James’ Red Sea Reefer 350 V3

[Westside Guy]

I've got a whole bunch of ReefSpec Carbon and I drop a bag in for a few days then pull it to keep the water clearer. I do that every couple weeks.

I was using "Chemipure Elite" on the frag tank, but I think it contributing to the tank being too clean. But I might use it with the larger tank.

The RS Reef Spec Carbon gives you a pretty good bang for the buck as all you need to use is 50-60 grams every 2 months for a tank your size.

 

[James Tucker]

Let the ugly tank phase begin!

I like the rock work this time.

 

[Westside Guy]

I really like it, can you post some side shots also?

 

[Oshengems]

Let the ugly tank phase begin!

I like the rock work this time.

Doesn’t it feel good! Filling her up!!! I want that feeling again upgrade coming soon

 

[James Tucker]

Doesn’t it feel good! Filling her up!!! I want that feeling again upgrade coming soon

It took 2 days but yes it does.

I really like it, can you post some side shots also?

I need to buy a UV filter lol. Here you go

 

[Alberta79]

Love your scape. You can tell you are experienced. I like my scape in my reefer 350 but this is my first reef tank and I didn't leave a lot of flat spots for corals which has presented some challenges for me.

 

[James Tucker]

Love your scape. You can tell you are experienced. I like my scape in my reefer 350 but this is my first reef tank and I didn't leave a lot of flat spots for corals which has presented some challenges for me.

Thank you.

I feel it’s my first successful scape. Except for the reef saver on the bottom right, I like it.

It’s not hard, but it’s not easy. I think the trick is to not be in a rush, treat it as a small fun project, and have a solid idea of the results that you are after. I knew that I wanted to have various coral types and also have some safe hiding places for fish. I also wanted to eliminate places for detritus buildup, or have it buildup in one place so that I could siphon it out. Hours of reef tank google image searches ensued.

Once my rock was ready and completely dry, I layed towels on the floor, spreading all the rock out in an arch in front of me. Just like playing with grown up reef rock legos.

Since none of my rock is pegged or glued, stacking it was not easy. Creating a stable base and getting any level of height was a challenge. I do have to say that measuring the base and height I wanted to go for was necessary to make any real progress.

Once I got the rock stacked, I poked it a bunch to simulate fish bumping it, and once it was in water, I used a 4500gph powerhead on it to check stability. I didn’t want to risk rock falling due to adjusting a power head.

 

[Alberta79]

 

[James Tucker]

That is still really good. A lot better than my last 3 attempts and you got some peninsulas in too.

 

[Alberta79]

That is still really good. A lot better than my last 3 attempts and you got some peninsulas in too.

I like it. Just hard finding places to mount corals now. I have some sps frags and if I can grow them then I will be ok. Just wish I had some more flat spots lol.

 

[Alberta79]

COlors look a lot better than the pictures show. Anyways looking forward to following your build.

 

[James Tucker]

My light shades came in. I’m loving them!

No longer blinded the simulated sun.

Thead:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ai-hydra-26hd-light-shade.574254/

 

[Westside Guy]

My light shades came in. I’m loving them!

No longer blinded the simulated sun.

They look great!!!

 

[James Tucker]

And my ClearView Tsunami Lid came in! And I did my par readings!

Custom made to my specs. I really like it. Important to keep the carpet surfing at a minimum. It’s already sea sprayed. My water surface is very turbulent.

Don’t mind the stylo in the bottom left. It wasn’t doing so well in my frag tank, so I wanted to see what would happen in the display. It was quarantined for 60 days.

 

[ludnix]

Wow what a beautiful lid! I was planning to use a window screen kit and the mesh but I might have to rethink it now!

 

[James Tucker]

Wow what a beautiful lid! I was planning to use a window screen kit and the mesh but I might have to rethink it now!

I got the bulk reef supply kit, but I’m not great with custom fab, so I failed spectacularly. It was the cutting parts that did me in since I didn’t have the correct tools.

 

[Flameback Pair]

@James Tucker you have a PM.

 

[James Tucker]

This build is in maintain mode, waiting out the bare-bottom diatom blooms. Most of the corals are doing good, but a few still hate me. I changed the flow a bit, I'll add some pics/vids when I get a chance. There is still so much flow, no algae has a chance to take hold lol. My monti's are liking it though.

 

[James Tucker]

Added a Tesla battery backup! This will help tremendously. I’ve been waiting until this went in before I did anything with my build. I’ll start doing more after these burn in for a month. I did not want a hurricane Irma repeat.

Ignore the dirty floor, I need to clean the garage, it’s really hot out, so I’m avoiding it right now. Lol

 

[SKMoss]

James,

Thanks for posting and updating. Watching this closely as I’m about to jump back in and am trying to decide between the 250 and 350.