Mike's Red Sea Reefer 525 XL build

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mta_morrow

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Nice tank! How do you like the reefer series? Were looking very close at a 750xxl. We're researching like crazy since they cost a fortune, lol.

This was my dream tank. I am am not disappointed in any way.

The sleek, rimless look was a must for my wife, and the light as well.

The clarity of the glass, cabinet finish, sip, everything.

They are exactly as advertised

Please feel free to ask any specifics!
 
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mta_morrow

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Nice tank! How do you like the reefer series? Were looking very close at a 750xxl. We're researching like crazy since they cost a fortune, lol.

And, I REALLY like the new sump design!

Missed that by a year
 

DSC reef

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This was my dream tank. I am am not disappointed in any way.

The sleek, rimless look was a must for my wife, and the light as well.

The clarity of the glass, cabinet finish, sip, everything.

They are exactly as advertised

Please feel free to ask any specifics!
Thanks mike! It's our dream too.
 
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mta_morrow

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I dose 10 ml a week without any incidents except maybe lowering my no3

Thanks for the insight.

I’m thinking staying on a weekly dosage as well and see how it goes.
 

pwilliaml

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Hi Paul, thanks for reading!

I am committed to doing better going forward with updates, etc.

I had turned off my UV which ran 24/7 for the past week, hence the temp drop. Now my heater has to work!

We keep the house at 74 deg in the hot months, and heater is set at 79.

As far as alk and calcium dosing, I have BRS 2 part, but I haven't had to dose much of anything...….yet.

My SPS try didn't go well and I think its my fault for bringing up alk to quickly.

and the only reason I can think calcium finally took a dip is because of my clam (hadn't test calcium in maybe 2 months?)

Once I get the hair algae under control, I will continue with NoPox / vibrant and give SPS another try.

At work, we are heading into our busy season, and I don't want to add much coral at this time as sleep will become a top priority!

Where did you move to.....your profile says CA, but you said northern Fla so I am assuming Jacksonville.

Jacksonville is correct. I should update my profile, thanks for the reminder. I've got my temp set at 78 right now with a fan bringing it down from 79 whenever it gets that high. I'm waiting for a new UV lamp as mine apparently hasn't been on for I don't know how long. Oops. What did you shut yours down for?

How far did you take ALK up to? I used to keep mine elevated, but I've had the best luck with just 8 DKH and around 430 Ca. I try to check that every week, but like you that slips occasionally. Not so bad though as I had it dialed in before I left CA.

Ask Brew, but I'm pretty sure it's not the greatest idea to use NoPox and Vibrant. From what I've read (mostly from Brew) it's best to throw some GFO in there if needed to pull phosphates down. NoPox will reduce Nitrates too which you don't want to do or you'll get a bad case of the Dinos.
 
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mta_morrow

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Jacksonville is correct. I should update my profile, thanks for the reminder. I've got my temp set at 78 right now with a fan bringing it down from 79 whenever it gets that high. I'm waiting for a new UV lamp as mine apparently hasn't been on for I don't know how long. Oops. What did you shut yours down for?

How far did you take ALK up to? I used to keep mine elevated, but I've had the best luck with just 8 DKH and around 430 Ca. I try to check that every week, but like you that slips occasionally. Not so bad though as I had it dialed in before I left CA.

Ask Brew, but I'm pretty sure it's not the greatest idea to use NoPox and Vibrant. From what I've read (mostly from Brew) it's best to throw some GFO in there if needed to pull phosphates down. NoPox will reduce Nitrates too which you don't want to do or you'll get a bad case of the Dinos.

Well hello!

I spent 9 years in Jacksonville. 81-90.

I turned off the UV for a week to see how much it actually heated up the tank. 2 degrees. It was down to 77, 2 degrees above room temperature. Turned it back on and now I am back to 79.

I try to keep my alk at 8 and calcium at 450.

My clam is starting to show signs of growth so I’m going to have to start testing more often for those.

I did quit the NoPox per Brew12’s recommendation.

Did my second dose of Vibrant on Monday and it’s safe to say I am 90% hair algae free!
 

Brew12

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NoPox will reduce Nitrates too which you don't want to do or you'll get a bad case of the Dinos.
Low nitrate normally triggers Cyano. Low phosphate normally triggers dino's. Normally I recommend running GFO if PO4 is > 0.1 or if algae is regrowing even if PO4 is zero.

Did my second dose of Vibrant on Monday and it’s safe to say I am 90% hair algae free!
Glad it is working for you!
 
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mta_morrow

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Low cyano normally triggers Cyano. Low phosphate normally triggers dino's. Normally I recommend running GFO if PO4 is > 0.1 or if algae is regrowing even if PO4 is zero.


Glad it is working for you!

No signs of cyano. Just clean rocks, whiter sand, and a happy reefer!

Thanks @Brew12 !
 

Mordie101

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Couple more cool pieces showed up today!
6571341a3cbd2363a1f3171f49be1895.jpg
3093b52b4d4749651d5e98ea3644b6f8.jpg

Hey mike, how is the seneye working out?
 
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mta_morrow

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Hey mike, how is the seneye working out?

The seneye is super easy to use and is great for par and spectrum.

I haven’t used it lately as I set my lighting with it and then let it be.

Last thing I want to do is keep adjusting my lights!
 

Mordie101

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The seneye is super easy to use and is great for par and spectrum.

I haven’t used it lately as I set my lighting with it and then let it be.

Last thing I want to do is keep adjusting my lights!

Sounds good! I’m trying to go through your equipment list and form some opinions/reviews in setting up my own 525xl! Very excited!
 
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mta_morrow

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Caught up, nice work on the algae. :)

Thanks @najer. I am very happy with Vibrant! Especially having no ill side effects.

The puzzling thing to me is trying to figure why I had so much and why it took off like it did.

My nitrates weren’t THAT high. 10-14 ppm avg. and a little phosphates.

Maybe that’s all my tank needed?
 
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Sounds good! I’m trying to go through your equipment list and form some opinions/reviews in setting up my own 525xl! Very excited!

One thing I will do for sure is get a 2nd gyre. While 1 has no problem at all moving water throughout the whole tank, top and bottom, I have no random flow. My green sinulara will end up looking like a bent tree in 1 direction if I don’t change it up. 2 gyres will allow for a random program to be run, and keep flow good from the top of the tank to the sand bed. A MUST!
 

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