my 75g reef build log!

[Moonstream]

I had another thread, but I couldnt find it, and I felt like there was a lot of negative energy there, so I am starting fresh. this will be a place to track my reef's progress over the (hopefully) years, and to hopefully get input on the tank in general. some background on the tank, first.

this tank is about 7 months old, and was a (very large) upgrade from my 20 long, which had been almost a year old, though it had only a few corals and a rather thin ocellaris clown. I set it up in late april, and had to tear it down again about a month ago. I cooked the rocks for a week, sold off a few fish, switched to BB and made a new sump, and then fired the tank back up. what did I get? a new, better start. almost two weeks ago I added new livestock to the tank for the first time in about 2.5-3 months, and everything is starting to look happier.

so, here is some info on the equipment
skimmer- octopus NW 200
light- 6 bulb nova extreme (the 8 bulb fixture, but 2 sockets dont work at all)
return- mag-drive 9.5 pump
rock- at least 80 lbs, maybe closer to 95
sand- none! Im glad to say, everything looks much better so far without it

I ordered a few more goodies, like a phosphate reactor, which should come in the next week, and either monday or tuesday Im going to the LFS to get more coral and maybe a few more fish. next post will have some pics

 

[Moonstream]

an out of date FTS, I moved the rocks around recently, as well as the corals. I'll work on getting an updated shot tomorrow, though this shows the corals I have and two of my four current fish. I also have a LMB and a YWG who I rarely see (I couldnt find anyone who wanted him, and I was told my experienced reefers he should be okay in the BB tank).

and here are some closeup shots of some of my coral

 

[reefs4life]

I have a 75 gallon as well and you have a nice set up there but I must say it looks rather awkward without sand

 

[KathyC]

Go you...it will stay much cleaner with the BB
I see you mention that you recently broke it down, cooked some rock & set it back up, you might want to go slowly with adding the new fish, perhaps one every couple of weeks so that your bio-load doesn't increase too quickly?

Best of luck with it! ..and more pics too! :flower:

 

[Moonstream]

it takes some getting used to without the sand, but the BB is just so much easier to clean! for the first time in years, I was happy doing a water changes! haha.

some worry some news today, I cant find my yellow wrasse. I'm not sure if she jumped, or maybe just died, but she hasnt been very happy in the tank since I got rid of the tank. I kinda upset, since I was planning to remove her soon anyways. hopefully she turns up.

I'm going to be heading to the LFS today to pick up some more critters, probably a shrimp, a coral and a small fish. yay!

 

[CIA]

Looks good. I think the yellow wrasse needs a sandbed. But I might be wrong.

 

[Moonstream]

yes, the yellow wrasse needs a sandbed, but I was hoping it would do well without one. Im really upset it disapeared, especially since I was planning to rehome it. lesson learned- dont mess with nature.

however, I did get back from the LFS, and am currently aclimating my new criters-
1 small (2.5-3") purpleish crocea clam
1 medium (3-4") green bubble coral
2 small (about 1") green rics (one forest green and one electric green)
1 3-4" colt coral
1 4-5" toadstool leather (was closed up whe I got it, but otherwise it looks healthy)

so, my tank will be more filled in. I'll probably move some things around.

 

[Moonstream]

well, I have some updates! here is an up to date FTS

the new crocea clam

and some older coral closeups

an older angled FTS

and a top down shot

I have more pics, I just need to upload them.