Beginnings of the Acro Reef --- RS Reefer 425

[Vinny@GHLUSA]

Build update: March 2022
Win some. Loose some. It's how the hobby goes...

Wow, time flying by!
It honestly doesn't feel like it's been 3 months since the last update. I suppose it's time to share some recent news!

Win some. Loose some.
Since the last update, I've had a few coral losses. Why it may have happened is a mystery to me. I lost my torches, both green and golds. They didn't go at the same time, but it was one after the other. No jelly or tears that would indicate some kind of fungal infection. No new pieces had been added which would introduce any new pests.

On the fish side of things, I have a Timor wrasse which has grown to be quite the jerk. From the little 1" fish that he started off at to the now almost 5" fish he's become, I think he's going to have to go sooner or later. Because of him, I've had to walk to the tank to witness a dried up fish on the floor. Lost a few wrasses and a midas blenny because of him. Wasn't happy about that. Once I catch him, I'm going to try a few new wrasses.

I think the tank hit a new milestone...
In the past 4 weeks, I noticed something different about the way the corals were responding. The parameters remained steady for the most part, water change schedule and feeding routines were the same. I've never really been too convinced with starting a tank with dry rock, 100% dead. Of the years I've been in the hobby, I've always gravitated to live rock (uncured and cured). This time around because I wanted to try something different, I gave the dry rock a chance. It's been a very good learning experience. The tank was setup in July 2020, so it's nearing the 2 year mark...already. I think it has taken this long for the rock to become established enough. My hypothesis of course.

Today, I'm seeing better polyp extension, more consistent growth and deeper coloration in my SPS. Just have to keep things steady within reason.

I can keep going, but enough talk...on to the pictures!

Progress photos also on IG
For those who are on IG, I post content there too (@v.altam)

 

[Vinny@GHLUSA]

Build update: March 2022 (Tech update)
Tank parameters according to the GHL devices

Here's a quick glance at the parameters as of today:

I'm definitely noticing faster growth lately...
Aside from the Ca consumption going up as a result of the growth rate, the parameters have held steady. Even Nitrate remains with my target range.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Build update: March 2022
Win some. Loose some. It's how the hobby goes...

Wow, time flying by!
It honestly doesn't feel like it's been 3 months since the last update. I suppose it's time to share some recent news!

Win some. Loose some.
Since the last update, I've had a few coral losses. Why it may have happened is a mystery to me. I lost my torches, both green and golds. They didn't go at the same time, but it was one after the other. No jelly or tears that would indicate some kind of fungal infection. No new pieces had been added which would introduce any new pests.

On the fish side of things, I have a Timor wrasse which has grown to be quite the jerk. From the little 1" fish that he started off at to the now almost 5" fish he's become, I think he's going to have to go sooner or later. Because of him, I've had to walk to the tank to witness a dried up fish on the floor. Lost a few wrasses and a midas blenny because of him. Wasn't happy about that. Once I catch him, I'm going to try a few new wrasses.

I think the tank hit a new milestone...
In the past 4 weeks, I noticed something different about the way the corals were responding. The parameters remained steady for the most part, water change schedule and feeding routines were the same. I've never really been too convinced with starting a tank with dry rock, 100% dead. Of the years I've been in the hobby, I've always gravitated to live rock (uncured and cured). This time around because I wanted to try something different, I gave the dry rock a chance. It's been a very good learning experience. The tank was setup in July 2020, so it's nearing the 2 year mark...already. I think it has taken this long for the rock to become established enough. My hypothesis of course.

Today, I'm seeing better polyp extension, more consistent growth and deeper coloration in my SPS. Just have to keep things steady within reason.

I can keep going, but enough talk...on to the pictures!

Progress photos also on IG
For those who are on IG, I post content there too (@v.altam)

Awesome! Looks like things are going well!!

 

[mlandscape]

Congrats on the purchase!

Yes, you can setup a reminder for basically anything that comes to mind, including probe calibration. All of this is done through the GHL Logbook which is accessible through the app and cloud.

Here's the current list of categories I have setup for the tank. As you can see, it's basically a collection of measurement logs, notes and reminders.

Specifically for my pH probe, I setup a reminder for every 4 months. When it's time to calibrate again, the ProfiLux will notify me through the Logbook. Once that task is done, I can record it as "Complete" and be reminded again in another 4 months.

In reminders, I can't see anywhere that there is a drop-down to show months. All I can see are days - what am I missing?

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

Any updates?

 

[Vinny@GHLUSA]

Quick photo update: October 2022

It's been a while since I've taken some pictures of the tank and put them up here. Yes, I'm overdue for it.

As side from feeding the fish, cleaning the skimmer cup, changing out the filter floss and refilling containers when needed, I really haven't interacted much with the tank. Everything continues running smoothly. Enough that, I don't even have to connect periodically to the controller to check on things. Receiving notifications from the app about events (AWC, fill levels, tests, etc.) is enough to tell me everything is OK.

Next week, I'll snap some photos and upload them here.

In the meantime, here are some pictures from last month.

 

[Vinny@GHLUSA]

Another photo dump of the corals as of yesterday.

 

[jerrymarino]

Build update: Custom light mounting rail. Done.

After taking measurements and doing some drawings, I ordered some parts from 8020inc so I could build the light mounts out of aluminum extrusion. The idea is to mount 3x GHL Mitras LX7 LEDs from a single arm. The back pieces and arm have 4-way grooves which allow me to cleanly hide the power cables.

Big thanks to Deven from ReefDudes for the idea!

Here's a list of parts that were used to build the light mount:
These parts can be ordered from 8020 directly or on 8020's eBay store...

Put it all together and you get this...

That's it for now!
Stay tuned for the next update...Adding sand and rocks!

Looks awesome Vinny!

 

[jarak200]

Looking great but to tell you the truth for someone like me on a budget i feel a little sickness in my mouth.
Sorry.

 

[fishy27]

Build update: Install more GHL goodies and custom display!

Since last month's update, quite a bit has happened.

The tank right now is going through some hair algae growth so it's not exactly photo ready just yet. On the meantime, I've added some cleaners to help keep up with it all.

Fish in the tank!
A few weeks ago, I added the first set of fish which to this day are doing very well and eating dry foods.

• 2x Black Ice Clownfish
• 2x Blue Green Chromis

In 2 weeks, I plan to add these fish:

• One-spot Foxface
• Purple Tang
• 2x Sifting Gobies...possibly the orange spot Gobies

At some point, I would like to also add some Anthias, wrasses and a butterfly fish or two.

Corals in the tank!
As for corals, I picked up a pack of Ricordea from @Monterey Bay Coral. All the polyps were super healthy and colorful. Fast forward some weeks and all of them are still doing well. I'm very happy with the purchase overall.

Bashsea ATO reservoir is now plumbed and in-use
When I was planning out the dimensions and cut outs for this tank, I did not realize that I had forgotten to ask for a float valve to be installed inside...no matter. Fortunately, I was able to use the stock Red Sea float valve and install that in this tank. I think it worked out nicely.

The line from this tank leads into one of the dosing pump heads of the GHL Doser. Together with the doser and the ProfiLux, I have automated my ATO needs. After a few tests, I've found that this tank will last me about 12 days before needing a refill. A quick connection into the float valve and 1.5 hr later and the tank will be refilled.

Bashsea AWC tanks is in-place and ready to use
I've placed this on the right-side of the display tank with a GHL Doser Maxi right above it. The Maxi will be controlled by the ProfiLux and will handle my AWC needs. While one head on the Maxi pulls water from the tank below it, the other head will bring water back into the tank. The plan is to have this connected and ready to go within the next 3 weeks.

GHL Propeller Breeze fans (2x) installed and controlled by the ProfiLux 4
In an effort to keep the overall look of the tank nice and balanced, I decided to go with 2x Breeze fans in the 3-fan version. Each fan is centered on the sides of the overflow box and powered by a single power supply. These fans will be controlled by the ProfiLux through the PropellerBreeze-2.1 accessory. This accessory allows the ProfiLux to control speed of the fans based on the live temperature readings of the tank. If my tank's temperature goes up, the fans will turn ON at a low-speed. If the temperature keeps going up, the ProfiLux will automatically increase the fan speed to increase the cooling efforts. I find this to be the most efficient way to run cooling fans since they don't have to run at 100% power when it's not necessary.

Updated sump shot: Wiring organized, reactor mounted, skimmer running, ProfiLux controller probes installed and calibrated and GHL level sensors installed (ATO, AWC, Low-level)
Now that the ProfiLux controller was hooked up, it was time to calibrate the probes, mount the powerbar and program the controller to manage specific tasks. In the sump there are quite a bit of wires, hopefully it's not too noticeable.

Here I have 3 GHL Level sensors placed in the return pump section of the sump:

• ATO / AWC sensor (For normal ATO control and upper AWC sensor)
• AWC sensor (Lower sensor)
• Lower sensor (Placed right above the Abyzz pump -- this will shut OFF the pump in case the water level drops to this level)

In the same return pump section, I also have my 4 GHL probes and KH Director feed water sample line.

Custom GHL display assembled and installed
This was the next big progression for the tank build! The good folks at Adaptive Reef worked with me to create a custom display which would hold the GHL core products which would be in-use. I think they did a good job!

Once the ION Director comes out, I'll be modifying the display and making space to hold that as well.

Behind this display is where all the wiring is...sorting through it all was fun...
Here is where I'm hiding the smaller GHL parts and other equipment which I don't need immediate access to:

• Powerbar-6E
• Vortech controller & drivers
• PropellerControl-2.1 (Fan controller)
• Mitras LX7 power supplies
• More power supplies
• More cables

Right now, only the ProfiLux 4 and 1 head of the dosing pump is being used. The KH Director will be put online once I start adding more coral to the tank.

Thankfully this display helps keep it out of sight!

Here's what the lower half of the tank looks like at the moment:

That's it for now!
Stay tuned for the next update...

where do I get the GHL Logo board to add to my controller cabinet?

 

[Vinny@GHLUSA]

where do I get the GHL Logo board to add to my controller cabinet?

Talk to Kyle at Adaptive Reef.
He makes them for his controller cabinets.

 

[fishy27]

Talk to Kyle at Adaptive Reef.
He makes them for his controller cabinets.

Thanks for the help

 

[Vinny@GHLUSA]

Quick update to end the month of July.

The tank continues to run smoothly. Corals have grown so much in the past few months that I really had to step back and plan which pieces I needed to frag. I noticed the fishes were getting a little more aggressive too, likely due to the shrinking territories.

Fast forward a few weeks and after selling off many pieces, I can say there's more swimming space now and the fishes seem more active and relaxed.

On the controller side, everything is still working as intended (since Day 1). I rarely check up on it unless an alarm goes off when my AWC or ATO reservoir needs a refill. Quick screenshot of the Dashboard as of today.

After the fragging session, I took a quick picture and video to show what things are looking like nowadays. Enjoy!

And lastly a video.

GHL Reef Tank Update (July 2023) #aquarium #reeftank #saltwateraquarium

(July 2023 update) After a fragging session, there's finally more room for the fish to swim and spaces for new corals. ð ð ð Time to go on the search for mor...

www.youtube.com

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Quick update to end the month of July.

The tank continues to run smoothly. Corals have grown so much in the past few months that I really had to step back and plan which pieces I needed to frag. I noticed the fishes were getting a little more aggressive too, likely due to the shrinking territories.

Fast forward a few weeks and after selling off many pieces, I can say there's more swimming space now and the fishes seem more active and relaxed.

On the controller side, everything is still working as intended (since Day 1). I rarely check up on it unless an alarm goes off when my AWC or ATO reservoir needs a refill. Quick screenshot of the Dashboard as of today.

After the fragging session, I took a quick picture and video to show what things are looking like nowadays. Enjoy!

And lastly a video.

GHL Reef Tank Update (July 2023) #aquarium #reeftank #saltwateraquarium

(July 2023 update) After a fragging session, there's finally more room for the fish to swim and spaces for new corals. ð ð ð Time to go on the search for mor...

www.youtube.com

Looks fantastic!! Great job!

 

[bitwise]

Looking good! I have a bunch of GHL stuff and some of it is still sitting in the box because I've been so inundated with life happenings. My tank is a little younger than yours so the growth + technology gives me something to reference Thanks for keeping this updated

 

[Vinny@GHLUSA]

November 2023: Update
Overall, the tank has continued to do well. Some fishes have gotten a bit aggressive with each other, likely because of space and dominance issues. Interestingly, it's not the tangs that are fighting, it's the Squami Anthias!

What started off as a group of 5 has dwindled down to just 3. All 5 started as females, then later one converted to male, then another tried to challenge him and also changed over...one of them lost that fight.

After having this tank running for a little over 3 years, I decided to change it up a tad bit. A few colonies were removed and a lot of fragging was done. Hard to believe it still looks crowded.

That extra space made way for a few new additions:

At the end of this post, I'd like to leave off with a quick video of the tank.
Also shared on my IG (v.altam).

 

[Vinny@GHLUSA]

In case anyone is wondering how the Light Scene effect was made...here you go:

 

[Vinny@GHLUSA]

5 months since the last update, so here's a quick video I shot last week. Corals are growing, colors are looking good and now I've started fragging on a near monthly basis so the corals don't have to bump into each other.

 

[nuxx]

Looking really nice!

 

[Vinny@GHLUSA]

Looking really nice!

Thank you!