Whitearmy61
New Member
Hi all, this is my build thread for my current system that has been running for just over 2 years now, although I recently gave it an overhaul in December '24.
Photo's are thin on the ground so far as those 2 years have been filled with issues and disappointment.
A little catch up on the 2 years first then.
Having had a break from reefing for around 6 years, previously I had various systems for around 10 years, I decided to set up again with a 4x3x2. The cabinet, tank, plumbing and everything all put together by myself.
That system ran ok for around 6 months but then took a turn, sps rtn'd whilst fish remained fine. I queried possible copper but icp's were fine. Slowly I lost heart and nutrients soared. Eventually I decided to get on top of things, took care of Phosphate by using Reef Zlements Phosfate and built a nitrate reactor as per Donovans nitrate destroyer design which worked perfectly, I wish I could have thanked him personally but alas :disappointed-face: If you haven't viewed it already this link is worth a read https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/poor-mans-nutrients-control-donovans-nitrate-destroyer.302685/
Despite my efforts with reducing nutrients for some reason sps would follow the familiar track of lose polyp extension, lose colour, stn and finally die. Due to a few 'niggles' about the way I set this system up I decided to redesign and rebuild so the remaining livestock was transferred to an ibc and the rebuild commenced.
The system is now running and I feel happier about what I've created this time, time will tell how things evolve.
The build itself is based around GHL products primarily and uses Reef Zlements products and icp testing. A little info on the equipment etc;
Lighting - currently 2 x GHL Lightbar 3 Deep Oceans
Flow - 4 x Jecod ALW 20's
Return - Reef Octopus Varios 6
Skimmer - Reef Octopus Elite 150-s
Nutrient control - Reef Zlements Phosfate and DIY Nitrate reactor as per Donovan's design
Dosing - GHL Dosers
Control - GHL Profilux P4
Heater - 300w Titanium heater
ATO - TMC
That's about it for now, this is a more recent photo of the new system completed.
Photo's are thin on the ground so far as those 2 years have been filled with issues and disappointment.
A little catch up on the 2 years first then.
Having had a break from reefing for around 6 years, previously I had various systems for around 10 years, I decided to set up again with a 4x3x2. The cabinet, tank, plumbing and everything all put together by myself.
That system ran ok for around 6 months but then took a turn, sps rtn'd whilst fish remained fine. I queried possible copper but icp's were fine. Slowly I lost heart and nutrients soared. Eventually I decided to get on top of things, took care of Phosphate by using Reef Zlements Phosfate and built a nitrate reactor as per Donovans nitrate destroyer design which worked perfectly, I wish I could have thanked him personally but alas :disappointed-face: If you haven't viewed it already this link is worth a read https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/poor-mans-nutrients-control-donovans-nitrate-destroyer.302685/
Despite my efforts with reducing nutrients for some reason sps would follow the familiar track of lose polyp extension, lose colour, stn and finally die. Due to a few 'niggles' about the way I set this system up I decided to redesign and rebuild so the remaining livestock was transferred to an ibc and the rebuild commenced.
The system is now running and I feel happier about what I've created this time, time will tell how things evolve.
The build itself is based around GHL products primarily and uses Reef Zlements products and icp testing. A little info on the equipment etc;
Lighting - currently 2 x GHL Lightbar 3 Deep Oceans
Flow - 4 x Jecod ALW 20's
Return - Reef Octopus Varios 6
Skimmer - Reef Octopus Elite 150-s
Nutrient control - Reef Zlements Phosfate and DIY Nitrate reactor as per Donovan's design
Dosing - GHL Dosers
Control - GHL Profilux P4
Heater - 300w Titanium heater
ATO - TMC
That's about it for now, this is a more recent photo of the new system completed.
