ADA 60-P Build

[Nauticus]

  What’s up nano reef, I have finally arrived. I have been hanging around reading the forum for a long time. For like 7 years or something like that. I have been here since Dave started with his Nanoboxs and built his company over years through this forum. I have always had freshwater tanks on and off over the course of the years but the reef side of the hobby always kept me on my toes. I enjoy the chemistry side of it all and the growth and biodiversity. It was only a matter of time before it all came together. Just 7 years later.

 

Here it is. I’ve had the ADA 60-P for over a year.

Just got the Spectrapure RODI unit and the AI Hydra 32 in a few days ago. Can’t wait to get this thing salty. No specific plans for stocking and corals yet. Just trying to get warmed up to this side of the hobby. I’m going to run an aquaclear hob for mechanical and chemical filtration and top off by hand for a while. I’m still getting all my equipment in order. Heaters, wavemakers, testing kits, rock, sand and salt. Placing more orders this weekend.

 

 

 

[Pjanssen]

[Christopher Marks]

Welcome @Nauticus! Congrats on your new nano reef build, the ADA 60P will make for a great foundation!

[Nauticus]

Update. This past weekend I built a mixing station so I can have RODI on demand when I do water changes and I put in an order with Marine Depot that should be here Thursday. I think I got one more diy project before I get this thing wet. I didn’t like the options for the light so I think I’m going to build my own light mount. I haven’t decided on a wave maker yet the tank is only 17 gallons. I think I will let the tank cycle while I decide on that.

 

my order from Marine Depot.

- 50lbs of aquamaxx dry rock

- 20lbs of CaribSea Fiji pink 

- 55 gallon Red Sea coral pro salt

- AI HMS tank mount bracket
- Brightwell Aquatics quikcycl ammonia

- Brightwell Aquatics microbacter start XLM

- API master test kit

- aquamaxx refractometer

 

 

[Nauticus]

I decided to get 50lbs of the rock so I have options to choose from and I’ll have some to store away for later for another tank maybe later down the road. I’m sure I will maybe only use 1/3 to half of it. I read on some of its reviews that people received it in big giant pieces so I will plan on breaking it up into smaller pieces or going at it with a hammer and chisel.

 

On another note I thought I would give the Brightwell Aquatics fishless cycle a try. They claim it can get a cycle done in about 8 to 9 days. I’m not used to that so we will see what happens with that. I’ve always ghost fed and waited weeks.

[NoOneLikesADryTang]

Definitely following this thread! We’ve got 2 ADA60P’s running (and a 60F). Sounds like our equipment is similar (both run aqua clear 70’s) and hydra HD 26’s. The light is definitely overkill for the tank, but is nice to have the flexibility for future needs. 

[Nauticus]

Yeah that’s one reason I chose the light for future upgrades so I can have that option. How is the the flow with the aqua clear 70 on the 60p? I know they can push a decent amount of water.

[NoOneLikesADryTang]

It’s ok. I don’t think it’s enough for the tank. We’ve put MP10’s on them, and it’s a great combination. 
 

Just an FYI - if you don’t have a heater, the cobalt neotherm 75 watt fits in the aquaclear 70, but the 100 watt does not. 

[Nauticus]

Nice, that’s good info to know. @Oceanbox Designs has some nice stuff for the aqua clears I might look into some of that down the road as well

[NoOneLikesADryTang]

42 minutes ago, Nauticus said:

Nice, that’s good info to know. @Oceanbox Designs has some nice stuff for the aqua clears I might look into some of that down the road as well

He has beautiful stuff, and the quality is top notch - but in my experience it takes forever to get it from him. I’m not trying to discourage you from buying from him, just keep it in mind if you’re trying to time something. 

[Nauticus]

Yeah I noticed on the website before you add some items to your cart he has a note that’s states a back order and to allow 2-3 weeks to ship. I appreciate when sellers do things like that. As you said trying to time something.

 

Do you have any recommendations on the AI hydra’s height above the tank? I was thinking somewhere around 8in

[NoOneLikesADryTang]

In my experience it’s triple that time... But his quality is top notch. Maybe it’s gotten better in the last year or so. 
 

I’ve got mine on an HMS Mount on the side of tank at about 7 to 8 inches above the water line. Much higher than that, and it really started spilling out of the tank. 

[Nauticus]

Update

im super mad at myself I chipped the corner of my tank. I usually take extra precautions when dealing with delicate items such as this tank but it happened. I was setting the tank down on the foam mat that was supplied with the tank, so I can get measurements for the light mount I want to build. The mat was all curled up so I just barely set the tank down when one corner touched my granite countertop first. And that’s when the crack happened. I’m not going to try and take advantage of any warranty’s or anything it was my fault. I think the tank will probably be alright since no seals were damaged. I’m going to ride it out and keep an eye on it as time goes on. Let me know what you think.
 

 

 

 

[ppsthlm]

21 hours ago, Nauticus said:

Update

im super mad at myself I chipped the corner of my tank. I usually take extra precautions when dealing with delicate items such as this tank but it happened. I was setting the tank down on the foam mat that was supplied with the tank, so I can get measurements for the light mount I want to build. The mat was all curled up so I just barely set the tank down when one corner touched my granite countertop first. And that’s when the crack happened. I’m not going to try and take advantage of any warranty’s or anything it was my fault. I think the tank will probably be alright since no seals were damaged. I’m going to ride it out and keep an eye on it as time goes on. Let me know what you think.
 

 

 

 

So annoying when that happens!!

being in the bottom corner I think I would still change the tank. The glass is so thin close to the seal, the risk is it will break. And that would be even more annoying than to just change the tank before you start. Explain it to the shop where you bought it and maybe they’ll give you a new for cost-price...

[Reefkid88]

I had the same chip on my rimless tank and never had a leak,problem or anything. Of it was cracked all the way to the silicone I would get a new one.