TigerReef's Red Sea Reefer 625XXL Reboot!

[TigerReef]

TigerReef: November 5, 2022 - Tank Day 43

TigerReef’s Red Sea Reefer 625XXL v3
Display Tank Volume - 132 Gallons
Sump Volume - 32 Gallons

Return Pump: RE Red Dragon 3 Speedy Pump 100 Watt

UV Sterilizer: Nope

Controller: GHL Profilux P4, 2x GHL Doser 2.1 | KH Director | 2x Profilux Powerbar 6E-PAB | 2x Leak Sensors | 2x Flow Sensors | Digital probes: Conductivity, PH, Redox, Temperature, Humidity

Filtration: RE Bubble King Supermarin 160 | ClariSea SK-5000 Gen 3

Reactor: BRS Mini Reactor | Pax Bellum A.R.I.D. N24 Macroalgae Reactor (currently offline) Zeolite Reactor powered by Sicce Syncra 1.5

BioMedia: BRS Premium ROX 0.8 Carbon | 3x Brightwell Xport-NO3 Dimpled Brick | Caribsea LifeRock Zeovit Carbon

Powerheads: 4x VorTech MP40mQD (ReefCrest; Mobius Basic Template: medium) | VorTech Battery Back-up | Sicce XStream 3500 (sump)

Heating: 2x BRS 300W Titanium Heater (alternating)

Cooling: GHL 5 Fan Propeller Breeze 3 | 2x AC Infinity AXIAL 1225 Fan (sump)

Lighting: 2x GHL Mitras LX 7206, GHL Mitras LX 7204 (Light Composer: AB+ Clone) | Mount: 80/20 Aluminum T-slot 15 Series | 2x Govee Under Cabinet Lights, Motion Sensor LED Light Strip (sump/control cabinet)

ATO: Advanced Acrylics Narrow Fit Version (10 gallon, external) | GHL Level Sensor | R/O: 6 Stage Deluxe Plus 150 GPD Water Saver RO/DI System | Aquatic Life
Smart Buddie RO/DI Booster Pump | 2x 44-gallon Brute

Salt Mix: Tropic Marin Pro Reef

Dosing: BRS Pharma Hybrid Balling Method Tropic Marin Part A & B (30.4ml daily ea) | Trace elements: Tropic Marin Part C (96ml daily) | Tropic Marin Bacto Balance (1.575ml daily) As of 3/10 started ZeoVit Method

Feeding: Fish Food: PE Frozen Mysis, PE Frozen Calanus, Bio-Pure Spirulina Frozen Brine, Whole Foods Frozen Scallops, PE Pellets, TDO-C2 Chroma BOOST, Nori Seaweed Sheets | Coral Food: Polyp Labs Reef Roids, BRS Reef Chili | Vitamins: Brightwell AminOmega

“So, how did we get here?”​

Let’s go back to the beginning of Summer 2020… Having achieved a 5-star island in Animal Crossing, I found myself in need of a new quarantine project. So, I purchased a Red Sea Max Nano. I had successfully kept freshwater tanks throughout the late 80’s and 90’s. And in the early 2000’s, transitioned to saltwater with a 55-gallon FOWLR.

Almost immediately, I wish I had gone bigger. So… on Black Friday, I treated myself to a RS Reefer 300XXL. More about that here: Somebody's Mother Bought Two Tanks. Running a household, working full-time and maintaining two tanks quickly drained both the joy and my enthusiasm for the hobby.

“So, what did you do?”​

Duh, I went even bigger! I traded the Max Nano and the 300XXL back to my LFS in exchange for the delivery and setup of my new RS Reefer 625XXL.

And if you’re still with me, this is where we are today.

“So, that was 17 months ago. Shouldn’t the tank be more mature?”​

Yes, it should. Almost exactly at the 1-year mark the tank had hit its stride with stable parameters and coral growth taking off.

“So, what the heck happened?”​

In August, I went to my first Reef-A-Palooza in Anaheim and was dazzled by all of the amazing reef designs and coral colonies I could be enjoying had I not been limited by my artsy-fartsy negative-spaced aquascape. Well this... and the fact that the biggest, hairiest, most menacing-looking motorcycle gang of Bristleworms had taken up residence in my Marco rocks and despite my polite invitation to leave, they LITERALLY doubled down!

“So, you blew the whole thing up? Are you nuts?”​

Yes, I am. Aren't all reefers? I came home from RAP and began plotting TigerReef's reboot! I immediately began cycling new Marco rock and sand. Planned out the new sump layout and plumbing and placed a very large, expensive order with BRS. ('You're welcome, Ryan. Go ahead and pull the trigger on that new sports car. You can afford it now.')

The great thing about hitting a mulligan is that I now have a clearer vision of what I ultimately want the tank to look like and some invaluable experience with what equipment and maintenance routine works for me.

Step 1. Add ventilation, replace the skimmer, return pump and plumbing​

Before:

After:

Step 2. Reorganize the controller cabinet
​

Before:

After:

Step 3. Build a new aquascape​

Before:

After:

Step 4. Build a water mixing grotto under the staircase​

Before:

After:

Step 6. Remove the black vinyl from the back; relocate the MP-40's to the sides offsetting each other​

Before:

After:

And finally, Step 7. Over several weeks, replace the aquascape and sand bed​

Before:

"So, where are we now?"​

Officially, today marks Day 44 of TigerReef's reboot. The instruction, advice and knowledge I have gained from this forum has been critical to the tank's success before and after the rebuild.

These are the steps I took to get here and I know others will disagree with my process and timeline. This thread is intended as merely a light-hearted snapshot of the last 2+ years. I have read numerous textbooks, participated in reefing masterclasses, watched countless hours of instructional videos and researched many online forums - albeit, none as awesome as R2R. Like the majority of you, I have had highs and lows, heart-breaking losses and expensive mistakes.

But... I could not, and would not, want to do this without you guys. No matter what, I know the R2R family has my back.

Just keep swimming!
-TigerReef

 

[Floater]

This is amazing!

 

[TigerReef]

“So, where’s the obligatory SPS eye candy pics?”

 

[JadeInferno]

TigerReef, this is a comprehensive and helpful post! I'm new to the hobby and find it helpful to see how other's are utilizing the less-known/used equipment.

It's helpful to see your positive experience with GHL and some of the other vendors.

Also love that you took off the black vinyl backing to the tank. It adds dimension and looks really bright.

I've never seen such a clean set up across everything you set up, especially the wires in your controller cabinet, are you a fellow person with ADD who needs to have everything organized?

You mentioned that this might not have been the best method for the reset. Now that you're a month or so in, what have you lost/went wrong and what would you do differently??

 

[TigerReef]

@JadeInferno Thank you for stopping by and welcome to R2R! You're going to love it here.

I definitely have a love/annoyed relationship with my GHL controller. But once it's programmed and connected, it's great. And I love that it's built like a tank and doesn't look like a dollar store knockoff kid's toy. @Ditto @Lasse @HuneyBear are varsity GHL players. They are an excellent resource should you choose to come to the GHL dark side.

And yes, I do like things tidy and organized. Especially in reefing, I find when I keep things in order, it is easier to swap out equipment, etc. and also to spot issues.

Thanks for your positive vote on the removal of the black tank backing. It seems to be a very polarizing subject here on R2R! Obviously, I like it without also. Pro tip: There's about 6in of space between the tank and wall - just enough to spy on my naughty wrasse: "Rascal".

Knock on wood... I have only lost "Horsey" the horseshoe crab. I don't think he fully appreciated the new special grade sand bed and launched himself into a powerhead. Currently, my green Cabbage Leather is being a grumpy goose. But to be fair, I did unintentionally stab him with the glass scraper.

Now, what I would do differently? I would pay someone to reboot it for me. It was a lot of work, plotting and worry. Would I do it again? No. Am I glad I did it? (So far), yes! I watch my fish waaaaay more than I watch television. And if anyone thinks fish don't have personality, they're dead wrong.

Some of my favorite builds: @vetteguy53081 @Susan Edwards @blaxsun @92Miata @Lost in the Sauce @fishguy242 and countless others! This site is chock-full of inspiration!

Best of luck with your reefing adventure! You're already successful by joining our community!

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[TigerReef]

That feeling you get when you come home from work and find a box of @Battlecorals waiting for you...

A 6-Piece/Wow "Blue Light Specials" Box!! And thank you, Adam, for the bonus frag!!

 

[TigerReef]

Sunday evening fish pics ahead of the Thanksgiving week craziness...
FOXY and DORY:

SHY GUY:

BABY GOBY:

MOO & COW:

 

[HuneyBear]

Looks good

 

[TX_Punisher]

I see you did what I did. Installed fans in the one opening where the drain pipes enter the stand. With the stand all,closed it sure heats up the tank without air circulation.

 

[TigerReef]

I see you did what I did. Installed fans in the one opening where the drain pipes enter the stand. With the stand all,closed it sure heats up the tank without air circulation.

Yes, I have them situated so they extract the humidity out of the sump. I used the existing opening in the stand because I was nervous to cut out an additional opening and potentially compromise the strength.

 

[TigerReef]

TigerReef: December 5, 2022 - Tank Day 73

Updates:
Increased dosing of TM Bacto Balance to 2.60ml/daily.

I also switched out my GHL KHD and dosing pump for Reef Factory KH Keeper Plus and dosing pump.

The KHK Plus has been online for about a week. It was a breeze to install and connect to WiFi. I like the sleek design and the smaller footprint within the controller cabinet. I hope to post a more comprehensive performance review soon.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

TigerReef: December 5, 2022 - Tank Day 73

Updates:
Increased dosing of TM Bacto Balance to 2.60ml/daily.

I also switched out my GHL KHD and dosing pump for Reef Factory KH Keeper Plus and dosing pump.

The KHK Plus has been online for about a week. It was a breeze to install and connect to WiFi. I like the sleek design and the smaller footprint within the controller cabinet. I hope to post a more comprehensive performance review soon.

Your tank is very organized for the space you got!

 

[Sitthanon]

How is the noise level of the dosing pump compared to the GHL?

 

[TigerReef]

How is the noise level of the dosing pump compared to the GHL?

The ReefFactory pump is nearly silent.

 

[TigerReef]

TigerReef: January 5, 2023 - Tank Day 104

Notable updates: I did not have a successful trial of the ReefFactory KH Keeper Plus and the PH Meter and both have been returned. The Doser is nearly silent compared to the GHL Doser. I would definitely recommend.

I would like to mention the ReefFactory design and concept is very compelling. But for whatever reason, I could not seem to get the probes to calibrate consistently for me. I would also like to say the folks at ReefFactory and their US Distribution affiliate have stellar support and customer service. I received timely, diligent responses to my emails even over the Christmas/New Year holiday. Special thank you to: Kasun, Ravi and Lukasz!!

 

[TigerReef]

And just for fun…

Mr Cabbage Leather (I almost nearly murdered )

Duncan aka “Car Lot Guy”

Strawberry Shortcake

and finally, Officer Pokey running her Friday night checkpoint

“Be safe out there everyone!”

 

[Petcrazyson]

Could we get some new FTS ?

 

[TigerReef]

Hi! @Petcrazyson Here are some snaps from tonight:

I felt like the rock scape was missing something so I added the Tonga bridge on the top left. Thoughts?

Mushroom Island

Right side close-up

And finally, Emmitt and Aikman… uhm… wrestling?

 

[Petcrazyson]

I felt like the rock scape was missing something so I added the Tonga bridge on the top left. Thoughts?

Really liking your rock work. I think your bridge works really well. And its always good to add more real-estate for coral!