Reefer 170, Finally Wet!

[ReeferDude916]

I purchased a Red Sea Reefer 170 when they first came out back in July 2015. Life seemed to get in the way for a while but during this time I have been researching, buying, researching and buying and have finally gotten to a point where I'm ready to fill it up. I have been taking my time really researching message boards and reviews before buying anything. I have exactly what I want. My goal has been to use items that are proven to work well and to keep it simple. I am embracing the technology aspect in order to simplify everything. So far I have not had any issues, the Apex is a challenge. I have it working very simply which is great but there is much more I will be able to do with it.

The parts list includes:
Red Sea Reefer 170
Sicce 3.0 return pump
Bubble Magus Curve 5 Skimmer
2 BRS Dosing pumps (eventually I'll DOS Alk/Cal)
Kessil A360WE light with a LeRusso Design mounting bracket
Ecotech MP10 WQD
Cobalt Neo-Therm 150W heater
BRS mini-reactor with Cobalt MJ1200 pump
Tunze 3155 Osmolator ATO
Neptune Apex Gold (I've added a wxm for the MP10, a PM2 for salinity, and a ALD Leak Detector)

I used about 33 lbs of Project ReefRock 2.1 and 30 lbs. of Agri-Alive Special Grade Reef Sand. I'm using a Kindle Fire 7" tablet to run Apex Fusion (as well as my main computer, a 27" iMac). Right now everything is working and I will let the tank run for a while until I start putting anything in it.

Questions or comments are welcomed and appreciated. I have had tanks in the past but never to this extent so I may make a mistake or two and any help is appreciated. I look forward to traveling down this road with all of you.

 

[stevo01]

Very nice setup!

 

[Scarybo]

nice. love the equipment center

 

[reeferfoxx]

Nice work! Well thought out!

 

[Darth George]

Nice and clean!

 

[Joey waid]

Looks good. Nice and neat. I can't stand tanks that Look like a jumbled mess with wires and blue glue all over the pipes. Your looks really good....

 

[Chris Adams]

Love it such a nice presentation.

 

[ReeferDude916]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm a little OCD and there's not a lot of room in that cabinet so "a place for everything and everything in its place."

 

[ReeferDude916]

I really like the tech cabinet. I'm working on getting a bigger tablet. That 7" fire is a little too small. Maybe a used iPad.

 

[ReeferDude916]

Of course, it's whats behind the cabinet that thankfully you can't see.

 

[bknapp]

Looks good

 

[Davy Jones]

What is that cabinet? Any instructions on how you built it? a build log maybe? I want to do something similar

 

[pelphrey]

Amazing attention to detail as well as the patience to sit on the tank as long as you did!

 

[ReeferDude916]

What is that cabinet? Any instructions on how you built it? a build log maybe? I want to do something similar

The cabinet is from IKEA. It's the Besta frame with the Glassvik glass door and the Stubbarp feet. It's all in their black/brown color so it matches the black cabinet pretty well. I used a 1/2" piece of mdf for the panel. I put the 5 gallon jug in the cabinet and the put the panel just forward of the jug. I used magnets on the back of the panel and screwed small "L" bracket as stops. The panel is cut just small enough horizontally so I can pivot it from either side passed the hinges or the latch. There's enough slack on all the cables so I can pull the panel out far enough to change jugs.

 

[ReeferDude916]

Amazing attention to detail as well as the patience to sit on the tank as long as you did!

Part of it all was waiting for my son to move out so I would have an office space to set it up. It forced me to take my time and really research and decide what I wanted. Now that it is set up and has water in it, I'm getting impatient for it to cycle.

 

[reef-rc]

@ReeferDude916 - any update by chance?

I came across your awesome build and I am so itching to pull the trigger on the RSR 170

 

[Wayner]

I purchased a Red Sea Reefer 170 when they first came out back in July 2015. Life seemed to get in the way for a while but during this time I have been researching, buying, researching and buying and have finally gotten to a point where I'm ready to fill it up. I have been taking my time really researching message boards and reviews before buying anything. I have exactly what I want. My goal has been to use items that are proven to work well and to keep it simple. I am embracing the technology aspect in order to simplify everything. So far I have not had any issues, the Apex is a challenge. I have it working very simply which is great but there is much more I will be able to do with it.

The parts list includes:
Red Sea Reefer 170
Sicce 3.0 return pump
Bubble Magus Curve 5 Skimmer
2 BRS Dosing pumps (eventually I'll DOS Alk/Cal)
Kessil A360WE light with a LeRusso Design mounting bracket
Ecotech MP10 WQD
Cobalt Neo-Therm 150W heater
BRS mini-reactor with Cobalt MJ1200 pump
Tunze 3155 Osmolator ATO
Neptune Apex Gold (I've added a wxm for the MP10, a PM2 for salinity, and a ALD Leak Detector)

I used about 33 lbs of Project ReefRock 2.1 and 30 lbs. of Agri-Alive Special Grade Reef Sand. I'm using a Kindle Fire 7" tablet to run Apex Fusion (as well as my main computer, a 27" iMac). Right now everything is working and I will let the tank run for a while until I start putting anything in it.

Questions or comments are welcomed and appreciated. I have had tanks in the past but never to this extent so I may make a mistake or two and any help is appreciated. I look forward to traveling down this road with all of you.

Nice set up - like the Ikea unit too, did the legs come with the cabinet or did you have to purchase them separately, I noticed they have the cabinet, glass door, etc all included but it doesn't mention the legs, Ikea confuses me

 

[Wayner]

The cabinet is from IKEA. It's the Besta frame with the Glassvik glass door and the Stubbarp feet. It's all in their black/brown color so it matches the black cabinet pretty well. I used a 1/2" piece of mdf for the panel. I put the 5 gallon jug in the cabinet and the put the panel just forward of the jug. I used magnets on the back of the panel and screwed small "L" bracket as stops. The panel is cut just small enough horizontally so I can pivot it from either side passed the hinges or the latch. There's enough slack on all the cables so I can pull the panel out far enough to change jugs.

Nice set up - like the Ikea unit too, did the legs come with the cabinet or did you have to purchase them separately, I noticed they have the cabinet, glass door, etc all included but it doesn't mention the legs, Ikea confuses me

 

[Nurse.Reef.Reapeat]

Legs is separate. I’m getting one too.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Any updates on your tank?