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60 Gallon Aqua Japan Reef
60 galSPS·by @Officereef760·started Feb 28, 2023

60 Gallon Aqua Japan Reef

I'm excited to share my 60-gallon reef tank, which I upgraded from a 20-gallon office tank almost a year ago. It's an Aqua Japan (36"x24"x16") 60-gallon reef with an external overflow, and I'm thrilled with how it's progressing. Under the tank: One of my main goals for this upgrade was a quality sump system to maintain a healthy, balanced environment for my fish and corals. After researching options, I went with an Advanced Acrylic Hybrid PVC sump, fuge, and frag tank. It's been an excellent choice — ample space for equipment, easy maintenance access, and flexibility in how I set up filtration and the refugium. I also wanted to hide the plumbing and wiring so the tank wouldn't look cluttered. It's not perfect and took some time, but I'm happy with the look. Tank control: I run a full Neptune Systems Apex to monitor parameters and control equipment, plus the Apex Trident for alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium. Neptune-controlled dosing with a DoS keeps major trace elements in check. Flow: A combination of pumps keeps circulation strong — two Ecotech MP40s and an MP10 provide about 6,400 GPH of in-tank flow, while a Cor 15 and a Varios 2 handle returns. The Varios 2 has surprised me with its output, feeding the right-side return and the fuge. Return flow is monitored by Neptune flow meters, and sump turnover runs about 5x.
1 follower
Tank specs
Size
60 gal
Type
SPS
Dimensions
36x24x16
Filtration
Advanced Acrylic Hybrid PVC sump, fuge & frag tank · Clarisea SK-5000 · AquaUV 25-watt (285 GPH)
Lighting
Display: 3x Reefi Uno Pro 2, 1x Quanta Helix Bar, 1x Orphek Bar · Frag tank: 12" AI Blade Grow + 12" AI Blade Glow · Refugium: AI Fuge Light
Skimmer
Royal Exclusive BK 160 Mini
Flow
2x Ecotech MP40 + 1x MP10 (~6,400 GPH) · Returns: Cor 15 + Varios 2 · ~5x sump turnover
Dosing
Neptune DoS + GHL SA2.1 4-head doser (major trace elements)
Controller
Neptune Apex + Apex Trident + DoS · Helio temperature controller with BRS heaters · Simply fan for cooling
Livestock

60 different SPS corals

Goals

Invest in a quality sump system for a healthy, balanced environment; hide the plumbing and wiring for a clean, uncluttered look.

Comments (14)

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  1. @BackbayReef
    SCRM😎 Cool Kids🧠Reef Guru
    Joined May 2026265 posts1,033 pts★5.0(2)
    🔧 Build Contributor
Aug 22
Love it! You’re super OCD’ed 🙌
▲ 0
  • @ktran
    SCRM😎 Cool Kids⚡SPS Slinger
    Joined May 2026161 posts683 pts★5.0(1)📍 Tustin, CA
    🔧 Build Contributor
    Aug 22
    Awesome tank!
    ▲ 0
  • @BackbayReef
    SCRM😎 Cool Kids🧠Reef Guru
    Joined May 2026265 posts1,033 pts★5.0(2)
    🔧 Build Contributor
    Aug 22
    Great choice of sump btw! John @ AA does a wonderful job with those hybrid PVC/Acrylics sumps. They will likely outlast many tanks & reefers! 😁
    ▲ 0
  • @Officereef760
    😎 Cool Kids⛰️AquascaperOwner
    Joined Aug 202627 posts133 pts📍 Hesperia, Ca
    🔧 Build Contributor
    Aug 22
    @BackbayReef wrote: Great choice of sump btw! John @ AA does a wonderful job with those hybrid PVC/Acrylics sumps. They will likely outlast many tanks & reefers! 😁
    I have been very happy with the quality of the sump. I look at acrylic sumps differently now. I plan on reaching out to John for another hybrid PVC/Acrylic sump for the new build.
    ▲ 0
  • @BackbayReef
    SCRM😎 Cool Kids🧠Reef Guru
    Joined May 2026265 posts1,033 pts★5.0(2)
    🔧 Build Contributor
    Aug 22
    Awesome! What size are you considering? This is my AA sump - super happy with it!
    ▲ 0
  • @Officereef760
    😎 Cool Kids⛰️AquascaperOwner
    Joined Aug 202627 posts133 pts📍 Hesperia, Ca
    🔧 Build Contributor
    Aug 22
    Im considering 54"x24"x16". The same configuration as yours.
    ▲ 0
  • @BackbayReef
    SCRM😎 Cool Kids🧠Reef Guru
    Joined May 2026265 posts1,033 pts★5.0(2)
    🔧 Build Contributor
    Aug 22
    @Officereef760 wrote: Im considering 54"x24"x16". The same configuration as yours.
    Mine is slightly bigger at 66x28x18 but yes, you can’t go wrong with these styles of sump. You can fit a ginormous skimmer in the middle and still got plenty of wiggle room.
    ▲ 0
  • @BackbayReef
    SCRM😎 Cool Kids🧠Reef Guru
    Joined May 2026265 posts1,033 pts★5.0(2)
    🔧 Build Contributor
    Aug 22· edited Sat, Aug 22 · 8:24 PM
    Speaking of skimmer - you’re planning to upgrade your BK 160? It should be able to handle your new tank, no? Edit: actually - perhaps not considering what you’re building! lol
    ▲ 0
  • @Officereef760
    😎 Cool Kids⛰️AquascaperOwner
    Joined Aug 202627 posts133 pts📍 Hesperia, Ca
    🔧 Build Contributor
    Aug 22
    I need to reach out to John to get an idea of price. I will order the new tank Saturday at RAP. I'm hoping I get it by December.
    ▲ 0
  • @Officereef760
    😎 Cool Kids⛰️AquascaperOwner
    Joined Aug 202627 posts133 pts📍 Hesperia, Ca
    🔧 Build Contributor
    Aug 22
    @BackbayReef wrote: Speaking of skimmer - you’re planning to upgrade your BK 160? It should be able to handle your new tank, no?
    I will need to upgrade. I want to do another Bubble King but I need to find it used. I like Royal Exclusive build quality. The skimmer has been set and forget. I've also tossed around a Reef Octopus.
    ▲ 0
  • @BackbayReef
    SCRM😎 Cool Kids🧠Reef Guru
    Joined May 2026265 posts1,033 pts★5.0(2)
    🔧 Build Contributor
    Aug 22
    @Officereef760 wrote: I will need to upgrade. I want to do another Bubble King but I need to find it used. I like Royal Exclusive build quality. The skimmer has been set and forget. I've also tossed around a Reef Octopus.
    I have a BK Supermarin 300, bought from BRS when they had a sale. It’s a beast and super quiet once burned in. I’m currently running ozone to it. RO is great as well. I have a used RO5000 as backup in case something bad happened to the BK (knock on e-wood, nothing will ever happen). Anyway, RO skimmers are great as well - they are a workhorse.
    ▲ 0
  • @ktran
    SCRM😎 Cool Kids⚡SPS Slinger
    Joined May 2026161 posts683 pts★5.0(1)📍 Tustin, CA
    🔧 Build Contributor
    Aug 22
    @Officereef760 wrote: I will need to upgrade. I want to do another Bubble King but I need to find it used. I like Royal Exclusive build quality. The skimmer has been set and forget. I've also tossed around a Reef Octopus.
    I'd recommend a Deltec too, awesome skimmers along with BK's
    ▲ 0
  • @Officereef760
    😎 Cool Kids⛰️AquascaperOwner
    Joined Aug 202627 posts133 pts📍 Hesperia, Ca
    🔧 Build Contributor
    Aug 22· edited Sat, Aug 22 · 8:41 PM
    I've looked at a few Deltec skimmers. I need to start doing some comparisons and be ready for a deal. @BackbayReef I remember when BRS closed out BK. They had insane deals on everything. I will share a list of equipment I need for the upgrade. It will be good to get feedback.
    ▲ 0
  • @wsoldier
    😎 Cool Kids⛰️Aquascaper
    Joined Aug 202632 posts140 pts📍 Burbank, CA
    Aug 23
    Absolutely stunning tank! Thanks for sharing!
    ▲ 0
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