Howdy Reefers!
I'm excited to start logging the progress of my first tank and, seeing the attractiveness of Innovative Marine's offerings, had the opportunity to snag a Shallow Reef-60 gallon all-in-one from a semi-local reefer for a good price.
It's interesting to see how I found myself in this hobby as I wanted to teach my children (7 and 5yrs old) about marine biology and ecosystems. I floated the idea of a small, freshwater tank to my wife who quickly turned my "inexpensive and small" idea into a 55gal+ saltwater mixed reef!
But I suppose having her on board early will help later since virtually everyone has explained this hobby can get pretty pricey. Thanks for all of your threads, build logs, and information! By far Reef2Reef and its sponsors have been an invaluable resource for someone like me who needs to figure out what questions to ask even before I start asking for answers!
My plan is for a more minimalist aquascape centered around a mixed reef tank with about 4-6 fish, some inverts, and mainly LPS and soft corals.
I've attached photos of the tank (as set up by the prior owner), currently in storage, and rinsing out the locally sourced pukani.
Here's the equipment I have so far:
IM SR-60 tank
IM 317gph return pumps upgraded to 2x Sicce Syrncras at 568gph (flow increased from 10x tank volume to ~20x)
Ecotech MP-10wQP powerhead (1,500gph)
Tunze 9004 protein skimmer
Various 100w-300w freebie heaters
70lbs mixed pukani and other dry rock
2x AI Prime HD lights
BRS 6 stage 75gpd RO/DI
Red Sea Coral Pro salt
refractometer
2 quarts Marinepure ceramic spheres
3/4" line loc extensions to redirect flow
40lbs pink fiji live sand
and to be done:
DIY stand for aquarium
55 gal barrel converted to RO/DI water reservoir
saltwater mixing station
dKH, phosphate, calcium testing supplies
Select livestock (likely a bonded pair of clowns, yellow tang, wrasse, goby, hermit crabs, snails, emerald crabs, feather duster)
Select corals (like hammers, torches, challice, leathers, zoanthids, trumpets, blastomussa)
I'm not sure about needing an aquarium controller just yet...I'd like to do it a bit more old school and get used to checking the tank's parameters before going to that next step. But, I'm happy to hear about any suggestions you all might have for this setup! Happy reefing!
I'm excited to start logging the progress of my first tank and, seeing the attractiveness of Innovative Marine's offerings, had the opportunity to snag a Shallow Reef-60 gallon all-in-one from a semi-local reefer for a good price.
It's interesting to see how I found myself in this hobby as I wanted to teach my children (7 and 5yrs old) about marine biology and ecosystems. I floated the idea of a small, freshwater tank to my wife who quickly turned my "inexpensive and small" idea into a 55gal+ saltwater mixed reef!
But I suppose having her on board early will help later since virtually everyone has explained this hobby can get pretty pricey. Thanks for all of your threads, build logs, and information! By far Reef2Reef and its sponsors have been an invaluable resource for someone like me who needs to figure out what questions to ask even before I start asking for answers!My plan is for a more minimalist aquascape centered around a mixed reef tank with about 4-6 fish, some inverts, and mainly LPS and soft corals.
I've attached photos of the tank (as set up by the prior owner), currently in storage, and rinsing out the locally sourced pukani.
Here's the equipment I have so far:
IM SR-60 tank
IM 317gph return pumps upgraded to 2x Sicce Syrncras at 568gph (flow increased from 10x tank volume to ~20x)
Ecotech MP-10wQP powerhead (1,500gph)
Tunze 9004 protein skimmer
Various 100w-300w freebie heaters
70lbs mixed pukani and other dry rock
2x AI Prime HD lights
BRS 6 stage 75gpd RO/DI
Red Sea Coral Pro salt
refractometer
2 quarts Marinepure ceramic spheres
3/4" line loc extensions to redirect flow
40lbs pink fiji live sand
and to be done:
DIY stand for aquarium
55 gal barrel converted to RO/DI water reservoir
saltwater mixing station
dKH, phosphate, calcium testing supplies
Select livestock (likely a bonded pair of clowns, yellow tang, wrasse, goby, hermit crabs, snails, emerald crabs, feather duster)
Select corals (like hammers, torches, challice, leathers, zoanthids, trumpets, blastomussa)
I'm not sure about needing an aquarium controller just yet...I'd like to do it a bit more old school and get used to checking the tank's parameters before going to that next step. But, I'm happy to hear about any suggestions you all might have for this setup! Happy reefing!
