Red Sea Reefer 170 Build Thread

[bigdan3489]

That sucks! I have no doubt they will take care of it for you but the waiting is what drives me crazy.

It does suck, but I bought it through BRS and glad I did as they have the best customer service and they are of course handling it very well. I don’t like waiting either but I really can’t set it up till my floors are done and I’m hoping that will be within the next week. I’m still short some equipment but should be able to buy the rest by Christmas. I am not using the ATO that came with it and will be plumbing in a Smart ATO direct to my RODI system and will be setting up the Red Sea ATO reservoir as a refugium. I know it is dangerous to have the ATO plumbed directly to my RODI but my last tank was setup that way for nearly 2 years without an issue.

 

[bigdan3489]

So I finally have some progress to report. After quite the delay I finally received a new stand and have it all put together. I also drilled the ATO reservoir for the refugium and installed the bulkheads and fittings. I’m going to tee off the Cobalt MJ1200 Pump that came with the BRS mini reactor to feed it. Here are some pics

 

[AMEE]

So I finally have some progress to report. After quite the delay I finally received a new stand and have it all put together. I also drilled the ATO reservoir for the refugium and installed the bulkheads and fittings. I’m going to tee off the Cobalt MJ1200 Pump that came with the BRS mini reactor to feed it. Here are some pics

What kind of fitting did you use on he input line? I want to buy one. Either this kind of design or something next to the skimmer in the sump.

 

[bigdan3489]

What kind of fitting did you use on he input line? I want to buy one. Either this kind of design or something next to the skimmer in the sump.

It’s a Murlok 1/2” plastic tube to 1/2” pipe threaded into a 1/2” bulkhead. I bought them from BRS, here is a picture. Please don’t pay attention to the mess it will be cleaned up lol.

 

[AMEE]

Cool I see a t fitting. You are going to use a reactor also?

 

[bigdan3489]

Cool I see a t fitting. You are going to use a reactor also?

Yes I am, I’m have a BRS Mini reactor that I’m going to run a mix of carbon and GFO in.

 

[AMEE]

Yes I am, I’m have a BRS Mini reactor that I’m going to run a mix of carbon and GFO in.

I was running their deluxe reactor with carbon and gfo, just took it offline because i think my water was too “clean”. I’m looking into doing the refugium or algae reactor to control my parameters more naturally.

 

[bigdan3489]

I finally got my rocks from Reef Cleaners and I love them!!!

 

[bigdan3489]

I finally have water in it, I can’t believe how quiet it is

 

[Kayzah]

It seems like you are off to a good start.

I'm following. Good luck.

 

[bigdan3489]

It seems like you are off to a good start.

I'm following. Good luck.

Thank you very much! I’m getting salt via UPS tomorrow as well as some other goodies from BRS & Marine Depot....stay tuned

 

[bigdan3489]

My cords are an absolute mess but here is the sump right now, everything is functioning and I’m breaking in the new Reef Octopus Classic 110INT skimmer.

 

[bigdan3489]

So I got some goodies today. I received my salt from BRS, I decided to go with the blue bucket Red Sea salt as I wanted my water more close to natural sea water levels. I always have used RSCP but I didn’t like that high of alkalinity and I am going to try to use the Triton method on this setup although it won’t be a “true” Triton setup as my refugium is smaller than their recommendations. This is goining to be a softie and LPS tank and am hoping to not have to do water changes so we will see how that goes. I’m also trying to go super low maintenance on this setup and I think I may achieve that as I have eliminated he need for filter socks with the filter cup I just received today from Marine Depot. Here are the goodies I got today, I’ve never used Seachem Matrix and I’m going to give it a try.

 

[bigdan3489]

It’s finally cycling!! I’m using Dr Tim’s One and Only and ammonium chloride to do so.

 

[bigdan3489]

The cycle is complete!! I received some goodies today from Algae Barn and BRS. I have the refugium going now with a new Kessil H80 light and chaeto from Algae Barn as well as I seeded it with copepods from Algae Barn. I’m waiting on the nitrates to come down and I should hopefully be able to add a fish this weekend.

 

[bigdan3489]

Here is what the display looks light with the light on

 

[Kayzah]

Great job on the refugium!

 

[bigdan3489]

Great job on the refugium!

Thank you!

 

[jmp21677]

I have the same tank but did a DIY chaeto reactor. I have to empty that thing every two weeks. The growth is insane! I also run triton other methods. I haven't gotten up the nerve to stop water changes. With the small water volume the trace elements showed as high on my last triton test.

 

[Hazenight]

Great looking tank, What media are you going to run in the filter cup. I have been thinking of getting one for my 170.