Red Sea Reefer 350 plan feedback PLZ!

[MikeyMizz]

Hi!

I’m about to give a second go with reef keeping (my first try was a struggling little nano that I cut a lot of corners on several years ago). I was hoping for some feedback from this awesome community. I’m wanting to do minimal water changes (responsibly). I enjoy tinkering and watching things…I don’t enjoy mixing salt and doing water changes.

I will have to do the build in two phases, phase 1 being the initial startup all in one purchase, and then phase 2 items being added in the course of several months.

Any glaring errors or suggestions would be appreciated! Thank you.

Phase 1:

• GFCI outlet
• Reefer 350
• Neptune APEX controller
• Probe holder
• Refractometer
• Ammonia test (Red Sea)
• Nitrate test (Nyos)
• Dry Rock (40 lbs.)*
• First Neptune WAV powerhead
• First 200W heater
• Reef Octopus 6” Classic 150INT Skimmer
• First Kessil A360W-E TUNA BLUE
• A-series arm & Kessil to APEX cable
• Dr Tim’s
• Neptune COR-15 return pump
• Sand (1.5 - 2” for shrimp/goby pair)**
• Red Sea Salt (blue bucket)

*I want dry rock so there’s no unwanted surprises. And I want a minimalist scape, so I’m thinking 40 lbs rock?? I was thinking a marinepure block in the sump to aid in the biological filter.

**I still need to figure out sand particle size and how much I need.

Phase 2:

• Magnesium test (Salifert)
• Alkalinity test (Hanna)
• Phosphate test (Hanna Low Range)
• Calcium test (Salifert)
• Second Neptune WAV powerhead
• Second 200W heater
• Neptune ATK
• Second Kessil A360W-E TUNA BLUE, arm, cable
• Doser (maybe Neptune DOS and DDR)

 

[mjlash22]

Equipment/supply list looks solid for this build. sand depth will be good for the goby/shrimp pair, just be sure to put your rock on the base of the tank, not on top of the sand. IMO, I wouldn't go any bigger than a carribsea special grade type grain size with having a goby. Lbs of rock look ok, but yes, I would recommend at least 1 marinepure block in the sump to add to the beneficial bacteria.

My one piece of advice that I would change from your plans is to get both heaters at the same time. If your heater is defective and goes out shortly after starting it up, that could be detrimental once live stock is in the tank.

 

[MikeyMizz]

Equipment/supply list looks solid for this build. sand depth will be good for the goby/shrimp pair, just be sure to put your rock on the base of the tank, not on top of the sand. IMO, I wouldn't go any bigger than a carribsea special grade type grain size with having a goby. Lbs of rock look ok, but yes, I would recommend at least 1 marinepure block in the sump to add to the beneficial bacteria.

My one piece of advice that I would change from your plans is to get both heaters at the same time. If your heater is defective and goes out shortly after starting it up, that could be detrimental once live stock is in the tank.

Thanks for your feedback! Yeah, you're right. The cost of another heater is negligible.