Cpllongjk's RedSea Reefer 170

cpllongjk · Jan 16, 2016

Hello,

A bit about me first. I've been in the hobby for 18 years. Started at the young age of 14 with a FOWLR. I got into actual reefing with corals while in the military with a 7g minibow. My forte has always been nano tanks, if it isn't hard I don't want to do it. In fact, every time I dabbled in larger tanks or setups I lost interest or couldn't care for them the way they needed to be cared for. My last setup was at our last house, a 50g (36x18x18) with a 40g breeder sump and 40g breeder frag tank. The build had so much potential however we moved last year after my father passed away and I took a break from reefing.

Ok... On to current build set up. This will take weeks/months to get water. Since this is probably my last build I'm going to make it good and not miss a beat. I'm covering all my bases before moving on. My plan is to go mostly, if not all, SPS on this tank. I my have a few LPS and softies in low light areas but mostly SPS.

If you have any questions or comments please leave them or message me.

Happy Reefing,

Jared

My equipment list is as follows:
Tank - Red Sea Reefer 170 (24x20x20)
Skimmer - LifeReef VS2-24 w/ Jebao DC pump
Return - Eheim 1260 (IT FITS, man was I worried!)
Lighting - ATI Non-Dimmable Sunpower 6x24w (4 blue+, 1 purple+, and 1 coral+) w/ (1) 24" Reefbrite XHO LED also 250w Reefbrite Hybrid w/ Radium 20k and (2) 15" XHO All Blue LEDs.
Top Off (Using Reefer 170 1.5g for the time being until I calculate my evap)
Flow - MP10WQD
Heating - Eheim 150w
Dosing Needs - BRS 2 Part Dosing (When the time comes)
Controlling - Neptune Apex

Aquascaping...

My wife wanted to pick the rock and so I was limited to FIJI rock. I was very unlucky with the sizes and shapes of the rock I received. I knew I needed more. I ordered 50 lbs when I only used about 25 lbs. Most of the pieces were football shaped and I had to break many to get the shape I wanted. I originally wanted to go with a bonsai-style shape however I didn't account for the 15x15 area of usable space to scape. It really doesnt lend itself for bonsai. I could but factoring in the rock, spots to place rock, etc... I had very limited options IMO.

Lighting...

I was able to get a very good deal on a 250w Reefbrite Hybrid w/ 20k Radium and (2) 15" XHO All Blue supplement lights. In the coming months I will decide whether I want to keep the MH setup or the T5s. I cannot say yet because it has been 10+ years since I've had a MH setup.

Cooling...

Well... The room I have the tank in is quite hot in the summer. I get full sun and I believe I will end up needing a chiller no matter what. I will know more this summer but if I am forced to get a chiller any lighting option will stay on the table.

Top Off...

I don't plan on using the built in top off for long and am researching options. I have used the tunze 3155 and loved it. The only thing I didn't like was the sensor would get calcium deposits and malfunction, which leads to cleaning it. I am really looking at the Tunze 3152 but do like the 3155s multiple layers of protection. Anyone have the Tunze 3152 and can chime in?

More Later... Now pictures...

Robink · Jan 16, 2016

Following, I also am getting a red sea reefer soon. Upgrading from my 75. Very interested in your journey.

cpllongjk · Jan 16, 2016

Following, I also am getting a red sea reefer soon. Upgrading from my 75. Very interested in your journey.

I only have 1 complaint about the tank/company. I was missing the locking ring at the base of the return line. The bulkheads RedSea uses are an all in one system. You cannot take the bulkheads out unless you take them all out. But all I was missing was the nut at the base. Instead of sending me a NUT (maybe a 2 dollar item), they are sending me a new tank! While I'm not one to complain, I will say that they need to figure that out because its wasteful. I'm happy they are sending me a back up tank but man, for a 2 dollar part you think they would make more of those just in case.

Nicholas Yoder · Jan 16, 2016

Look forward to seeing how everything turns out. Have been very interested in getting one of these.

cpllongjk · Jan 16, 2016

Look forward to seeing how everything turns out. Have been very interested in getting one of these.

I hope everything goes well too. I was torn between this and a custom tank with a reef synergy overflow. I am kinda happy I went with this even with the overflow in the back. The build quality of the RedSea Reefer 170 is really good. I owned a few CADLIGHTS tanks in the past and I would say the RedSea tank is just slightly better than those.

Nicholas Yoder · Jan 16, 2016

cpllongjk said:
I hope everything goes well too. I was torn between this and a custom tank with a reef synergy overflow. I am kinda happy I went with this even with the overflow in the back. The build quality of the RedSea Reefer 170 is really good. I owned a few CADLIGHTS tanks in the past and I would say the RedSea tank is just slightly better than those.

Ever since my parents bought one of the original Redsea 250 max i have been wanting one then they came out with this new line. Always been a fan of their quality for an all in one tank for the home. Good choice there.

cpllongjk · Jan 16, 2016

Nicholas Yoder said:
Ever since my parents bought one of the original Redsea 250 max i have been wanting one then they came out with this new line. Always been a fan of their quality for an all in one tank for the home. Good choice there.

The sump was an ok design. I would have liked a larger skimmer area but for everything they put in, it was alright. I dont like the auto top off container. Its hard to fill and only 1.5 gallons. I would of like to see them included a glass or acrylic top off container on the side of the sump instead.

Nicholas Yoder · Jan 16, 2016

cpllongjk said:
The sump was an ok design. I would have liked a larger skimmer area but for everything they put in, it was alright. I dont like the auto top off container. Its hard to fill and only 1.5 gallons. I would of like to see them included a glass or acrylic top off container on the side of the sump instead.

That would be a lot better. I might go with one of the bigger tanks depending if the lady friend would still marry me. Haha

cpllongjk · Jan 16, 2016

Nicholas Yoder said:
That would be a lot better. I might go with one of the bigger tanks depending if the lady friend would still marry me. Haha

Most people will probably end up going with a ATO from a company like Tunze with a 5+gallon top off container. I know I will eventually, especially over the summer when I have time off work and want to go camping with the family. Yeah man, you are really bound to what the woman says. I know I couldn't have started back up without her approval. If momma aint happy, I aint! And that is the TRUTH.

Broadfield · Jan 16, 2016

Hey Jared, not sure if you saw the Reefer specific thread I have going, but please feel free to join in and show off your setup, ask questions, give advice etc. It has become a great one-stop thread for all things Reefer.

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

cpllongjk · Jan 16, 2016

Broadfield said:
Hey Jared, not sure if you saw the Reefer specific thread I have going, but please feel free to join in and show off your setup, ask questions, give advice etc. It has become a great one-stop thread for all things Reefer.

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

No I haven't but I'll go check it out. Thanks

Broadfield · Jan 16, 2016

cpllongjk said:
No I haven't but I'll go check it out. Thanks

Sweet!... I look forward to your build.

cpllongjk · Jan 17, 2016

Broadfield said:
Sweet!... I look forward to your build.

Thanks for the link, I really like it. My wife and I decided to go BB until we figure out the sand issue. I honestly don't know if I want to do a shallow sand bed. I ordered live sand but will think on it some more before I make a decision. At least I can get the tank cycled and running, then add sand later.

Broadfield · Jan 17, 2016

cpllongjk said:
Thanks for the link, I really like it. My wife and I decided to go BB until we figure out the sand issue. I honestly don't know if I want to do a shallow sand bed. I ordered live sand but will think on it some more before I make a decision. At least I can get the tank cycled and running, then add sand later.

Which sand did you order? There's only one sand that I recommend that is virtually dust-free.... any of the Tropic Eden product. On top of that, it's beautiful sand, ultra consistent and comes in various sizes. It's unbelievable how crystal-clear it is right out of the bag. My original sand I had was like the "other" sand in the video below and anytime I would do something in the sand bed, it would stir up a ton of dust. I recently replaced it with the Tropic Eden Mini Flakes and there simply is no dust when I move the sand. Here's a comparison video I found a while back.

cpllongjk · Jan 17, 2016

I ordered 20lbs of Reef Special Grade. Its my favorite sand because its got some larger particles and doesnt get blown around as much. I dont mind a bit of cloudiness for a while. I dont plan on putting any fish or corals in here until the tank has been cycled and maybe been up and running for at least 2 months. I may add one or two fish at the 1 month mark for my kids, but thats it.

Live sand can be added later in small increments if I choose but yes the water will be cloudy and I most definitely wont do it after adding corals.

cameronh · Jan 18, 2016

Nice nice nice tank man! Your avatar photo is even better! Following

cpllongjk · Jan 18, 2016

cameronh said:
Nice nice nice tank man! Your avatar photo is even better! Following

Thanks. Yeah Boba has always been a favorite of mine.

cpllongjk · Jan 21, 2016

Updates...

1. Started cycling the tank with RedSea Reef Mature Pro Kit yesterday.

2. Added sand per wife's instructions and will probably move it around and thin it out with some vacuums over time. There's more sand than I thought but that's alright.

3. Added a 250w Reefbrite Halide Hybrid w/ Radium bulb.
Overall the color is a much better blue that my t5s could produce. I also forgot how much I missed the shimmer. As an added bonus my wife said they don't blind her as much as the t5s did so she's happy. She also loves the color more too. All around I am very pleased going back to MH. Heat is an issue right now since I still don't have the hanging kit. My fixture is resting 3" off the surface and heats the tank up quite a bit. My tank heater is set to 78 and my tank goes up to 82+ during the day. I cannot wait for the hanging kit and will probably have to add a fan or chiller soon. I know the chiller will be a must over the summer, could probably get away with a fan for now.

4. Going off the Cycling Program I will be adding a cleaning crew on day 10 and on day 14 I can add a herbivorous fish.

cameronh · Jan 21, 2016

cpllongjk said:
Updates...

1. Started cycling the tank with RedSea Reef Mature Pro Kit yesterday.

2. Added sand per wife's instructions and will probably move it around and thin it out with some vacuums over time. There's more sand than I thought but that's alright.

3. Added a 250w Reefbrite Halide Hybrid w/ Radium bulb.
Overall the color is a much better blue that my t5s could produce. I also forgot how much I missed the shimmer. As an added bonus my wife said they don't blind her as much as the t5s did so she's happy. She also loves the color more too. All around I am very pleased going back to MH. Heat is an issue right now since I still don't have the hanging kit. My fixture is resting 3" off the surface and heats the tank up quite a bit. My tank heater is set to 78 and my tank goes up to 82+ during the day. I cannot wait for the hanging kit and will probably have to add a fan or chiller soon. I know the chiller will be a must over the summer, could probably get away with a fan for now.

4. Going off the Cycling Program I will be adding a cleaning crew on day 10 and on day 14 I can add a herbivorous fish.

Nice man! Looking forward to seeing it all come together.

cpllongjk · Jan 21, 2016

Anyone have any idea how to get rid of the really fine sediment in the livesand bag? It is crazy how much fine white sediment is on my rocks, and in my sump right now. Its like a blanket of snow.