James404's 80g Rimless SPS Build

[Ultra Aquatics]

Happy to post that I have decided on an upgrade! I've been in contact with Miracles to build a new tank, dimensions will be 72x36x25 Eurobraced with Starphire on 3 panels and a Reef Savvy Ghost Overflow. Will definitely be starting a new build thread for that so stay tuned!

 

[drawman]

Happy to post that I have decided on an upgrade! I've been in contact with Miracles to build a new tank, dimensions will be 72x36x25 Eurobraced with Starphire on 3 panels and a Reef Savvy Ghost Overflow. Will definitely be starting a new build thread for that so stay tuned!

Post the link here so I can follow when you do start a new one. You have some nice acros going! I'm curious did your bryopsis ever come back after the reef flux was used?

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Post the link here so I can follow when you do start a new one. You have some nice acros going! I'm curious did your bryopsis ever come back after the reef flux was used?

Will do! Nope bryopsis was gone for good, I lost a few corals during the treatment and it took a while to get things healthy again but it was worth it.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

so my Reeflo Swordtail needs a seal kit BADLY, just ordered one, hopefully it gets here soon

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

2 quick shots today after a water change...

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

So today I finally got around to changing the seals on my Reeflo pump. It’s safe to say I never want to do this again. This will be my last Reeflo. They don’t even have the instructions on their site anymore, luckily there was a YouTube video. You can see in the image below how much salt creep there was.

Part of the impeller had broken off when I removed the bushing and I had that moment of panic that it wouldn’t work again. I decided to proceed anyway.

I assembled it back together, start it and nothing...ugh. I give the screw on the back of the pump a few turns and manage to get it started, but there was hardly any flow. After restarting the pump 3 more times, it finally seems to be working ok and not leaking.

For my new build I have decided to switch to a panworld which do not require seals.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Picked up a new toy today! Was lucky enough to get a top down tube from BAO (Building an Obsession).

In the past I had used the Avast Units, but I was never too keen on the idea of screwing the nylon screws onto my lens. This design is much better IMO. The build quality is top notch too.

Should be posting some nice top down shots soon.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Managed to snap a few pics today. Pretty happy with how they came out.

Cliffs Acropora:

Snipers Bubblegum Milli (yes I have aiptasia ) :

Hawkins:

Pearlberry:

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Little update...the last two weeks have been kind of a roller coaster. When I decided to switch the seal on my return pump, I had major issues and it ended up leaking. The tank went 3 days without a return pump, ATO or Calcium Reactor.

I finally was able to get a return pump going but some of the corals have been unhappy ever since. A few acros have been sliming and I’ve had a little STN on my Jedi mind trick Monti. I’ve kept things as stable as possible but still am seeing some signs of stress.

The only other change during this time period is I started dosing sodium nitrate, which I have decided to stop until things settle down. This tank has run super stable for over a year until now so it’s a little frustrating when it starts going downhill. I will say this is the last Reeflo pump I will ever use. I will be going with mag drive pumps going forwad. They are a much better design even if they do use slightly more wattage.

 

[drawman]

Little update...the last two weeks have been kind of a roller coaster. When I decided to switch the seal on my return pump, I had major issues and it ended up leaking. The tank went 3 days without a return pump, ATO or Calcium Reactor.

I finally was able to get a return pump going but some of the corals have been unhappy ever since. A few acros have been sliming and I’ve had a little STN on my Jedi mind trick Monti. I’ve kept things as stable as possible but still am seeing some signs of stress.

The only other change during this time period is I started dosing sodium nitrate, which I have decided to stop until things settle down. This tank has run super stable for over a year until now so it’s a little frustrating when it starts going downhill. I will say this is the last Reeflo pump I will ever use. I will be going with mag drive pumps going forwad. They are a much better design even if they do use slightly more wattage.

Buy up a backup too!

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Buy up a backup too!

That’s exactly what I am doing. For my upgrade I bought a Panworld 200PS. I will be using the same pump for my saltwater mixing station as well. If the main pump ever goes down, I can just swap in the one from the mixing station.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Mixing station is pretty much complete. Should make water changes much easier going forward.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Got a ICP-Analysis.com test for free with a recent purchase. Curious to see the results.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Be sure to check out my 280g Miracles build, this build will be coming to a close eventually.

Large Build - James404’s 280g SPS Tank

The time has come for a new build thread! I’m super excited to get this going and sharing my build with this wonderful community! Bit of background I guess... first reef tank was a 75g about 12 years ago. After I bought my house I had upgraded to a 225g Reef Savvy (Build Thread) but at that...

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