Solo McReefer's Red Sea 170 Build, T&Ts, Reviews, Etc

[Solo McReefer]

Rebooted my Red Sea 170 grow out tank. Scratched the crap out of my Nano Reefer cleaning it

Used for quarantining and growing out colonies for my Elos 120XL

Will post tips and tricks, stuff I buy, reviews, labor saving devices, cheap reef hacks, coral vendors I like, equipment vendors I like in this thread as well

Scratched the crap out of my Nano Reefer, the QT for the 170, cleaning it. May journal how I fix or fail the scratches, airborne glass is nasty

 

[Solo McReefer]

These are awesome for reef gloves, $10

Just the right thickness and length for me

I probably should stock up


JOR Aquarium Gloves, Extra-long Gloves for Cleaning, DIY Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Maintenance, Red Color, 1 Pair https://a.co/d/aL3iwif

 

[Solo McReefer]

You ever wanted to stir up your salt quickly in your 5 gallon jug of new salt water?

Take a 3/8ths acrylic rod

Take your propane torch

Melt an L or Z into one end, a few inches worth

Chuck it into your cordless drill

Big Ol Salt Stirrer

Duco Clear Plastic Acrylic Rods - USA-Made 3/8 Inch Thick, 36" Plastic Dowel Rods Acrylic Sticks - Long Plastic Rods Great for D.I.Y Crafts & Projects - 36 inch Acrylic Clear Rods (Pack of 1) https://a.co/d/3OgE6vz

 

[Solo McReefer]

What's better than a 5 gallon water jug?

A 5 gallon hedpack container, it's more like 6.5 gallons

Get a 3/4" nipple barb. Some 3/4" silicone tubing, perfect for pouring. The opening is big enough to put a small ATO pump inside

Amazon.com

 

[Solo McReefer]

I was completely disappointed and dissatisfied with my Tunze Algae Reactor the first time I used it. The chaeto never spun, and withered away to rot

Cleaned it up. Fired it up. Same problem.

It was the pump. Changed out the Tunze pump, using for acclimation and dipping now. Replaced with a cheap Jeboa 3500 DC pump

Spins now, no. Dumped my first export chaeto yesterday

 

[Solo McReefer]

The second Tunze Eco Chic LED is $100.

Two grow lights, with a timer. Almost fits. $14

Amazon.com

 

[Solo McReefer]

I always have a glass hydrometer thermometer in the sump, just for backup. Old school habit

I think there is chaeto in my Protein Skimmers venturi, that will be in the pump if so. Off tonight, may swap it out anyway. It is too much for this tank

 

[Solo McReefer]

Unda da see(peppa min shrimp)

This little guy is tiny, like 5/8" of an inch

Not enough meat for Bubba Gump. Glad he's still alive

 

[Solo McReefer]

Two half inch neoprene, so 1"

Was just enough to lift the skimmer

To cut 95% of my microbubbles

 

[Solo McReefer]

Basted up some snail poop

And the Raja Rampage thinks it's feeding time, "Hey Raja, you know you're eating poo?"

 

[Solo McReefer]

New frags came in Tuesday from Justin at ReefNation. I still wonder if Alia is real or a bot(probably a bot)

Couple Montis
4 Digis
The rest acros

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[Solo McReefer]

Finally decided on the controller system.

Ghl

Bought the last KH Director at BRS yesterday. Will be getting the rest of it in bits and bobs as the build continues

 

[Solo McReefer]

I need to get a gimbal for my phone

 

[Solo McReefer]

Well, for the lights on the big system, for the lift

Previously my idea was to use a couple linear actuators and DIY a lift on the model of an engine hoist, using 8020

Then just now saw a post about using a desk lift mechanism. Those at best have 24" of travel. They use 2 motors, two lifts

Then, it occurred to me a TV lift would be lighter in aspect. And have greater travel

This one has 41" of travel. Bolts to the floor. Add some 8020 to the pillar, and 8020 to mount the lights

Get all that TV mount stuff off that. Powdercoat it white

I was always concerned with deflection. I don't think that will be much of an issue with this

ynVISION.DESIGN Motorized TV Lift Mount for 37"-77" TV's | Vertical Lift Motor TV Stand with RF Remote and Smart Phone Control via WiFi

Amazon.com

a.co

I wonder why some company in the reefing business doesn't already offer something like this. If there is, I haven't seen it. Probably I am not in their target audience(I work for a living)

 

[Solo McReefer]

This AluFab stand looks marvelous. Gonna see how much that runs

And I can use the existing stand material as the doors

 

[Solo McReefer]

The Biota Yellow Tang is an abomination

What did they do to them?

They should make black ones

I do not think the Biota Filefish is going to make it. It was bent over and gasping in the bag

The Biota Durasa Clam opened up almost immediately after going into the tank.

 

[Solo McReefer]

Cleaned up the Water Making Station

Cleaned the water tank

Upgraded the RODi with BRS Triple DI

Replaced the 8800 pump with new

Still need to change out float valve system, and auto shut off

The Anion Resin smells like the inside of a rubber tire tube

 

[Solo McReefer]

Also got a quote from AluFab

Their complete stand is virtually the same price as my parts cost from Tnutz

Gonna let AluFab build it

I love their stands long time

 

[Solo McReefer]

1 Inch of neoprene

For 8800 pump

Decrease dB

1/4" neoprene between mounting board and wall