IM SR-60 - 1st Build!

DibsOnMcRibs · Mar 29, 2020

Res_Ipsa said:
UPDATE: Sicce pumps were plumbed in and tested tonight. The stock pumps used a 1/2” ID hose to a double 1/2” Y-split. The larger Sicce pumps utilize a 1” to 3/4” step down outlet so I found a couple 3/4” to double 1/2” Y-splits to install. Hopefully this will decrease some of the flow restriction to better utilize the higher flow rates of the pumps.

The custom stand is nearly done from a local woodworker and being stained tomorrow.

RODI production has been good and I’ve managed to store 25gal to prep for cycling next week. I need to grab some ammonia, but also bought some nitrifying bacteria in a bottle to populate the tank. The plan is to do a fishless cycle inside my house.

I also snagged a Tunze osmolator ATO from the R2R forum and will be getting that set up once the tank is on solid ground.

The gear list and supplies keeps growing but after dozens of hours on R2R and YouTube, I’m feeling pretty optimistic that this tank will be up and beautiful real soon.

Santa and his elves will be moving and installing this tank Xmas night to surprise our kiddos (they have been sending letters to Santa everyday asking for a fish tank ❤ ). Then, we’ll aquascape, mix up some salt, and start dosing ammonia.

More pictures and updates to come!

I also have an SR 60 and am looking to upgrade the return pumps. Where did you find the new tubing? Great thread. You haven’t been active for a while but following along just in case

Res_Ipsa · May 18, 2020

Half year update!

It's been quite a bit since I've posted here but figured I'd share how the tank is doing. After the chemistry swings died down around months 6-9, the tank has been relatively stable since then. Autodosing, weekly water changes, and testing a couple times a week seems to have resulted in the tank hitting a nice, stable groove. Corals are thriving and fish are happy. Here's some quick thoughts:

1) No more crabs for me. The hermits like to eat my snails and steal their shells and I didn't have lucky with emeralds.
2) Vibrant dosing took a while to get going (2-3 months) but really helped solve some GHA and bubble algae issue.
3) Vibrant can work TOO well and after using the 2x/weekly doses, I got a decent cyano outbreak which I treated with chemiclean.
4) Nutrient export continues to be my biggest challenge. I have been speaking with Clearwater Scrubbers about their upcoming AIO turf scrubber and think that might help me take my GFO offline if it works well.
5) Not chasing numbers but just getting parameters in an acceptable range and monitoring the tank's dynamics
6)All-for-reef is a fantastic product! Can't speak highly enough about it for these "nano" tanks
7)Montipora eating nudibranchs are the devil. I discovered an outbreak 3 months ago in February and ended up tossing out a dozen caps to starve the nudis. I put a tester cap in my system for 3 weeks and dipped it once a week to check for pests; no nudis so high-end montis going back in!
8)Several corals have survived and are in various stages of regrowth - some from just a couple polyps! It's a fantastic feeling to bring back dying corals.

Here's a few pics of the current status and a link to a video tour.

Whisnantrider · Jun 6, 2020

Your tank looks great! I have recently started on upgrading my 30L to a SR60. Just waiting on a few more pieces to arrive and a good day to paint the stand, then its go time!