65G Build. (Pics Finally!)

[md14]

Well, I finally took the plunge and the following is my first salt water tank. Been doing lots of reading for the past 2-3 months, and just hope all goes well.

The tank is a 65 Gallon, (36 x 18 x 24) and I'm running a herbie. The sump is 30 x 12 x 12 split into 3 sections. Skimmer/Return/Refuge. DIY stand which was orignally metal tubing which I just ended up skinning and painting

I'm going to be sticking to most of the easier/hardier corals since I get the hang of things but eventually I'm hoping this can become a full blown Zoa/LPS reef.

Still need to paint the return all black, and support the refuge line so its not slumping

Any comments/suggestions/questions would be great! (espically newbie pointers)

(Got a simple point and shoot camera so not the greatest pics ever)

[Rbacchiega]

Looks great so far. Are you going to go barebottom? Sandbed? What type of lights?

[md14]

Guess I should add that to the first post, I'm going to have a shallow sand bed just like the look of sand to much to go bare bottom. Lights are going to be 36'' Odyessa Metal Halide. How are you liking yours?

[Rbacchiega]

They're great for the price. Eventually when it comes time to change bulbs I'll be going to name brand bulbs but keeping the housing unit. Probably Pheonix or Ushio Metal halides and then a 50/50 bulb for one of the PCs and a bluer actinic for the other.

[Snaz]

Looks great. One problem I foresee is playing XBOX with your tank in view, my eyes would constantly be drawn to the tank and then I would get my ass fragged, or fragged more so than it already does I guess.

[md14]

Originally Posted by Snaz

Looks great. One problem I foresee is playing XBOX with your tank in view, my eyes would constantly be drawn to the tank and then I would get my ass fragged, or fragged more so than it already does I guess.

lol, Well lets just hope that doesnt happen.

Filled up the tank today tested out the herbie and everything works out the way it should I believe. Had a few leaks in the return ended up fixing those and picked up about 45lbs of LR from jasond, Thanks again man.

Oh yeah and thanks to Kevin at redcoral for all the advice. Best place for anything saltwater in this town

[md14]

Well finally got around to some aquascaping tonight.. First time ever and it took some time

Let me know what you think.. not to sure about it