Shaun's 2000 Litre (530 USG) Living Reef & Red Sea Max S 650 LED Design & Build

[SPR1968]

I’ve set the flow on the pump to the middle of the recommended flow rate or thereabouts so we will see how it all works after a few weeks

And you can see the effects on pH clearly from here as well if you notice the days prior to installation

I’ve got an ELOS pH test kit coming today just to see if the Apex is still accurate or needs recalibrating. Assuming the test kit is accurate...

 

[najer]

Nice work, I hope it works well for you.

 

[Richard Ivory]

are you running off a seperate pump or the main return pump ?

 

[Blutspitze]

Very cool looking reactor. Hope it goes well!

 

[SPR1968]

are you running off a seperate pump or the main return pump ?

It has a dedicated pump an Eheim CompactON2100 so can be turned on and off independently

Very cool looking reactor. Hope it goes well!

Hopefully! Lol and thanks for stopping by

 

[SPR1968]

My ELOS pH test kit came and is very easy to read and use.

So despite all my mythering about low pH, the test kit was either 8.1 or 8.2 so perfect

So as I have nothing else to do apart from now ponder hydroponic gardening with my new ALR2 reactor toy, I’ve cleaned the pH ORP and temperature probes of Apex. For the first time in about 2 years (ok ever!!) They were a bit funky for sure, I even washed my hands!

 

[RichtheReefer21]

I bet the algae reactor is working double time getting that natural sunlight daily. Nice work and best of luck with it.

 

[Crabby48]

The algae reactor looks nice. Looking fwd to see how it works for you

 

[najer]

See if you can get an lfs lined up to take the cheato you harvest, share the wealth.

 

[PanchoG]

Place some pods inside!

 

[SPR1968]

Place some pods inside!

You and your pods Pancho! I have a mandarin so must have some pods, are they supposed to be good for food or something?

 

[SPR1968]

I bet the algae reactor is working double time getting that natural sunlight daily. Nice work and best of luck with it.

It seems to be and I think the algae is growing, well it looks a bit more!

The algae reactor looks nice. Looking fwd to see how it works for you

Yes, and big! But you can’t see it unless you stand right next to the tank and look at the back as it’s hidden behind the tank

See if you can get an lfs lined up to take the cheato you harvest, share the wealth.

I can’t be bothered with that Simon, I’ll just end up taking a bag of Chaetomorpha to the LFS and then spending 100’s bringing stuff back! Lol

I’ve actually been thinking I wonder what it’s like in a stir fry. But then I think of all the ‘stuff’ it’s been feeding on.... ! Lol

 

[PanchoG]

You and your pods Pancho! I have a mandarin so must have some pods, are they supposed to be good for food or something?

Yes, your mandarin, wrasses, gobies, etc. will eat them, the best food.

 

[vangvace]

I had a version of the ALR1 that I picked up used. I never got the flow dialed in correctly and was pretty poor with my maintenance of it so it grew more slime algae and detritus than cheato.

 

[GoVols]

Shaun,
Your new reactor looks too cool...

If you ever go with an chiller just break down and get the Teco TK2000.
It will give you some peace of mind on your travels and it heats too.

 

[SPR1968]

Shaun,
Your new reactor looks too cool...

If you ever go with an chiller just break down and get the Teco TK2000.
It will give you some peace of mind on your travels and it heats too.

I have a ‘chiller’ already Freddie or are you trying to say it’s inadequate! lol

I live in England so can get away without one most of the time, but I would get a Teco if I needed it, and infact nearly purchased the Teco 1000 a few years ago. But after speaking with the LFS I decided it wasn’t necessary for this climate.

My current ‘chiller’ will drop the temperature by around 4-5C when needed. And when it’s not, it’s packed away for another 9 months over autumn/winter/spring.

And on the ALR2, I’m very happy with it. It is actually really cool to look at. I’m just a little worried I’m going to get raided by the Police thinking I’m growing something I maybe shouldn’t be!! Lol

 

[GoVols]

And on the ALR2, I’m very happy with it. It is actually really cool to look at. I’m just a little worried I’m going to get raided by the Police thinking I’m growing something I maybe shouldn’t be!! Lol

Lol!!

Please keep us updated with shots, as you go with it.

 

[SPR1968]

A little close up....

 

[SPR1968]

You lot can just marvel at my British engineering prowess! Lol.

Rolls Royce, you know we’re to contact me!

The tube was slightly bending with the weight so this will stop is kinking. Maybe I should have used braided tubing in hindsight.....

 

[Fudsey]

Piece of leather?