A unique Reefer 300XL build (Remote sump)

[ReefRondo]

Got my 2 1Link modules installed and wired up to my DOS and Trident. COR15 for my UV steriliser on the second one, battery backup for the vortech's and my old 2013 iPad air as a screen for it all.

My marco base rock arrived this week but still a wait for the premium shelf rock before I can get building. Fingers crossed it comes soon as with all this now ready to go I can't wait!

 

[ReefRondo]

Had some other work getting carried out around the centre and the guys had a huge diamond core drill on site so had a look at how to get a drain into the sump room for getting rid of water in a hurry or large water changes. Worked out really well. Still waiting on shelf rock. Seems covid has hit Marco rock pretty badly especially here in the UK. New frag tank might actually arrive and be setup before this tank even gets wet!

 

[ReefRondo]

So it looks like my new frag tank that is going in this new room too will be here before the rock for my reefer. It seems this build will be dangerously close to a year before it sees a drop of water! Crazy…

 

[ReefRondo]

So it turns out my new frag tank has in fact arrived before I even have rock for my Reefer!
Got it into the office eventually and then realised I only had cheap rubbish underlay so decided to leave it for the day, Amazon primed some high quality self adhesive foam A4 pads and got it on the stand today. Also put the foam on the base of the sump for cushioning and sound deadening.

 

[ReefRondo]

Got some plumbing done yesterday, controller board all laid out and up on the wall and the lighting track up. Just need to decide when the swap over happens to move some of the equipment over from my existing frag system. Could potentially be a stressful day! Main one is taking the Vectra S2 which is my only return pump on my current system and installing it as a second pump on my new one for redundancy cover. Also running dual 32mm emergency drains. Paranoid but peace of mind is key for this build. Having run a Skimz overflow box on my frag system for two years it has been a nerve racking experience. It works 99% of the time but if we get a power cut then boom it’s doomed. Got all sorts to try and help but it just makes me nervous. The Tom lifter pumps have been amazing however they clog really easily. Ended up making my own prefilter for them but then the floss in there needs changed and it’s yet another thing to remember. Looking forward to shutting it down to be honest.

Current system with overflow box.

 

[paul01609]

Looking good just wondering where did u get the gloss units from

 

[ReefRondo]

Looking good just wondering where did u get the gloss units from

After months of searching I found them at IKEA of all places. Really cheap and ideal for this. I think they are in the Godmorgon range. Best part is they come with protective wrap on them so you can mark everything out to plan it and then whip it off at the end. Perfect.

 

[flyfisher2]

Come do mine! LOL

 

[MuscleBobBuffPants]

This build looks so great can’t wait to see how it turns out.

 

[ReefRondo]

leak test passed with flying colours!

decided to just go for it and move all livestock across and all of the critical equipment.
Will start on the dosers today and try and get it almost complete. Alkalinity dropped from 8.2 to 6.1 overnight!

 

[Robertellis30]

I did the same thing! Started a cycle with corals. I did t pay too much attention to ammonia and lost some heads of euphlyia. But other then that everything was nice and smooth.

 

[ReefRondo]

Duplicate post sorry.

 

[ReefRondo]

I did the same thing! Started a cycle with corals. I did t pay too much attention to ammonia and lost some heads of euphlyia. But other then that everything was nice and smooth.

Yup I’ve had no issues at all!

 

[dlaird76]

Loving this build thread. Great work. What you've done with those IKEA cabinets...beautiful

 

[ReefRondo]

Loving this build thread. Great work. What you've done with those IKEA cabinets...beautiful

Thanks man really appreciate your kind words.

 

[ReefRondo]

Got my cabinet pretty much complete today other than some wire management on the inside but I'll get to that. All in all very happy with the new frag setup. Been told Marco shelf rock should be hitting the UK at the end of this month so I will be able to start scaping this reefer and finally get it up and running too!

 

[dlaird76]

Where are you sourcing your Macro Shelf rock from if you don't mind me asking? Your frag set up puts some of my previous tanks to shame lol.

 

[ReefRondo]

Where are you sourcing your Macro Shelf rock from if you don't mind me asking? Your frag set up puts some of my previous tanks to shame lol.

I have an account with a wholesaler here in the UK as we have an aquatic department at the garden centre. Mostly outdoor stuff for now but would love to have indoor sometime soon.

 

[revhtree]

So awesome man! Clean!

 

[ReefRondo]

So awesome man! Clean!

Thanks buddy!