THE GRAY'S REDSEA REEFER 350 BUILD JOURNEY

[Digicop]

June 17, 2021
One of the happiest days I have had in a long time. The worlds best fiancé, Ashley Price, surprised me with a Red Sea Reefer 350. I received a telephone call telling me to run to the house to sign for a shipment. A large freight delivery company dropped off a pallet wrapped in black tape. It is addressed to Ashley and I can see it’s from an aquarium store –fish tanksdirect.com. I removed the black wrap to expose a sight I had only dreamed about. I soon learn this is my Father’s Day gift from Ashley, Adrien and Taylon. I admit I am undeserving of such a gift but I will not relinquish it.


June 19, 2021

I went to Pets Unlimited where I purchased 22lbs of dry rock, 40lbs of CaribSea Geo-Marine Aragonite Florida crushed coral and 20 lbs of Caribsea Fuji Pink live sand. ($140)

I received a Bulk Reef Supply delivery of a OCTO Regal 150-INT protein skimmer. Another undeserving gift from Ashley. ($521.24)


The tank was set up and filled with water. I used the remaining salt I had before buying Fritz high alkalinity salt. ($50)

June 20, 2021 (DAY 1)

Added corals taken from Biocube and 2 clownfish with an anemone. Also added multiple bacteria products.


6-23-21
Added small ball of charro with grow light

6-24-21

Being Impatient, I added corals to the tank.

7-1-2021

8-2-21
I have been battling cyanobacteria after trying to get my nitrates above zero. After heavy feeding and even dosing nitrates I think I’m getting to the end of the cyanobacteria battle.


8-6-21
A great Reefer friend, Mike Cormier, gave me another large head of hammer corals. I created a floating garden for them in center of tank.

10-1-21

1-7-23

1-17-23
Added Melanurus Wrasse $39.99 at Tropical

April 24, 2023

May 27, 2023 - Moved stuff around in tank.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Tank is looking really good!!

 

[Digicop]

I have lost several fish to Marine ich or as I am sure to be soon corrected Cryptocaryon. I have temporarily installed an Icecap 40 watt UV filter until I can get another tank cycled to move the remaining fish into. I plan to plumb the UV into my display tank after this battle is won.

I am a little confused on how the tank will cycle without any rock or sand, but everything I read says it just needs to be water and maybe some PVC pipes for the fish to hide while I treat them with copper. I am confused that some say the lifecycle will not be broken if I have snails and corals left in the infected tank. I guess the scientific consensus is still being determined?

I hope I am able to leave my snails in the tank, because if not, I will be overgrown with hair algae very quickly. I do have a sea urchin in a nearby song that I am my move into the display tank and the tangs are out.

Wish me luck.