Brooklyn Reefer 200

[Kan123]

Hi all!

Welcome to my build thread. Some context to myself - I’ve been on/off reefing since 2014 and am coming out of a 2 year “off period” for various reasons. But wow am I excited to be back.

This reef is going to be special to me! Hoping to build my latest masterpiece.

Overall goals for the system:
- Automation, automation, automation (I find myself traveling frequently so need peace of mind)
- True mixed reef

Hardware overview:
- Reefer 200 g2 with ato+ and reef mat 250
- AI Hydra Edge 44 + AI blade grow
- Aquamaxx FC80 skimmer
- Jebao DCQ 5000 return
- 2x AI Nero 3
- BRS 200w heater
- Apex Jr

For dosing, I am planning to give the modern reef system a shot. While they are relatively new in the US, their methodology aligns well with mine!


Where am I today?
System is set up! Modern reef nitribac, biobac, biodiversity have been dosed to jumpstart the cycle 2 days ago. Planning to do a cycle with fish, and my 2 clownfish have been introduced today!

Come along as this system progresses :)

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[Kan123]

I think it’s time for an update! The past 2 months has been somewhat of eventful. Things are progressing, but still lots to do.

I’ve had 2-3 coral shipments over the past month. Mostly pieces to see how the system is doing. I also added 2 new fish (bicolor blenny and a helfriechi firefish). Unfortunately the firefish didn’t make it, my Autofeeder didn’t run for a week while traveling so the blenny started bullying it. I might try again, alongside adding other fish to disperse the aggression a little!

I did a copepod introduction about a month ago- definitely seeing a bunch on the glass at night but plan to add another dump in a week to get more diversity (only have acyclopods atm).

My main issue right now - extremely low nutrients. I have my skimmer drain plug open, it’s running just to oxygenate and truly break in. The reefmat is doing way too good of a job, phosphates sit at 0 and nitrates at 0 no matter what!

Current dosing:
- All for reef 3ml (will switch to modern reef in August or September once the new updated formula drops in the US
- phyto 15ml
- going to start neophos and neonitro until o get more fish introduced

 

[Kan123]

~ 3 months update time:

The past month my aquarium really went through the ugly phase. Cyano, dino, hair algae… yuck.

Took that opportunity to really beef up my clean up crew. Here’s a photo of my most recent batch (excluding the cleaner shrimp I added in too).

A week or two later, and things are looking so much better. I know the war isn’t over yet, but I’m much happier sitting in front of my tank now. Some beautiful new additions too! A replacement helfreichi firefish, a yellowfin wrasse and a linespot flasher wrasse.

Don’t underestimate the importance of open-swimming fish in your system. Within just a day of introducing the wrasses, I have found my clownfish, firefish and blenny exploring the system so much more. Open water fish signal to more conservative fish that things are safe, leading them to explore more. The aquarium feels alive now :)

Unfortunately most of my tester SPS have not made it. Fox flame, TNT anacropora, wwc yellow tips perished. I believe this is mostly due to pH. My ph swings like crazy, and dips astonishingly low (down to 7.6). Unstable pH + low nutrients can’t bode well for them. Thankfully my softies and LPS are thriving, already seeing some growth!

Upcoming upgrades :
- recirculating co2 scrubber. My ambient humidity is too low, so I have to replace the RODI water every 1-2 days at the bottom of the scrubber. Hopefully a recirculating system will fix this
- shifting from all for reef to modern reef in 1 month, once my alk consumption increases!