New IM 75G INT build (COVID-19 tank #2)

[plankton]

March of last year I got back into the hobby after 5+ year hiatus with a 10G Cubey tank stocked with acans and Zuma shrooms.

Tank did well but as you can imagine I ran out of space fast. Then upgraded to IM 25 G lagoon tank, took down the 10G and transferred everything to the 25g which because a mixed reef (heavy SPS but also with lps and softies). The 25G is doing really well but again I’m totally out of space.

The 25G has two hydra 32d lights and is fully controlled by Neptune apex (ATK, DOS, DDR, trident, eb832, Wxm) and two MP10QD for circulation, BM Curve 5 for skimmer, no socks, no roller. I dose with bionic two part and do 10% water change every two months of so. The 25 is one year old (since Covid-19 shelter in place decree) and I’m definitely in that mature tank corraline algae grows on everything phase.

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Found a 75G IM tank and have build it up by the 25G with the original idea of moving certain corals to the 75 but now I’ll keep both. I’d like the 75 to be just SPS with some schooling fish that’s it. So here begins the journey and looking forward to feedback and advice from you.

 

[Zakery Murray]

Tagging along, upgrading to a new bigger tank is always a fun journey! Wish you look, what equipment and do you plan on using for, maybe can give some opinions. What you plan on stocking it with corals, and fish wise to get a better idea?

 

[plankton]

Tagging along, upgrading to a new bigger tank is always a fun journey! Wish you look, what equipment and do you plan on using for, maybe can give some opinions. What you plan on stocking it with corals, and fish wise to get a better idea?

‘High end’ SPS or colored sticks that I think are beautiful and some schooling fish like small anthias or chromis or other peaceful fish. I already have equipment mostly for the 75 and will post now.

 

[plankton]

As far as equipment for the 75G I’m going with open stand that shows all the equipment and is kept as neat as possible. I’m horrible and keeping wires managed but between the Adaptive Reef boards and some cable wrap I hope to have something clean looking when I’m done.

Here is stand with some rubble in left chamber, no skimmer yet cuz cycling, and Varios 2 return pump. After this will be pic of Adaptive Reed boards.

 

[plankton]

Three Adaptive Reef boards:

#1 main board that has Neptune Apex, EB832 and ATK for 25G tank

 

[plankton]

#2 DOS, DDR, Trident and MP10QD controllers.

 

[plankton]

#3 This board is just for 75G tank and has the incremental modules for the tank since I already have one apex head unit: EB832, 1Link for wav pumps, PM2 (for temp and salinity), ATK and DOS/DDR

 

[plankton]

For main tank I’m going old school Tonga/Pukani rock as shelf/overhang to mount SPS. The idea was to keep rock at 50% height but didn’t quiet work out but still happy with it. Here is details.

1) acid washed 15 min

2) soaked in bleach for one full week

3) washed and dried

4) staged on cutout of tank footprint

5) Marco mortared together then set to dry for 24 hours

6) lowered into tank and added 100ml Fritz turbo 900 to start cycle.

 

[plankton]

From aquascape point of view it’s a lot higher in the water than I planned with less room for fish to swim in upper water column and for coral growth. I thought about taking it out and trimming a centimeter or two of the Tonga legs so the left arch would dip and lower but it’s not easy to cut/grind down Tonga and I’m just going to adapt to it. How? On the upper part I will move once tank cycles and matures in 2-3 months my high light frags/corals from the 25 (Walt Disney) and others that have adjusted to 350 par.

Any other ideas?

 

[plankton]

For those that own three foot tanks 24” deep how many radion XR30’s would you use for SPS dominant tank? I have three XR30 gen 2 with RMS arms. Here is what two would look like assuming lights would be installed perpendicular to reduce shadowing.

 

[plankton]

Update. Tilted rock structure per wife’s advice to make it more balanced with slopes to put corals. What do you think about ‘the mushroom’?

 

[plankton]

Wife loves The Mushroom, which is the name of the tank now, so will remove, trim wings off so there is more space to glass, trim 1-2” off base then use remaining mortar to reenfore base. Will also put black acrylic piece for base to sit in just in case. Making progress!

 

[plankton]

Ok final version of The Mushroom done. Base shortened by two inches, sides reduced by 6”, base reenforced and placed on black piece of 1/4” acrylic sheet to distribute weight. Not much room for island but wife likes it.

 

[plankton]

So as I wait a month or two for tank to cycle and mature I’m building up lighting and support systems.

For lighting I’m thinking about using three Radion XR30 Gen 2s on RMS arms so at 140watts per light that’s 420 watts of run at full power. I’m planning on setting up PAR like my 25G which is 450 at water surface, 330 mid and 160 near tank bottom’ish. So let’s say three radions at 50% to start with on a 75G tank?

 

[plankton]

Finally found a skimmer I liked and fit my sump!

 

[plankton]

Visited LFS and brought back a pair of Pygmy angels and 5 female anthias. After acclimation, did 30 dip for parasites then introduced to tank. Fed them after two hours and they are eating well. We shall see. So far so good.

 

[plankton]

Added Neptune apex gro light to sump and chaeto from 25G

 

[plankton]

Nitrates/phosphates both up in this currently FOWLR tank so adding bacteria and carbon to slowly reduce (in addition to chaeto). Anyone running UV filter to help prevent pests that could infect fish? Can you run UV and does bacteria?

 

[plankton]

Been having a terrible time with aptasia in the 25G tank and can’t transfer to 75 until I solve the aptasia problem. To that end I bought two aptasia eating file fish and peppermint shrimp from biota and introduced them today. They can graise for along time on the aptasia I have in the 25!

 

[plankton]

Latest pics of 75G and changes:

1) all three radions on at 30% all blue for now to minimize algae growth.
2) removed all rock bought from Florida and they start to deteriorate after a year.
3) add Bubble Magnus MatRoller since I feed the anthias a couple times per day and want to keep water quality reasonable for SPS.
4) started transferring selected SPS from 25G plus some new goodies!