Reefer 170 SPS Dominated Floating Aqua Scape

[Blitheran]

Alright, things are moving quickly!

I received the V2 cabinet and finished wiring all the electrical inside. Everything is dry now—just waiting to sand. That should arrive tomorrow!

I forgot EcoTech can’t mount so I have to order to 3D printed mounts for the two MP-10’s

Additionally, rock is still in the brute can and cooking, so I expect to move very quickly with stocking!

 

[Blitheran]

ANNNDDD She is Wet!

 

[Blitheran]

And we have fish!


Thanks to the rock cycling over the past six months, the tank cycled incredibly fast — all we really added was more water volume! It’s so exciting to finally see this setup come to life and fully running.


New additions to the tank:

• 2 Clownfish
• 1 Yellow Wrasse
• 1 Tailspot Blenny

 

[Blitheran]

Just placed an order or Pods from Algae barn.

This time around, doing a few things differently.

In the past, I have always set up reef tanks and never supplemented the pod population. I have always let it naturally show up, what ever strains get in that’s who stays.

This time around, I’m adding multiple strains for a better biodiversity as I did struggle with algae in the past.

We will see how this works out but going to let the tank settle in with the inhabitants and let the ugly stage subside and then place an order for SPS. This will be an SPS only reef!

Plan is mid/late November I will be placing an order which coincides right with Black Friday! So It will be a fun order!

 

[Blitheran]

Additionally,

The current equipment on the tank includes a filter roller, skimmer, and UV sterilizer.

Right now, the filter roller is still in the box until the tank develops a bit more bioload. I don’t want to strip the water too clean just yet—I’d rather let the system naturally balance itself for now.

The skimmer is also off until the tank gets a little dirtier. I want to avoid pulling out too many nutrients too early, so I’ll likely turn it on in about a week once things stabilize.

The UV sterilizer is running since I’ve added fish, mainly to help eliminate any free-floating pathogens. I’ve never used UV in the past, but I know opinions vary—some hobbyists run it full-time, others skip it entirely, and some only use it during the early stages.

My plan is to run the UV for now and remove it once the tank matures in a few years. With the UV running, a higher fish bioload, and minimal nutrient export, I’m hoping to avoid bottoming out nutrients. I think that’s where many new tanks struggle—they start too heavy on nutrient export before the system has had time to establish. For now, I’ll let the rock that’s been cycling for six months do the heavy lifting, and as the tank demands more support, I’ll gradually bring each piece of equipment online.

 

[Blitheran]

Alright, quick update!

The fish are doing great—well, most of them anyway. The clownfish and blenny are absolute champs when it comes to eating! They went after the pellets right away. The blenny’s a bit picky with them, but he’s all over the frozen mysis. I had a small bag of freeze-dried mysis too, and he went for those immediately—huge win not having to rely on frozen food every feeding.

Unfortunately, the yellow wrasse didn’t make it. As soon as he went into the tank, he dove straight into the sand and never came back out—not even at night or during feeding. I had a feeling that might happen, but thankfully the rest are doing awesome.

The blenny’s even been grazing on the tank walls—I can see his little bite marks everywhere. Love seeing the three of them thriving!

Still holding off on running the filter equipment for now. Just letting the natural bacteria build up. Haven’t had any algae bloom yet, so I’m happy to let the tank keep balancing itself naturally.

 

[Hemmbone20]

Nice thread! Can’t wait to see the progress!

 

[Blitheran]

Nice thread! Can’t wait to see the progress!

Thank you!!

 

[Blitheran]

I recently picked up the new Avast Plank Mini and let me tell you, it’s sleek, but definitely not small! If this is the mini, I can only imagine how massive the full-size Plank must be.

I’ve got to say, I prefer the boxed version over the drum it’s clean, efficient, and so far it’s running like a champ.

This little unit is a lifesaver right now. Between opening my State Farm Agency, adjusting to life in a new city, and taking care of a new baby, I needed the tank to run on a bit of cruise control for a while.

And hey shameless plug if anyone wants an insurance quote from a fellow reefer, hit me up! Licensed in AZ, OR, CA, and NV. Let’s talk reefing and insurance… it’s a combo you didn’t know you needed!

 

[Blitheran]

Alright, the tank is humming along nicely!

My filtration is running at full strength right now:

Biological: I’m using bio spheres in the sump along with some extra rock to build a solid foundation for beneficial bacteria.

Mechanical: The Clari-3000 filter roller is hands-down one of the most innovative upgrades in the hobby. It keeps the water crystal clear, and honestly, I’m obsessed with it.

Skimming: The Nyos 120 was wild for the first week, but it finally settled in and is now pulling a dark, nasty skimmate—exactly what I want to see.

UV Sterilizer: This is my first time running UV, but it already feels like the right move. Early-stage dinos and new fish introductions are common hurdles, so why not stay ahead of the game? I can always remove it later if I don’t need it.

That’s really the core of my filtration—simple, effective, and not overdone. I’m a firm believer that stripping a tank of all nutrients is exactly how dinos show up. I want clean water, not sterile water.

What’s probably going to make this tank the most successful is the fact that I’m so busy with the new business that I barely have time to mess with it!

Here are some updated pics of the tank. The rockwork went through that typical brown diatom phase, and now I’m seeing some green film and hair algae starting to pop up. Honestly, that’s what I want to see in a young reef. Mature tanks always have that healthy green film, and unlike dinos, these early algaes don’t starve the system of nutrients.

 

[AlyciaMarie]

Alright, the tank is humming along nicely!

My filtration is running at full strength right now:

Biological: I’m using bio spheres in the sump along with some extra rock to build a solid foundation for beneficial bacteria.

Mechanical: The Clari-3000 filter roller is hands-down one of the most innovative upgrades in the hobby. It keeps the water crystal clear, and honestly, I’m obsessed with it.

Skimming: The Nyos 120 was wild for the first week, but it finally settled in and is now pulling a dark, nasty skimmate—exactly what I want to see.

UV Sterilizer: This is my first time running UV, but it already feels like the right move. Early-stage dinos and new fish introductions are common hurdles, so why not stay ahead of the game? I can always remove it later if I don’t need it.

That’s really the core of my filtration—simple, effective, and not overdone. I’m a firm believer that stripping a tank of all nutrients is exactly how dinos show up. I want clean water, not sterile water.

What’s probably going to make this tank the most successful is the fact that I’m so busy with the new business that I barely have time to mess with it!

Here are some updated pics of the tank. The rockwork went through that typical brown diatom phase, and now I’m seeing some green film and hair algae starting to pop up. Honestly, that’s what I want to see in a young reef. Mature tanks always have that healthy green film, and unlike dinos, these early algaes don’t starve the system of nutrients.

Looking great! LOVE the floating aquascape.

 

[Jamie9]

How are you liking the plank mini? Does the freeze dried food manage to get wet and down into the water column without the tube that the full size version has? I'm thinking about getting this one...my hesitation with the full size version is just the extra size and the fact that I'm low on plug space, so it's nice that this has one instead of two. But I travel a lot and like the idea of giving my fish freeze dried food instead of pellets.

 

[Blitheran]

How are you liking the plank mini? Does the freeze dried food manage to get wet and down into the water column without the tube that the full size version has? I'm thinking about getting this one...my hesitation with the full size version is just the extra size and the fact that I'm low on plug space, so it's nice that this has one instead of two. But I travel a lot and like the idea of giving my fish freeze dried food instead of pellets.

the food does sit on the top of the water longer but it does eventually get into the water column. For me, I hate seeing the tube in the tank so I prefer this. The plank mini is awesome and dead silent.

 

[Blitheran]

the food does sit on the top of the water longer but it does eventually get into the water column. For me, I hate seeing the tube in the tank so I prefer this. The plank mini is awesome and dead silent.

I work a lot, so I made this tank completely automated. I pretty much need to bother the tank on the weekends to clean skimmer and do water changes. This allows me to enjoy it a lot more. Plus the less I tinker the more set and forget it gets

 

[Jamie9]

I work a lot, so I made this tank completely automated. I pretty much need to bother the tank on the weekends to clean skimmer and do water changes. This allows me to enjoy it a lot more. Plus the less I tinker the more set and forget it gets

That's my general goal as well. I travel quite a bit for work, and my wife isn't interested in aquariums...so I'm getting things set up as best as I can for weekend maintenance.

 

[FMF0331]

 

[Blitheran]

Updated: final livestock has been added! I added a yellow wrasse 2.0 haha. He is doing wayyy better! I a

That's my general goal as well. I travel quite a bit for work, and my wife isn't interested in aquariums...so I'm getting things set up as best as I can for weekend maintenance.

yep, highly reccomend it. I pretty much only need to touch the tank to do a water change weekly which was my goal!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Updated: final livestock has been added! I added a yellow wrasse 2.0 haha. He is doing wayyy better! I a

yep, highly reccomend it. I pretty much only need to touch the tank to do a water change weekly which was my goal!

Glad he is doing good!

 

[Blitheran]

I don’t claim to be a photographer, but here’s the latest update on the tester acros. Both are doing great with no melting, solid polyp extension, and the tank is clearly stable.

I grabbed a few shots of the rockwork too, and you can really see the color starting to come in. The glass has a light green haze, which is actually a good sign of a healthy system. There’s no brown film or anything concerning. Now it’s just a waiting game for the coralline to start showing up. I’m feeling confident enough that I’m planning to pick up a few more SPS soon.

I also increased the auto feeder to 3 minutes, 7 times a day, for a total of 21 minutes of feeding to make sure all six animals are getting what they need. With the skimmer, filter roller, and biological media running smoothly, the system should handle the extra nutrients without any issues.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I don’t claim to be a photographer, but here’s the latest update on the tester acros. Both are doing great with no melting, solid polyp extension, and the tank is clearly stable.

I grabbed a few shots of the rockwork too, and you can really see the color starting to come in. The glass has a light green haze, which is actually a good sign of a healthy system. There’s no brown film or anything concerning. Now it’s just a waiting game for the coralline to start showing up. I’m feeling confident enough that I’m planning to pick up a few more SPS soon.

I also increased the auto feeder to 3 minutes, 7 times a day, for a total of 21 minutes of feeding to make sure all six animals are getting what they need. With the skimmer, filter roller, and biological media running smoothly, the system should handle the extra nutrients without any issues.

Glad the acro is doing good for you! I know that can be a stressful experience testing a new coral out in your tank!