Alex's Innovative Marine SR-60 Build Thread

alex478

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Hello everyone, I just got back from Macna 2013 where I picked up the first Innovative Marine SR-60 tank on the market and let me say I got it for a steel. I am new to this forum so here's a little background on me before I start the build, I started reefing two years ago by joining my school's coral lab where I was introduced to all the necessary equipment as well as many types of fish and corals. Fast-forward two years and I was on the hunt for an aquarium to keep at my house but I had to convince my parents first. That brought me to Macna which coincidentally was happening in my home city and so I took both my parents to try and show them that reefing is a cool hobby. Well we've now just come out of Macna with a brand new aquarium as well as a lot of cool gadgets and goodies. Here's what I got in terms of aquarium and equipment:

Aquarium
Innovative Marine SR-60 (60 gallon all-in-one shallow reef tank) (in black)

Lighting
Two (2) Innovative Marine Dual Strip Dimmable lights (in black)

Filtration
  • Skimmate Protein Skimmer
  • Minimax All-in-One Media Reactor
  • Micron Filter Socks
Miscellaneous

  • Four (4) Innovative Marine Spin Stream
  • I.M. Hydrofill ATO w/Pump system
  • CaribSea Arag-Alive Reef Sand
So that's all the equipment for now, might get and Apex controller next but not too sure on that one yet. Stay tuned for pictures to come...

 
Tank Arrives at Home

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"I'm Sold!!!"
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How tank came in trunk of car.
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My new aquarium!!!
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Macna 2013... Awesome!
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How did everything fit?
 
Tank put in Place

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Stand...
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Hydrofill Pump
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Innovative Marine Dual Strip Dimmable Lights
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Tank took some heavy lifting but finally put in place.
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2nd pic...
 
Equipment

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New Hydrofill ATO system
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All the cable hanging out the back :ooh:
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Back filtration chamber...
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Return Pump chamber...
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Filter Sock, Media Reactor, Protein Skimmer...
 
Some More Equipment

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Filter Sock, Media Reactor, Protein Skimmer
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Cabinet/stand
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Four I.M. Spinstreams
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Piling on some New Sand
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That's me!
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And the new layer of sand is complete... Now to hook everything up and start adding the water!
 
Hooking it all up...

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So many chords!
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Some More Connections ...
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ATO. Reservoir container ready to go!
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Connections
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Full Shot... Now comes the water!
 
In Goes the Water

So, finally got around to filling the tank with water. Normally I would have called down to my lfs and had the owner deliver seawater straight to my house but it was late, he didn't have any water left, and I was getting impatient. Living in Miami, I've never really had to mix my saltwater before and the few times that I have tried it its been a real mess so it'll always be natural seawater for me. And so I went to two different Petcos and bought around 10 boxes of "Real Ocean Water" and began my cycle.
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Tank being filled...
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Petco Real Ocean Water (AKA Catalina Ocean Water)
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Tank with water, halfway
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Coming along...
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More empty boxes...
 
And the Cycle Begins...

After about 45 minutes of dumping water into the tank I'm able to put the lights back on top, pour in some Nitrifying Bacteria, and begin the cycle...
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Thanks, I can't speak as to cost because I got special Macna pricing but they should be available around November.
 
Great looking tank!! I will be following your progress!! :)
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
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