updates and a question...

Spec Grav - 1.022
Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates 25-30ppm

My question: Why am I getting a nitrate reading before I have gotten any nitrite or ammonia reading? Is this normal? Also, I am curing my LR in the tank if thats any help.

Thanks!
 
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