James Tucker
Active Member
James’ Red Sea Reefer 350 V3
I've been letting the tank kind of chill for a few years now. Mostly ups, with a few downs. Still learning!
Dosing All-For-Reef to maintain 9 DKH and adding Reef Energy Plus (AB+) weekly has been a game changer in terms of coral growth.
Pests:
1. NO (zero) Aiptasia! I am very happy about this.
2. Vermetid snails - put in bumblebee snails last month, they are slowly destroying them. I'll probably put one in the sump as well.
3. Bubble algae - it pops up here and there in the sump on the powerhead or near the overflow, I just remove it as I find it. About once every few months I find some. I have emerald crabs to make sure it doesn't appear in display.
4. Bristle worms - my reefer friend saw some small ones, but I haven't seen any yet.
5. Hair Algae - only had 1 outbreak last month due to slacking off. I got really sick for about 10 weeks, and couldn't keep up maintenance. It's mostly under control, still working on it. The lights are super blue right now due to trimming the white light out for a bit until I'm 100% we're good.
Livestock:
1. Had some fish die due to age and some jumpers that found the smallest gap where my light arms attach.
2. Lost my tuxedo urchin after about a year, we think he starved.
3. Lost my cleaner shrimp, died after a couple years. Probably due to lack of iodine or other stuff he needed.
Corals:
1. Coral growth is good, most are growing really fast.
2. My mushroom corals are growing, but not as fast as I'd like. I need to figure something out.
3. In 2021 tissue loss on my birds nest corals and one of my plating Montipora died. Everything else was fine. Had another pro reefer come by every 2 weeks for a few months and he was stumped too. We landed on probably a disease or critter we couldn't see that took them out. It's not proven though, just a theory.
Tank emergencies:
1. I got lazy a month ago and ran into a nasty green hairy algae bloom as punishment. The end result was that I bleached 2 of my Montiporas. I've got the algae situation under control and I'm waiting for my Montiporas to regain color. I hope they do!
2. I might have a large urchin up for dibs soon that I used to combat the algae,
Surprise comebacks:
My Alveopora are humming right along after I thought they were toast. I'm going to add some extra rock under them, hoping they grow out onto the rock.
Dosing:
This has been a bit of a pain, sort of. One of my hoses split open, and 30ml of all for reef was dosed to the inside of my tank stand, and the ReefDose2 sometimes just decides to stop talking. Overall though it's been a huge game changer for coral growth.
ATO:
This thing has been an evolving set of issues. Currently I'm ATO'ing into the ATO that comes with the RedSea sump. The Trigger made its way outside of the tank, to make it easier to fill, and to make room for more electronics in the stand. I'm probably going to try the TUNZE Osmolator 3 next to see how well it works.
Overall thoughts:
I'm fairly happy with the journey thus far. I've had some ups and downs, but overall I feel positive. My ATO situation is annoying, I'm looking to fix that. Water changes are a pain, but I'm working on an easier solution that I'll post here if it works. I hire a professional to come help me, due to my physical limitations.
I'd like some new fish, but I don't want to do the QT process really, and it is winter, so I might wait for spring. I like the fish to do something, so I'm not sure what I want to add.
Current Setup Specs:
I replaced or upgraded some items over the past few years. Here is the current setup. I can do better, but it's a slow learning process.
Fish (4):
Springer Damsel - redrum for flat worms
Percula Clownfish - because it's cute
Chromis - just the one, to add movement
Blue Tang - for algae control, this one replaced a bigger one I gave away
Invertebrates:
15-20x Blue Leg Hermits
2x Emerald Crabs
10x Trochus Snails
2x Bumble Bee Snails
2x Pincushion Urchins
Pods!
Tank:
Redsea Reefer 350 Aquarium system
Controller (Monitoring and Alerts):
Apex Controller (monitor PH, Temp, kill switches, timers)
Powerheads:
2x VorTech MP40
2x Limpet Wide Flow Pump Guard - Vortech MP40 Upgrade
Octo Pulse 2 (sump water movement)
Display Lighting:
AI Hydra 26 HD x1 - 70%, red, green, and white cut to almost nothing right now
AI Hydra 64 HD x2 - 55%, red, green, and white cut to almost nothing right now
Refugium Light:
Kessil H80 for Cheato
Return Pump:
Current USA eFlux DC 1900 return pump
Heaters:
Cobalt Aquatics 200watt heater x1
BRS Titanium Heater Element x1
Ink Bird Aquarium Heater Controller x1 (using it as a sacrificial in between)
ATO (Auto Top Off):
RedSea above-sump reservoir
Trigger Systems ATO Reservoir 10g
CoralBox A100 AUTO TOP OFF (ATO) SYSTEM
Biological Filter:
Live rock for display and refugium
Mechanical Filter:
2x Red Sea Filter Media Cup
Blue Ribbon ABLPLY14 Polyester Floss Filter Media (changed bi-weekly)
Chemical Filter:
1x Chemi-Pure Elite 11.74 oz, Boyd Enterprises (replaced every 2 months)
Dosing:
Reef Dose 2
Tropic Marin All-For-Reef (keep DKH at around 9)
RedSea Reef Energy Plus (AB+) (20ml weekly)
Nutrient Sponge:
Cheato
Substrate:
Bare bottom, but I keep a couple piles of debris (shells and coralline falling off the back) to create extra nitrates otherwise they go to zero.
Copepods:
Add extra when the population looks depleted. Once every 6 months. If I added phytoplankton instead, I probably would have more pods.
Salt:
Tropic Marin Pro Reef Salt Mix (35% water change monthly)
1.024
Chiller (emergency):
JBJ Mini Arctica Chiller 1/15 HP
Water Station:
5 Stage Premium Plus 150 GPD Water Saver RO/DI System
BRS Titanium Heater Element x1
Ink Bird Aquarium Heater Controller x1 (using it as a sacrificial in between)
Random powerhead from amazon (gone through a few)
32 gallon Brute
Power:
Telsa solar + Powerwall
APC Battery backup (in tank stand for power blips)
WEN 56310i-RV Super Quiet 3100watt Portable Inverter Generator
2. Move frags from the back-right into the main display, to fill out the left side a bit more
3. Deal with the GSP - it keeps growing up the glass, I trim it bi-monthly
4. Get the Zoanthids under control, It has created a rug on the bottom, I trim it bi-monthly
5. Find a way to get the Ricordea to grow better
I try to source as much locally as possible and spread the love between the stores I want to keep going. Saying that, I am not immune from looking for deals. I'm doing this in multiple phases. I think I have just about everything covered this time around. I refuse to let a Hurricane take me down this time! Screw you Irma! I probably need a second generator, though I'm hoping to get a Tesla Powerwall to pair with my Solar array instead.
If I missed anything, feel free to add comments. The more information I have the better.
Phase 1 (4-5 weeks):
Tank:
Reefer 350 Aquarium system
Powerheads:
Octo Pulse 4
Octo Pulse 2
Tunze 6065 x2 (backup)
Lighting:
AI Hydra 26 HD x2
Solarmax T5HO (backup, ATI blue plus/coral plus)
Kessil A80 x2 (backup)
Controller (Monitoring and Alerts):
Apex EL
Sump Components:
Current USA eFlux DC return pump
Sicce Syncra Silent 3.5 return pump (backup)
Reef Octopus 110ss skimmer (extra pump as backup)
Cobalt Aquatics 200watt heater x2 (w/AutoAqua Smart Temp, redundancy with high temp cutoff and alarm for both)
Kessil H80 (refugium light)
Kessil A80 (refugium light, backup)
Trigger Systems ATO Reservoir 10g
AutoAqua AWC
Biological Filter:
Live rock for display, Marine Pure in the sump.
Nutrient Sponge (phase 3):
Cheato
Substrate:
Bare bottom
Salt:
Red Sea Blue Bucket
Water Station:
Bulk Reef Supply, 4 Stage Value Plus RO/DI system
Cobalt Aquatics 150watt heater
Reef Power RP-M powerhead (very unimpressed, going to move a Tunze in and throw this junk away)
32 gallon Brute
Power:
APC Battery backup, looking at Icecap backup for an Octo Pulse instead
WEN 56310i-RV Super Quiet 3100watt Portable Inverter Generator (long power outage)
6x 10gallon gas cans
Temperature (too high):
Chiller, model TBD
1 gallon jugs on stand by frozen with RODI water in them
Starting Pics:
At the store, the tank has arrived! Muhahahaha!
(Coral Corral in Oldsmar, FL)
The gentleman that did the install was great. People make the difference for me. The rates were super fair. I'll gladly refer them and choose them again. From time of order, to physical install, it was less than 2 weeks.
I installed the AI Hydra 26s after 6 months of debating which light I wanted. I got them for $350 locally instead of the increased price and having to wait for delivery, so I was happy about that.
The first mount was difficult, but I took my time and it went well. The second mount was very quick to put together. The software on these AI devices is what pushed me over the edge to choose them. My second choice would have been 2-3 Radion XR15's, but they were overkill I think. I guess we'll see.
The Octo Pulse's will arrive Thursday (3/28), the Tunze's are chilling in there until then.
(Marine Warehouse, Tampa, FL)
I ran into some issues with the return pump, but I figured it out:
2024 Update:
Summary:I've been letting the tank kind of chill for a few years now. Mostly ups, with a few downs. Still learning!
Dosing All-For-Reef to maintain 9 DKH and adding Reef Energy Plus (AB+) weekly has been a game changer in terms of coral growth.
Pests:
1. NO (zero) Aiptasia! I am very happy about this.
2. Vermetid snails - put in bumblebee snails last month, they are slowly destroying them. I'll probably put one in the sump as well.
3. Bubble algae - it pops up here and there in the sump on the powerhead or near the overflow, I just remove it as I find it. About once every few months I find some. I have emerald crabs to make sure it doesn't appear in display.
4. Bristle worms - my reefer friend saw some small ones, but I haven't seen any yet.
5. Hair Algae - only had 1 outbreak last month due to slacking off. I got really sick for about 10 weeks, and couldn't keep up maintenance. It's mostly under control, still working on it. The lights are super blue right now due to trimming the white light out for a bit until I'm 100% we're good.
Livestock:
1. Had some fish die due to age and some jumpers that found the smallest gap where my light arms attach.
2. Lost my tuxedo urchin after about a year, we think he starved.
3. Lost my cleaner shrimp, died after a couple years. Probably due to lack of iodine or other stuff he needed.
Corals:
1. Coral growth is good, most are growing really fast.
2. My mushroom corals are growing, but not as fast as I'd like. I need to figure something out.
3. In 2021 tissue loss on my birds nest corals and one of my plating Montipora died. Everything else was fine. Had another pro reefer come by every 2 weeks for a few months and he was stumped too. We landed on probably a disease or critter we couldn't see that took them out. It's not proven though, just a theory.
Tank emergencies:
1. I got lazy a month ago and ran into a nasty green hairy algae bloom as punishment. The end result was that I bleached 2 of my Montiporas. I've got the algae situation under control and I'm waiting for my Montiporas to regain color. I hope they do!
2. I might have a large urchin up for dibs soon that I used to combat the algae,
Surprise comebacks:
My Alveopora are humming right along after I thought they were toast. I'm going to add some extra rock under them, hoping they grow out onto the rock.
Dosing:
This has been a bit of a pain, sort of. One of my hoses split open, and 30ml of all for reef was dosed to the inside of my tank stand, and the ReefDose2 sometimes just decides to stop talking. Overall though it's been a huge game changer for coral growth.
ATO:
This thing has been an evolving set of issues. Currently I'm ATO'ing into the ATO that comes with the RedSea sump. The Trigger made its way outside of the tank, to make it easier to fill, and to make room for more electronics in the stand. I'm probably going to try the TUNZE Osmolator 3 next to see how well it works.
Overall thoughts:
I'm fairly happy with the journey thus far. I've had some ups and downs, but overall I feel positive. My ATO situation is annoying, I'm looking to fix that. Water changes are a pain, but I'm working on an easier solution that I'll post here if it works. I hire a professional to come help me, due to my physical limitations.
I'd like some new fish, but I don't want to do the QT process really, and it is winter, so I might wait for spring. I like the fish to do something, so I'm not sure what I want to add.
Current Setup Specs:
I replaced or upgraded some items over the past few years. Here is the current setup. I can do better, but it's a slow learning process.
Fish (4):
Springer Damsel - redrum for flat worms
Percula Clownfish - because it's cute
Chromis - just the one, to add movement
Blue Tang - for algae control, this one replaced a bigger one I gave away
Invertebrates:
15-20x Blue Leg Hermits
2x Emerald Crabs
10x Trochus Snails
2x Bumble Bee Snails
2x Pincushion Urchins
Pods!
Tank:
Redsea Reefer 350 Aquarium system
Controller (Monitoring and Alerts):
Apex Controller (monitor PH, Temp, kill switches, timers)
Powerheads:
2x VorTech MP40
2x Limpet Wide Flow Pump Guard - Vortech MP40 Upgrade
Octo Pulse 2 (sump water movement)
Display Lighting:
AI Hydra 26 HD x1 - 70%, red, green, and white cut to almost nothing right now
AI Hydra 64 HD x2 - 55%, red, green, and white cut to almost nothing right now
Refugium Light:
Kessil H80 for Cheato
Return Pump:
Current USA eFlux DC 1900 return pump
Heaters:
Cobalt Aquatics 200watt heater x1
BRS Titanium Heater Element x1
Ink Bird Aquarium Heater Controller x1 (using it as a sacrificial in between)
ATO (Auto Top Off):
RedSea above-sump reservoir
Trigger Systems ATO Reservoir 10g
CoralBox A100 AUTO TOP OFF (ATO) SYSTEM
Biological Filter:
Live rock for display and refugium
Mechanical Filter:
2x Red Sea Filter Media Cup
Blue Ribbon ABLPLY14 Polyester Floss Filter Media (changed bi-weekly)
Chemical Filter:
1x Chemi-Pure Elite 11.74 oz, Boyd Enterprises (replaced every 2 months)
Dosing:
Reef Dose 2
Tropic Marin All-For-Reef (keep DKH at around 9)
RedSea Reef Energy Plus (AB+) (20ml weekly)
Nutrient Sponge:
Cheato
Substrate:
Bare bottom, but I keep a couple piles of debris (shells and coralline falling off the back) to create extra nitrates otherwise they go to zero.
Copepods:
Add extra when the population looks depleted. Once every 6 months. If I added phytoplankton instead, I probably would have more pods.
Salt:
Tropic Marin Pro Reef Salt Mix (35% water change monthly)
1.024
Chiller (emergency):
JBJ Mini Arctica Chiller 1/15 HP
Water Station:
5 Stage Premium Plus 150 GPD Water Saver RO/DI System
BRS Titanium Heater Element x1
Ink Bird Aquarium Heater Controller x1 (using it as a sacrificial in between)
Random powerhead from amazon (gone through a few)
32 gallon Brute
Power:
Telsa solar + Powerwall
APC Battery backup (in tank stand for power blips)
WEN 56310i-RV Super Quiet 3100watt Portable Inverter Generator
Future plans:
1. Move to TUNZE Osmolator 3 for ATO2. Move frags from the back-right into the main display, to fill out the left side a bit more
3. Deal with the GSP - it keeps growing up the glass, I trim it bi-monthly
4. Get the Zoanthids under control, It has created a rug on the bottom, I trim it bi-monthly
5. Find a way to get the Ricordea to grow better
Maybe Plans:
Try an Algae scrubber. Add a couple other fish, but not sure which.Pictures:
The lights have only been on for 45min, so the Alveopora are not fully out yet. I'm back to a hyper-blue look until I am sure the hair algae is under complete control. I think about another 2 weeks. I might start to add some spectrum back to see if it helps the Monti's recover.
2019:
James’ Red Sea Reefer 350 V3I try to source as much locally as possible and spread the love between the stores I want to keep going. Saying that, I am not immune from looking for deals. I'm doing this in multiple phases. I think I have just about everything covered this time around. I refuse to let a Hurricane take me down this time! Screw you Irma! I probably need a second generator, though I'm hoping to get a Tesla Powerwall to pair with my Solar array instead.
If I missed anything, feel free to add comments. The more information I have the better.
Phase 1 (4-5 weeks):
- Setup fish quarantine (done)
- Setup invertibrate quarantine (done)
- Setup coral quarantine (done)
- Setup tank and all of the equipment (done)
- Bleach and dechlorinate rock (2+ weeks) (done)
- Create and add aquascape (done)
- Fill the system with saltwater (done)
- Cycle Tank (3-4 weeks). <— current
- Add a small fish from quarantine
- Add a clean up crew from quarantine
- Wait, monitor and watch (2 weeks)
- Add some coral frags from quarantine (LPS/softies)
- Wait, monitor and watch (2 weeks)
- Add a few more coral frags from quarantine (SPS)
- Add a fish or two from quarantine
- Wait, monitor and watch (2 weeks)
Tank:
Reefer 350 Aquarium system
Powerheads:
Octo Pulse 4
Octo Pulse 2
Tunze 6065 x2 (backup)
Lighting:
AI Hydra 26 HD x2
Solarmax T5HO (backup, ATI blue plus/coral plus)
Kessil A80 x2 (backup)
Controller (Monitoring and Alerts):
Apex EL
Sump Components:
Current USA eFlux DC return pump
Sicce Syncra Silent 3.5 return pump (backup)
Reef Octopus 110ss skimmer (extra pump as backup)
Cobalt Aquatics 200watt heater x2 (w/AutoAqua Smart Temp, redundancy with high temp cutoff and alarm for both)
Kessil H80 (refugium light)
Kessil A80 (refugium light, backup)
Trigger Systems ATO Reservoir 10g
AutoAqua AWC
Biological Filter:
Live rock for display, Marine Pure in the sump.
Nutrient Sponge (phase 3):
Cheato
Substrate:
Bare bottom
Salt:
Red Sea Blue Bucket
Water Station:
Bulk Reef Supply, 4 Stage Value Plus RO/DI system
Cobalt Aquatics 150watt heater
Reef Power RP-M powerhead (very unimpressed, going to move a Tunze in and throw this junk away)
32 gallon Brute
Power:
APC Battery backup, looking at Icecap backup for an Octo Pulse instead
WEN 56310i-RV Super Quiet 3100watt Portable Inverter Generator (long power outage)
6x 10gallon gas cans
Temperature (too high):
Chiller, model TBD
1 gallon jugs on stand by frozen with RODI water in them
Starting Pics:
At the store, the tank has arrived! Muhahahaha!
(Coral Corral in Oldsmar, FL)
The gentleman that did the install was great. People make the difference for me. The rates were super fair. I'll gladly refer them and choose them again. From time of order, to physical install, it was less than 2 weeks.
I installed the AI Hydra 26s after 6 months of debating which light I wanted. I got them for $350 locally instead of the increased price and having to wait for delivery, so I was happy about that.
The first mount was difficult, but I took my time and it went well. The second mount was very quick to put together. The software on these AI devices is what pushed me over the edge to choose them. My second choice would have been 2-3 Radion XR15's, but they were overkill I think. I guess we'll see.
The Octo Pulse's will arrive Thursday (3/28), the Tunze's are chilling in there until then.
(Marine Warehouse, Tampa, FL)
I ran into some issues with the return pump, but I figured it out:
Last edited:
