Setting up a 60 Gallon Native tank

patjava30

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 5, 2015
29
0
1
Upstate New York
OK so Im working on a project, this will be my second aquarium, i have a 40 right now with some mixed fish and a Mississippi map turtle. I would like to make this a 60 Gallon Native tank utilizing locally caught fish (Adirondacks.) What are everyone's thoughts? Lighting, Filtration... any suggestions anyone has would be greatly appreciated!
 

Cu554

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 27, 2015
52
5
8
Vermont
What kind of fish do you have in mind? A few large ones, a bunch of small one? Plants or no plants?
 

divemaster99

Dovii
MFK Member
Jan 10, 2014
4,795
385
107
Pittsburgh, PA
I'd go with any smaller Cyprinids and Darters native to your area. That or a sunfish comm.
 

patjava30

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 5, 2015
29
0
1
Upstate New York
Im thinking Sunfish, i think they look great. I plan on a planted tank with some native plants, top soil covered with pool filter sand. Ive already picked some driftwood, ill need to get some more tho.
 

Cu554

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 27, 2015
52
5
8
Vermont
A canister filter or a couple of HOB filters will be the easiest method. Your stand has a very large opening underneath with no obstructions. You can fit a nice tank underneath to use as a sump. You have a lot of room to work with. You can use the sump as a grow out tank if needed, keep smaller species underneath or just use it for media, extra water and equipment. It all depends on how simple/complicated of a tank you want.

I am on Long Island the plants most of the plants by me, such as elodea and hornswort, requires little light. I am assuming it's the same for you. If you have money to spend I will look into Kessil lights. If you are looking for something more economical make in china leds or LED flood lights will work. You just want something in the 6,500k range.

T5 lights are also great. I will recommended a 2 bulb fixture or a 4 bulb fixture. T5s consume more energy then leds but in my opinion look nicer. They also make t5 bulbs with leds. What are the dimensions of your tank? If it is 18in or more I would get a 4 bulb t5 fixture, it does not matter high out put or not. My set up will be 2 whites, a blub with red(red sea pink) and a bulb with blue (ATI aquablue).

Here are a few basic setups. If you want to spend more you can get fixtures with timers built in, better reflectors and what not.
2 bulb t5
http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-AquaSun-Fluorescent-24-Inch/dp/B0002DIRAU/ref=sr_1_37?ie=UTF8&qid=1429628771&sr=8-37&keywords=24in+aquarium+light

http://www.amazon.com/Odyssea-Aquarium-Light-Fluorescent-Fixture/dp/B005GVBFMK/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1429629800&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=oddyssea+lights

4 bulb t5
http://www.amazon.com/Odyssea-T5ho-...id=1429629828&sr=8-11&keywords=odyssea+lights
http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Labor...29628733&sr=8-22&keywords=24in+aquarium+light


LED FLOOD
http://www.amazon.com/ZITRADES-Aqua...9627865&sr=8-5&keywords=aquarium+leds+planted

LED stip
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GH9HSI0/ref=twister_B00HIE3M6U?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
 

patjava30

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 5, 2015
29
0
1
Upstate New York
A canister filter or a couple of HOB filters will be the easiest method. Your stand has a very large opening underneath with no obstructions. You can fit a nice tank underneath to use as a sump. You have a lot of room to work with. You can use the sump as a grow out tank if needed, keep smaller species underneath or just use it for media, extra water and equipment. It all depends on how simple/complicated of a tank you want.

I am on Long Island the plants most of the plants by me, such as elodea and hornswort, requires little light. I am assuming it's the same for you. If you have money to spend I will look into Kessil lights. If you are looking for something more economical make in china leds or LED flood lights will work. You just want something in the 6,500k range.

T5 lights are also great. I will recommended a 2 bulb fixture or a 4 bulb fixture. T5s consume more energy then leds but in my opinion look nicer. They also make t5 bulbs with leds. What are the dimensions of your tank? If it is 18in or more I would get a 4 bulb t5 fixture, it does not matter high out put or not. My set up will be 2 whites, a blub with red(red sea pink) and a bulb with blue (ATI aquablue).

Here are a few basic setups. If you want to spend more you can get fixtures with timers built in, better reflectors and what not.
2 bulb t5
http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-AquaSun-Fluorescent-24-Inch/dp/B0002DIRAU/ref=sr_1_37?ie=UTF8&qid=1429628771&sr=8-37&keywords=24in+aquarium+light

http://www.amazon.com/Odyssea-Aquarium-Light-Fluorescent-Fixture/dp/B005GVBFMK/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1429629800&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=oddyssea+lights

4 bulb t5
http://www.amazon.com/Odyssea-T5ho-...id=1429629828&sr=8-11&keywords=odyssea+lights
http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Labor...29628733&sr=8-22&keywords=24in+aquarium+light


LED FLOOD
http://www.amazon.com/ZITRADES-Aqua...9627865&sr=8-5&keywords=aquarium+leds+planted

LED stip
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GH9HSI0/ref=twister_B00HIE3M6U?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for the input, I'm really excited about this set up, my apartment has no windows in the kitchen or living room so this is going to be my "window" I think that my best option is going to be to build a light with LEDS I don't have a tong of extra money to spend and am looking to do this as inexpensively as possible. I have seen some diy videos on how to make these.
Today I picked up a 40lb bag of organic top soil, I plan on using that with pool filter sand over it as substrate. My hope is that it will be a perfect environment for the plants to grow.






Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 

Cu554

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 27, 2015
52
5
8
Vermont
I never used them or even build my own LEDs but this site is popular in the saltwater DYI world. I am sure you can get a case for them but the ones I have seen look messy. http://www.rapidled.com

Buildmyled.com is also a popular site.
 
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