60 Breeder No Rush Build

[Rhino]

Have stayed on top of weekly water changes every Sunday. Been changing out about 6 gallons every week. Added the first corals 3 weeks ago.

2 Zoa frags
Acan frag
Colt coral
Mushroom
Green Singularia

Had a small pop up of diatoms about two weeks ago, it’s mostly gone at this point. PH has gotten better and is running just over 8 when the lights are on. Helps having wife and kids back in school.

Water change here shortly, another 6 gallons. Current parameters are:

Salinity - 1.026
Temp - 79
PH - 7.91
Nitrate - 3.3
Phosphate - .12
Alkalinity - 8.1
Magnesium - 1350
Calcium - 440

 

[Rhino]

Have stayed on top of weekly water changes every Sunday. Been changing out about 6 gallons every week. Added the first corals 3 weeks ago.

2 Zoa frags
Acan frag
Colt coral
Mushroom
Green Singularia

Had a small pop up of diatoms about two weeks ago, it’s mostly gone at this point. PH has gotten better and is running just over 8 when the lights are on. Helps having wife and kids back in school.

Water change here shortly, another 6 gallons. Current parameters are:

Salinity - 1.026
Temp - 79
PH - 7.91
Nitrate - 3.3
Phosphate - .12
Alkalinity - 8.1
Magnesium - 1350
Calcium - 440

 

[Kodski]

You're off to a great start! Lets seem some updated tank pics with the corals! Tracking growth via photos is one of my favorite parts about this hobby.

 

[Rhino]

Pictures of the first corals and full tank shot. Picked up the Orphek phone lens kit to try to take better pictures. Still need some work to not knock out the colors I see in the zoas in person.

 

[ChuzUThisDay]

6 gallon water change done this morning. Also made these quick tank covers to help prevent jumping, not fool proof by any means but was quick until I decide on a better option.

Are those made from black egg crate light diffusers?

 

[Rhino]

Are those made from black egg crate light diffusers?

They are, got them from BRS. I am not sold on them.

The left side of the tank doesn't get as much surface agitation as the right (return nozzle is on the right). This causes square shadows on the sand. I will likely try screen or a custom set next. I just wanted something to help prevent jumping.

 

[ChuzUThisDay]

They are, got them from BRS. I am not sold on them.

The left side of the tank doesn't get as much surface agitation as the right (return nozzle is on the right). This causes square shadows on the sand. I will likely try screen or a custom set next. I just wanted something to help prevent jumping.

I was curious about shadowing, so it sounds like the screen is the better option.

 

[Rhino]

I was curious about shadowing, so it sounds like the screen is the better option.

Here is a picture that shows the shadowing pretty good that I mentioned. It’s distracting to me. However it was very easy to make cord cutouts and looks very clean installed.

 

[ChuzUThisDay]

Here is a picture that shows the shadowing pretty good that I mentioned. It’s distracting to me. However it was very easy to make cord cutouts and looks very clean installed.

Oh wow! That's quite a bit of shadowing. From the thumbnail image, I thought it was a white and blue picnic tablecloth for a second. I wouldn't have thought it would create such bold lines on the sand. I'll definitely go the screen route. I can imagine that cutouts are pretty easy to make though. Thanks for sharing the pictures to show us what you were describing.

 

[Rhino]

Oh wow! That's quite a bit of shadowing. From the thumbnail image, I thought it was a white and blue picnic tablecloth for a second. I wouldn't have thought it would create such bold lines on the sand. I'll definitely go the screen route. I can imagine that cutouts are pretty easy to make though. Thanks for sharing the pictures to show us what you were describing.

I didn't think it would be that pronounced either. That is with using the Maxspect Jump light diffuser too.

 

[dangit]

Wow great looking tank! I may have missed it but what kind of corals are planning to put in? Looks like it’s coming along well. I plan to kick off my cycle tomorrow and hope to be a similar spot in a few months.

 

[Rhino]

Wow great looking tank! I may have missed it but what kind of corals are planning to put in? Looks like it’s coming along well. I plan to kick off my cycle tomorrow and hope to be a similar spot in a few months.

My primaries will be soft corals and gorgonians. A few select LPS will make their way in. I just prefer the flowing look of a softy tank.

 

[Kodski]

Personally I went with Redsea's DIY screen net kit due to my tank being rimless and I'm happy with it. That being said, I would probably just do standard window screen frame and order some black netting off BRS and DIY it if I had a rimmed tank. Cheap and easy to do.

 

[Rhino]

12 gallon water change yesterday.

Current parameters:
Salinity - 1.025
Temp - 79
PH - 7.97
Nitrate - 0.0
Phosphate - .04
Alkalinity - 8.9
Magnesium - 1290
Calcium - 450

Picked up some more corals this weekend. Will post pictures tomorrow.

 

[Rhino]

Quick 6 gallon weekly water change this evening. Tested Nitrate 0.0, phosphate 0.10, and Alk just before to see my weekly change 8.7. Not much change considering I dosed Red Sea AB+ and direct fed Reef Roids once. Skimmer is pulling well. 10 Cerritos for a starter clean up crew.

Full tank shot and a few close ups of some new pickups. Going to LFS this week to see what fish may be available.

 

[mboy]

I am thinking of going the same route with a 60 breeder as well but ive been getting mixed info about it not being abled to be drilled from the back.

 

[Peace River]

IMO the best way to determine if a tank can be drilled is to use the polarized sunglasses test on the specific glass panel that you are thinking about drilling (see youtube for details). Good luck with your adventure!

 

[Rhino]

This is the method I used. I had 0 issues.

 

[palmettodeuce]

Nice stand

 

[Rhino]

Thank you. It’s a simple design based off the rocket engineer frame. I have built several this way.