Reefer 170 Equipment Questions

[ryn_keeto]

Hi there,

As I wait for my Reefer 170 to cycle I've been trying to make sure I have my equipment plans in place. There are two questions I'm currently pondering:

1. I currently have a single AI Prime HD light from my previous setup. Will that be sufficient for the 170? I was contemplating an additional Prime, but I'm not sure if that's more luxury than necessity.

2. I'd really like to have good flow in the aquarium and have been looking at the AI Nero pumps (aesthetically pleasing, tie into the MyAI app I already use). The plan is for two, located on either side of the 170's overflow box. Would two Nero 3's be sufficient, or would I need two Nero 5's?

Thanks!

 

[Macbalacano]

I have a Reefer 170 too! Welcome to the club

I personally think 1 AI Prime HD will be perfectly fine for a mixed reef!

I think two Nero 3s will be absolutely more than sufficient for most corals!

 

[[Cameron]]

SPS, mixed, softies, fish only?

SPS dominant you will likely want more light. Typically you want heavy flow for SPS which generally means 50x capacity at a minimum with 100x capacity being ideal. (50*38) = 1900. So two Nero 3s at 4000gph total capacity should be great. That gives you the capacity you are looking for and a realistic 50x flow when pulsing which is great as well.

Mixed reef the light you have is sufficient if you put more demanding SPS higher up and in the center. Your less light demanding corals will be fine just about anywhere. Two Nero 3s is more than enough.

Softies and fish only are going to do great with the Nero 3s and the AI light you have.

What you may not like is the fall off on the light since it really isn't designed to light a 24"x20"x20" tank to the edges. If you keep this setup just know that the par on the edges of the tank aren't going to be great and it may not be bright enough visually in those edges. I would try it before upgrading or adding more though.

 

[ryn_keeto]

I have a Reefer 170 too! Welcome to the club

I personally think 1 AI Prime HD will be perfectly fine for a mixed reef!

I think two Nero 3s will be absolutely more than sufficient for most corals!

SPS, mixed, softies, fish only?

SPS dominant you will likely want more light. Typically you want heavy flow for SPS which generally means 50x capacity at a minimum with 100x capacity being ideal. (50*38) = 1900. So two Nero 3s at 4000gph total capacity should be great. That gives you the capacity you are looking for and a realistic 50x flow when pulsing which is great as well.

Mixed reef the light you have is sufficient if you put more demanding SPS higher up and in the center. Your less light demanding corals will be fine just about anywhere. Two Nero 3s is more than enough.

Softies and fish only are going to do great with the Nero 3s and the AI light you have.

What you may not like is the fall off on the light since it really isn't designed to light a 24"x20"x20" tank to the edges. If you keep this setup just know that the par on the edges of the tank aren't going to be great and it may not be bright enough visually in those edges. I would try it before upgrading or adding more though.

Thanks to both of you for the replies, I really appreciate it! I'm thinking mixed reef an had anticipated that elevating any demanding SPS, but it's good to hear it confirmed. I'll definitely wait before seriously considering an upgrade to another Prime.

Two Nero 3's looks like the way to go, for sure...now I just have to find them in stock someplace. My instant gratification reflex is telling me to get two Nero 5's, set them low, and go from there...but I suppose I should wait. Patience is part of this whole reefing thing, right?

Appreciate the help!

 

[Macbalacano]

Thanks to both of you for the replies, I really appreciate it! I'm thinking mixed reef an had anticipated that elevating any demanding SPS, but it's good to hear it confirmed. I'll definitely wait before seriously considering an upgrade to another Prime.

Two Nero 3's looks like the way to go, for sure...now I just have to find them in stock someplace. My instant gratification reflex is telling me to get two Nero 5's, set them low, and go from there...but I suppose I should wait. Patience is part of this whole reefing thing, right?

Appreciate the help!

No problem. I have 1x MP40 in my reefer 170 and it I run it at 1% all the time because it is waaaay too much flow for my tank. I mostly have LPS. I was thinking of getting 1x MP10, but the price difference was negligible and wanted to still be able to use the MP40 in a bigger tank in the future potentially.

If an MP40 is similar to a Nero 5, 2 of them might be overkill. Hopefully that gives you an idea. I've attached a video below of my tank.

If video doesn't work, try seeing it on my build thread.

 

[reeferdugong]

No problem. I have 1x MP40 in my reefer 170 and it I run it at 1% all the time because it is waaaay too much flow for my tank. I mostly have LPS. I was thinking of getting 1x MP10, but the price difference was negligible and wanted to still be able to use the MP40 in a bigger tank in the future potentially.

If an MP40 is similar to a Nero 5, 2 of them might be overkill. Hopefully that gives you an idea. I've attached a video below of my tank.

If video doesn't work, try seeing it on my build thread.

wow great tank! do you have an instagram?

 

[Phil D.]

You may want to go with the Red Sea Reef LED 90, my daughter has the E-170 and that's what came with it and provides great lighting. The Nero 3 will be PLENTY of flow. I put a Current USA 650 on her tank and it along with a RFG from VCA on the return does fine for flow.

 

[ryn_keeto]

No problem. I have 1x MP40 in my reefer 170 and it I run it at 1% all the time because it is waaaay too much flow for my tank. I mostly have LPS. I was thinking of getting 1x MP10, but the price difference was negligible and wanted to still be able to use the MP40 in a bigger tank in the future potentially.

If an MP40 is similar to a Nero 5, 2 of them might be overkill. Hopefully that gives you an idea. I've attached a video below of my tank.

If video doesn't work, try seeing it on my build thread.

Wow, that is a beautiful display! Your rock work makes me want to rip mine out and try again!

And thanks for the feedback. I had the same "could use these as an upgrade" thought with the Nero 5's, it's interesting to hear someone else echo the same thought!

Again, I really appreciate it.

 

[Macbalacano]

wow great tank! do you have an instagram?

Thats kind of you to say. I do have instagram but I don't really post anything about my tank there haha, just here on R2R!

 

[Macbalacano]

Wow, that is a beautiful display! Your rock work makes me want to rip mine out and try again!

And thanks for the feedback. I had the same "could use these as an upgrade" thought with the Nero 5's, it's interesting to hear someone else echo the same thought!

Again, I really appreciate it.

Thanks for your kind words! No problem, anytime!

Yes, but to be honest even with my rockwork I want to start over again haha. I've learned so much in the past year that makes me want to change the scape. But I'll save that for when I upgrade, maybe one day!

 

[ryn_keeto]

You're very welcome! I feel l

Thanks for your kind words! No problem, anytime!

Yes, but to be honest even with my rockwork I want to start over again haha. I've learned so much in the past year that makes me want to change the scape. But I'll save that for when I upgrade, maybe one day!

You're welcome!

Here's another question for you - any tips on the ATO for the 170? I set the drip rate per the manual but it just isn't remotely keeping up with evaporation, so now I've got it cranked. Is the float itself adjustable, or only the drip?

We have forced hot air in the house, so winters are murder on my RO supply...

 

[Macbalacano]

You're very welcome! I feel l

You're welcome!

Here's another question for you - any tips on the ATO for the 170? I set the drip rate per the manual but it just isn't remotely keeping up with evaporation, so now I've got it cranked. Is the float itself adjustable, or only the drip?

We have forced hot air in the house, so winters are murder on my RO supply...

I actually gave up on the built in ATO (most people who have this tank do as well) because it is ridiculously small.

I ended up buying a Tunze 3155 ATO unit and am using it with a seperate container that is holding the RODI water outside of the tank and it works really well!

 

[melanotaenia]

As others have mentioned, lighting is highly dependent on your ideas of corals.

I have mostly SPS and run an Ecotech G4 and two AI Prime lights over my RSR170 all set about 60% intensity.

 

[elagstein]

Ryn_Keeto- I have a reefer 170 too, can you provide a follow up to your Nero 3? Did you get them, hows it working?

Macbalacano - your tank is insane, thanks for the inspiration. wow!​

 

[Snuggs]

My sps dominated 170 is running two Jebao slw 10 on either side of the overflow with an extra slw 5 on one wall.

 

[PeterC99]

Here’s pictures of my 170 with just one MP10. Highly recommend for the preset flows and controllability.

Also first picture is with a Radion g5, second is with oldHydra 32 hd.

 

[ryn_keeto]

Ryn_Keeto- I have a reefer 170 too, can you provide a follow up to your Nero 3? Did you get them, hows it working?

Macbalacano - your tank is insane, thanks for the inspiration. wow!​

Glad to! I ended up getting the two Nero 3’s and have one flanking either side of the overflow chamber. I played around with a variable reef setting at low speed, but after a while decided a) my “low” was way too low (it was at 20% max), and b) I never noticed the variability in the reef setting when I’d observe the tank.

I ended up working the pumps up to 50% with a standing wave with 3s on, 2s off. My corals (all soft) seem to love it, especially my green star polyps.

So, in short, they’re now working great. They’re also a snap to clean.

 

[elagstein]

Glad to! I ended up getting the two Nero 3’s and have one flanking either side of the overflow chamber. I played around with a variable reef setting at low speed, but after a while decided a) my “low” was way too low (it was at 20% max), and b) I never noticed the variability in the reef setting when I’d observe the tank.

I ended up working the pumps up to 50% with a standing wave with 3s on, 2s off. My corals (all soft) seem to love it, especially my green star polyps.

So, in short, they’re now working great. They’re also a snap to clean.

Can you provide a photo? Thanks!!

 

[ryn_keeto]

Can you provide a photo? Thanks!!

Happy to! Here you go!

 

[elagstein]

Glad to! I ended up getting the two Nero 3’s and have one flanking either side of the overflow chamber. I played around with a variable reef setting at low speed, but after a while decided a) my “low” was way too low (it was at 20% max), and b) I never noticed the variability in the reef setting when I’d observe the tank.

I ended up working the pumps up to 50% with a standing wave with 3s on, 2s off. My corals (all soft) seem to love it, especially my green star polyps.

So, in short, they’re now working great. They’re also a snap to clean.

Thanks for the info! I just got to two Nero 3. Can you share screen shots or details of your setting on the AI app? I'm confused how to translate your suggested settings. thanks a bunch!