Tank build...help?

[i_declare_bankruptcy]

I posted a while ago about building a 30gal AIO. Well, things have changed and I can now afford what I really wanted... a bigger tank. So now I'm looking at the Red Sea Reefer 350... I've attached a tentative build on this post. It's just a basic set up, but I really want to focus on starting as simple as possible and trying to have a very low maintenance demand tank. So mostly soft corals, a few hardier LPS, and an anemone after the tank is established. Low amount of fish to keep the bio load down.

I'm just curious what the experience folk's thoughts are here -- anything I can do better? Trying to keep it all under $4k.

Thank you!

 

[DancingShark]

From my own experience I would go with something other than reef saver. I would useit maybe as base rock. They are not very porous. And not to crazy about hydor power head. Other than that to be it looks good.

 

[i_declare_bankruptcy]

Yeah, I've really been considering the Marco rock as well. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[sp0di]

Not sure that 100w heaters is going to be aqueduct for the water volume. Also, you will need a hydrometer or refractometer to check salinity.

 

[mrpizzaface]

Yeah, I've really been considering the Marco rock as well. Thanks for the suggestion.

I may be wrong, but I think marco key largo rock and reef saver are pretty much the same thing.

 

[don_chuwish]

Marco Rocks and Reef Saver are the same thing. They're fine if you give them a good long curing in the dark (check BRSTv ULM for reference). But I agree, I prefer Fiji dry rock myself.
Also, check Tropic Eden Reefflakes sand - very clean. Whatever sand you use, RINSE the heck out of it.

 

[Greybeard]

Looks like it should be a good start.

I'm unfamiliar with the Red Sea tanks, but they have an excellent reputation.

Price seems a bit high on the sand, you might shop that around a bit. Same with the rock. Give Marco's or Reefcleaners a call.

I'm not big on Koralia pumps either. They don't seem to last very long. Might look at Rossmont Mover 900, about the same price, IMHO, it's a better design, and if you ever want to, you can add a variable speed controller later.

The only thing I'd suggest you add would be a heater controller. I DO NOT TRUST heaters. Been 'burned' too many times. Thousands of dollars in an aquarium, and a 40 cent bi-metal thermometer failure can boil the tank. The heaters you selected are fine, but I'd plug them into an Inkbird or some other kind of temperature controller. I know BRS is out of the Inkbird, but Amazon has them.

Does the Red Sea tank come with an ATO? If not, that'd be another item I'd seriously consider at some point.

 

[i_declare_bankruptcy]

Noted! I will change powerheads to something better.

The rock and sand are very much open to suggestions! I just picked stuff with good reviews but it's an area that needs a lot more research from me.

Any suggestions for rock that doesn't need such a long cycle time? Dry or Live, cool with either.

Also yes, definitely planning on the Inkbird controller, they were just out at the time. I'll definitely up the wattage on both to 200 -- I think that was a typo. My bad.

Definitely need a refractometer... ooops.

The tank does come with a gravity-fed ATO! And the newer tanks have a redesigned sump with better ATO and refugium IIRC.

 

[AlexStinson]

I know people love Dr Tim's but I had no clue it was over 50 bucks!! I have never used it, and never had an issue.

Sand will be cheaper locally, BRS's shipping-included policy makes it pretty expensive per bag. Same brand is at Petco, or your LFS. If you use a bacteria, live sand may not be necessary, and vice-versa. Also, I had that exact Oolite sand. I hated it. The blowing around of that fine grain wasn't an issue as much as the fact it just became a nightmare to keep clean. I am now bare-bottom. I would recommend the reef grade special or fiji pink.

Budget some money for piping. I don't have a red sea personally, hopefully someone can chime in, but you may need to order metric-standard pipe adapters.

If you have the money I would consider a simple controller, either reefkeeper light or apex jr.

 

[Will Milberger]

I'm with Greybeard. The heater is the main sticking point. Don't just plg them in. I've had koralia water movers for a couple of years. Not a fan of the clicking on and off, but at least for me, they are still running.

 

[don_chuwish]

Any suggestions for rock that doesn't need such a long cycle time? Dry or Live, cool with either.

That's a question for the ages I think. Opinions on here will run the gamut. I've personally just had the most luck with giving the rock a good long curing in the dark. My most recent (re)build included some new Fiji dry rock - it was covered in dead stuff. So it and my old 'Reef Saver' rock all went through several vinegar soaks, hose blasting, scrubbing, picking, etc. Then multiple water changes over a couple of months in a tub - heated salt water, circulation, and zero light.

 

[DancingShark]

Any suggestions for rock that doesn't need such a long cycle time?

This right here.
Money can't buy you patience. But you need lots of it in this hobby. Ounce of prevention.

 

[PatW]

I would go with the next size up on the skimmer. It is better to have more capacity than you think you will need than less.

I would suggest getting an RODI unit. It is hard beating making water at home. You can use a grey Brute trashcan as a storage container for the water and another for mixing saltwater. You can put the cans on casters which is really convenient if you have hard floors.

 

[Gregorjw]

This right here.
Money can't buy you patience. But you need lots of it in this hobby. Ounce of prevention.

On the topic of patience and prevention, Have you given any thought to your quarantine process? Its a good idea to keep that in mind for timeframes and whatnot.

 

[i_declare_bankruptcy]

Yes there is a 150gpd RODI unit in there. Absolutely plan on making my own water.

And about the QT process -- I'm still scheming around on it. I don't have a ton of money (or space) to throw at it but when the system becomes established I'm sure I'll be wanting it for prevention. Maybe a 10g rubbermaid tray with the necessities. I figured I'll solve that problem while the tank cycles.

 

[PatW]

For

 

[NinnJinn]

Dr. Tims one and only just an FYI you can get the same 8 oz bottle on Amazon for half the price. $25 and some change.

https://www.amazon.com/DrTims-Aquat...569410&sr=8-6&keywords=dr.+tim's+one+and+only

And I agree with everyone else about the temperature controller. You can find inkbird on Amazon as well.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...perature+controller,aps,206&crid=ILFV74FGLAIZ


The type of substrate you get is totally up to you. But since you're going to be cycling the tank anyways and using dr. Tims one and only I would go the cheaper route and not get live sand. Pretty much you could take any regular marine sand and after the cycle process in a sense it will be live sand.


You don't have to follow my advice. Just trying to save you $100+ that you can put towards an awesome Coral.

 

[sp0di]

So dare I saw without totally blowing your budget *cough* look at an Apex (type) setup? Something that you can automate bunch of tasks with? I know there is a Rasberry-PI version, but what I really like is that each outlet is individually switched, so you are able to cycle things on and off as desired. At a minimum I would look hard at one of the wifi controllable power strips never used one, but have seen them pop up from time to time. Apex classic would be a good fit, but the 2016 version comes with a bunch of probes you can monitor other tank details with (I still don't trust the salinity probe).

As with all my hobbies, sadly I have learned the old adage is true - buy once, cry once.

 

[mrpizzaface]

Dr. Tims one and only just an FYI you can get the same 8 oz bottle on Amazon for half the price. $25 and some change.

https://www.amazon.com/DrTims-Aquatics-Nitrifying-Bacteria-Saltwater/dp/B002DVRHMS/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1524569410&sr=8-6&keywords=dr.+tim's+one+and+only

And I agree with everyone else about the temperature controller. You can find inkbird on Amazon as well.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_ime_c_1_30?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=inkbird+temperature+controller&sprefix=Inkbird+temperature+controller,aps,206&crid=ILFV74FGLAIZ


The type of substrate you get is totally up to you. But since you're going to be cycling the tank anyways and using dr. Tims one and only I would go the cheaper route and not get live sand. Pretty much you could take any regular marine sand and after the cycle process in a sense it will be live sand.


You don't have to follow my advice. Just trying to save you $100+ that you can put towards an awesome Coral.

FWIW I have had bad luck with Dr. Tim's bought off of amazon, but have always had good luck with ordering from Dr. Tim's website.

 

[sp0di]

FWIW I have had bad luck with Dr. Tim's bought off of amazon, but have always had good luck with ordering from Dr. Tim's website.

Spoke with Dr. Tim in Orlando and he said this was a bit issue. The stuff has an expiration date on it. Apparently some people scratch it out or overwrite it.