Our Red Sea Reefer 350

[merser]

Ah, now I don't know what you mean by pellets? Our thoughts were rowaphos and maybe carbon?

Hahaha don't panic! There are bio pellets/ pearls - which that reactor is designed for. They reduce nitrates.

Rowaphos (or similar. There are loads of brands.) simply absorbs phosphate for export. It's best used in a reactor but you only need the media to 'simmer' at the bottom. Too much flow and it will grind to dust and into your display. I presume that reactor would work for rowa so long as you can keep the flow lowish.

Carbon can be ran in a reactor as well but general opinion is it is better simply in a media bag in the sump as again it can grind to dust if fluidised. Plus if doesn't require the water to pass it quickly to be effective.

Hope that helps!

 

[hillie]

So we might use the pellets at the start to help the cycle? Then for rowaphos(or similar) if PO4 needs reducing with a sock of carbon for good measure.

I feel like we're learning all over again...which we are coz we've never had a sump .....

 

[merser]

Pellets take a long while to get going and useful. So no good as part of the cycle. Have a good Google on the use of pellets. I personably think they take a long time to build up enough bacteria and then boom; strip all your nutrients and kill everything. But others will likely have had opposite experiences.

If you want to speed up the cycle I can vouch for atm colony as an instant cycle. Worked for my nano and others (@tyger) have used dentrinol to the same effect. I think it's the same thing.

You are bang on with rowa and carbon.

All just my opinion obviously!

Jamie

 

[dannydization]

looking good i will also vouch for the ATM colony its good stuff

 

[Fishpalace]

So we might use the pellets at the start to help the cycle? Then for rowaphos(or similar) if PO4 needs reducing with a sock of carbon for good measure.

I feel like we're learning all over again...which we are coz we've never had a sump .....

It is a bit daunting when you upgrade to a sump but it is a lot easier to maintain than a tank with back chambers.

I used biopellets in previous tank, small amount and took a while to work but now use a reactor with rowaphos, along with a bag of carbon with a skimmer. Also use Red Sea no pox to reduce nitrate, from time to time.

 

[hillie]

Our LFS has suggested the RSM Red Sea Reef Mature PRO kit marine care programme to start the cycle and to use at water changes. Have you any experience of this? In the meantime I'll get Tone on the googling of ATM, Dentrinol and pellets!

 

[merser]

Water changes when cycling? That doesn't make any sense. Unless you use that kit for cycling and then use water changes for Parameters there after?

My advice would be start dead simple. I made the mistake of adding reactors all over the place and pellets and all sorts of potions. The reality was I didn't know what I was doing so when things went wrong I couldn't isolate the problem and lost the lot. This time round I keep it ultra simple. Sock, skimmer, cheato, rowa reactor and the calcium reactor to maintain stability.

 

[hillie]

Sorry, yes, I wasn't very clear. Use the Red Sea stuff to cycle and then once cycled add a bit once a month or so............


Mmmm, now you've mentioned a calcium reactor..........we've not got one of those.......

I agree.............we are going to stay as simple as possible!

 

[merser]

Hahahah now a calcium reactor will blow your mind! I'm still not 100% myself. But in my opinion it's a much much simpler option for maintaining parameters than dosing

 

[hillie]

You're just trying to empty my purse even further

I've added a calcium reactor to Tone's google list!

 

[hillie]

It is a bit daunting when you upgrade to a sump but it is a lot easier to maintain than a tank with back chambers.

I used biopellets in previous tank, small amount and took a while to work but now use a reactor with rowaphos, along with a bag of carbon with a skimmer. Also use Red Sea no pox to reduce nitrate, from time to time.

Is the Red Sea no pox part of the Red Sea Reef Mature PRO kit marine care programme?

 

[hillie]

Wow, we've just watched the video made by ATM on their colony liquids... amazing results after 5 days! I loved their bit of kit whereby they used their laptop to monitor levels....I bet that's expensive!

 

[hillie]

First of all, excuse all the mess (too much time on TSB and no time to clean and tidy :whistling We're sorting out where to put our new tank. Originally we were going to put it in the alcove where the current 130 is, but have decided now to put it inbetween the two pillars on the other wall.

Current 130 position.





new location


to the right of the red chair......



in between the two black pillars (where the chairs are).

If we put it in the alcove, we won't be able to see through the sides. But putting it along the other wall might make it look too big. Oh, decisions!!!!!

 

[hillie]

I must say, we had the lenses changed on the Razr from 90 degree to 120 degree and can really tell the difference. The light now spreads out much further, so we're hoping it will be enough for the 350. We've kept the 90 degree lenses in case we want a more directional light on a specific area in the new tank.

 

[hillie]

The tank arrived today YAY!! I'll post photos of the build in a few day's time!

 

[nodster]

Hi hillie just had a quick reead through your post fun times ahead with the reefer mate great tanks , my atu lasts about 2 days which doesn't bother me , look forward to see it up and running Big Thumbs Up

 

[hillie]

Thanks Nodster! We're converting the ATU to a refugium and adding an independent ATU on the right-hand side of the cabinet....that's the plan anyway!

 

[nodster]

Good idea [MENTION=14848]hillie[/MENTION] although Ive all my electrics and expensive dose bottles "milk cartons" in right side of mine don't think I could fit extras in it , must admit the refugium is a nice addition did you go for black or white cabinet ?

 

[Fishpalace]

Thanks Nodster! We're converting the ATU to a refugium and adding an independent ATU on the right-hand side of the cabinet....that's the plan anyway!

I was reading that to make a refugium worthwhile it needs to be big and not sure the ATU in a reefer is big enough to make it worthwhile. It would certainly help with growing pods etc but as a nitrate reducer I am not sure.

I know a lot of people change the set up which I get but has to be worthwhile? I am biased though as made no changes to mine, ATU and filter socks are ok, have no refugium (but had one in previous tank).

I use nopox as Phos and nitrate reducer and after 6 weeks both are ok, nitrate NiL and Phos 0.008. Tank is stable although I need to increase Calcium by about 40 and have a small diatom bloom which I am not surprised about, as tank is new, and should burn off in a couple of weeks. Bio load is quite heavy, for a new tank, as have 13 fish and this includes 3 tangs that are greedy.

Not saying it's the wrong thing to do just asking is it worth the time, effort and money for what improvements.

Paul

 

[CEECH]

I was reading that to make a refugium worthwhile it needs to be big and not sure the ATU in a reefer is big enough to make it worthwhile. It would certainly help with growing pods etc but as a nitrate reducer I am not sure.

I know a lot of people change the set up which I get but has to be worthwhile? I am biased though as made no changes to mine, ATU and filter socks are ok, have no refugium (but had one in previous tank).


I use nopox as Phos and nitrate reducer and after 6 weeks both are ok, nitrate NiL and Phos 0.008. Tank is stable although I need to increase Calcium by about 40 and have a small diatom bloom which I am not surprised about, as tank is new, and should burn off in a couple of weeks. Bio load is quite heavy, for a new tank, as have 13 fish and this includes 3 tangs that are greedy.

Not saying it's the wrong thing to do just asking is it worth the time, effort and money for what improvements.

Paul

I am going to add a refugium and sump on my 130d the way i figure it cant hurt to have it and may help to reduce a small amount so i dont use as much nopox and as said my pod population should rise