Joe.D
Active Member
After thinking about it for a while, and dedicating some funds, I recently purchased a ReefMat and Red Sea ATO and finally got around to installing it this weekend.
It took a good chunk of the day yesterday, reading instructions and watching videos - taking my time so as not to break anything. Running to the hardware store for a stainless hose clamp and some hacksaw blades added some time too.
I have a Red Sea Reefer 350 and had to cut out the filter sock holder from the sump. Was really careful not to cut into the silicone seam on the outer portion. When I was done, there was a small amount of water that kept showing up on the front of the sump, though a few inches from where the seam would have been cut. I wedged the edge of a towel there hoping it was just excess water that splashed. Came back a couple of hours later and much to my relief, it was dry (and has been since), so it seems it was a spill while working in there.
The install was actually pretty easy for both - just taking time to make sure I didn’t break anything is what took the longest. As my dad would say, measure twice and cut once.
Now that I’m up and running - any advice, things to look for or settings to avoid?
Also, my Apex is full, so I plugged the ReefMat and ATO into a regular power strip. Would be nice if they were in the Apex for maintenance mode to shut them down along with wavemakers, skimmer and return pump. Was thinking of pulling the lights off of the Apex as I don’t really use that to control the lights - at least not very often. Thoughts out there on making that swap? I can still control the lights from the ReefBeat app (although it’s very slow).
Here’s what’s in the Apex currently.
It took a good chunk of the day yesterday, reading instructions and watching videos - taking my time so as not to break anything. Running to the hardware store for a stainless hose clamp and some hacksaw blades added some time too.
I have a Red Sea Reefer 350 and had to cut out the filter sock holder from the sump. Was really careful not to cut into the silicone seam on the outer portion. When I was done, there was a small amount of water that kept showing up on the front of the sump, though a few inches from where the seam would have been cut. I wedged the edge of a towel there hoping it was just excess water that splashed. Came back a couple of hours later and much to my relief, it was dry (and has been since), so it seems it was a spill while working in there.
The install was actually pretty easy for both - just taking time to make sure I didn’t break anything is what took the longest. As my dad would say, measure twice and cut once.
Now that I’m up and running - any advice, things to look for or settings to avoid?
Also, my Apex is full, so I plugged the ReefMat and ATO into a regular power strip. Would be nice if they were in the Apex for maintenance mode to shut them down along with wavemakers, skimmer and return pump. Was thinking of pulling the lights off of the Apex as I don’t really use that to control the lights - at least not very often. Thoughts out there on making that swap? I can still control the lights from the ReefBeat app (although it’s very slow).
Here’s what’s in the Apex currently.
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