Show Off and Discuss Your Red Sea Reefer Series

[Phil D.]

actually that was my next question
I want to drill a 1-2” hole to feed my ato, awc, skimmer waste hoses through my wall, having a hole near the middle of my sump would be ideal, what do y’all think about that? Structural compromise???

To alleviate any worries, just feed them through the opening where your bulkhead pipes come through the stand.

 

[Tastee]

actually that was my next question
I want to drill a 1-2” hole to feed my ato, awc, skimmer waste hoses through my wall, having a hole near the middle of my sump would be ideal, what do y’all think about that? Structural compromise???

You are planning a hole about exactly where I put one in my RSR 525XL. My hole is a little smaller however, probably 3/4”. The back panel of the 525 stand is plywood, smaller tanks are MDF. I don’t feel there are any issues whatsoever with structural integrity, but moisture may be an issue. I sealed the inside of my hole with PVA adhesive - just carefully smeared it on with my finger. If you don’t do this then I would be worried about moisture uptake as the rest of the stand is reasonably well sealed.

 

[AZMSGT]

actually that was my next question
I want to drill a 1-2” hole to feed my ato, awc, skimmer waste hoses through my wall, having a hole near the middle of my sump would be ideal, what do y’all think about that? Structural compromise???

I would go no larger than 1-1.25” holes. For instance I only went 1.25” to feed 4 RO size lines through and went with 1” to feed 3/4” tubing through for my UV.

The smaller the hole the less structural stress you are creating. So basically, 2 1” holes spaces 3-4” apart is safer than say 1 2” hole. Hope that makes sense.

Also, I sealed all the holes I created I sealed with Epoxy appliance paint. You can buy it at the hardware stores. The paint usually comes in a spray so I sprayed into a cup and would brush it on.

 

[kruler]

actually that was my next question
I want to drill a 1-2” hole to feed my ato, awc, skimmer waste hoses through my wall, having a hole near the middle of my sump would be ideal, what do y’all think about that? Structural compromise???

The general rule for drilling holes in floor joists is that the hole size not be larger than 1/3 of the depth of the joist and not to make a hole within 2 inches of the edge.

If it were me, I would not be worried about making a 1-2” hole as long as it’s more than 2” from any edge. I would also seal the exposed cut with silicone, several coats of polyurethane or something else that will keep moisture out of the wood. I’d also put a grommet to clean up the look. Good luck.

 

[Futuretotm]

To alleviate any worries, just feed them through the opening where your bulkhead pipes come through the stand.

Thanks! but my "wall hole" lines up better with my planned hole in my stand, will be easier to feed future tubing/hoses if I create a new hole

You are planning a hole about exactly where I put one in my RSR 525XL. My hole is a little smaller however, probably 3/4”. The back panel of the 525 stand is plywood, smaller tanks are MDF. I don’t feel there are any issues whatsoever with structural integrity, but moisture may be an issue. I sealed the inside of my hole with PVA adhesive - just carefully smeared it on with my finger. If you don’t do this then I would be worried about moisture uptake as the rest of the stand is reasonably well sealed.

Thank you for the photo, puts my mind to ease. In terms of RO tubing - do you ever "citric acid" them to get any crud out? (I've been thinking of using larger diameter clear hoses and then transition to RO tubing to keep the crud in check - although this would equal more failure points)

I would go no larger than 1-1.25” holes. For instance I only went 1.25” to feed 4 RO size lines through and went with 1” to feed 3/4” tubing through for my UV.

The smaller the hole the less structural stress you are creating. So basically, 2 1” holes spaces 3-4” apart is safer than say 1 2” hole. Hope that makes sense.

Also, I sealed all the holes I created I sealed with Epoxy appliance paint. You can buy it at the hardware stores. The paint usually comes in a spray so I sprayed into a cup and would brush it on.

Thank you again for taking the time!

The general rule for drilling holes in floor joists is that the hole size not be larger than 1/3 of the depth of the joist and not to make a hole within 2 inches of the edge.

If it were me, I would not be worried about making a 1-2” hole as long as it’s more than 2” from any edge. I would also seal the exposed cut with silicone, several coats of polyurethane or something else that will keep moisture out of the wood. I’d also put a grommet to clean up the look. Good luck.

Thank you! the grommet plus sealing is now on my list of things to do.

 

[Tastee]

Thank you for the photo, puts my mind to ease. In terms of RO tubing - do you ever "citric acid" them to get any crud out? (I've been thinking of using larger diameter clear hoses and then transition to RO tubing to keep the crud in check - although this would equal more failure points)

Not yet - I haven’t started my AWC yet, so this is new for me. I will likely need to do this every now and then, but will play it by ear.

 

[Futuretotm]

Not yet - I haven’t started my AWC yet, so this is new for me. I will likely need to do this every now and then, but will play it by ear.

this is what I meant, this photo and post is from @SuncrestReef

 

[gunguy05]

So, this (a reefer 450) is my first larger tank. Previous was a 29 gal bicobe. Just got this setup yesterday.

I have some more rock, I need to work on the aquacaping a bit. But for now, the cycle has begun.

Running an older reefbreeder.

Added some microbe-lift to it.

The plumbing was a little bit finicky. Had to order O rings. Will replace those when they come in.

 

[drawman]

Anyone using their sump sections to house rock? I have a RSR V3 sump and want to load it up but the sections are a little tight.

 

[New&no clue]

Anyone using their sump sections to house rock? I have a RSR V3 sump and want to load it up but the sections are a little tight.

Initially I had a bunch of rocks in the refugium section of the V3, I've since used them elsewhere.

 

[drawman]

Initially I had a bunch of rocks in the refugium section of the V3, I've since used them elsewhere.

I tried to go with a minimal rockwork in my display and am wishing there was a larger section. I'm probably going to do the same and maybe try to tuck some into the return section.

 

[AZMSGT]

Anyone using their sump sections to house rock? I have a RSR V3 sump and want to load it up but the sections are a little tight.

Break the rock into smaller pieces.

 

[New&no clue]

I tried to go with a minimal rockwork in my display and am wishing there was a larger section. I'm probably going to do the same and maybe try to tuck some into the return section.

what if you switch the refugium and skimmer chamber? You would have to get a small skimmer to fit.

 

[drawman]

what if you switch the refugium and skimmer chamber? You would have to get a small skimmer to fit.

Yeah my skimmer is too big but it's a good thought. I've thought about adding a second tank next to the sump to house the rock but with the current state of things I'll try to make do as is.

 

[mariano]

we just ordered a 170 with red sea 90 lights , arriving tuesday! we cant wait to set it up. we currently have an aqueon so the upgrade is exciting .

 

[Tastee]

I run Marine Pure balls in the first return/inlet section of my sumps to give me lots of surface area. There’s lots of talk about these being fragile and breaking down over time so another option is Seachem Matrix. I use some in my FW tank and it is a lot more robust. It also doesn’t use Aluminium to my knowledge in case you are concerned about that.

 

[drawman]

I run Marine Pure balls in the first return/inlet section of my sumps to give me lots of surface area. There’s lots of talk about these being fragile and breaking down over time so another option is Seachem Matrix. I use some in my FW tank and it is a lot more robust. It also doesn’t use Aluminium to my knowledge in case you are concerned about that.

Yeah I've used matrix and Siporax before and like them. Unfortunately, Siporax was a little too good at reducing nutrients (without carbon dosing) so I wanted to stay away from media but who knows I may go that way. I have a liter of Siporax sitting in a box ready to go if need be.

 

[Krully]

I use something I believe is not available in the US but you probably have something similar, it’s “aquaroche” and the form factor is really easy to fit, I have my skimmer laying on them so they take virtually no space in the sump!

 

[ChicagoShoop]

Anyone win the micro bubble battle in the display tank? Have a reefer 170 that had been running for about 3 weeks and I’ve got tons of bubbles. I think it’s coming from the skimmer, reef octopus essence, but I thought the black sponge was supposed to stop those from entering the return pump? I’m currently draining the skimmer right back into the sump while it breaks in. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Lukeewh]

Anyone win the micro bubble battle in the display tank? Have a reefer 170 that had been running for about 3 weeks and I’ve got tons of bubbles. I think it’s coming from the skimmer, reef octopus essence, but I thought the black sponge was supposed to stop those from entering the return pump? I’m currently draining the skimmer right back into the sump while it breaks in. Any help would be appreciated!

I had these on my new 200XL for a week or so until I realized that the return chamber in the sump is pretty picky and subject to very slight fluctuations in water level, so if the ATO reservoir is dry or turned down too low, my return pump vortex's and pulls in air. Might be something to look at.