Gargamell's Reefer 170 build

Gargamell · Mar 19, 2017

So I am horrible with build threads...With that said I am going to attempt this again, this is not my first tank actually it is my 6th. I have been keeping saltwater tanks for about 7 years now. I started with the old biocube 12 then went to a 37 gallon column tank which I didn't like so I moved on to a 75 gal which wasn't bad then I downsized to a 60 cube which I really liked. We then put our house on the market and decided to put new flooring in so I got out till we sold our house. when we moved in sept of last year I had high hopes and purchased a 93 Gal cube my biggest to date all was ok until Christmas rolled around and that stupid Santa Claus brought a dog to my kids one which is 7 and the other 5, and not a little dog but a lab which is a lot of work. I decided I didn't have the time with 2 kids and a dog to keep on the maintenance on the 93 so I have always liked the look of the new reefer series tanks and got a deal on a used one I couldn't pass up so lets see if I can keep this updated.

So here is the new tank in it's place

Gargamell · Mar 19, 2017

I think part of my problem of keeping a thread updated is I just want to get stuff done and forget to stop and take pictures. It was a pretty easy fill on this one
from one tank to the other with a new bag of live sand reef grade.

I put all my live rock in a 20l long so I could work out a new scape. I planned on using the light I already had a 160w maxspect razor. I planned on using the hanging kit because it was only 3 inches longer than the tank. I was told by a few people it would look goofy but i figured it's only 1.5 inch overhang on each side it will be fine but when i just set it on the tank I hated it and knew that wasn't the route I wanted to go.

Gargamell · Mar 19, 2017

For lighting I decided to go to my LFS and see what they had for me, I decided to go with a used ocean revive t-247 that they had on a tank. I have had this light before and had decent results with it
I kinda just threw a scape together that fit in the tank. I thought I was happy with it but quickly changed my mind. I redid the scape with live rock and a couple of pieces that i acid washed

Gargamell · Mar 19, 2017

I ordered a cabinet because the cord management in this tank will be a bit much. Should be here on Tuesday so I am kinda of excited for that. I got a deal on a Radion that I couldn't pass up, I always thought I didn't need a radion, which I really don't but I am pretty impressed with the look of it, I did have to buy a mount for it so I went with a RMS which is pretty pricey for what it is but I am totally happy with the investment.

Gargamell · Mar 20, 2017

alright got the stand today and my replacement impeller for my jeabo dc-4000 pump that I got with the tank but made a horrible noise so I thought it would be worth the $13 dollars to see if that fixed it and it did, tank runs so quiet now. The bad news is I got the stand all put together to find out that there is a broken corner on the door so now I get to try to deal with that tomorrow. And apparently to put this stand together there needs to be music

Gargamell · Mar 20, 2017

I will start to build a control panel in this cabinet this weekend and it will also house a ato container. I just realized I haven't listed any of my equipment on this build and stocking plans. I am using a jeabo dct-4000 for my return pump and currently have 2 jeabo rw-4 powerheads, for lighting I am using a Radion Gen 3, and skimmer is the bubble magnus curve 5 and jbj ato. This tank currently has a Wyoming White clownfish, a yellow corris wrasse. This is going to be a SPS tank here is my stock list in this tank currently

RMF Raspberry Limeade Hyacinthus
Therman's Rainbow
Red Planet
Palmers Blue Milli
Upscales Microclados
Aussie Highlighter
Nookie Cookies
Yellow Finger Gorgonian
Jason Fox Bonsai
Jason fox Sour twist
CTR Red unknown
PC Rainbow
Forest Fire Digi
Green Slimer
Green Digi
Birds or paradise
Mother of pearl
Starburst cap
Poletti yellow tip
Purple Gorgonia

293482398 · Apr 6, 2017

Following!

Where did you order your stand, it seems perfect for handing the electronics on this small tanks.

Gargamell · Apr 6, 2017

I actually ordered it on amazon I was just having a hard time on cord management on this tank and it fits my ato container also

Gargamell · Apr 8, 2017

Finally got my side cabinet finished up today , got my control panel built and ato container all setup

MtrSkllz · May 7, 2017

Gargamell said:
I actually ordered it on amazon I was just having a hard time on cord management on this tank and it fits my ato container also

Do you have a link for it, its basically perfect for what i need and i am having a hard time finding anything similar. I really like the way you set it up.

Charles Weller · Jun 1, 2017

I'd be interested in a link as well, as I'm currently in the process of building a reefer 170 as well.

MtrSkllz · Jun 2, 2017

Charles Weller said:
I'd be interested in a link as well, as I'm currently in the process of building a reefer 170 as well.

Pretty sure this is the one he used

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01D9MW1D4/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I3POEOSSOJSILB&colid=T3ZLCT4ACRP1

I ended up using this one from IKEA and getting two of them stacked on top of eachother

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90333938/

Charles Weller · Jun 2, 2017

I decided to build my own. Bought Rubbermaid laminate boards from Lowes. Was too hard to find one that would fit where I needed it to and be the same height as the stand. I Still have to attach the hinges to the door panel and layout the controllers on it.

Gargamell · Jun 3, 2017

Yes this ts the one I used https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...=I3POEOSSOJSILB&colid=T3ZLCT4ACRP1&pldnSite=1
Charles that is a good looking cabinet you made, I like it my homemade stuff never turns out good so I decided to be happy with one that was a tad taller.

Gargamell · Jun 3, 2017

mtrskllz I would have totally used one of those from Ikea if it came in black.

Charles Weller · Jun 3, 2017

Gargamell said:
Yes this ts the one I used https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...=I3POEOSSOJSILB&colid=T3ZLCT4ACRP1&pldnSite=1
Charles that is a good looking cabinet you made, I like it my homemade stuff never turns out good so I decided to be happy with one that was a tad taller.

I was surprised how well it turned out myself. I don't have a table saw, so I worked out all the measurements and then had the guy at Lowes cut the pieces for me. All I needed to do was to screw them together. I haven't attached the door yet, still planning out how I want to mount the controllers. That's the part that I'm concerned about, I hate mounting hinges lol.

Gargamell · Aug 2, 2017

So I decided to do away with the radion for now and went back to a 6 bulb ati t-5. I think for the most part I like the on off function, with the radion I found myself tampering too much.