First Reef Tank- Red Sea Reefer170 Deluxe
- Thread starter ChicagoShoop
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splitting_lanes
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They all look good.
my scape in my 170 is around 12 inches, and it’s the same scape I had in my biocube, which was a shorter tank. While the scape looked good in the biocube, anything that grew on top reached the surface.
so, the lower scape may look too low when nothing has grown on it yet, but it will give you some vertical space for corals that grow up, or macro algae, or anemones, etc..
my scape in my 170 is around 12 inches, and it’s the same scape I had in my biocube, which was a shorter tank. While the scape looked good in the biocube, anything that grew on top reached the surface.
so, the lower scape may look too low when nothing has grown on it yet, but it will give you some vertical space for corals that grow up, or macro algae, or anemones, etc..
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ChicagoShoop
Active Member
Alright everybody. Tank fully set up and running. Took forever to make enough rodi water for this as I went with a slower unit from BRS to ensure the lowest possible TDS. I wish I opted for the output reader and pressure gauge but already was forking out a lot of cash the last two weeks. Will upgrade in the near future. Used the Red Sea pro salt and mixed each 4 gallon batch for about 1.5 hrs. That sure took a long time! Everything went pretty smooth except for the fact that my return pipe was not threaded in all the way, made a small mess inside the cabinet. Other than that the only other challenging thing was finding the right balance for water level in the overflow box and then topping off the sump. Only because it was my first time. The varios4 pump is running at level 3 currently and is super quiet. Very impressed. Skimmer is going nuts but that was expected. Other than that, I’m waiting for the finnex heater to bring my temp up to 78. Went from 63 to 67 in about an hour or so. Any suggestions as to when to take my first salinity reading? Was planning on waiting for the tank to reach my desired temp before doing so.
MP10 pump should be delivered any minute now along with a back up heater for water changes. Tomorrow I’ll run to the LFS and grab some bac and skip the normal cycle and add some clowns in right away. LFS has a pair of Wyoming whites that looks great, think I’ll go with those.
Almost forgot. While I’m very impressed with the reefer 170, the only let down was the bricked light from Red Sea.... ReefLED 90. Upon connection, both leds were solid and went through trouble shooting with RS. Nothing worked so they are sending out a brand new light. Great customer service! Works out though, will give the new clowns 24-48 hrs to acclimate to the tank before light. Updates to come when I add the fish along with the bac tomorrow.
MP10 pump should be delivered any minute now along with a back up heater for water changes. Tomorrow I’ll run to the LFS and grab some bac and skip the normal cycle and add some clowns in right away. LFS has a pair of Wyoming whites that looks great, think I’ll go with those.
Almost forgot. While I’m very impressed with the reefer 170, the only let down was the bricked light from Red Sea.... ReefLED 90. Upon connection, both leds were solid and went through trouble shooting with RS. Nothing worked so they are sending out a brand new light. Great customer service! Works out though, will give the new clowns 24-48 hrs to acclimate to the tank before light. Updates to come when I add the fish along with the bac tomorrow.
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ChicagoShoop
Active Member
Today is the day. Tank has been running for about 36 hrs or so and no leaks or anything. Water looks great. Going to test my alk levels and then head to the LFS for some fritz bac and pick up my first two clowns. Bought a handful of frags on an online sale yesterday and those will go in the tank Tuesday. Will pick up something to dip the new frags in while I’m out today.
the science behind the skip cycles is truly remarkable. Looking forward to giving it a go.
the science behind the skip cycles is truly remarkable. Looking forward to giving it a go.
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ChicagoShoop
Active Member
Salinity reading 1.025
Alk 9.5 dkh
Ca 360 ppm
Mg - no reading. couldn’t get part B of test kit to drop fluid
Ph 8.3
Using Red Sea pro salt. Whose parameters are below:
Looks like maybe it’s user error on the testing. Look forward to purchasing the Hannah checkers to eliminate the possibility of future errors. For now I’ll do my best and confirm test results with LFS.
Alk 9.5 dkh
Ca 360 ppm
Mg - no reading. couldn’t get part B of test kit to drop fluid
Ph 8.3
Using Red Sea pro salt. Whose parameters are below:
| Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Salinity | 35 ppt (1.025 sg) |
| Calcium | 450 - 480 ppm |
| Magnesium | 1350 - 1430 ppm |
| Alkalinity | 11.5 - 12.5 dKH |
Looks like maybe it’s user error on the testing. Look forward to purchasing the Hannah checkers to eliminate the possibility of future errors. For now I’ll do my best and confirm test results with LFS.
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ChicagoShoop
Active Member
Returned from the LFS where they tested my parameters. Updated results show :
Salinity reading 1.025
Alk 11.2 dkh
Ca 460ppm
Ph 8.4
Clearly user error on my end. Will test a few more times today to see if I get closer to the stores readings.
Poured in large bottle of fritz turbo start and water was very cloudy. While waiting for that to clear I drip acclimated my two clowns. Both look to be very happy together and while I don’t think they are technically paired up, they have not left each other’s side. I have a small bottle of fritz that I will pour in tomorrow as well. Fingers crossed the first 24hrs go well.
Salinity reading 1.025
Alk 11.2 dkh
Ca 460ppm
Ph 8.4
Clearly user error on my end. Will test a few more times today to see if I get closer to the stores readings.
Poured in large bottle of fritz turbo start and water was very cloudy. While waiting for that to clear I drip acclimated my two clowns. Both look to be very happy together and while I don’t think they are technically paired up, they have not left each other’s side. I have a small bottle of fritz that I will pour in tomorrow as well. Fingers crossed the first 24hrs go well.
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ChicagoShoop
Active Member
24 hrs in and all looks well! Fish are happy, fed them a little and tested ammonia. API came back at 0, cloudy yellow. I’m sure there is some there but we all know how those tests are. Also just did a 10% water change just because why not be proactive. Also added another small bottle of fritz turbo start, ¾ in display tank and ¼ in the sump. I’m sure there is good bac in there now but doesn’t hurt to have a little more. Waiting on FedEx to deliver my replacement ReefLED 90 light. Should be here any minute.
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ChicagoShoop
Active Member
So far this is an awesome set up. Love everything about it except for the led that was bricked day one. New one coming today, free replacement from Red Sea.
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ChicagoShoop
Active Member
Yea this is a very slick setup so far. I am really enjoying it. My only complaint is that i didn't go with a 250 or 350 now that its all set up. If the budget allows, I would definitely opt for a larger setup. Just my 2 cents.Very nice looking so far! I'm also looking into the Reefer 170 or 250 and you're making the decision a little easier
splitting_lanes
Active Member
I have a reefer 170 and love it. If I was looking at a new one, I’d probably go with the reefer 300. The 200/300s have leveling feet on them.Very nice looking so far! I'm also looking into the Reefer 170 or 250 and you're making the decision a little easier
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ChicagoShoop
Active Member
48hrs in and 2 feedings later, ammonia still testing cloudy yellow or "0 ppm"..... Got the new ReefLED 90 up and running and set on a 60 day acclimation period. Placed 10 frags in the tank, temp spots for now, frag rack arriving tomorrow. Stopped by a new LFS and picked up 3 new life rocks, one shelf for the bottom and two branches to fill out open space, might grab a few more on the next trip.
Other than that, fish are still very happy as am I! I will post another update with my frags on the rack and hopefully i can get some advice as to where final placement should be.
Other than that, fish are still very happy as am I! I will post another update with my frags on the rack and hopefully i can get some advice as to where final placement should be.
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ChicagoShoop
Active Member
Frag rack coming today, for now the frags are sitting on rocks and have already opened up nicely. Below is a list of what i purchased:
Tank Raised Duncan
ARC Golden Galaxea
Orange Ricordea Mushroom
Nice Watermelon Chalice
Cherry Blasto
An unknown Acan, any help identifying would be great!
Utter Chaos
Bowser Paly
Neon Green Cyphastrea
Tyree Baby's Breath Favia
Tank Raised Duncan
ARC Golden Galaxea
Orange Ricordea Mushroom
Nice Watermelon Chalice
Cherry Blasto
An unknown Acan, any help identifying would be great!
Utter Chaos
Bowser Paly
Neon Green Cyphastrea
Tyree Baby's Breath Favia
SebastianReefer
Active Member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2020
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Well welcome to our community it’s a lot of fun!!
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ChicagoShoop
Active Member
I have not, dont have a meter, would need to check with LFS to borrow or rent one. I believe red sea has values posted out there somewhere though. I can try to find them.
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ChicagoShoop
Active Member
Thanks! Loving every minute of this already.
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