My First Reef Tank - 60 Breeder

[Hunt4bigbucks]

After keeping freshwater tanks over the years I finally decided to start a reef tank. I had a couple 40 breeders that I was going to use but I saw a 60 breeder and decided to go that route instead. Figured the extra foot of length would open up more options in the future. I purchased the tank the end of February. I also purchased a modular marine 1200 gph overflow. First step was to drill the tank for the overflow and 2 returns as I am going to run 2 return pumps. I was nervous about drilling the glass but it ended up being easy, although it was a very slow process.

 

[littlefoxx]

Nice! Welcome to the hobby, cant wait to see it when you get some fish and corals!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[Hunt4bigbucks]

After drilling the tank I spray painted the back wall of the tank black. Also thought of doing blue but I always liked black on my freshwater tanks, so black it is. Turned out good.

I also began building a custom stand. I used 2x6 for the structure as I didn't want a vertical support in the center so I could have full access to my sump. I skinned the frame to give the cabinet a shaker style look.

 

[Hunt4bigbucks]

Next step was priming and painting the stand. I sprayed 3 coats of killz primer on the inside and outside of the stand followed by 3 coats of white paint.

 

[DeepintheReef]

That’s a good size starter tank and will give you a bit of flexibility with stocking. I’m very happy with the footprint of the 60 breeder over the 40.

Good job drilling the tank! The first time is always nerve wracking.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Stand looks great! Best of luck with drilling!

 

[Hunt4bigbucks]

I decided to use marco rock for the aquascape. I bought 40 lbs of reef saver and 20 lbs of reef saver shelf rock.

I took my time with the aquascape and went through several ideas. First basic mockup looked like this.

These were just loosely stacked but I didn't like how the whole structure was one piece. I wanted some separation between the 2 main structures. A couple weeks of messing around and I arrived at this. I really like the loop on the top of the main arch at the left that you can see from above.

I was pretty happy with the way it turned out. Should give me plenty of surface area for corals. I tried to keep the different ledges and overhangs staggered to avoid too many shadows as well.

 

[Hunt4bigbucks]

Next step was plumbing. I decided to hard plumb everything with orange pvc and sch 80 fittings. I used a bean animal drain system in my overflow and plumbed 2 separate return lines so I can run 2 pumps. I used a high quality gate valve on my main drain line so I could fine tune the overflow. I didn't use check valves on the returns as I designed my system with enough capacity to handle any backflow. I purchased a trigger triton v26 sump that was blemished. The first chamber divider was installed in the wrong spot, but it will work fine for what I am trying to accomplish.

 

[Rhino]

Looking good. I love my 60 breeder.

 

[Kodski]

Next step was plumbing. I decided to hard plumb everything with orange pvc and sch 80 fittings. I used a bean animal drain system in my overflow and plumbed 2 separate return lines so I can run 2 pumps. I used a high quality gate valve on my main drain line so I could fine tune the overflow. I didn't use check valves on the returns as I designed my system with enough capacity to handle any backflow. I purchased a trigger triton v26 sump that was blemished. The first chamber divider was installed in the wrong spot, but it will work fine for what I am trying to accomplish.

I have never installed a check valve on any of my systems. I just make sure to have the return lines close to the surface and then calculate for more than adequate back flow into the sump.


Love your aquascape! Any ideas for what you'd like to keep fish/coral wise?

 

[Hunt4bigbucks]

I have never installed a check valve on any of my systems. I just make sure to have the return lines close to the surface and then calculate for more than adequate back flow into the sump.


Love your aquascape! Any ideas for what you'd like to keep fish/coral wise?

Soft corals and lps mostly. I really would like some torch and hammer corals once I get the tank established. Probably a zoo garden as well.

For fish I'm looking at clowns, banghai cardinals, firefish, and a royal gramma for starters. Maybe a type of wrasse and a goby for the sand bed as well.

 

[Northern Flicker]

The painted pvc adds 50gph, nice

 

[Hunt4bigbucks]

Around the 4th of July I leak tested the tank and everything worked great.. No leaks. Then filled with saltwater so I could start the cycle. I ended up just mixing the salt in the tank for the first time. Used dr tims bacteria and ammonia drops to get the cycle going and just let the tank do its thing for about a month.

 

[Hunt4bigbucks]

After running the tank for about a month I was not happy with the sicce syncra silent 1.5 pumps. They put out a very obvious hum that I couldn't silence. I tried using silicone tubing and pads in the sump but nothing quieted them down. I heard nothing but good about the jebao pumps so I purchased 2 of the jebao dcp 2500 pumps and what a difference. Totally silent! I'll use the sicce pumps in my mixing station in the basement. I also can run the jebao pumps at half the watts for roughly the same flow as the sicce pumps. We will see if they last. But so far I am impressed with them.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Around the 4th of July I leak tested the tank and everything worked great.. No leaks. Then filled with saltwater so I could start the cycle. I ended up just mixing the salt in the tank for the first time. Used dr tims bacteria and ammonia drops to get the cycle going and just let the tank do its thing for about a month.

Aquascape looks great!

 

[Hunt4bigbucks]

Now that the tank is cycled I started installing some equipment and made sure everything was running good. My equipment list so far is as follows:

2 jebao dcp 2500 dc pumps
1200 gph modular marine overflow
Trigger systems triton v26 sump
Bubble magus curve 5 elite skimmer
Jager 150 watt heater (will add another)
Inkbird heater controller
(2) AI nero 5 wavemakers/pumps

I ran the tank for a couple weeks with this setup. I also purchased a couple clown fish and had them in quarantine at this time.

I still need to get an ato system and build some screen tops so I can move the clownfish in after quarantine. I also may look into some options to clean up all the cables.

 

[Hunt4bigbucks]

I have never installed a check valve on any of my systems. I just make sure to have the return lines close to the surface and then calculate for more than adequate back flow into the sump.


Love your aquascape! Any ideas for what you'd like to keep fish/coral wise?

Yeah I made sure I have plenty of room for my display to drain into the sump when the power is off. Works well and I don't need to worry about dirty check valves sticking.

 

[mherb24]

Now that the tank is cycled I started installing some equipment and made sure everything was running good. My equipment list so far is as follows:

2 jebao dcp 2500 dc pumps
1200 gph modular marine overflow
Trigger systems triton v26 sump
Bubble magus curve 5 elite skimmer
Jager 150 watt heater (will add another)
Inkbird heater controller
(2) AI nero 5 wavemakers/pumps

I ran the tank for a couple weeks with this setup. I also purchased a couple clown fish and had them in quarantine at this time.

I still need to get an ato system and build some screen tops so I can move the clownfish in after quarantine. I also may look into some options to clean up all the cables.

What lighting did you go with? I’m testing my setup now for leaks, so I’m a little behind you in setup. To keep my build on budget, I may got with 2 nicrew 100w leds.

 

[Hunt4bigbucks]

What lighting did you go with? I’m testing my setup now for leaks, so I’m a little behind you in setup. To keep my build on budget, I may got with 2 nicrew 100w leds.

I’m leaning towards 2 aqua illumination hydra 32’s. Figure I’ll just spend the coin once and be done. Just waiting to see if they ever go on sale because they are not cheap.