75 gallon saltwater build

[msumpter87]

I have spent the last month gathering supplies and doing as much research as i can and I think I am finaly ready to set up my tank. I am starting with a 75 gallon tank with a 30 gallon sump system. My return pump does 1200 gph. I also got a coralife 125 super skimmer (not the best but i couldn't pass it up for free), 60 lbs. of sand, hydor 1400 gph water circulator, instant ocean sea salt, test kit for salinity, ph, nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia, and also a heater. This tank will be a fish and live rock tank only. My question is am i missing anything?? This is my first tank and I want to do it right. I will also be adding live rock Saturday when I hopefully set it up. I will be using the die off from the rock to help my cycle and i will also put shrimp in to help the cycle as well. Any tips or input is appreciated.

 

[Saltwaterfish56]

I have the same exact system , honestly just throw in a bottle of dr Tim's in your tank and your tank is ready to be stocked , nobody wants to wait 4/5 weeks for there fish

 

[bribo12]

Even if that dr Tim's works id still cycle the old fashion way with live rock and a shrimp. Rather be safe than sorry. Also, why buy something when you can do it for cheaper and be patient about it. After all patience is a huge part of sw. I'm also not a huge fan of bacteria in a bottle things and most don't actually work.

 

[msumpter87]

I went with the live rock and shrimp, currently i am fully cycled with 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and 10ppm nitrate. I am adding fish to it this weekend.

 

[Jmkb02]

Your looking great! The hardest phase is coming up, slow and steady will win you this race. Good luck and let us know how it plays out.

 

[msumpter87]

I should have said I am adding more fish. My cycle was complete on December 2 and on December 5 I added an oc clown and i got a free scooter blenny from a friend. I was worried I the blenny would be a picky eater but he loves brine shrimp so I got lucky. Its hard because I'm impatient but I wait 2 weeks in between adding new fish so I can monitor my water quality and make sure it stays stable. I'm hoping this weekend to add a coral beauty and maybe something else, I haven't decided yet.

 

[Jmkb02]

I should have said I am adding more fish. My cycle was complete on December 2 and on December 5 I added an oc clown and i got a free scooter blenny from a friend. I was worried I the blenny would be a picky eater but he loves brine shrimp so I got lucky. Its hard because I'm impatient but I wait 2 weeks in between adding new fish so I can monitor my water quality and make sure it stays stable. I'm hoping this weekend to add a coral beauty and maybe something else, I haven't decided yet.

Cool deal about your cycle and all. My blenny eats everything under the sun, but he mainly loves algae. Any kind anywhere. I personally would wait for an angel. They like to eat sponges and pick on algae around the tank, and that will prob take some time to grow and establish in a new aquarium.

 

[msumpter87]

Thanx for the advice, I will wait to add it then.

 

[Jmkb02]

Anytime, I learned the hard way. Hope he works out in the future for ya

 

[msumpter87]

Do you think a kole or yellow tang would work in a 75 gallon?? This is another addition for the future and I havnt decided which I want. I have read many different opinions on minimum tank size for these fish. Also do you think one of those would work with my current stock plus the angel??

 

[Jmkb02]

Should be good, they are tangs so you gotta make sure they have stuff to pick at all day. I use a clip and hand romaine, nori strips, algae from my Fuge. They love it and will stay chill.

 

[msumpter87]

Got bad news, not adding anything to the tank this weekend. Woke up to a dead scooter blenny this morning. Checked my parameters and all are zero with 10 on my nitrates. Salinity is fine and he was eating good. I did quick exam of the body and did not find any signs of external disease or parasites and all other members of the tank are doing great. I may just chalk it up to ish happens but I'm putting future plans on hold to make sure. The blenny was almost 2 months old. If anybody has any ideas of what might have happened please feel free to post them.

 

[Jmkb02]

Was he eating any differently? Sorry about your loss.

 

[msumpter87]

Nope, his eating habits was the same. He would pick around the rocks and substrate all day and tear up brine shrimp when I threw that in.

 

[Jmkb02]

How big was he?

 

[msumpter87]

A little more than 2 inches