Red Sea Reefer 170 Build

[Blitheran]

I might have dinos... *dramatic music playing while putting glasses on*

it’s time to defeat dinos!

first steps I have made...
Buy a cheap amazon microscope!
Buy a jebao 36w sterilizer!

I will see how the commencement of these two initiatives go interms of eradicating Dinos.

 

[Blitheran]

T5 lighting has been added!! I have added two ATi blue plus bulbs, using two amazon sun blaster T5 reflector fixtures! A few zip ties here and there and wallah! I have led/t5 hybrid.

 

[Blitheran]

Ph dipped below 8.0. I replaced it and wallah! 8.3 PH wooo hooo!! CO2 scrubbers rock. Last media last 2 and half weeks!

 

[Lota Reefer]

Ph dipped below 8.0. I replaced it and wallah! 8.3 PH wooo hooo!! CO2 scrubbers rock. Last media last 2 and half weeks!

I haven't done it yet, but I heard connecting the input line of the scrubber back to the skimmer cap can circulate the already scrubbed air making the media last longer. 2.5 weeks...might be worth investigating.

 

[Blitheran]

I haven't done it yet, but I heard connecting the input line of the scrubber back to the skimmer cap can circulate the already scrubbed air making the media last longer. 2.5 weeks...might be worth investigating.

not sure what an average time skimmer air recirculation should last but I have heard many times 4-5 days are what a lot of people get

 

[Lota Reefer]

not sure what an average time skimmer air recirculation should last but I have heard many times 4-5 days are what a lot of people get

5 days...well yours is doing great. At least you can take a decent vacation too!

 

[Blitheran]

5 days...well yours is doing great. At least you can take a decent vacation too!

Yea! But I may drill a hole in my skimmer cup to fit the hose! Thanks!!

 

[bar|none]

Ph dipped below 8.0. I replaced it and wallah! 8.3 PH wooo hooo!! CO2 scrubbers rock. Last media last 2 and half weeks!

I need to do this. During the summer with the windows open, I was pretty happy with PH. Now that winter has arrived, not so much.

I'm thinking about pumping air from outside first to try that.

 

[Blitheran]

I need to do this. During the summer with the windows open, I was pretty happy with PH. Now that winter has arrived, not so much.

I'm thinking about pumping air from outside first to try that.

I want to do that, but I live in the country. Tons of crops around me and pesticides are always being sprayed... CO2 scrubber was just easier for my application. I thinking if you attach a hose to the outside you will get a better Ph!

 

[S.Pepper]

Really nice build thread. Thx for sharing. I noticed you have the same protein skimmer as I do... which I haven't started yet. What depth of water it is sitting in? Did u have to make any adjustments or did it work with the water height you have in the sump? Thx.

 

[Blitheran]

Really nice build thread. Thx for sharing. I noticed you have the same protein skimmer as I do... which I haven't started yet. What depth of water it is sitting in? Did u have to make any adjustments or did it work with the water height you have in the sump? Thx.

Thank you!! I remember vivid aquariums did a video on the bubble magus and it worked perfectly in the 8 inch of water that the reefer sumps offer. I had to restrict the air flow in the skimmer while it broke in which took quite awhile. Put a ball valve in between the hose that connects the silencer and pump intake.

 

[S.Pepper]

Thank you!! I remember vivid aquariums did a video on the bubble magus and it worked perfectly in the 8 inch of water that the reefer sumps offer. I had to restrict the air flow in the skimmer while it broke in which took quite awhile. Put a ball valve in between the hose that connects the silencer and pump intake.

Thx for the info. My sump sits at a little over 8 inches, so it should be fine. Looking at different reviews, I believe there have been others that have put a valve in the hose that connects the silencer and pump intake. So, i guess i should prepare myself to do the same. appreciate the reply.

 

[Blitheran]

coraline algae starting to show up!! Whoo hooo!

 

[bar|none]

Where are you at with powerheads right now? Did you actually add an MP40? I ask because I've been pretty happy with 2x MP10s opposite each other. But I'm actually contemplating 1 MP40 at slow speed on one side (almost gyre flow) and 2x MP10s on the other.

BRS did flow comparisons between 170s with 2 vs 4 x MP10s. The MP40 is actually 3x as powerful as an MP10.

It's hard to know whether that is even going to work out.

 

[Blitheran]

Where are you at with powerheads right now? Did you actually add an MP40? I ask because I've been pretty happy with 2x MP10s opposite each other. But I'm actually contemplating 1 MP40 at slow speed on one side (almost gyre flow) and 2x MP10s on the other.

BRS did flow comparisons between 170s with 2 vs 4 x MP10s. The MP40 is actually 3x as powerful as an MP10.

It's hard to know whether that is even going to work out.

I did cave in an get an MP40. I love it and it offers me more ability to run the pumps at a lower percentage, and spread out. I have debated selling the two MP10s and getting a second mp40 and just having two mp40s but I do like the idea of being able to move the power heads around and create a better flow pattern.

I currently run both the MP10s on the left side, while I run the MP40 on the right side. I do enjoy the movement I have now.

 

[Blitheran]

I was big on wanting to dose coral food every night in this tank but all it has done is create problem after problem... I am taking a different approach to nitrates and phosphates.

I am beginning to dose them..I have undetectable nitrates so I want to raise them to about 5ppm.
Phosphates have always been present but with me cutting out the coral food, I will need to start dosing phosphates and nitrates! Lets see how this goes

 

[bar|none]

-- snip -- see next post

 

[bar|none]

I did cave in an get an MP40. I love it and it offers me more ability to run the pumps at a lower percentage, and spread out. I have debated selling the two MP10s and getting a second mp40 and just having two mp40s but I do like the idea of being able to move the power heads around and create a better flow pattern.

I currently run both the MP10s on the left side, while I run the MP40 on the right side. I do enjoy the movement I have now.

Ah Ha! Ok then I think I need in on this experiment.

 

[Blitheran]

Started slow but I am slowly dosing more and more nitrate. I can barely start to see a 1ppm reading on my nyos test kit! So far about 3.2 MLs of potassium nitrate increases my nitrate by 1 ppm gotta get it to that prime 5ppm. Gonna slowly keep dosing day by day.

 

[Blitheran]

Strawberry shortcake acro which has been very washed out in color, is slowly starting to show a hint of green!!