Another Risk, reefer 350

[Risk1994]

So my dream tank has been offered for sale, I trust the seller and its exactly what I want...a red sea reefer 350.

Comes with...

• Deltec DC skimmer.
• Ecotech return (M1 I think)
• custom stealth sump.

Its a good price and was well maintained. Here is what Im considering...

• 48" Hybrid T5HO 4x54W Fixture - Aquatic Life
• A360W-E Tuna Blue LED (Wide Angle) - Kessil x2
• VorTech MP40QD - EcoTech Marine x2
• ApexEL Controller System - Neptune Systems
• DOS Dosing and Fluid Metering System - Neptune Systems x2
• Compact Rollermat - Theiling
• 4 Stage Value Plus 150GPD Water Saver RO/DI System - Bulk Reef Supply (I have city water and high pressure)
• UV sterilizer
• bioblock
• 2 part dosing

I love LPS but will try a few SPS as tank matures. Im going heavy on fish. I've learned my lesson on having a tank too low on nutrients. I want a minimalist look so lots of negative space with aqauascape.
I want the best shot at success so Im going for T5 plus Kessil which I love. I also want to reduce daily chores as much as possible hence the rollermat. I do NOT want to deal with water changes at this scale so Im going to be doing autoWC using DOS and Apex. Filterwise Im going to keep it simple.. rollermat, skimmer, bioblock, UV. No fuge (mistake?). Cant decide on sand/barebottom.

After having a 10g for years this is a really big jump. Im a little nervous. How does my setup sound?

 

[Risk1994]

Well too late now...took the plunge...



Looks like there will be some vinegar purchases in my future.

 

[Risk1994]

Lots of Vinegar...100% for pumps, 50% or less for the rest.

 

[Risk1994]

Cant tell you how fun it is spending the day in 35 degrees elbow deep in freezing vinegar water.
Thank goodness the tank came with heaters. Was able to test them out, clean them and keep the water warm all in one shot.

 

[Risk1994]

Been complaining about the vinegar, but holy smokes does it work.....

before...


After...
This is with ZERO scrubbing, overnight in 50% vinegar, then shot with freezing cold garden hose set to jet.
This overflow was absolutely covered in calcium deposits!

 

[Risk1994]

Came out really nice...but holy smokes is it cold.



Onto the sump..custom stealth geared toward Triton method (which I wont be doing) notice the extra large refugium chamber with no socks (and no bubble trap)
This is actually good for me, I plan to use a compact rollermat, so dont need the sock holders.

 

[Risk1994]

Sump cleaned up fantastic. Although its really scratched up, this may have been my fault, I thought it was glass and probably scratched it while cleaning....no good deed goes unpunished.




Going to attack it with some acrylic cleaner....

 

[Risk1994]

More work than I planned, I didnt want to go too OCD on it. I kept telling myself "its just the sump, its just the sump"

Still, it looks better. (really tough to photograph a lack of scratches, there are still some to be sure, but much better.

 

[Risk1994]

Onto the stand. I dont have a good before pic, suffice it to say the sump area and opposite cabinet were covered in salt deposits/dirt.

It cleaned up nicely.



It was missing several feet. I replaced them all with these. They're beefier than the originals.

 

[Risk1994]

These cleaned up really nicely.

Nothing but the best. I think I may use the extra VarioS-8 pump for the UV, rather than plumb it off the return. Although that my be overkill. Im tuning it
for fish parasites not algae and that requires a lower flow. I guess we'll see.

 

[Risk1994]

So here's where the tank will be going....

Nice empty space will fit the 350 perfectly (and an outlet and sink nearby to boot!)...I was a little worried about making that pathway crowded...but I guess we'll see.


That door opens into the basement steps. I was really concerned about the weight of the tank. However there's a TON of engineered lumber under that spot and several lally columns. I gather this is a normal place to put them. I seriously doubt there's any lack of re-inforcement under there.

The issue is the basements finished and the ceiling under this area is covered in sheetrock, so its going to be extremely difficult running tubes for my auto water changes.

 

[Risk1994]

So the plan is to set up a mixing station in the basement. I plan to tie the RO into this line going out the the backyard. I have no drain in the basement however directly below this spot is the sump pump. If there's any leak it would go directly into it.

Its shut off in the winter which will make it more convenient to tie into as I'm terrible at sweating copper. Ill have to add another valve but that's ok.


This is the are under that pipe. You can see the sump. (pay no attention to those wires, was doing some work to them) I'd LOVE to put the whole mixing station here, unfortunately its tough to access..there's only a small space shimmy through to get to it. I just know I'll neglect checking on things like the RO cartridges, plus my water containers wouldn't fit through. Ill have to run the RO tubing into the area just outside of here for convenience.

 

[Risk1994]

First attempt at soldering the manifold...I hate soldering...obviously


second attempt...much better, took lots of practice.


Well here it is...no leaks! I used a sheild so as to not burn up the joist like whoever did that valve on the left. Now I can use the faucet adapter that comes with the RO unit.



I know I know, I could have used that self piercing saddle valve and saved myself all the trouble. Frankly Im just not comfortable with that thing, just looks like trouble...



Plus I have this issue...my house normally runs over 100 psi. This has to increase the leak risk of that saddle valve. Also I think its bad for the RO unit seals.


So here's my solution...was $25 from Amazon. Its an RV pressure regulating valve that fits on a hose bib. Now I can dial in whatever pressure I want. Looks like BRS recommends 70psi, so there we go.

 

[Risk1994]

bringing this thread over from NanoReef as I go...hope Im not breaking any rules. It's not really a nano tank anymore and would like to start contributing to R2R.

 

[sharkbait-uhaha]

Awesome stuff, I too picked up a reefer 350 and going to start setting it up soon. Will deff be following your build.

 

[Risk1994]

Need help picking an ATO.

I ran 3 sets of 1/4" RO tubing from the tank to the basement. 2 for AWC and one for ATO. I also ran an aquabus cable as the DOS will live there.

The reservoir will be in the basement so needs to go up one floor and horizontal about 30ft. Since Im going Apex I considered the ATK but seems that motor might not be capable (plus it seems to have lots of reported issues)

My concern is also that I dont want to run additional cables to the basement...its not easy to do in my case. Since Im already running an aquabus cable, is there some way to use the Apex to monitor sump level, then trigger some third party pump in the basement using the existing AB cable, daisy chained off the DOS?

I spoke to Tunze who seem to think the osmolator can do it. However for sure Ill need another cable for that.

I'd love to get the Apex to do it using the existing AB cable...any ideas?

 

[Risk1994]

So after a bunch of reading and phone calls I decided on the following solution for ATO....

Got an Apex LDK (leak detection kit) and a couple of optical sensors. With this the apex can monitor Sump levels. For the pump I got an Avast diaphram pump. From what I've read this should be able to pull a prime up from the basement and run dry is not an issue. This way I need NO cables going to the basement, just the RO tubing. Also it comes with some leak sensors I can put around the display. I got the one with the Apex 12VDC so dont need to use an outlet for a cleaner install.

If it turns out it needs to go in the basement I can move the FMM down there and daisy chain it to the DOS.

 

[Risk1994]

Aaand this happened...

 

[Risk1994]

Going to order another tank, cover my eyes at the cost and move on like it never happened...

 

[58e970b2-3f88-4897-87ba-5]

That is rough. Every reefers worst fear when moving a tank.
Did that happen when it was just being rolled on the dollies (without bumping the tank into anything)?