Cali Kid Corals

Randy's Red Sea Reefer 250

Well done. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to do a refugium in my Reefer 250 as well. I’m debating just adding a trigger systems 34 sump. But, that would require a complete re-pipe and then I lose the room for my ATO container
 
Well done. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to do a refugium in my Reefer 250 as well. I’m debating just adding a trigger systems 34 sump. But, that would require a complete re-pipe and then I lose the room for my ATO container

You could always add a 5 gallon ATO and repurpose the stock ATO as a fuge, but I think at 2.2 gallons, it's a tad small of a fuge. I did that before I used algae reactors. Did an ok job. Look at page 2 of this thread and you can see what I did with the stock ATO.

I have a "secret" fish room (aka pantry) to hold a 20 gallon ATO and calcium reactor, that's why I got room for a 10 gallon fuge.
 
How's slow flow did it take to tumble it?


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I have no idea. My Vectra m1 is running at 60% with a return to display, mini BRS media reactor and fuge. If you made me guess, I'd say somewhere around 250?
 
Day 628

Tank is chugging along with the new fuge. I did notice that my nitrates are getting cleaned up too effectively, it has gone from ~10ppm to 0.5ppm over the last week, so I've decreased the fuge lighting schedule a bit.

Recently bought a 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens and had a little time today. So here's some eye candy from the tank:

Jawbreaker
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Space Invader Chalice
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Orange Setosa Montipora
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Green with purple tips (No name) Acro
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Walt Disney
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PC Rainbow Acro
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RR Pink Floyd Acro
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RR The Vinh Acro
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Tyree Pink Lemonade Acro
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Needle in the Haystack / Pac-man Acro
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Bleeding Apple Scoly
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Sarmentosa Acro
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Day 624

Following my first cracked algae reactor (see this post), I've been running with a single algae reactor instead of my normal two for the past two months, well, the second one finally starting leaking. The plus side of this experience is that I was able to test out my Neptune LDK and it worked like a champ notifying me there was a leak. Didn't leak much, just a small puddle, so no damage done.

Decided to move away from algae reactors (they're a pain to keep clean) and also see how much more cramped I can make a reefer 250 cabinet. I added an external fuge to the system a few days ago. I took my old 12g fluval edge that's been sitting on the shelf and drilled three holes in it for 3/4" bulkheads - full siphon drain, emergency drain and a return line.

Fluval_Edge_Fuge_001.jpg



Had to build a little stand to get the bulkheads a little higher. Electronics are a little close, but since the fuge is mostly covered, it's not as bad as it looks, but yes, I probably should clean up the electronics and wiring.
Fluval_Edge_Fuge_002.jpg


I lit this thing up with two 45W LED grow panels. Should be plenty.
Fluval_Edge_Fuge_003.jpg


I have no idea why, but I can stare at tumbling chaeto for a while. It's mesmerizes me.


So far, a couple nice benefits I've had from the change.
- I've noticed in the past few days that my pH doesn't bottom out as low as it used to. I've gained somewhere between 0.07-0.10 on my pH minimum and bottom out around 7.90 at night now. I also moved my calcium reactor effluent drip to the fuge hoping that will help balance out the acidic drip from the carx.
- I gained almost 20% more water volume with the additional 10 gallons.

Chaeto is growing like crazy still and has easily doubled in size again since Tuesday if not more. With the increased amount of chaeto and changing the fuge light start time, I've been able to bottom out my pH at 7.95 at night vs the 7.80 that it used to be before the fuge upgrade. Alk consumption has increased as I've had to increase the effluent drip rate on the calcium reactor to keep alk steady. So it's a reasonable assumption that an increased pH most likely has helped with coral growth at night.
 
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