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

RichtheReefer21 · Sep 21, 2019

SPR1968 said:
Here’s a slightly different picture of the anemone

I love my squam anthias. Always out in the current. Great shot sir.

SPR1968 · Sep 22, 2019

Here’s an update on the ALR2 reactor

It’s was installed 23rd July 2019 like this

And this is what it looked like yesterday

I’ve tried it on the recommended flow and then higher flow and I’m not that impressed with this at all. It was run 24/7

When it came out, the acrylic tube surrounding the light was covered in like a slime

My nitrate and phosphate levels haven’t moved from around 20ppm and phosphate is around 0.03-0.07ppm

So I’ve put what’s left of the Cheato back in, reduced the flow to a lower level, and we will see what happens but if it’s no better in a month or so you know what’s going to happen to it.

I’ve also amended the light/flow period to on at 21.45 and off at 15.00 to give a period of darkness and no flow.

RichtheReefer21 · Sep 22, 2019

SPR1968 said:
Here’s an update on the ALR2 reactor

It’s was installed 23rd July 2019 like this

And this is what it looked like yesterday

I’ve tried it on the recommended flow and then higher flow and I’m not that impressed with this at all. It was run 24/7

When it came out, the acrylic tube surrounding the light was covered in like a slime

My nitrate and phosphate levels haven’t moved from around 20ppm and phosphate is around 0.03-0.07ppm

So I’ve put what’s left of the Cheato back in, reduced the flow to a lower level, and we will see what happens but if it’s no better in a month or so you know what’s going to happen to it.

I’ve also amended the light/flow period to on at 21.45 and off at 15.00 to give a period of darkness and no flow.

Definitely need that period of darkness imho. Just not sure about the no flow... I would imagine oxygen levels would effect macroalgae.

Have u found any one who has had success with it here on the forum? Perhaps they found a trick?

PanchoG · Sep 22, 2019

I think chaeto needs darkness, I have mine with light during 18 hours a day and it is doing so so, slow grower. I would not cut the flow as the sea never rests. The settings you were using were the recommeded by the manufacturer?

SPR1968 · Sep 22, 2019

RichtheReefer21 said:
Definitely need that period of darkness imho. Just not sure about the no flow... I would imagine oxygen levels would effect macroalgae.

Have u found any one who has had success with it here on the forum? Perhaps they found a trick?

Well when I read up on this some people run 24/7 with success and some say you need a period of darkness.

It will only be without flow for a few hours so don’t think that will make much difference, but I can always adjust it again as it’s controlled by Apex.

I know sometimes it’s affected by various trace elements in the water, but on the basis the tank is glowing, I’m not that bothered. The Chaeto will either live or die!

The new tank had a dedicated refugium so that will be better anyway.

PanchoG said:
I think chaeto needs darkness, I have mine with light during 18 hours a day and it is doing so so, slow grower. I would not cut the flow as the sea never rests. The settings you were using were the recommeded by the manufacturer?

It’s going to be in ‘lagoon’ mode for a few hours Pancho! Lol

The flow settings were as recommended, I started midway between the recommended flow, then turned to the top end, neither made much difference, so I’m now trying the lower end of the flow scale to see what happens.

My nutrient levels have been static for ages at around 20ppm nitrate and 0.03 phosphate which are fine.

In reality I only purchased the ALR2 because I’ve always liked the idea of a refugium, but without the mess and of course I had nothing else to fiddle about with! Lol

But now I do, and my mind will be fully occupied for some considerable time very shortly......

SPR1968 · Sep 22, 2019

The new tank is arriving on Wednesday morning.

I’ve just re measured the entrance were it will come in 15 times with my tape measure just to be sure

I’m weeing my pants with excitement again!! Lol

najer · Sep 22, 2019

SPR1968 said:
The new tank is arriving on Wednesday morning.

I’ve just re measured the entrance were it will come in 15 times with my tape measure just to be sure

I’m weeing my pants with excitement again!! Lol

Short notice, give me a shout and I will see if I can project manage that day, vodka tonics for me and I will shout at anyone!

SPR1968 · Sep 22, 2019

najer said:
Short notice, give me a shout and I will see if I can project manage that day, vodka tonics for me and I will shout at anyone!

I’ve got some builders also arriving (my brother and some of his slaves) just in case I need something hitting really hard with a hammer and some extra muscle! Lol

I know it will fit fine but with something this big your always a little ‘nervous’

najer · Sep 22, 2019

Got a 6 x 3 x 18inch shallow lagoon planned, can't wait to see your new tank running.

SPR1968 · Sep 22, 2019

najer said:
Got a 6 x 3 x 18inch shallow lagoon planned, can't wait to see your new tank running.

That’s sounds really cool, I quiet like the shallow tanks.

I’m going to take building the new tank slowly and consider each step, although I have planned pretty much everything already. The plumbing will be the first step, or I might put the lights in

It’s been raining today, as you will know, and I’ve ordered some more equipment like sump lighting and other bits and pieces I need. It’s like Christmas in the dining room!!

najer · Sep 22, 2019

I need to wait for my redundancy money appearing then I will order glass.

Jots · Sep 22, 2019

SPR1968 said:
June 2017

August 2018

April 2019

June 2019 The Living Reef......

January 2019 side shot

Hi Guys

I've just started my new build thread on here and my tank has reached 1 year old this month.

This is pretty much my first tank of any kind, other than a Max E260 which I had for a few months before getting hooked on the hobby.

I've learned quickly as much as I can. Anyway, I know everyone likes pictures so here are a few and also a video link if it's works!

Good on ya! Great job on your tank and success. I truly believe that your success is attributed to the research and patience.

SPR1968 · Sep 23, 2019

Jots said:
Good on ya! Great job on your tank and success. I truly believe that your success is attributed to the research and patience.

Thank you and thanks for stopping by!

Research definitely, but I don’t know about patience! lol

SPR1968 · Sep 24, 2019

For the past few weeks I’ve been playing around with the Abyzz a200, well when I say that, I mean trying to figure out how to get the titanium very expensive impeller assembly out.

I’ve read the instructions but it just didn’t seem right sticking screw drivers into something that cost £1500 GBP! I just didn’t want to break it.

So, without wishing to sound like a ‘simpleton’ I got in touch with Abyzz in Germany and I have to say their customer service is first class. After a few emails, (which I couldn’t follow either! Lol) I asked if they could do me a quick video of how to take the thing to pieces, and within a few minutes Thomas at Abyzz kindly sent me video.

I tried to post it but it wouldn’t work, but Freddie @GoVols it made me laugh! Lol

And here it is taken apart. It’s easy when you know how!

SPR1968 · Sep 25, 2019

So I spent the first few hours of this morning pacing around, measuring the door, re measuring the door, measuring everything else I could find, and then the time came.

The tank ‘glided’ in through the door and went into place.

For some reason the last shot doesn’t make the tank look as big as it actually is, well in my eyes anyway! It’s OMG huge!

The build quality is simply excellent in terms of the tank, sump and the metal stand, Fit Filtration have made a first class job of this

Anyway here you go, I had a few extra bodies to help if needed, so I sort of supervised with a little lift were necessary!