New 75 gallon acrylic tank

[DanRamirez57]

So I just purchased this 75 gal acrylic tank with built in sump and skimmer.it's a pretty nice set up! After I clean it up and build a stand I would like to have fish and coral. The lights on there don't look too impressive. I will post pics here soon. Any body have any ideas on a nice DIY stand? I am a pretty good armature carpenter and can build just about anything I just lack the creativity to design something myself. Also what would you do with this tank?

 

[obscurereef]

You can always google some ideas for stands and such. What lights are they? T5 HO, MH, and LEDs work great for corals. T8 and PC can work for some corals, usually soft corals. If I were you I'd say go for a mixed reef! Soft corals, LPS, SPS, fish, and inverts. Good luck w/ starting and I'll be following on your journey hopefully to success! I'm assuming this is your first SW tank(?) so my best advice I can give you is research (applies to really anything though)! For starters, there are some good articles on here about setting up a reef tank and for quick stats and options for livestock Aquarium Fish: Tropical Freshwater Fish and Saltwater Fish for Home Aquariums is a great website.

 

[DanRamirez57]

Here are the pictures. I currently have a 75 gal that I got already established but this will be MY OWN first build. I know a little but not enough lol

 

[obscurereef]

Well first off what type of corals do you want to keep and what is your budget for lights? Those 2 lights won't be enough and they don't look like high output T5s to me.

 

[DanRamirez57]

I have a 0$ budget right now but I'm a goal setter lol. I would like to have some led lights that show off some coral. I'm the type of guy that is big into leaning and DIY so I would like to eventually build my light system but would need to plan it for sure. I just currently purchases a 8bulb 48in t5 light system that is IMO too much for what I have but it was a deal I couldn't pass up so that could possibly work on this tank

 

[obscurereef]

DIY is going to save you so much money! I was going to say go on craigslist, but DIY would be the way to go if you have the time and wanted to do the work. Oh and that 8 bulb T5 light will be perfect! I have a 6 bulb T5 HO fixture on my 70 gallon 60" tank and it's awesome. Since my tank has weird dimensions (it is longer than standard 75s), it's shallower. I wanted an 8 bulb fixture, but only 6 would fit and I think 8 bulbs would even burn sps on the sand! Your light will grow pretty much anything, I don't think it's too much. Just make sure to photo acclimate your corals and move them up 2-3 inches every week to the spot you want them so they aren't shocked and bleached. I've had a favia die b/c it got bleached even when on the sand but all other lps and one soft coral are on the sand and doing great. I moved a monti to the middle and it's doing great too.

 

[DanRamirez57]

So after months I found someone to sell me sand lr lights powerheads skimmer t5 ho lights

 

[DanRamirez57]

**** this app well anyways like I was saying 70 lbs of live rock with random corals on it, sand, a couple powerheads, 30 gal sump, protein skimmer and heater also a T5 HO light fixture. Everything but the tank and stand for 300$. So I figure ill get my acrylic tank prepped. I took pictures of the sump system for those who asked me how to set it up. Super stoked I will update pictures as the moving process goes

 

[DanRamirez57]

I got the sand rock and coral in but haven't arranged the tank yet anybody have any suggestions?