Red Sea Reefer 350 Build Thread

Danny Venditti · Jul 3, 2017

So I guess I will jump in and do a build thread too. I will start with the details of the tank

Reefer 350
Ecotech G4 Radion x2 (Regular not the pro)
Ecotech M1 pump
1 MP40
1 Hydor Koralia
Bubble Magus Curve 5 skimmer
75-85lbs of live rock
This is a bare bottom tank
Tank start date January 6th 2017

Started with Nutriwater for first 2 months basically to jumpstart the tank and I think it worked rather well. I also started with the nylon mesh socks and quickly learned my lesson and ordered 10 sets of the felt 100 micron.

The bubble mag was a bit difficult to get going but has worked well since and I keep it at a bit if a wet skim on about 2.

I am still playing with the lighting however I am currently using a version of the Coral Lab AB+ template and I just made an extended ramp up and ramp down period of blues & UV. Cool White, Red & Green are only on 4.5 hours and the rest of the time is a ramp up and down of the blues for a total of 11.5 hours.

I am currently using Fritz RPM salt, and it seems to be working well.

Future plans are too:
- Ditch the Hydor for another MP40
- Custom build a box to house 4 T5 and mount the Radion's in the middle. I am hoping I can get some better growth and color with the supplement of the T5.
- Complete plumbing redo and the incorporation of 3 reactors (1 GFO, 1 Carbon and 1 Chaeto) and upgrade to a larger pump (probably an L1).
- Lots and lots more coral.

Current Fish:
Powder Brown Tang
Kole Tang
1 Six line wrasse
1 yellowtail damsel
1 Coral Beauty

Current Coral:
Walt Disney
Duncan
Green Birds Nest
Green Trumpet
Medusa Montipora
Blue tip Acro
Rainbow Milli
(Unknown) Milli
Utter Chaos
Radioactive Zoa
Sunny D's
Tricolor
WWC Hippie Juice
WWC Crybabies
JF Night stalker
Purple Stylo
Tyree Flower Petal Cap
Tyree Terra Del Fuego
and a few other unnamed or yet to be named zoas, sps and lps.

Lots of Pics to come, and any tips or advice is welcome.

Robert Fowler · Jul 3, 2017

Following.

Danny Venditti · Jul 3, 2017

Danny Venditti · Jul 3, 2017

Some pics. Some turned out better than others. More to come...

Danny Venditti · Jan 16, 2018

ok so after just over 1 year, and not keeping up with the thread as much as I should here is the update:

Changed salt back to RSCP. I don't know if I am satisfied but after 3 inconsistent batches of Fritz I had enough. I may end up going to ESV 4 part at some point soon but am waiting a bit as I don't want to make any additional changes right now.

lost a few things and gained a few so here are the changes from the top down.

Added Apex Fusion, with additional PMK & Lunar
Added 27 gal Frag Tank which is Hard plumbed into the system through the back.
Built a light box now suspended above tank. both Radion's and 4 T5 lights using ATI bulbs (3 blue plus and 1 coral plus)
Added a DIY Chaeto Reactor which fills the reactor in about 8-10 days from a baseball size chunk.
Replaced Bubble Mag curve 5 (nothing but issues with it) with a Simplicity240. I love this skimmer!!!! says 2 week break in but this thing was skimming nicely DAY ONE!!!
I also added a Co2 scrubber on the skimmer that has really helped with the PH.
Added a MP10 and placed it across from the MP40 and also a Jaebo that is in the back along the bottom to keep detritus from settling. it has helped and at the very least moves it all to one side and is easily vacuumed out.
Added a Jaebo doser and am using Aquaforest 1,2,3. I am using the premix but will change to the dry self mix when this batch is gone. I plan to use only 50-60% of the component string additive when I switch as I have noticed a buildup over time of some trace elements.

Pics will follow in a few days.

revhtree · Jan 16, 2018

Thanks for the update! Following!

Danny Venditti · Jan 16, 2018

Danny Venditti said:
ok so after just over 1 year, and not keeping up with the thread as much as I should here is the update:

Changed salt back to RSCP. I don't know if I am satisfied but after 3 inconsistent batches of Fritz I had enough. I may end up going to ESV 4 part at some point soon but am waiting a bit as I don't want to make any additional changes right now.

lost a few things and gained a few so here are the changes from the top down.

Added Apex Fusion, with additional PMK & Lunar

Added 27 gal Frag Tank which is Hard plumbed into the system through the back.

Built a light box now suspended above tank. both Radion's and 4 T5 lights using ATI bulbs (3 blue plus and 1 coral plus)

Added a DIY Chaeto Reactor which fills the reactor in about 8-10 days from a baseball size chunk.

Replaced Bubble Mag curve 5 (nothing but issues with it) with a Simplicity240. I love this skimmer!!!! says 2 week break in but this thing was skimming nicely DAY ONE!!!

I also added a Co2 scrubber on the skimmer that has really helped with the PH.

Added a MP10 and placed it across from the MP40 and also a Jaebo that is in the back along the bottom to keep detritus from settling. it has helped and at the very least moves it all to one side and is easily vacuumed out.

Added a Jaebo doser and am using Aquaforest 1,2,3. I am using the premix but will change to the dry self mix when this batch is gone. I plan to use only 50-60% of the component string additive when I switch as I have noticed a buildup over time of some trace elements.

Pics will follow in a few days.