All over again... A Reefer 350 build.

[John3]

I joined this hobby 3 years back with a 29g biocube. It’s matured out now and spilling over with corals. With that said I recently added a Reefer 350 and I’m hopping to enjoy the same level of success.

I’m not looking forward to the “uglies” stage or having to be patient but it will be fun going through the process again.

I’m still working on enough RODI water to fill this tank but I’m hoping to begin a cycle sometime this week. There’s some Caribsea life rock and Bimini pink sand. The rock work is going to get redone when I add in some Gulf live rock in 4-6 weeks.

 

[John3]

Equipment list so far:

Vectra S2 return pump
BRS 300w heater
Inkbird temp controller
(2) Radion XR-15 G4s
(2) MP40WQDs
Simplicity 240 Skimmer

 

[the_cros]

Good Luck!!! I just got my 350 cycled and now the real fun begins.

 

[Vinman]

I joined this hobby 3 years back with a 29g biocube. It’s matured out now and spilling over with corals. With that said I recently added a Reefer 350 and I’m hopping to enjoy the same level of success.

I’m not looking forward to the “uglies” stage or having to be patient but it will be fun going through the process again.

I’m still working on enough RODI water to fill this tank but I’m hoping to begin a cycle sometime this week. There’s some Caribsea life rock and Bimini pink sand. The rock work is going to get redone when I add in some Gulf live rock in 4-6 weeks.

Awesome a new build. I'm in the same boat with a 180 only 1 week old. If you go to you account and copy your thread you will get a builder badge . Bam just like that! Will be following

 

[John3]

Thanks Vinman!

 

[thaistalyn]

Looking good. Any reason to go with gulf live rock instead of some seed rock from your existing setup? Just wondering since I've considered live gulf rock but keep reading about unwanted hitchhikers.

 

[John3]

I used gulf live rock in my other tank and really like it. I did get all kinds of hitchhikers including some corals. The only bad one i got are some mejano type nems. They don’t spread fast but they do get large and will sting corals. They would be easy enough to kill off but I keep a few around.

I believe the live rock in my biocube is why that tank is pretty balanced and low maintenance.

John

 

[btmedic04]

looks like a nice start! following along for the ride

 

[John3]

Ok, it’s all filled up. I’m seeing a huge difference in sound and adjustability by swapping out to a gate valve. I also added a T coupling at the end of my return pipe and that has really cut down on the amount of bubbles and sound in the sump. I’ll get some pics and update.

I’ll let this run another day as is and if everything is fine I’ll start up the heater and get the cycle started.

 

[John3]

As a side note I bought 2 MP40wqd powerheads used. Unfortunately the seller wasn’t very honest I had one unit with a bloated split open magnet and the other unit needs bearings. I bought a new wetside and I have bearings on order. It’s a learning lesson for sure, I’ll end up spending close to what new would have cost.

 

[John3]

Ok, so I’m through the first part of cycling. The caribsea rock and live sand appear to have been a positive in the cycling. I added a sailfin tang, 3 nassirus snails, and 3 trochus snails. I tossed in some coralline algae and some tiny brittle stars from my other setup.

Diatoms are starting to cover everything. This time around there’s no panic, just expectations these stages will pass.

 

[John3]

My lonely sailfin.

 

[John3]

I’m going to pull the trigger on 50# of Gulf live rock in the few weeks. The sailfin will need to go on a vacation to a friends tank and hopefully comes back to a remodeled home.

 

[kwall737]

How do you like the 2 XR-15s on your tank? I’ve got a Waterbox 130.4 on the way (48” long) and have 2 AI Hydra 32s, but am thinking about pulling the trigger on 2 XR-15s instead.

 

[John3]

I think the XR-15s provide enough coverage to grow LPS and softies. I’m planning on some SPS up higher on my rocks more directly under the lights. If you want mostly SPS I could see the need for a third light.

 

[John3]

Diatoms have basically burned themselves out and the sand bed is returning to white.

 

[John3]

This seems to be moving along faster than before. I’m going to tip my hat to the Carib Sea life rock and live sand. Looks like it’s time to start planning for the real live rock.