Brad's Reefer 350!!

[Hobbesaurus]

Hey all my name is Brad, I've been lurking away here on R2R for a while now but it's finally time for me to make my first post! So here we go!

I'm about 3 years into the hobby and finally ready to setup my second reef tank after having torn down my previous/first one while moving to California about a year ago. Imgur album of that setup for anyone interested.

After months of reading reviews, watching videos, and lurking other build threads; I've decided on using the Red Sea Reefer 350 as my tank of choice. I just placed my order for one with a white stand over the weekend and expect it to be delivered to the house within the next few weeks.

Here's a few general rules/goals I expect to follow while setting up this build:

• Minimal clutter (every cable has its place)
  
• Asymmetrical rock work with simple design and depth
  
• Large open sand bed
  
• Clean sump configuration (keep it as simple as possible, easy to clean/work in)
• Control, everything needs to be on wifi to be monitored

So here's my parts list of what's going on to start:

>>>The Money Shot<<<

• Hardware
  
  • Red Sea Reefer 350 (White)
  • 1x Ecotech MP40QD
  • 2x Ecotech Radion XR15 Gen3 Pro's
  • 2x Ecotech RMS
  • 1x Ecotech Vectra M1
  • 1x Ecotech Reeflink
  • 1x NYOS Quantum 120
    
  • 1x Apex Neptune Gold (on pre-order)
  • 2x Cobalt NeoTherm 150W Heaters
  • 2x AquaMaxx Media Reactors (Standard Size)
  • 1x iPad Mini

• Substrate/Filtration Media
  
  • 30lbs Real Reef Rock
  • 80lbs CaribSea Arag Alive! Fiji Pink Sand (4 bags)
  • 2qt Box MarinePure 1.5-Inch Sphere Bio-Filter Media
  • AquaMaxx ROX 0.8 Carbon
  • ROWAphos GFO

Additionally, I really enjoy cable management, so we're goin hard in the paint on this one!

Based off some other designs I've seen on here for the Reefer series, I really feel that a hard-plumbed manifold is the right way to go. Below is a link that shows my expected manifold/sump layout along with a rough idea of how I'd like the rock work to look.

>>>Please excuse the turd-shaped rocks<<<

Some items for future additions as well:

• Biopellet reactor
• 2nd MP40QD (if necessary)
• Apex Modules! AFS, Leak Detection, DOS, etc.
• ATO - Ideally setting up something that will connect directly to my RO/DI system... Would like to use the upcoming Apex mechanical/optical sensor and a solenoid, other option is the Tunze 3155

Some points that I'm not yet so certain on that I'd appreciate your advice and input on are as follows:

• How exactly should I run my manifold? I've got another gate valve and more unions than you can shake a stick at.
• I want to make a dashboard to mount the controllers inside the chiller compartment, not yet sure how it will mount to the tank. Ideas are certainly welcome! Curious if others with the reefer series have drilled screws directly into the stand or just used tons of double sided tape.

Anyway, thanks everybody for checking out the build thread... I'm excited to take this on and will be posting plenty additional pictures along the way!

 

[Sabellafella]

Hey all my name is Brad, I've been lurking away here on R2R for a while now but it's finally time for me to make my first post! So here we go!

I'm about 3 years into the hobby and finally ready to setup my second reef tank after having torn down my previous/first one while moving to California about a year ago. Imgur album of that setup for anyone interested.

After months of reading reviews, watching videos, and lurking other build threads; I've decided on using the Red Sea Reefer 350 as my tank of choice. I just placed my order for one with a white stand over the weekend and expect it to be delivered to the house within the next few weeks.

Here's a few general rules/goals I expect to follow while setting up this build:

• Minimal clutter (every cable has its place)
  
• Asymmetrical rock work with simple design and depth
  
• Large open sand bed
  
• Clean sump configuration (keep it as simple as possible, easy to clean/work in)
• Control, everything needs to be on wifi to be monitored

So here's my parts list of what's going on to start:

>>>The Money Shot<<<

• Hardware
  • Red Sea Reefer 350 (White)
  • 1x Ecotech MP40QD
  • 2x Ecotech Radion XR15 Gen3 Pro's
  • 2x Ecotech RMS
  • 1x Ecotech Vectra M1
  • 1x Ecotech Reeflink
  • 1x NYOS Quantum 120
    
  • 1x Apex Neptune Gold (on pre-order)
  • 2x Cobalt NeoTherm 150W Heaters
  • 2x AquaMaxx Media Reactors (Standard Size)
  • 1x iPad Mini

• Substrate/Filtration Media
  • 30lbs Real Reef Rock
  • 80lbs CaribSea Arag Alive! Fiji Pink Sand (4 bags)
  • 2qt Box MarinePure 1.5-Inch Sphere Bio-Filter Media
  • AquaMaxx ROX 0.8 Carbon
  • ROWAphos GFO

Additionally, I really enjoy cable management, so we're goin hard in the paint on this one!

Based off some other designs I've seen on here for the Reefer series, I really feel that a hard-plumbed manifold is the right way to go. Below is a link that shows my expected manifold/sump layout along with a rough idea of how I'd like the rock work to look.

>>>Please excuse the turd-shaped rocks<<<

Some items for future additions as well:

• Biopellet reactor
• 2nd MP40QD (if necessary)
• Apex Modules! AFS, Leak Detection, DOS, etc.
• ATO - Ideally setting up something that will connect directly to my RO/DI system... Would like to use the upcoming Apex mechanical/optical sensor and a solenoid, other option is the Tunze 3155

Some points that I'm not yet so certain on that I'd appreciate your advice and input on are as follows:

• How exactly should I run my manifold? I've got another gate valve and more unions than you can shake a stick at.
• I want to make a dashboard to mount the controllers inside the chiller compartment, not yet sure how it will mount to the tank. Ideas are certainly welcome! Curious if others with the reefer series have drilled screws directly into the stand or just used tons of double sided tape.

Anyway, thanks everybody for checking out the build thread... I'm excited to take this on and will be posting plenty additional pictures along the way!

Awesome!!!! Have you checkedout the reefer series thread?

 

[Hobbesaurus]

Awesome!!!! Have you checkedout the reefer series thread?

For sure! I just figured I should probably make an official build thread :)

 

[Sabellafella]

For sure! I just figured I should probably make an official build thread :)

I thought a about puttin screws in my stand but havnt done it yet, it should be fine, ive seen some people drill a bunch of holes in and out so who knows. Youll have the vectra so you can ajust your flow, You could run a couple ball valves off your manifold for equipment too

 

[bknapp]

Sounds like you've got a good set up planned!

 

[Hobbesaurus]

I thought a about puttin screws in my stand but havnt done it yet, it should be fine, ive seen some people drill a bunch of holes in and out so who knows. Youll have the vectra so you can ajust your flow, You could run a couple ball valves off your manifold for equipment too

Yeah, I've got a couple gate valves plumbed on it so far, but I'm trying to figure out how it's all going to fit once I begin the install... I've got one more to add but need to figure where to fit it in and whether or not it'd be mounted directly to the left wall of the stand... As for the screw thing, I figure it should be okay but any time I'm drilling into a particle board (or whatever the stand is made of) I get a little nervous o_O. Thanks for the input!

 

[Hobbesaurus]

Sounds like you've got a good set up planned!

Thanks! Any input is welcomed

 

[Napa Reefer]

Nice!! Following...

 

[smokin'reefer]

I have drilled and mounted a few things on my 450. One thing I would suggest is to mark your driilbit so you dont overpenatrate.

Also I have a bit of a more simplistic dashboard. My skills and attention to detail couldn't match Broadfields, but I feel mine gives me what I need access to by just opening door and still have room for storage in cabinet.

Good luck and reef2reef has been great source for inspiration and information for me.

 

[Hobbesaurus]

I have drilled and mounted a few things on my 450. One thing I would suggest is to mark your driilbit so you dont overpenatrate.

This sounds very useful, I'll definitely take your advice on this! One question though... Did you do this to pre-drill your holes before driving a screw in? Or did you use some other kind of method?

 

[smokin'reefer]

This sounds very useful, I'll definitely take your advice on this! One question though... Did you do this to pre-drill your holes before driving a screw in? Or did you use some other kind of method?

Exactly, predrilling. Also drilled 4 holes to mount 1X4 dash and used 4 small screen door bolt latches so it can be removed for instalation or maintenance.

 

[revhtree]

Welcome to R2R and following along!

I can tell you that you will get a much better response if you upload some photos here instead of just linking them. Thanks!

 

[Hobbesaurus]

Welcome to R2R and following along!

I can tell you that you will get a much better response if you upload some photos here instead of just linking them. Thanks!

Okay, good point... I'll go ahead and post those pics here since I can't seem to update my original thread post :P (unless you can help me fix that!)

The haul of goodies:

The planned cable management:

And the proposed rock work that look like turds:

 

[Jahalu]

This looks nicely planned out. I can't wait to see pics of your cable management. Perhaps it will inspire me to do something about my spaghetti :)

 

[Hobbesaurus]

This looks nicely planned out. I can't wait to see pics of your cable management. Perhaps it will inspire me to do something about my spaghetti :)

Thanks! Step one is going to be to straighten out the cables that have been bundled up in the packaging... To do that I'll hang them in a closet or something and let gravity do it's thing over the course of a week.

 

[new2mac]

Okay, good point... I'll go ahead and post those pics here since I can't seem to update my original thread post :p (unless you can help me fix that!)

The haul of goodies:

The planned cable management:

And the proposed rock work that look like turds:

Holly smoke, now that'll make some of us really, badly, evil envy

 

[revhtree]

That's a stack of goodies!

 

[Scubafrog]

WOW, great looking build (planning) so far. Interest to see the finished product.

 

[Clarksski]

How's the build going brad? More importantly, the cable/wire management... Any new pics?

 

[Hobbesaurus]

How's the build going brad? More importantly, the cable/wire management... Any new pics?

Hey All, Sorry for the delay but I've been on vacation in Phoenix doing some wedding planning/organizing and have been neglecting my updates! But I'll share with you all what's been happening so far.

So as I mentioned, I've been attempting to straighten out my cables a bit by putting gravity to work... some still look a bit crooked but I'll manage

Also worth noting, I got a packaged from the freight company... the tank has arrived!! (please ignore the messy garage!)

Upon initial inspection, everything was looking good... No cracks, all parts accounted for, etc...

Everything was looking good until I pulled the display out of the packaging and discovered that the styrofoam they used to package the tank had peeled back and bunched up the black vinyl backing of the tank in two of the corners

Styrofoam imprint stuck on the vinyl

Affecting the top left corner...

And the bottom left corner as well...

You can see above it's not like the glass was damaged in any way and I discovered I can remove the vinyl with ease without leaving much in the way of residue; however, I really wanted to have the black background and the idea of being able to see cables running down the back of the tank would forever haunt me if I just left it be.

So with that said I did end up contacting Red Sea to see about what can be done to remedy the situation as I was pretty unsure what to expect... As it turns out they just wanted me to show proof of purchase, fill out an RMA form, and snap a few pictures of the damage to kick off the process. Now they're sending me another display to replace the one I have. When I asked how they intend for me to get the damaged one back since it's a PITA to ship and the boxes have been torn apart they informed me that "that's up to you the customer to decide how you want to dispose of it..."o_O
So now it seems I'm going to have an extra display to 'dispose of'... I'll probably find someone else in my local area reefkeeping club to help me 'dispose of it'

Also worth noting that I've been stalling on the installation of any cable management for the time being... I'm still waiting for my preorder of the new Apex to ship out from BRS and really don't want to begin mounting anything until I have it in hand. It's going to be the center of the majority of all cables so it seems to make sense to hold off until I can see the sizing of everything in person (in my head anyway)

I'm still torn on the whole idea of creating a display board for the controllers/apex vs. just mounting them in an organized fashion to the existing internal walls of the chiller compartment... I'm almost thinking to just attach everything to the wall and mount the iPad to the inside of the door for ease of access. Ideas and thoughts are still welcome on this topic, would love for someone to convince me to do it one way or the other.

I promise to be a better OP going forward and keep the updates coming!