Michael's Reefer 170

[HolisticBear]

Micheal,
Is it fair to say that your not going to be using the Red Sea float valve with your auto top system?

Correct, I already own Avast Marine ATO. I ordered all the GHL parts (float value + optical sensor) to set up their ATO. I think I'll stick with the Avast and just use the low + high water mark on the GHL as extra safety.

 

[GoVols]

Correct, I already own Avast Marine ATO. I ordered all the GHL parts (float value + optical sensor) to set up their ATO. I think I'll stick with the Avast and just use the low + high water mark on the GHL as extra safety.

My float has never failed from the S-Series upper holding tank but I did replace the plastic screw with a corrosion free stainless steel screw. Real easy to twist the head off the plastic screw.

 

[HolisticBear]

Installed the GHL Mitras, the flex mount is tight fit on a reefer 170. It barely fits between emergency + overflow pipes and it can't be mounted directly in the center without redoing the plumbing, however I could live with a 1/2" offset. You can see the tiny Hydor pumps. I also removed the back vinyl.

I grabbed some 3/4" silicon tubing from BRS, but it's much larger than the return barb on the Red Sea Reefer, so I switched to a 3/4" PVC to barb fitting. The tubing is snug, hope fitting doesn't leak.

While attaching the vinyl tubing I manged to nudge the tank and ruin my perfect leveling. It's pretty good, but I can't re-level it myself with the plumbing attached and weight of the tank. I've already taken the plumbing off a few times and I don't want to ruin the seals. I think it's good enough. Leveling in 100+ year old prewar buildings is a bit of work.

My NYOS is a big fail. I opened it up and the pump mount is looking like this, missing three screws and just bouncing around the skimmer body. Then I look at the nozzle, why is it so scratched up. I think NYOS was all about fit and finish? This is a $400 skimmer. The guys at Premium Aquatics were very cool and fixing it for me, but I'm a bit disconcerted by initial NYOS impressions.

 

[GoVols]

Love the GHL spread!!!!!

Micheal,
You did a great and clean install.
Did your white reefer come with a white pad for the glass bottom?

 

[GoVols]

Wow!!!
Just noticed the recirc. pumps and they look awesome.

 

[HolisticBear]

Did your white reefer come with a white pad for the glass bottom?

Black, but I think is perfect. I was thinking of getting black starboard to put the rocks on, but with the foam I think I'll pass. White is interesting, but white in the tank is a challenge to keep clean, yet white foam could have been slick with bare bottom, it would stay crisp white forever.

 

[GoVols]

Black, but I think is perfect. I was thinking of getting black starboard to put the rocks on, but with the foam I think I'll pass. White is interesting, but white in the tank is a challenge to keep clean, yet white foam could have been slick with bare bottom, it would stay crisp white forever.

I'm sorry about your skimmer and it will all work out.
The return nozzle looks good from here.

 

[GoVols]

(lol) Just sitting here and soaking it all in.

Between the white wall trim / wall background color / white lights and stand...

Perfection!!!!

 

[Jerel]

Lookin' good there @MrMichael. I kind of regret not getting the white version of the Mitras.

 

[HolisticBear]

Lookin' good there @MrMichael. I kind of regret not getting the white version of the Mitras.

Thank you sir. The white/black is a tough call. I went back and forth on the profilux. Your sump and Pax Bellum setup is gorgeous.

 

[Mattres]

Man those flow pumps are tiny! Be interesting to see how they go. The controllability sounds really good.
Disappointing about the Nyos but hopefully once it's fixed the performance will make you forget the issues.

The Mitras and flex mount looks so sexy over a rimless tank!

 

[HolisticBear]

The Mitras and flex mount looks so sexy over a rimless tank!

Props to GHL for building a gorgeous mount + light fixture. Imagine how different it would look with a goose-neck and a A360, wouldn't look nearly as good.

 

[HolisticBear]

I love this Varios return pump. I've never owned one before, chose it based off recommendations. It is DEAD silent. Only been running it for an hour, but this is up there with my Hanna checkers as my best purchase.

When you have the opportunity to use great gear, this hobby is downright sexy

 

[GoVols]

I love this Varios return pump.

Thanks for the input.
What is the GPH that it's rated at?

Thanks, Freddie

 

[HolisticBear]

I bought Varios-2 (792GPH), DC powered w/5 speeds on controller ($190 from BRS). Red Sea recommends 530GPH, yet you see people using the 2000GPH EcoTech M1 Vectra on these things. They make one smaller Varios and a bunch of more powerful ones (up to 2700GPH). I've read Varios is quieter than the Vectra.

I'm more of a low-flow thru the sump guy, I feel the old 20x flow rate thru the sump has gone the way of the the 1-2lbs of LR per gallon rule.

 

[GoVols]

They've got some great reviews. The Vectra's have mixed reviews and I know some reefer's that are not happy with the Vectra's.
If I add anymore reactors it could be the Varios 2700 gph and seems like they come at a good price point.
My 1800 gph is still good but between the chiller and reactors it's maxed out.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Mattres]

When you have the opportunity to use great gear, this hobby is downright sexy

Haha your right, I seem to be following that approach lately to

I'm not sure I've heard a negative review about a Varios yet, and their so well priced. I'm thinking I should grab one as an emergency spare should my elos return pump ever fail.

 

[GoVols]

Micheal,
Are you still waiting on the replacement NYOS to come in?

Thanks, Freddie

 

[HolisticBear]

Are you still waiting on the replacement NYOS to come in?

The NYOS arrived today, big thanks to Jason & Luke at Premium Aquatics for great customer service and quickly shipping me a replacement.

• This one included the pump mount w/all screws
• The venturi on this one wasn't scratched to h*ll
• This one included a NYOS brochure will all their products.
• The skimmer cup connects to the body smoothly (the other one required enough force that I never attempted to attach it)

Looks great. It's all hooked up and running. Letting it break it. The pump is quiet, the lid rattling on the cup is annoying but some tape or paperweight will fix that. The NYOS 120 includes a quick start manual for the 160

If Premium Aquatics wasn't so cool, could have been ugly.

 

[HolisticBear]

The GHL holder for float sensors, just an acrylic rod, perfectly fits in the spot where the RS float value lived. Got lucky there. Will use a high + low water mark as both an email alert + safety on the ATO and return pump. The GHL probe holder just fits.