curryfire’s IM SR-60 Build

Curryfire · Mar 4, 2022

Hello All,
After a tank crash in 2017 due to Hurricane Harvey, I’m finally getting back into the reefing world. I’m hoping that I can take some of the lessons from my last go around and have a better experience this time. My last tank was a 30g AIO. This time I upgraded to a 60g AIO. I’ve added the following equipment:

Tank: IM SR-60
Lights: (2) Kessil A360x
Return Pumps: (2) MightyJet 538 GPH DC
Carbon: IM Desktop Reactor
Skimmer: Icecap K-1 50
Wavemaker: Echotech MP-40 and MP-10
Controller: Neptune Apex with ATO, 2xDOS, Ecotech Wireless Control
Controller:
Heater: 300 watt BRS titanium with inkbird controller
Misc: 2 polyplab genesis bricks, media caddy, filter sock

My Favorite Thing: homemade copy of the reefloat AWC (reefloat.com)
I hate water change. I know that was part of my struggle last time because of inconsistency. I don’t have the room to plumb up a normal AWC system. I love how I can fill, mix, AWC, and dispose using the same system with out dealing with buckets or spills.

Anyway, I attached some pictures. I’ll add some of the control board for the Apex after I finish it. I’ve finished my cycle and should get some fish in the next day or two.

-Curryfire

blaxsun · Mar 5, 2022

We all abhor water changes...

Curryfire · Mar 5, 2022

So question for the group. I’m using the Tropic Marin Reef Pro Salt. In the past I used to use Red Sea Coral Pro Salt. After mixing Tropic Marin, I checked Alk, Ca, and Mg using my Hanna checkers…waiting on the Trident reagents. It pretty much matched exactly as advertised. I dosed the mix with my soda ash solution to get the Alk up to 8.5 dKh. I did this for the original filling of the tank prior to the cycle and for the WC. In the past, at that Alk level, my pH would be somewhere between 8.2 and 8.4 with the Red Sea Salt. Right now, I’m seeing it trend to around 7.8 on the Neptune. What can I do to raise it up? Does it matter right now if I do t have corals? I’m planning on getting a couple of clowns and basically keep the lights off for a few months to let the biome take hold. Then I will turn the lights on and start adding hardy corals and fish.

-Curryfire

TheWB · Mar 5, 2022

Curryfire said:
So question for the group. I’m using the Tropic Marin Reef Pro Salt. In the past I used to use Red Sea Coral Pro Salt. After mixing Tropic Marin, I checked Alk, Ca, and Mg using my Hanna checkers…waiting on the Trident reagents. It pretty much matched exactly as advertised. I dosed the mix with my soda ash solution to get the Alk up to 8.5 dKh. I did this for the original filling of the tank prior to the cycle and for the WC. In the past, at that Alk level, my pH would be somewhere between 8.2 and 8.4 with the Red Sea Salt. Right now, I’m seeing it trend to around 7.8 on the Neptune. What can I do to raise it up? Does it matter right now if I do t have corals? I’m planning on getting a couple of clowns and basically keep the lights off for a few months to let the biome take hold. Then I will turn the lights on and start adding hardy corals and fish.

-Curryfire

I don’t use either of those salt mixes but I had the same issue with low ph when my tank was new. I also did a 4 month fishless cycle and over time the ph came up to higher levels and I didn’t do anything to boost it. I’d just run the tank for a while with the clowns and see how it shakes out. No need to do anything now. There may be other factors in play as well depending on how well your house is sealed which can affect the CO2 levels and suppress ph. How well ventilated is the area where your tank is? My house is newer and well sealed so I keep the laundry room window open a couple of inches (about 15 ft away) just to make sure there’s some minimal access to fresh air. Can’t definitely say that works but my ph is always between 8.1 and 8.45 depending on time of day. Hope this is helpful.

Curryfire · Mar 6, 2022

Control Board done…still have some wire management on the back side to finish.

Curryfire · Mar 7, 2022

Hey All,
Besides hating water changes, I also hate changing filter socks and pads. But my kids love the fish and corals. I decided to invest in a Klir di-4. In theory, the two spots for the sock/media basket are large enough for it to fit. The water lever from inside the sock filter to the top of the baffle is also within the specs of the Klir. I think it will take some creative engineering to make a holder for it, so that’s what I’ll try. If it works, I’ll get another one for the other side. If it doesn’t, look out for a gently used one for sale.

-Curryfire