A unique Reefer 300XL build (Remote sump)

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Completely forgot to post a few pics of the room in general since adding some shelves for dry goods and got my frag saw on a fold-down shelf.

Still need a third light over the frag tank but as I am running 2 Gen 4 Radion XR30 pros I either have to wait till I can find a second-hand third one or order 3 Gen 5's. I am intrigued by the new Neptune Sky too though.

Amazing!

 

[ReefRondo]

That's not a million miles away from me. Was working over in that area a few weeks ago. Chemring Explosives. Between Irvine & Kilwinning

Yup I know exactly where you were. Very close to our garden centre.

 

[ReefRondo]

Amazing!

Thanks buddy! What a journey this has been.

 

[ReefRondo]

Well sadly this morning I came in to a flooded room (Thankfully I had the flooring completely sealed and a dam created at the door so the water was all contained and nothing damaged at all. After some searching I found that my sump was leaking. Absolutely gutted…I have spent all morning cleaning up, draining it and then removing all plumbing and wiring to get the sump out and dried out for the repair. Will keep you posted!

https://youtube.com/shorts/jaHxXglsIBo?feature=share

 

[ReefRondo]

So I contacted the manufacturer of the sump who offered to come all the way up to Scotland to rebond the sump. Amazing offer but I’m sure I can handle sealing one seam. Could I have any advice you can offer on the best way to tackle this. The sump manufacturer is sending me a bottle of Tensol 12 acrylic solvent but I’m not entirely sure how to use it. I’ve watched videos on how to use it on a new join but this is a tiny leak. Just run some into the gap? I also read about using superglue however I know it can leave a real mess. Any advice appreciated.

 

[dlaird76]

So I contacted the manufacturer of the sump who offered to come all the way up to Scotland to rebond the sump. Amazing offer but I’m sure I can handle sealing one seam. Could I have any advice you can offer on the best way to tackle this. Ben from Reeftech is sending me a bottle of Tensol 12 acrylic solvent but I’m not entirely sure how to use it. I’ve watched videos on how to use it on a new join but this is a tiny leak. Just run some into the gap? I also read about using superglue however I know it can leave a real mess. Any advice appreciated.

If you are not entirely sure I would take the manufacturer up on their offer if it isn't to late. Sorry to hear about the leak. Well done on designing your room so it caused no damage. At least that's a positive.

 

[ReefRondo]

No sign of the acrylic solvent yet so decided to go and get some myself. Sump fully sealed, leak tested, tank filled with fresh water and full system fired up to leak test everything. Passed with flying colours. Drained and refilled with salt water, rock out of its salty bath and with the help of one of my members of staff (Jamie the absolute legend) we got it into the tank. Crazy heavy! Xport bricks from my other tanks added and my Divinci clowns added. Mad to think how long this has taken but the tank is finally running!

All seams resealed

large garden tray under the sump just in case for the leak test.

Stressful few moments but myself and Jamie got it in perfectly.

Water will clear by tomorrow I think and then I’ll give it some settling time and then add a few more fish and once my trident is fixed (knackered right out the box) I’ll add some corals and get my dosing all organised.

 

[ReefRondo]

So I came into work this morning and it seems I have a very minor bacterial bloom. Just a light cloud in the tank. Everything seems ok though. I probably overdosed the MB7.

 

[dlaird76]

Well done on your perseverance and congrats on the repair job. That aquascape looks even more impressive now that its in the tank. Are you going bare bottom? Apologies if youve already confirmed this.

 

[ReefRondo]

Well done on your perseverance and congrats on the repair job. That aquascape looks even more impressive now that its in the tank. Are you going bare bottom? Apologies if youve already confirmed this.

Thanks buddy appreciate the kind words and thank you for continuing to check in on my thread. Very kind of you. Yes bare bottom. I covered the outside of the base of the tank in white vinyl to give me lots of reflection and the illusion of sand and I have to say it has worked really well.
bacterial bloom cleared overnight with my UV running.

 

[dlaird76]

Good to hear. Happy the UV worked out. Gonna enjoy watching this on grow.

 

[ReefRondo]

Got my first few fish in and a few small coral frags from my larger colonies in my frag system. Within minutes polyps were out and things seem really happy. I am hoping that Jake Adams opinion on throwing the corals in nice and early for biodiversity works out. Also got my net cover built and customised for my setup.

 

[blaxsun]

Really enjoyed catching up on this build. I think the part I enjoyed most was your organization, layout, wiring and cable management! (ticked off all my OCD boxes!) I have the Marco shelf rock myself. Fish love it! Great job on the build - love the "fish room"!

 

[ReefRondo]

Really enjoyed catching up on this build. I think the part I enjoyed most was your organization, layout, wiring and cable management! (ticked off all my OCD boxes!) I have the Marco shelf rock myself. Fish love it! Great job on the build - love the "fish room"!

Thanks man very kind of you to take the time to read and comment.

 

[ReefRondo]

Diatoms starting!

 

[ReefRondo]

 

[dlaird76]

Not looking to bad for the ugly stage so far. How are the tester corals doing?

 

[ReefRondo]

Not looking to bad for the ugly stage so far. How are the tester corals doing?

I am terrible with coral names and always try and make notes of them but then the frag tank all moves etc and I lose track. The tricolour Acro is encrusting as are a few others. Only one acro is dying off on one side but it is right in line of one of my MP40’s. Can’t believe after only a few days of the tank being wet and acros have survived. I’m surprised myself. I think having those xport bricks in multiple sumps for months before getting this system wet has made a huge difference. Will be interesting to see what happens next though. I need to get more snails soon I think.

 

[James_O]

Looking good!

 

[ReefRondo]

Looking good!

Thank you so much for checking it out buddy. Appreciate it.