Kirbys Reefer 450 build

[David M.]

Very nice build. Keep us posted!

Thank you! Definitely will.

 

[Branespikin]

What leds did you put under cabinet? You have them hooked to an apex breakout box by any chance?

 

[David M.]

They're just some home Depot leds nothing special. So no they aren't.

 

[David M.]

Having some trouble with my return leaking. It's leaking from the tube that connects to the pump. I zip tied it but it's still leaking a bit. Any ideas?

 

[David M.]

Problem solved. The return tube was too long, making the pump tilt to one side. Which was making the seal break and letting water out. Cut like 3 inches off the return tube and its good as new.

 

[reefwiser]

Are you planning on making a screen for your tank? Snowflake eels like to explore the floor.

 

[David M.]

Are you planning on making a screen for your tank? Snowflake eels like to explore the floor.

Yea I absolutely am. Don't want any carpet surfers!

 

[David M.]

Some more pics cause I literally have nothing else to do to the tank until it cycles.

FTS. It's cleared up and salinity is stable, a bit high but I'll bring it down.

Full sump

Return pump and heater/probe section

Heater controller mounted. I wish the cord was longer so it could be mounted with the other controllers.

Red Sea forgot to pack the return pump tube with the tank, so I got this in the mail as a sorry gift! What a gift! Red Sea, we'll done. Amazing customer service.

Not happy with this... But I've redone it like 5 times and can't get it to look cleaner. Will probably redo it again soon.

Mounted the photon controller to the door along with my favorite piece of equipment, the octopus net hanger.

And closeups of the rock. So many spots for frags! I love this rock, the aqua scape came out exactly how I wanted it. When viewed from the side you can see everything, no hiding spots. (which can be a downside for fish, I'll have to keep an eye on the fish when they go in).

I have marine pure balls coming in today and those will go in a small rimless tank in the sump. Not sure if they will get enough flow so the in sump tank idea may not work.

The only thing I DONT have is power heads. I'm trying to get my hands on a Jebao Crossflow, but apparently they're like unicorns in the USA.

 

[David M.]

Wiring

 

[Branespikin]

Like the octopus!! Replace that steel clamp. It will rust in no time. Get the plastic ones. No Apex controller?

 

[David M.]

Yea the clamp is on my list. Harbor Freight should have one. If not HD or Lowes. No apex yet. I'll probably go the reef keeper route seeing as how much this monster has already cost me. And thanks the octopus was an awesome find at HD.

 

[Branespikin]

And how much it will keep costing you. Lol. I bought the 450 and went all out top notch euipment. Had to downgrade and ended selling half the stuff at a loss. Now i got the 250 and am going all out again!!!!

 

[David M.]

Not much to add, cycle is working it's magic. Seeing some nitrites and nitrates already which is crazy. I guess that cycle stuff from tetra really works.

Added a Finnex Stingray clip on LED made for planted nano tanks, gonna use that for chaeto obviously.

Fired up the skimmer and its already working awesome, no break in apparently. Not skimming anything yet but it's good to see that it works.

Also programmed my sunrise/sunset on the photon, which was surprisingly easy. I'm switching from T5 to LED so the max power setting at mid day is only 17% Blue and 15% White. Looks pretty dim, guess I'll just have to wait it out and acclimate everything to the LED over time. As soon as I see a huge Nitrate spike, I'll let it dip and do a water change. Then put the first fish in and see how it goes. Did the last ever water change on my 80g. Woo! I hate to see you go, but I love to watch you leave.

 

[David M.]

Powerhead? CHECK! Very excited about this one. Been wanting to try a gyre forever.

 

[David M.]

Also got a tongue coral for the tank that's not even set up yet haha. My wife's tank is packed with my frags she hates it.

 

[Branespikin]

I had the gyre but it kept building up a cove of sand undernesth where i put the gyre. I switched to mp 40 now. It was good but every 2 weeks i needed to shift the sand bed. Didnt try the mp out yet but will see. Its a strond butt pump so start slow.

 

[David M.]

I had the gyre but it kept building up a cove of sand undernesth where i put the gyre. I switched to mp 40 now. It was good but every 2 weeks i needed to shift the sand bed. Didnt try the mp out yet but will see. Its a strond *** pump so start slow.

That's exactly why I went with crushed coral this time around. I hated having to dial my flow down to keep the sandstorm at bay. Almost bought a few mp40 today, but it would have ended up being more expensive. And I've always wanted a gyre.

 

[Txdragonslayer]

I got a little more done today. The rock I had was very top heavy, so I had to stabilize it. Picked up some hydraulic Cement from HD and used old shelf rock to make a larger base. Overall it was a pretty easy process, I just hope it works out like I need it to.

Also got some of my wire management out of the way, pretty happy with how it looks but can't finish it until my power strip comes in and I can mount the controllers.

Also got my light in the mail, not sure if I mentioned it above but there was a stocking issue with the reef breeders 48" long so I was upgraded to the 60" wireless. Unfortunately they forgot to pack the wireless controller, but one quick call and it's on its way via 2 day mail. Great customer service all around. Shout out to Logan at reef breeders. You da man!

I still have one more rock to Cement, which will be tomorrows project. And I'll be picking up more sand and salt this weekend. Then hopefully filling it up!

HYDROLIC CEMENT? I have never heard of this and I am hoping it will save me money from the Nyos cement i have been buying. IF you dont mind could you find a link or pic of the bag you purchased from Home Depot? I would like to try this out. thank you.

 

[David M.]

Well my new gyre apparently had a piece of metal on the outside of the magnet... Which rusted and scratched my new reefer 450. It's a small scratch but rather upsetting. I expect great quality control when I pay money for the best... Maybe @Carlos@CoralVue can chime in? I left a voice mail with coralvue a few ago. Will hopefully hear back soon.

 

[David M.]

Going to post in their sub forum to hopefully get a quick response.