Trahelyk's Red Sea Reefer 350 build

[trahelyk]

Starting with a reefer 350 and picKing out my components. About ready top start putting things together.

Bear with me; I'm still a bit new top full-size tasks. I've had an 8-gallon nano for the last year, and I had a 55-gallon FOWLR tank back in college--that was 15 years ago now. This will be my first full-size reef tank.

Follow along!

 

[trahelyk]

Some of the equipment I've picked out so far:

• BSR single-chamber reactor. Can I just mix the suggested amounts of carbon and GFO in this one chamber?
• Tunze strong care magnet. I was surprised at how much this cost, but my hopes are high for easier glass cleaning.
• Float valve for the RODI setup. Photos to come later of that system.
• High capacity GFO and ROX 0.8 carbon. This is the good stuff, right?
• Sicce Syncra Pro, 1000 gph. This might get returned, since I've just discovered DC pumps.
• Deepwater BLDC8. This would take the place of the Sicce. My research seems to indicate that this is a step up from a Jebao, as long as I can find fittings for it.
• Egg crate for the top to keep jumpers in. Having a really hard time finding the little acrylic clips to support the top. Welcoming suggestions on that point.
• 1 of 2 GFCI outlets to replace the outlets near the tank. Safety first!
• A used Vertex Omega skimmer.

Some more stuff is on the way.

 

[trahelyk]

Finally coming back to this thread.

Initially, I aquascaped a series of lumps.

 

[trahelyk]

Then I decided I didn't like that scape, so I added some BRS project reef rock (the purple stuff) and re-did the scape. This would have been way easier if I had done it in a dry tank, the way they tell you to.

 

[trahelyk]

 

[trahelyk]

The sump still needs a little organizing, and I need to pull some of that rock out of there. I didn't want to cause another cycle when I put the project rock in, so I moved some of the existing rock to the sump instead of taking it out altogether. Now it's been a few weeks so I think I'm okay to take it out.

 

[trahelyk]

The Apex is mounted to a board, which is in turn mounted to drawer slides. This way I can pull it out to do maintenance and save the bulk of the under-cabinet space (chiller compartment) for an ATO. I didn't like the ATO that came with the Reefer, so I've taken it out, and I'm eventually going to convert it to a fuge.

 

[trahelyk]

After the cycle I went ahead and move the kids from my 8-gallon nano into the tank and tore down the nano.

 

[trahelyk]

Now for the stocking list. Hoping I can get some opinions on this. I moved a couple of pink skunk clowns over from the nano, and I already added a lawnmower blenny. Here's what else I have in mind:

Fishies:
Pajama cardinalfish (X3)
Exquisite firefish
Neon goby
Longnose hawkfish?
Ruby dragonet (after 1 year)

Inverts:
Derasa Clam
Feather duster

SPS:
Bird's nest
Montipora Capricornis
Branched Montipora Coral (Montipora digitata)

Still brainstorming & picking through books. Accepting criticisms & suggestions.

 

[Broadfield]

Just letting you know that I started a Reefer specific thread if you want to join in, show off your setup, give advice and ask questions there. Once we get some traffic on that thread, it should blow up with good info and be a great place to gather ideas etc.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/show-off-and-discuss-your-red-sea-reefer-series.219309/

 

[trahelyk]

Just letting you know that I started a Reefer specific thread if you want to join in, show off your setup, give advice and ask questions there. Once we get some traffic on that thread, it should blow up with good info and be a great place to gather ideas etc.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/show-off-and-discuss-your-red-sea-reefer-series.219309/

That's really great--thanks for letting me know.

I just adore the way you've set up your Apex. I would totally want to copy you, but I have a 5-gallon bucket in that chamber for my ATO eating all that room. I noticed that you also removed the ATO reservoir from your sump--where did you put your ATO supply?