G8rNation's Reefer 350

G8rNation · Apr 5, 2016

Hello everyone!!!

I've been on the forums for a while but this will be my first build thread. While this is my first build thread this is far from my first saltwater tank. I have been in the hobby for about 12 years now. My first tank was a 180 and I had a couple grey bamboo sharks, lions and tangs. That tank got torn down and sold for parts for my car when I turned 16. Later on in life I got back into the hobby with a BC 29 which only survived for a few months mainly to me being in the military and not having the time to take care of it. Post military I bought a BC 14 and started learning about growing coral. About 7 or 8 months ago I purchased a used Red Sea Max 170 and really enjoyed the tank. My plans were to take the top off and make it rimless but after a lot of reading on R2R I decided against it. It seemed that many said it was very difficult and I didn't want to break the tank. I had a kessil 360 on it and was not happy with the overall color I was getting out of it so I decided to try one of the new Radion 30 pros. Well after going to my LFS (Top shelf aquatics) and seeing their Radion 30s over their tank I decided it was time to go with a bigger tank as well. The Red Sea Reefer 350 was an obvious choice. It is a perfect tank, stand, and sump setup IMO.

As this was my first brand new tank I wanted to do everything right the first time. I feel like I've wasted more money on buying used things and then upgrading them to my liking before feeling the urge to upgrade to something better. So with this build, I decided to go with quality equipment right out of the gate to help alleviate any later stress.

The setup
Tank :White Red Sea Reefer 350
Lights: 2x Radion xr30 Pro (Gen 3)
Return pump: Ecotech Vectra M1
Powerhead: 1x Ecotech Mp40
Skimmer: TBD? maybe bubble magnus DC8? welcome to suggestions
I also picked up an Ecotech Reeflink to control everything through my phone. for $100 you cant beat it.

Now for some pictures:

First picture I have of the stand coming together:

Placing the tank on the stand. I love the clean edges the reefers have

These 2 watched on anxiously

Filling the tank:

Mounting the first Radion:

Now to just let it settle down:

eatbreakfast · Apr 6, 2016

Good luck! Keep posting so we can see what's next.

revhtree · Apr 6, 2016

Great tank!

Following!

Scubafrog · Apr 6, 2016

Looks good. Thanks for the build pictures.

G8rNation · Apr 7, 2016

Found some more of the build photos I figured I could add up

The Radions are insanely bright

Apparently Echotech has changed their ballasts out on the radions. I have one manufactured in Feb of 16 and one in March of 16. The feb has the usual white blocky ballast and the march one has their new design. Its the same one used on the Vectra apparently.

Stack of Ecotech goodies

Sadly last night I discovered my sump had a small leak in the front right corner. I contacted Red Sea directly and they said they would replace with proper documentation but my LFS swapped out my busted one for a new one. Thanks again Top Shelf Aquatics for all your help and patience! So today was comprised mainly of breaking down the old sump and then setting up the replacement. I did get a nice shower when I went to remove the main drainage pipe from the tank. I forgot that it was slowly dripping when I put it back on and well, needless to say hours of build up amassed in it. So when I went to remove it to take out my saftey bucket I got soaked.

And then after the new sump was placed back in

The main display has cleared up nicely as well. Im really happy with my aquascape and how it turned out. I wanted something minimalistic yet still useful and that would be well lit. The 2 structures are made up of Haitian plate. Big thanks to Mgaulin1989 for all the help in getting this tank up to where it is.

Left side of the tank

Right side of the tank

Sabellafella · Apr 7, 2016

G8rNation said:
Found some more of the build photos I figured I could add up

The Radions are insanely bright

Apparently Echotech has changed their ballasts out on the radions. I have one manufactured in Feb of 16 and one in March of 16. The feb has the usual white blocky ballast and the march one has their new design. Its the same one used on the Vectra apparently.

Stack of Ecotech goodies

Sadly last night I discovered my sump had a small leak in the front right corner. I contacted Red Sea directly and they said they would replace with proper documentation but my LFS swapped out my busted one for a new one. Thanks again Top Shelf Aquatics for all your help and patience! So today was comprised mainly of breaking down the old sump and then setting up the replacement. I did get a nice shower when I went to remove the main drainage pipe from the tank. I forgot that it was slowly dripping when I put it back on and well, needless to say hours of build up amassed in it. So when I went to remove it to take out my saftey bucket I got soaked.

And then after the new sump was placed back in

The main display has cleared up nicely as well. Im really happy with my aquascape and how it turned out. I wanted something minimalistic yet still useful and that would be well lit. The 2 structures are made up of Haitian plate. Big thanks to Mgaulin1989 for all the help in getting this tank up to where it is.

Left side of the tank

Right side of the tank

Sweeet, howd you go about T the return like that?

G8rNation · Apr 7, 2016

Sabellafella said:
Sweeet, howd you go about T the return like that?

The LFS switched it out so I didnt have to deal with returning it to red sea if your asking about the sump.

Sabellafella · Apr 7, 2016

Oh lol no i ment the return nossle

G8rNation · Apr 7, 2016

Ah I had to take it off. Which lead to a pretty solid dripping of water until I could get the bucket out then put the sump back in. It was a mess.

Branespikin · Apr 7, 2016

I think Sabellafella is talking about the return nozzle in your display tank that comes out the overflow. Stock has one pipe looks like you have a Y splitter of some sort. Atleast thats what im thinking because thats what i was going to ask.

G8rNation · Apr 7, 2016

Branespikin said:
I think Sabellafella is talking about the return nozzle in your display tank that comes out the overflow. Stock has one pipe looks like you have a Y splitter of some sort. Atleast thats what im thinking because thats what I was going to ask.

I got it from my LFS. Its was made by someone local to me with a 3D printer. Not a bad pickup for $25. The stock nozzle just pops off and this guy slides right in. Couldn't be any easier or low profile.

Duberz · Apr 7, 2016

Does top shelf sell that return nozel? I'm assuming that's your lfs from your post.

G8trBait16 · Apr 7, 2016

Looking good G8rNation. By the way GO GATORS!

G8rNation · Apr 7, 2016

Duberz said:
Does top shelf sell that return nozel? I'm assuming that's your lfs from your post.

You are correct. You may have to ask them for it though. One of the owners is who recommended it to me. You really can't beat how convenient it was to install. I can take better pictures of it if anyone would like to see it

G8trBait16 said:
Looking good G8rNation. By the way GO GATORS!

Orange and blue all day! Only a few more months until football season is back!

G8rNation · Apr 7, 2016

I've had a couple people message me about my splitter so I figured I would take a couple pictures of it for everyone to see. As you can see its all one piece and simply slides into the return where the stock one would, no threads or glue needed. These come from Top Shelf Aquatics in Orlando Fl and sell for I believe $25 (don't quote me). They regularly sell frags online so I'm sure they would be able to ship these out as well. I personally went with this over the other splitter I see a lot of other people using due to the small size of it and ease of installation. The owner told me they do take a couple hours to make on a 3D printer so you may need to give them a couple days to get one ready.

I took a couple close ups of the rocks from the front. Figured it may show off all the crevices and hiding spots better than the previous pictures. This is only around 40lbs of rock so I will have to get creative in my sump as far as filtration. I've never used reactors or anything like that before but I think I may try with this build in the future. Any suggestions as to what may be beneficial to the set-up are welcome.

Right structure

Left structure it almost reminds me of the scream mask lol

revhtree · Apr 7, 2016

Nice scape!

Danny1496 · Apr 7, 2016

thanks man , for the info the splitter gave them a call and have one on the way . nice tank by the way .

G8rNation · Apr 11, 2016

Quick update, in some crazy turn of events I somehow managed so crack the back left corner of my sump. I drained all the water got some aquarium sealant from Home Depot and 2 square pieces of glass to sandwich around the crack. It has been holding water without any issues for 2 days now so I think I'm in the clear. The tank is in the process of a full on diatom explosion as well.

Danny1496 · Apr 12, 2016

Wow sorry to hear this At lease your able to run the tank

G8rNation · Apr 17, 2016

It's been about a week since I've been back on here with an update on the tank. I tested the water today and everything looked good with the exception of my PH being a little low (7.8) Hopefully this balances out some before RAP next weekend. What skimmer does everyone run on their 350? I was looking at a bubble magus dc8 (sp?) It is supposed to be super quiet. Anyone have any personal experience with these? I know they just recently came out.