Brand new reefer, 60gal build

[slicermd]

Hey all!

I am brand new to aquariums in general, and reefs in particular, so I hope to get a lot of feedback as things go. Looking forward to getting this thing cycled and stocked, and hearing everyone’s advice!

Equipment:
Marineland 60g tank
Eshopps Eclipse L overflow set up in Bean Animal format
1x 3/4in return line
Aqueon 20g long aquarium for DIY sump
Rectangular filter sock
IOAOI PS-120 protein skimmer
Eheim e150 thermocontrol heater
Jebao DCP-8000 return pump
AquaticLife HM electronics Edge 48” marine coral reef LED light
Lucare LED refugium light
BRS dual reactor (ROX 0.8 carbon and GFO)

40 pounds of aragonite plus 5 pounds live sand in display tank
60 pounds CaribSea base rock in display tank

30 pounds aragonite plus 5 pounds live sand in refugium (DSB about 6 inches depth)

Started cycling yesterday afternoon, water made up with RO/DI filter and Red Sea coral salt, SG 1.025. Ammonia added to 3ppm. Dr. Tim’s bacteria added.

Just placed order from Algae Barn for:
1 quart 1.5” spheres
Turbo start 900
5280 pods and oceanmagik, every 4 weeks
Red ogo golf ball for the fuge
Chaeto golf ball for the fuge

Any thoughts so far on set up?

 

[Clowns-corals-cats]

Nice looks like you did your research. Don't know if light is on for pictures or always on but I'd turn it off while you cycle. And face your power head to the waters surface

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Hey all!

I am brand new to aquariums in general, and reefs in particular, so I hope to get a lot of feedback as things go. Looking forward to getting this thing cycled and stocked, and hearing everyone’s advice!

Equipment:
Marineland 60g tank
Eshopps Eclipse L overflow set up in Bean Animal format
1x 3/4in return line
Aqueon 20g long aquarium for DIY sump
Rectangular filter sock
IOAOI PS-120 protein skimmer
Eheim e150 thermocontrol heater
Jebao DCP-8000 return pump
AquaticLife HM electronics Edge 48” marine coral reef LED light
Lucare LED refugium light
BRS dual reactor (ROX 0.8 carbon and GFO)

40 pounds of aragonite plus 5 pounds live sand in display tank
60 pounds CaribSea base rock in display tank

30 pounds aragonite plus 5 pounds live sand in refugium (DSB about 6 inches depth)

Started cycling yesterday afternoon, water made up with RO/DI filter and Red Sea coral salt, SG 1.025. Ammonia added to 3ppm. Dr. Tim’s bacteria added.

Just placed order from Algae Barn for:
1 quart 1.5” spheres
Turbo start 900
5280 pods and oceanmagik, every 4 weeks
Red ogo golf ball for the fuge
Chaeto golf ball for the fuge

Any thoughts so far on set up?

Very nice and well thought out build, your well on your way reefer!

 

[mrlavalamp]

Does your return have a check valve on it?

Do you pass the power-outage test? (where you turn everything off as if the power goes out and see if your sump overflows)

I think I see a check valve in one of your pictures but it might be something else. I am asking because check-valves fail all the time and with your return so low WHEN (not if) that happens, it will siphon all of the water from your display into your sump (and onto the floor when it overflows).

Easy remedy for peace of mind is to flip that 90 so its pointing up, and have the rerturn output as close to the surface as you can without it creating vortex's or splashing (which would create salt creep/buildup).

even if you never turn off your return pump or turn it off every day during feeding, some day that check valve will fail when the power goes out and you arent home. The damage from the saltwater and the potential loss of livestock are not worth trusting to a $10 chunk of plastic KNOWN to fail.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Does your return have a check valve on it?

Do you pass the power-outage test? (where you turn everything off as if the power goes out and see if your sump overflows)

I think I see a check valve in one of your pictures but it might be something else. I am asking because check-valves fail all the time and with your return so low WHEN (not if) that happens, it will siphon all of the water from your display into your sump (and onto the floor when it overflows).

Easy remedy for peace of mind is to flip that 90 so its pointing up, and have the rerturn output as close to the surface as you can without it creating vortex's or splashing (which would create salt creep/buildup).

even if you never turn off your return pump or turn it off every day during feeding, some day that check valve will fail when the power goes out and you arent home. The damage from the saltwater and the potential loss of livestock are not worth trusting to a $10 chunk of plastic KNOWN to fail.

Oh yea check valves do fail and you can’t always blame it on lack of maintenance. I recently removed my Ycheck for its yearly maintenance. The very next day it failed because I needed to work in the grease a bit more before trying to set it and forget it.

 

[slicermd]

Does your return have a check valve on it?

Do you pass the power-outage test? (where you turn everything off as if the power goes out and see if your sump overflows)

I think I see a check valve in one of your pictures but it might be something else. I am asking because check-valves fail all the time and with your return so low WHEN (not if) that happens, it will siphon all of the water from your display into your sump (and onto the floor when it overflows).

Easy remedy for peace of mind is to flip that 90 so its pointing up, and have the rerturn output as close to the surface as you can without it creating vortex's or splashing (which would create salt creep/buildup).

even if you never turn off your return pump or turn it off every day during feeding, some day that check valve will fail when the power goes out and you arent home. The damage from the saltwater and the potential loss of livestock are not worth trusting to a $10 chunk of plastic KNOWN to fail.

Thanks for the advice! Yes that is a check valve you see. The system does pass the power off test, but of course that's with the check valve in a functional state.

When you say to flip the 90 up, are you talking about the 90 on the wet side of the return bulkhead?

 

[ChaosAquaculture]

I love it! I also suggest a light off cycling period so the "uglies" arent so bad - kali

 

[mrlavalamp]

Thanks for the advice! Yes that is a check valve you see. The system does pass the power off test, but of course that's with the check valve in a functional state.

When you say to flip the 90 up, are you talking about the 90 on the wet side of the return bulkhead?

Yes, on the wet side where the loc line connects.

If you do that and place the tip of the locline nozzle near the surface you will still get drainback if the checkvalve fails but not nearly as much as you current have it setup.

 

[slicermd]

I love it! I also suggest a light off cycling period so the "uglies" arent so bad - kali

lights out!

 

[slicermd]

Yes, on the wet side where the loc line connects.

If you do that and place the tip of the locline nozzle near the surface you will still get drainback if the checkvalve fails but not nearly as much as you current have it setup.

Like this?
Also, my spheres soaking in fritz, then in the fuge!

 

[mrlavalamp]

looks good!

 

[slicermd]

Update,
Added an AquaIllumination Nero 3 wavemaker
Added ReefBreeders Exo-ATO autotopoff
Advanced acrylics ATO reservoir coming on Wednesday.

Added 2 Mocha Storm clowns this weekend, I’m open to suggestions on names!

 

[slicermd]

New additions!
Also, diatoms???