Finally, getting my 75 gallon started

[Pheeshes]

for live rock we are looking at the LFS it's going to be less than 7.50/lb, but i don't know how much less. we are talking about ordering 75-100 lbs so he said he would give us a deal better than 25% off and it's normally 10/lb. there is another really nice place here in central ohio Reef Systems Coral Farm, Inc that we are looking at also and i we were going to have it shipped we would probably go with tampa bay salt water. still up in the air right now, but we're fairly sure we're going to try to go with the LFS and if it isn't live enough for us we'll add some already cured rock from somewhere else.

[Pheeshes]

reeffreak, i'm so glad you posted. i had looked at replacing 3 of the bulbs(your recommendation from the nova extreme pro thread) if you were going to replace all 6 what would you recommend?

[Bifferwine]

Pheeses, Adrastos has bought all of his stuff from that same coral farm and raves about them.

[reeffreak]

Don't forget to check Saltycritter.com.They have some awesome live rock.The Uaniva live rock is some of the best I ever seen.They are located in Ohio near Cleveland so shipping ground to you should be cheap.Cured was only $5.50 a lb and uncured live rock was $3-4 a lb.

Cured and Uncured live rock from Bali, Fiji, Tonga, & Uaniva.Saltwater aquarium supplies and equipment from Salty Critter

If that was my fixture than this is what I would go with.It will be on the bluish side.

ATI blue plus
UV Aquasun 10k
UV Super Actinic
GE 6500k
ATI Blue plus
ATI Aquablue special 12k.

If you do replace the bulbs where are you going to get them at?
I recommend Reefgeek.com for bulbs.They can help you more on what look you prefer.

[Doc]

amazing set up. oh I am excited to see it filled with water. what is your livestock plan?

-Doc

[jb61264]

I can't believe how incredibly similar your setup is to mine...just starting out as well...only using a 40 gallon breeder tank...my 36" Nova Extreme light arrives tomorrow...and am building my 20 gallon aquarium beneath my stand into an almost exact same refugium/sump as you. I also just ordered a Koralia 3 as an internal tank pump. Only thing different is that I'm creating a "T" in my return...are you getting as impatient as I am?

I'm cutting out cardboard as soon as I type this so I can use as templates for my plexiglass cutting Saturday morning using my stepdads table saw.

Gotta love that Nova Extreme

[Pheeshes]

as far as live stock i haven't given it a whole lot of thought yet, because having the tank ready for fish still seems pretty far away. i'm required(by my wife) to have at least one clown fish(nemo) and i'll probably end up with at least two and she also wants a choclate chip starfish. other than that, i want an anemone to host the clowns and eventually some zooas. other than that i'll have alot of questions to ask when the time gets a little closer. i like wrasses and those kind of fish. mostly i'll be looking for pretty fish that are "easy" to care for, unless i see something i really like.

i've been pretty good about not being impatient until fedex brought most of the stuff. then we went to the LFS and bought more stuff then we found a petco going out of business and bought more stuff and now i'm totally glad i got the new credit card with 0% apr for a year, haha. i've gotta run it by the wife cause she doesn't know, but i'll hopefully be ordering the plumbing stuff tonight unless i can find it at lowes.

[jb61264]

Originally Posted by Pheeshes

i'll hopefully be ordering the plumbing stuff tonight unless i can find it at lowes.

What are you plumbing?...I created a "T" return from my sump so I'll have a return flow on each side of the aquarium...if you are doing something similar just run to your local Tru Value or Westlake Ace Hardware store and pick up the PVC tubes and elbows there...I created my return for a whopping $8.75 AND I am about as far from being a handyman as there is

[Pheeshes]

well, i need longer lines to and from the skimmmer because it's not hanging on or sitting in the sump, i need feed from the over flow and return from the pump in the sump. and i might need more hose for the canister. i'm planning on just using clear vinyl tubing so i can see if there are any obstructions and the feed and returns for everything are all different sizes. i'm going to look at lowes at lunch time, with the two valves i was adding in it was going to be like 80 bucks with the fittings and adapters and tubing.

[Bifferwine]

Why do you have to have a chocolate chip starfish? They are not reef safe and will eat your corals.