75-gallon Soft Coral Tank

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Upon Charlie's encouragement, I am posting a few pictures of my modest, 75-gallon softy set-up. It was very fun to take the pictures - my favorite is the one of the goby

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Oh yeah... the goby:

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Just a few more

[tehfeer]

Looking very nice!!!

[charlie]

Gosh, I recognize some of those!!!!

Looks really good Nick!!!

[DevonM]

Looks awesome!

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Thanks guys. I've enjoyed developing this tank, with Charlie virtually being my LFS. Soon, corals will overflow but no worries, I just got this Red Sea Max (34-gallon) tank that I am going to set up:
Red Sea MAX130D | New from Red Sea

What do you think? I am excited to do some "research" with you guys before getting started on this new project.

[charlie]

Hey Nick, I am sure we can help you fill up that 34. The one thing you need to know tho is that with less water, your parameters can shift more easily, so that is something you will need to keep a pretty close eye on.

[scooter54]

I reconize one too. The mushroom and leather cabbage rock.
tank looks great.

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Charlie, yes it does make sense that the higher volume of water would give me greater degrees of freedom. I was thinking of somehow getting a sump going underneath to increase water volume - maybe by using their "accessory kit": http://www.bigalsonline.com/StoreCat...hits=12&offset=

Vicky, how do you recognize the musrhoom and leather cabbage rock? Got it from a friend of Charlie's.

[charlie]

I don't think I would go with the accessories Nick. I would just save my money and buy this:
CPR CS50 Overflow Box

And a Mag 3 for the return pump from the sump.

I am very leery of a cheap fix, I haven't had real good success with that type of hose connection.

[cdearing]

Wow! The tank looks great Nick! Thanks for sharing with us. I love the goby photo. So, do you have anything to keep your live rock off the base of the tank?
Yes, I recognize some of those corals too, not cuz they were mine but cuz they were Charlie's. Gotta love those mushrooms!
Cyn

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Thank you Cynthia. Most of the nicer and larger rocks are sitting on flatter base-rocks that are positioned on top of tiles. I forget where I learned it, but the flat tiles distribute the weight more evenly across the glass bottom than do any base rocks. It might not matter much if there is less rock (i.e., weight).

Most recently, Vicky and I both rescued Charlie's two RBTAs. Mine has split twice and so I have three now. They have found their own little spots and are not moving, thank goodness.

Charlie, not sure how an overflow would work on this tank that is quite enclosed with that canopy. (This is good... you are getting me thinking about this). Maybe I will bring pictures of the Red Sea Max (34G) tank and its parts. I put in an order for $200 worth of stuff today to make the thing functional, including new light bulbs and a brand new protein skimmer. I need a hydor nano koralia, if someone has one to get rid of.;;

[charlie]

Forgot about that Nick, but do bring pics, we can figure something out.

I have a korallia 1 that I won in a raffle over in Tri-cities.

[Parrothead]

Pic 2, post #3, what is that behind the anemone?

Had to get that out first before I forgot where it was
Also what kinda of lighting is used over this AWESOME, AWESOME TANK

Tanks,
Robert

[charlie]

Looks like a sponge to me Robert.

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Believe it or not, the lighting is a Current USA Orbit 96w x 4 CF with LED moonlights. I previously had metal halides over the tank, and currently I am thinking of using my existing retrofit VHO setup or doing T5s. For now, everything in the tank seems happy with compact flourescents, so I have time to think it through. I have been curious about people's preferences.

That neon critter behind the RBTA is an electric green carpet anemone. I tried getting a better picture of it just now on my wife's Canon T1i. Here you go:

[Parrothead]

I would believe it about the lights, I've got my 55 running on 2 x 96 cfs, not real thrilled but the fit the budget when the tank went up, I've been looking at the t-5's alot lately, come highly recommended by mutal sages and others here. I leaning towards the 6 or 8 bulb set-up by nova exteme, the 8 would hang over front and back on the 55 by about 3/8 of an inch, and the 6 would fit like a glove.

I've got to get me one of those anemones

Tank is awesome, really, really awesome. mine is still a baby

Tanks,
Robert

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That is a lot of bulbs, Robert. Wow.

Thought I would play some more with my wife's camera, which I am learning takes pretty good pictures. Got some great shots of the inhabitants, other than coral.

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And for those who know about my flatworm problem, look how well-fed this sixline wrasse is!!! He's my new favorite fish!