buying advice - What gear for a Waterbox Marine X 60 (60 Gal)

[noblex]

Hello,
I would like some advice on what gear to buy for this aquarium set.

It's a 60x50x50h cm (23.6" x 19.7" x 19.7") display tank with a sump (in total ~220L or 60G). The aquarium will be heavily SPS-oriented and I want to automate everything that can be automated.

Not my first reef, but it's several years that I have been out of the hobby and I don't know now what are the latest best buy in skimmers, lights, pumps etc.

Thanks!

 

[lapin]

Search threads for your tank
Example

Waterbox Marie X 60.2 - First Marine Tank

Hello all, just thought I would post up a build thread for my first marine tank a waterbox 60.2. Equipment: Equipment Comment Red Sea DC 300 Skimmer Was easy to set up with some advice I found here to circumvent issues regarding firmware upgrades it is a shame it requires a dual controller...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[tzabor10]

Ecotech makes lovely powerheads and lights.
I only use Reef Octopus for skimmers.
Avast has an excellent auto feeder
Tampa Bay Saltwater has the best live rock

 

[esquare]

• +1 on the Avast Plank Auto Feeder.
• I really like the Vortech MP pumps especially if you mount them on the back they pretty much disappear if you have a black background
  • Gyres seem to be the big thing now. What stopped me going that direction is the reported need for frequent maintenance and being more "intrusive" in the tank then the vortechs.
• Too many different ways you can go with lighting, there are so many good options you can go with but I like the Radions.
  • Regardless of which light you get, a PAR meter is a huge benefit. Whether you buy, borrow or rent it can make a big difference, IMO.
• There are a few directions you can go with controllers, I committed to the Neptune line back in the AquaController days and have been relatively happy. Hdros is coming on strong though.
• Return pump, again, a lot of good options. I wanted to go with the vertex but due to size constraints and head pressure (I have a basement sump and wanted 2 separate return pumps) my only real option for DC was the Sicce Syncra SDC 9.0 which has worked well but they are surprisingly loud (even compared to my cheap Jebao DCP-6500 that runs my water mixing station. If I had a cabinet sump I would not go with them.