MA Reefer250

Scurvy · Dec 24, 2016

I decided it was time to post about my entry into the field. I've been wanting a reef tank for over 10 years but when I first wanted to get in there wasn't a lot of info out there for newbie's. Fast forward to 2016 and I stumbled across this great place REEF2REEF! I saw countless amazing tanks and many helpful members posting to ensure everyone had a chance at an amazing reef. I was hooked and finally took the plunge back in May. Through many early growing pains, then getting knocked out of commission for a couple months with a medical issue and then rebounding over the last 6 weeks or so here's my reef as it stands today. Ipad/Iphone6 photo's do NO justice as you all know but I'm very happy!

FTS: 3/30/18

Scurvy · Dec 24, 2016

I'm running a RedSea Reefer, Nyos 120 skimmer, Kessil Cannons, Gyre&MP10 for flow with a BRS GFO/Carbon reactor. Apex in hand but haven't gotten around to completely setting it up as I'm dreading tearing apart the sump area and redoing it all. Maybe a New Year's Day project!

Thanks to all who actively post and participate making this such a great forum and place to learn! When I upgrade, and I know I will there will be a more traditional build thread.

Merry Christmas!

Scurvy · Jul 13, 2017

Time to update my long forgotten build thread. I seem to like looking at your tanks more than updating the history of my own.
2017 Began with some lighting changes. I removed a Kessil 360 and added on a 4 bulb ATI fixture. I then modded that by mounting 2 Kessil 160's to it. My tank and I certainly love this combo but it may not be the sleekest looking setup out there.

So moving into February I realized water changes were no longer keeping up with demand so I started dosing. Seemed easy enough but being a rookie I was a little intimidated. Added a Jebao dosing pump for 2 er (3) part. Not the cleanest install you'll see but its functional.

Sometime around late Feb/Early March I finally got the Apex installed and off the floor. Really like having Apex control however constant PH monitoring got the better of me. Here comes the CO2 scrubber! Yeah, I'm a sucker for anything seen on BRS TV. Thank god there's no Home Reef Shopping Network. I have it hidden away behind a curtain so no picture for you! I dont blast through media all that often maybe change it every 6 weeks so I'll keep it as I do believe it works.

So it was right around April I guess when things really started looking decent. I say decent cuz the tank looked okay but growth had stalled and I was losing color to corals. While I had stabilized PH, gotten a pretty good handle on dosing for stability I finally realized I was stripping my water of all nutrients. I had no algae, zero No3 and zero Po4. So I pulled the GFO/Carbon reactors out and dosed a little No3 to get things moving again.

I know some other things happened along the way but who can remember it all? Oh yeah, I added a Chaeto reactor. (Sucker for Marine Depot TV too I guess).

I guess finally I shoot the tank as it stands today 7/13/17. I guess that makes it about 14 months old or so?!?! Where does the time go? Oh yeah I started up a 32g Biocube somewhere in there too.

Scurvy · Jul 13, 2017

More of what everyone really wants....Pics!! Hope they look ok!

Scurvy · Jul 13, 2017

Scurvy · Jul 13, 2017

@pelphrey @saltyfilmfolks @Katrina71 @brett_schn @mkutsch

Hmmm, i thought I had more friends!?!? I figured we could stop hijacking Katrina's thread all the time (Not that she minds) and spread the fun around a bit.

Trying to learn from pelphrey and update more than once every 7 months.

pelphrey · Jul 13, 2017

Hahaha once a week at a minimum!!

saltyfilmfolks · Jul 13, 2017

Are there snacks?

Funny I had your thread open already.
Man that looks great!
Are those t5? I have the same dosing set up.

Katrina71 · Jul 13, 2017

Dang Salty, you beat me to it!

Katrina71 · Jul 13, 2017

Some closer pics please. I'm coral shopping.

Scurvy · Jul 13, 2017

Yep, once a weeks going to ne the new goal even its just a parameter update.

Scurvy · Jul 13, 2017

Yep, 4 bulb t5 for the punch and kessils for the finesse. Aimt the prettiest but Corals seem to like it.

Tasty coral snacks maybe! Cant steal all Katrinas thunder.

saltyfilmfolks · Jul 13, 2017

Pretty sweet collection. Your zoas are great.
I get one or the other , good stick or good zoas.

Scurvy · Jul 13, 2017

I actually think the sticks have been sheer dumb luck and my waters been pretty filthy. Po4 read zero but was using the wrong Hanna. PE getting better now with Phosgard going for a cple weeks. Montis were good with it.

Zoas seem hit or miss. Ive had a couple melt away.