Husker Reefer 350 build

[Husker_Reefer]

Reef2reef has been a great asset to setting up this new build.
After 2 years back in the hobby. Was time to upgrade the 40 gallon all in one.

Black Friday deal on this Reefer 350, looking back it saved me about $400 after Red sea's price increases.

Equipment list to start.

Apex EL
Neptune SKY
Varios 6 Return Pump
Ecotech-MP40
Bubble Magus Elite Curve 5
Neptune ATK ato
1 Neptune DOS for calcium and alk
Ink Bird heater controller with Finnex 300w
Aqua UV 15w Classic
custom plumbing

3 boxes of Caribsea Life rock arches and shapes
40 lbs of live sand

I have taken lots of ideas and inspiration from @SuncrestReef and @Leiph86 . Appreciate your wealth of knowledge!

Basement setup on new LVP flooring is a must. Carpet had to go. Still have trim board and the rest of the basement to finish. Getting the tank running was a priority!

 

[JachPot]

Just dropped in to say Boomer Sooner buddy

 

[Husker_Reefer]

Just dropped in to say Boomer Sooner buddy

Haha you guys got us! Can't wait for the rematch!!! Casey Thompson bring us a Husker victory

 

[JachPot]

Haha you guys got us! Can't wait for the rematch!!! Casey Thompson bring us a Sooner victory

I'm legit trying to go to that game this year. Great atmosphere when OU and Nebraska meet up!

 

[Husker_Reefer]

have had a few months to aquascape

My rockscape was designed for SPS dominance in mind- partial open negative space concept was the plan. Room for flow - and room for coral growth!! First try was successful. E-Marco cement made it possible to bring my idea to life…

 

[JachPot]

The right side with that really long "cave" arch is fantastic

 

[SuncrestReef]

Glad to hear my build helped you out. I recognize those PVC fittings connected to the Red Sea plumbing! Nice work.

 

[Husker_Reefer]

The right side with that really long "cave" arch is fantastic

Thank you many hours went in to it. Appreciate the words man. I’m with you on that game! One of the greatest rivalries in CFB!

 

[Husker_Reefer]

Glad to hear my build helped you out. I recognize those PVC fittings connected to the Red Sea plumbing! Nice work.

Yes yes that is a copied design! Your thread truly has helped out in many ways. As well as your Apex tutorials. Those are worth gold! Eager to see an update on your thread. Hope the rebuild is still going strong.

 

[SuncrestReef]

Yes yes that is a copied design! Your thread truly has helped out in many ways. As well as your Apex tutorials. Those are worth gold! Eager to see an update on your thread. Hope the rebuild is still going strong.

My rebuild has been complete for quite a while, at least from the equipment standpoint. But life has been busy in other ways, so I haven't gotten around to restocking the tank yet. Hopefully I'll have some new corals to show off in a couple of weeks when my local reefing club holds our next meeting and frag swap.

 

[blaxsun]

Like the setup!

 

[Husker_Reefer]

My sidekick supervising the initial fill of saltwater. Have been pleased with Brightwell Neomarine salt.

 

[Husker_Reefer]

Fast forward 6 weeks. Went through a quick cycle. Transferred some live rock rubble I had cooking in the sump of the old 40 gallon. Made it a breeze.

after signs of bacteria colonization added a few awesome acans and zoas from @Happy Fish KC live auction. Overall great corals and pleased with my purchase!

getting my Ca, Alk, and Mg dialed in.
320, 8.1 dkh, 1350 respectively.
Sitting with some low nitrates at the moment.

 

[Husker_Reefer]

Did a fair amount of research for lighting on this setup. On the 40g I had the ReefBreeders Photon V2+

It puts out great PAR. With white's at 50%, blue's at 60% during peak daylight, I am getting 450 PAR 6 inches under the water surface during agitation. With no water surface agitation it is at 500 plus.

I decided to go with the Neptune SKY's on the Reefer. The Apex interface and the different available preset color patterns are incredible features. Tested PAR and at 50% power on CoralGrowth setting- I'm at 350 PAR 6 inches under the surface. Super happy with this light so far.

Will be getting a 2nd SKY for the right side soon.


The Neptune hanging kit worked well. Racked my brain on getting the measurements precise for a couple hours. Mount board screwed into 3 studs.


Friend of mine @Martinbc hooked me up with 2 really nice chunky frags of Pink Cadillac and Frogskin.
Check out his build thread- He has had great success growing SPS and am thankful for his help on getting my setup dialed in.

1 clown
1 six-line wrasse (model citizen)
1 yellow watchmen goby

Transferred over from the 40. They are loving their larger new home!

 

[Husker_Reefer]

Thought I’d update

added roughly about 20 corals over the last month. All from local folks here in Nebraska. Think I’m at a stopping point for the time being ha.

very thankful for guys like this who cut me some healthy stuff off of BIG COLONIES

always in awe visiting this system. Work of art.

anyways- battling really low nutrients going to start dosing some minimal phosphate and nitrate until I can get my bioload established.

-few pics (crappy quality) sooner

pink caddy and pc Superman

forest fire, Oregon tort and miagi in the back

NY knicks torch

Lime in the sky

Colorado sunburst

 

[Husker_Reefer]

Blue eye bristletooth- sure is cool watching him pick at all the algae all day.