Red Sea Max E-170 with Sump Upgrade

[Specific Ocean]

Howdy Everyone!

I'll be sharing photos and my thoughts of this tank build. Any tips/tricks, criticism and feedback is welcomed! Thanks

Attached is the tank, stand and sump

 

[DC Reefer]

Welcome to R2R!!! I have a 170 as well. Happy with mine. Note I went with a Tunze for the ATO and a separate ATO storage container as the one that comes with the system is pretty small. What are you planning livestock and/or corals?

 

[Specific Ocean]

I purchased about 60 pounds of CaribSea Life Rock and Shapes.

40 pounds of CaribSea Arag Alive Fiji sand

My tap water is at about is 248 TDS so I went with the 7 stage 150 GPD BRS RO/DI system. In the near future I plan on making an insulated box for this system mounted outside my studio.

my original concept for my aquascape (attached) was this but ended up changing it up and went for overhangs instead.

 

[Specific Ocean]

Welcome to R2R!!! I have a 170 as well. Happy with mine. Note I went with a Tunze for the ATO and a separate ATO storage container as the one that comes with the system is pretty small. What are you planning livestock and/or corals?

Thanks! I was looking at getting the Tunze ATO but it was sold out everywhere! The kid at my LFS recommended the JBJ Nano ATO and it's been working out.

I wasn't a fan of the ATO that the sump came with either. I'm thinking of turning the reservoir into a refugium. Drill some holes into the glass and keep it at the same spot

 

[Specific Ocean]

As expected, the water was pretty cloudy but after the 4th day the cloudiness cleared up!

I'm using Dr. Tim's One and Only to cycle the tank. Per the instructions, I left out the filter sock for 48 hours. The only type of filtration I had running during that time was the sponge in the sump, a carbon bag and ceramic filter rings running in the back. I don't have a protein skimmer running yet. I am opting out using the one the system came with. I will be using a Reef Octopus instead. Pictures are of Day 1 and Day 5.

 

[Specific Ocean]

Here is the studio my father and I built and where the aquarium resides.

built this studio so I could bring my business home (photography business)

here are the progression photos. we started in April 2020 and finished around October.

We decided to go with thin brick since the weight of full size brick would be too heavy.

Best DYI project I’ve ever done

 

[Phil D.]

I recommend using the 225um felt filter socks to help get rid of detritus. That's what I use on my E-260.

 

[Specific Ocean]

I recommend using the 225um felt filter socks to help get rid of detritus. That's what I use on my E-260.

I’ll check it out. I was looking into getting the filter cup with some floss

 

[GlfFxtrtYnky]

Very nice! One day I will get a bigger tank, but progressing from one tank to the next is the fun part in this hobby.

 

[Specific Ocean]

Agreed! Still waiting on the approval from the wife to let me buy a 220 for the living room

 

[Specific Ocean]

Yesterday (1/22) my Reef Octopus Classic 110-S came in. I quickly set it up and tossed it in my sump.

Came back this morning to find that it's pulling some gunk out of the water. Now I'm just trying to find that "sweet spot." Just glad to know that it's working.

I did notice that there's now the micro bubbles in my DT. If anyone knows how to mitigate this, please let me know. For now I'll let break in and check come back to this in about a week or two

 

[Specific Ocean]

Went to my LFS this morning and picked up the Vortech MP10QD and some fish flakes. Super excited to try this out. Heard nothing but great things about this product

 

[noobreefer2]

Looks great! Any pics of the tank?

 

[ScottJ437]

I'll be getting my MAX E 170 soon, love to follow along and see where you go next with yours.