First Saltwater Equipment List

[zazy13]

I have just about finished my equipment list for a 60 gallon breeder with 20 gallon sump setup. The list doesnt include things like sand and rock but they will be included. The idea is to get up and running with a cycle then add fish. Eventually adding in corals. I would also like to automate as many features as I can over time. Please pick apart my list and recommend and upgrades or changes since this is my first salt tank. Thank you!


Tanks: 60 gal breeder 20 long sump
Overflow: modular marine 1200gph
Reefmat: Red Sea 500
Protein Skimmer: reef octo 110int
Return Pump: jebao dcp-6500 sine wave
Heater: 2x Jager trutemp with ink bird controller
Wave Maker: jebao sine cross flow scp-70m
Lights: nicrew marine led blade 36 to 48 inch
Auto Test & Dose: neptune
RODI & Auto Top Off: aquaticlife 50gpd
Auto Feed (for vacations): future purchase
Timers & Power: neptune
Stand: homemade

 

[Propane]

Salt and rock


Test kit

 

[zazy13]

Salt and rock

I have energized salt, sand, rock and lid on the shopping list as well.

 

[Aquaddictorbj4]

For Auto Top off, if the inlet is RO/DI water, I recommend AutoAqua Smart ATO RO. Its simple setting really suitable for new hobbyist.

 

[misturrtinnie]

You don't need a light to cycle the tank, start saving for a better light if you're thinking to go corals. That nicrew classic will probably bare grow zoas at best.

 

[zazy13]

You don't need a light to cycle the tank, start saving for a better light if you're thinking to go corals. That nicrew classic will probably bare grow zoas at best.

What Lights do you recommend?

 

[misturrtinnie]

What Lights do you recommend?

If you wanna grow anything with that set up, (2) nicrew 150w for budget set ups, (2) Ai 32hds or even the 26hd would work, Ai Blades you'll probably need two of those also. Higher end I would rock the radions something about radions that makes the colors look so good to my eyes.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have just about finished my equipment list for a 60 gallon breeder with 20 gallon sump setup. The list doesnt include things like sand and rock but they will be included. The idea is to get up and running with a cycle then add fish. Eventually adding in corals. I would also like to automate as many features as I can over time. Please pick apart my list and recommend and upgrades or changes since this is my first salt tank. Thank you!


Tanks: 60 gal breeder 20 long sump
Overflow: modular marine 1200gph
Reefmat: Red Sea 500
Protein Skimmer: reef octo 110int
Return Pump: jebao dcp-6500 sine wave
Heater: 2x Jager trutemp with ink bird controller
Wave Maker: jebao sine cross flow scp-70m
Lights: nicrew marine led blade 36 to 48 inch
Auto Test & Dose: neptune
RODI & Auto Top Off: aquaticlife 50gpd
Auto Feed (for vacations): future purchase
Timers & Power: neptune
Stand: homemade

You have it well covered.

1. Lighting
   The type of lighting you choose will be based on the type of system you have planned to set up, as well as what kind of livestock you will be keeping in it.
2. Skimmers, Filters & Filtration Equipment
   Once again, what type of system you are going to set up will help you determine which kind of filters and filtration system to choose.
3. Powerhead
   Depending on the size of your aquarium, the use of one or several powerheads is an excellent way to provide good water circulation throughout the system.
4. Live Rock & Substrate
   Here you need to decide on what type of material you want on the bottom of the tank, as well as whether you want to start with a live or non-living medium. Live Rock plays an important role in a marine tank. Many marine animals, fish in particular, can be quite territorial. It is important to provide ample shelter or places where the animals can hide, sleep, and avoid potential problems with aggression from other tankmates in the confined space of an aquarium.
5. Sea Salt Mix/Saltwater & Hydrometer
   Sea salts are what make an aquarium a saltwater or marine aquarium. Also referred to as a salinity tester, this item measures the specific gravity or salt content of the water.
6. Heater & Thermometer
   For smaller aquariums one heater works well, but for larger systems the use of multiple units is advised. With stick-on, floating, multi-function remote digital sensor, and many other types of units to pick from, the material a thermometer is made of is an important factor when choosing one as well.
7. Air Pump & Air Stones
   Only needed if you are going to run a piece of equipment that requires these items, such as a counter-current protein skimmer.
8. Test Kits, Additives & Supplements
   For live rock and reef tank systems, calcium (a.k.a. limewater/kalkwasser) needs to be added. Other supplemental vitamins or additives that are beneficial to the health of certain marine inhabitants you may be keeping, such as iodine for crustaceans, are important as well. Hanna and salifert test kits are best- Avoid Api
9. Maintenance Tools & Supplies
   This category includes having items on hand such as a various sized plastic buckets or containers, tank cleaning tools such as a siphon tube/hose, an algae scraper or magnet, as well as nets of different sizes, spare equipment replacements parts, and so on. A good way to keep track of what maintenance tasks you have performed and when is to keep a log book or record of everything you do.

Courtesy of Spruce

 

[Acros]

Start without Neptune auto tester, that is something worth adding after 1 year or so. Most tanks are not going to consume much alk in the first year. Start by dosing all for reef or a similar simple all in one solution.

You might want to size up on the RODI. 50gpd is going to be too slow for a tank that size.

Must have an ATO. Saves so much time and effort lugging top off water

 

[zazy13]

Start without Neptune auto tester, that is something worth adding after 1 year or so. Most tanks are not going to consume much alk in the first year. Start by dosing all for reef or a similar simple all in one solution.

You might want to size up on the RODI. 50gpd is going to be too slow for a tank that size.

Must have an ATO. Saves so much time and effort lugging top off water

If I have a 10 gallon container under my tank with ATO that my RODI fills with a float value do I need a larger RODI?

 

[blaxsun]

Double your budget...

 

[Acros]

If I have a 10 gallon container under my tank with ATO that my RODI fills with a float value do I need a larger RODI?

What if you want to do a 20g water change? It will take a long time to make 20g. Of course you can make that water in advance and store it.

 

[tlips]

So here's what I would tweak a little.

Don't worry about dosing and auto testing at first. I know someone above mentioned all for reef to start with. I would recommend doing that if and when you start adding corals and your alk starts getting consumed quicker. I would just hand dose all for reef. At first water changes should keep your parameters in check until the addition of more corals.

I've never heard about the nicrew lights but I know they can probably grow softies. If you are looking to stay within a budget then I would recommend either viparspectra lights or noopsyche or even AI primes

As far as RODI/ATO goes, that is a must. I run the aquatic life ro buddie 50GPD and I have it filling into a 44 gallon brute can to have on hand if I need to fill my ATO or a water change. So I would definitely recommend a RODI and have it fill up in a brute can. As far as ATO goes, I will always run a XP Duetto ATO. Never had one fail on me and I don't have to worry about a float valve getting stuck open like some other ATOs on the market.

Timers/Power: I have always ran the tripplite surge protector with 6 individual switches that way I didnt have to turn off the entire surge protector. I do know KASA makes a wifi surge protector so you can do it from the app and I know they also have timers you can buy through KASA that I have used in the past to control lights... Just gives you a more budget friendly piece of equipment rather than spending 500-600 on a neptune power system. I had a neptune power system and honestly, its not worth the money to me.

If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out and ill help out as best I can