Phox's Aqueon 75G Reef Tank

[Reyphox]

I started this new tank a few months ago and finally got around to making a journal for it! I'll start with what I'm upgrading from. After many years of freshwater, 3 years ago I on started a small sump-less 26G bow front saltwater tank. It had its ups and downs the first year but solid for 2 years after. Here is a picture before I made it my quarantine tank. I kinda gave up on cleaning it the last 3 weeks because it was on it's last days anyways!

[Reyphox]

So first I needed a stand. So here's some photo vomit.

Some precut wood.


Painted it.


Put it together.


Added some more painted pieces.


Interior wall, trim and shelf added.

[Reyphox]

And finally the doors and plywood top!

[Reyphox]

Picked up a 30g breeder, made some baffles using glass from an old tank. Now that its running, probably would have done some things differently but it works so I'm happy.


Placed the tank and shimmed the plywood top. The tank I got probably 1.5 years ago from a member on here. Thats how long I've been waiting for this thing to get going! Plumbed the return. Mounted a couple 3rd Gen Hydro Koralia 1350s.


Plumbed the overflow went for a herbie setup. The return pump is a Quiet One Pro 4000. I've learnt that it is not so quiet. Not horribly loud and its a little better since it's first started. But if it dies, I wouldn't get another. Skimmer is a Bubble Magus Curve 5. The reactor is an Aquamaxx BioMaxx BioPellet reactor that will be converted to basic reactor. It will run off a Cobalt MJ 900.


Filled the tank with sand and water almost to the rim. Used a small HOB filter to clear up the water.

[Reyphox]

Had a guy weld me up an aluminum light stand.


Painted it a nice gloss black.


Main Crossbar for lights is a U-channel so I could slide the hooks to mount various lights if I please.


Mounted thru a slot I made in the stand. Lights off.


Lights on. Happy days!

[Reyphox]

While my sand cycled...got some rock off a fellow reefer.


Oh so many choices!


Semi-final idea..


Scrubbed, bleach and cooking...

[Reyphox]

After a bit the rocks finally went in! Oh and I forgot to mention the brand of lights are Viparspectra. Basically a chinese LED box with a build in timer to control the blue and white channels.

[Reyphox]

Twas time to setup my doser. It is an All Blue Titration Pump. I it got off ebay 2 years ago and other than the time shifting a bit its been great! As you can see in the back I also have an Apex Jr which will control and monitor temperature as well as manage the refugium lights. Wont use it for much else atm.

[Reyphox]

Needed some new dosing containers since my previous ones cracked. Got these from Walmart.


Drilled a hole for rigid tubing....see!!


Mixed it up and put it in front of my sump. Fit perfect! Also ended up making a small stand for my skimmer which you can see in the back.

[Reyphox]

Picked up this PAR38 grow bulb. Spectrum looks about right for algae growth. 75W equivalent so not the strongest but it will be paired with a CAT CT3530 LED work light with an output equivalent of 150W.


Using and old light fixture....


Came up with this genius!


Placed the CAT work light in front of the sump to get light at different angles and threw in come chaetomorpha.