EvolutionZ's Red Sea Reefer 170 tank build

[Evolutionz 168]

Day 18

What a busy day today! Hooked up my DI system and did a 50% water change. My nitrates and Phosphates were sky high which also means the tank is cycled, must have been the cubes of frozen food i've been 'feeding' the tank during the cycling period. 

Tank parameters after 50% WC today:

kH: 8.3

Calcium: 400ppm

Magnesium: 1200ppm

Potassium: 370ppm

Nitrate: 50ppm

Phosphate: 0.5ppm

Now time to show some new equipments!

I decided to get the Noopsyche K7 Pro II LED simply because it fits my budget, is very similar (or identical) spectrum wise to the Hydra 26 and has a single kessil-like lens per led puck. Turns out they are really well-built and the colors blending are awesome!

The single dome lens perfectly blends each individual colors and there is 0 rainbow effect even at the top of my rock scape.

Per led puck, there's 3 Cool white, 3 Royal blues, 3 Blues, 1 red, 1 green and 2 violets (400nm and 410nm). It would've been perfect if 1 of the cool whites were swapped with a warm white led. Another plus point is that all but the violets are Osram LEDs.

With the provided mounting arm, i must say it complements the Red sea Reefer 170 really well.

Well, the controller is not the most user friendly and the technology felt like a decade old. 

 

So i got the Jebao SLW-20M (wifi version) and as compared to the MP10, its size is really compact!

To be fair, i should've included the rubber magnet used to angle the jebao wavemaker in this comparison photo. I personally preferred the Jebao over the Mp10 here because it has a much wider flow and i am able to angle the WM to point at an angled direction. The only bad point over the MP10 would be the cord visible in the tank. The jebao app is surprisingly easy to connect and use.

Next up is my skimmer! I went for this interesting skimmer from BM because of the limited space i have in the sump, since i am adding a UAS, UV and possibly a reactor for phosphate removal media. The BM Z7 is well built and really easy to assemble, the design is well thought out with a drain outlet from the skimmer 'cup'.

 now this is exactly why i chose this model! It fits perfectly in the cut out section right infront of the filter cup area.

I also found this container (at daiso) that fits the only space left in my sump and its perfect for 2 parts and a skimmate collection cup!

 

I will end this update with a FTS with the Noopsyche led at 100% on all 5 channels. It is blindingly bright and i initially thought i might need 2 sets because of my scape, but the spread so far is pretty good. The shimmer is amazing too!

 

 

[jowybk 6]

waiting for more update.. 

[Jason Ng 7]

Yes, more update pls.

Btw, can pm me the price of the light n where u get it?
Thanks


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[shy88devil 40]

Welcome back  

[dr evil 37]

nice to see u back

[Evolutionz 168]

On 6/26/2020 at 12:24 AM, jowybk said:

waiting for more update.. 

 

13 hours ago, shy88devil said:

Welcome back  

 

On 6/26/2020 at 8:20 AM, Jason Ng said:

Yes, more update pls.

Btw, can pm me the price of the light n where u get it?
Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

12 hours ago, dr evil said:

nice to see u back

Thanks everyone!!!!

[Evolutionz 168]

Day 22

Got my hands on a Biotek Marine BTM-3000 PAR sensor! The Noopsyche looks bright to me but i guess a PAR reading on the tank would be very beneficial when deciding on coral placement.

The light is currently 8" above the water level, and positioned slight over half the width of the tank in order to 'blast'' the rock scape and first half of the tank.

So for testing purposes, i set all 5 channels (White, Red/Green, Blue, Royal Blue and UV) to 100%.

The single Kessil-like lens on each led puck seems to have diffused the lights pretty well, and im surprised a single unit at 100w over a 60x50x50m tank can produce over 200 par on even the front corner of the sandbed. But as expected from a typical spotlight LED fixture, the PAR is really low on the middle and top sides of the tank.

Next i tested a more realistic setting of White & Red/Green at 50%, and Blue, Royal Blue and UV at 100%. The tank looks abit blue for the camera so i did some white balance editing. Expectedly the Noopsyche still performed pretty well and well within the BRS recommandation of 250-350 PAR for SPS. 

I think raising the light to 10" above water level (the max height for the stand) might improve the spread and i will provide an update again!

 

Thanks for viewing!

[zander 6]

Day 22
Got my hands on a Biotek Marine BTM-3000 PAR sensor! The Noopsyche looks bright to me but i guess a PAR reading on the tank would be very beneficial when deciding on coral placement.
The light is currently 8" above the water level, and positioned slight over half the width of the tank in order to 'blast'' the rock scape and first half of the tank.
So for testing purposes, i set all 5 channels (White, Red/Green, Blue, Royal Blue and UV) to 100%.
The single Kessil-like lens on each led puck seems to have diffused the lights pretty well, and im surprised a single unit at 100w over a 60x50x50m tank can produce over 200 par on even the front corner of the sandbed. But as expected from a typical spotlight LED fixture, the PAR is really low on the middle and top sides of the tank.
Next i tested a more realistic setting of White & Red/Green at 50%, and Blue, Royal Blue and UV at 100%. The tank looks abit blue for the camera so i did some white balance editing. Expectedly the Noopsyche still performed pretty well and well within the BRS recommandation of 250-350 PAR for SPS. 
I think raising the light to 10" above water level (the max height for the stand) might improve the spread and i will provide an update again!
 
Thanks for viewing!

Nice, for the Par meter, where did you get it? Thanks!!


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[Evolutionz 168]

9 hours ago, zander said:

Nice, for the Par meter, where did you get it? Thanks!!


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Thanks! I borrowed it from a fellow reefer. 

[Evolutionz 168]

Day 36

Some new toys arrived today! 

First up, the JEBO 9W UV system, hooked up to my return manifold and adjusted to a return flow rate of about 150-200l/hr which is about 1 turnover rate per hour for my system. So hopefully this is able to hit the recommanded 90,000 micro watts/cm2 exposure needed to eliminate protozoa.

By the next morning, the water clarity looks significantly better! The UV was actually installed to help manage pest like ich and velvet, although there's no way this will erdicate those pest completely. A plus side is that it also helps in improving water clarity.

Next up is the Jebao 3.4 wifi doser, the last time i used jebao dosers were a couple years back and they were very reliable in my opinion. Its great to see they have a wifi version now and im actually very surprised by its built quality! Its no longer the black and cheap plastic and weighs like its almost empty inside. Its made up of thicker soft touch plastic and is actually pretty heavy for its size. 

Also got my hands on an interesting algae scrubber. Its design is simple and built quality is very decent. There is a 600l/hr pump at the bottom which sends water up and cascades down the sides, while plastic baffles silent any noise produced by the cascading water. There's also a 15w led with 4 red 1 blue led. 

It takes up very little space (13x31cm footprint) and even came with some algae to kick start the scrubber. I have set the led on timer to turn on every 7 hours with a 1 hour rest interval, 

So with everything hooked up, cabinet looking real messy, but im glad i still have some space left in the sump should i ever need more equipments.

Some zoas that i've gotten for about a week are doing great!

Acans too

Currently battling diatoms, also was unlucky when i added my a naoko wrasse and it came with velvet, died within a few days along with my copperband butterfly. The tank will now go fallow for 6 weeks until mid august before i can get another fish.

Thanks for viewing!

[zaiqiu 3]

Nice build! Any additional info and where to get the algae scrubber?


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[Evolutionz 168]

7 minutes ago, zaiqiu said:

Nice build! Any additional info and where to get the algae scrubber?


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Thanks! The algae scrubber is from taobao, just search UAS or ATS and you should see this white round one for sale. 

[Jason Ng 7]

Thanks! The algae scrubber is from taobao, just search UAS or ATS and you should see this white round one for sale. 

Hi
Can share how much you pay in total for the UAS?
Thanks


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[Evolutionz 168]

On 7/16/2020 at 10:03 PM, Jason Ng said:

Hi
Can share how much you pay in total for the UAS?
Thanks


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Cost me about $50 with shipping.

[Jason Ng 7]

Thandk


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[Evolutionz 168]

Day 43.

So i've been dosing Microbe-lift Special Blend since day 1 and has recently start dosing small quantity daily, diatoms are almost gone and corals are looking great! Give this product a try if you're battling algae issue (esp cyano), though they have been increasingly hard to find!

Did a little DIY using corrugated sheet to cover my overflow since the Noopsyche's holder is too large for the original cover to fit properly.

I'll have to re-do it once i get my 2nd noop.

Finally got the time to set up my doser, man i love this Jebao 3.4 wifi doser! its super easy to set up and very accurate, the app works wonder as well. If it has the same reliability as its predecessor, there's really no reason for any of those expensive dosers. 

I'm currently dosing vinegar for carbon, Tropic marin carbocalcium and tropic marin bio-magnesium (trying to get it slowly up to 1300)

I'm starting to get a layer of green algae on the rocks. After some research, they might have been green coraline algae since they are not slimy nor hairy. Well i do certainly hope they will turn purple soon if they are indeed coraline algae.

Also bought some SPS to 'test water' and its been about 4 days and they are still displaying good PE.

 

Red stag, Valida and purple pocci

 

Some beautiful zoas as well!

I'll finish today's update with 2 FTS. 

 

Thanks for viewing!

 

 

[Evolutionz 168]

Day 49

Tank is coming to 2 months old and parameters are getting more stable day by day. What confused me was nitrate was still 50ppm a week before but suddenly dropped to 2.5ppm today. I was vinegar dosing but switched to 1ML of Red Sea NOPOX just 2 days ago. Corals still looking good but i am feeding Reef Energy AB+ daily (5ml) and occasionally Reef Roids to maintain some nutrients in the water since i do not have fishes yet.

Water parameters:

pH: 8.2

No3: 2.5ppm

Po4: 0.025-0.05ppm

kH: 8.3dkH

Calcium: 480ppm

Mg: 1200ppm

Potassium: 390ppm

Some new addition of SPS over the past few days.

Red Planet, Tri-color Staghorn and Miyagi Tort

Feels like im stocking up too fast!

Top to bottom, left to right:

Red Millipora

Unknown ID aussie acro

Pink salmon Digitata

Bi-color Staghorn

Pink birdnest

Bali green slimer

Blue dragon

Setosa

Bi-color staghorn

Top down view, photo taken with Blues/Royal Blues/UV at 60%, white at 25%, red/green at 12%. I'm slowly ramping up my LED at 5% a week in order not to shock the SPS or grow too much algae.

Showing some love to LPS and zoas as well!

 

I will stop stocking up on SPS for now (i hope!) to see if they are able to retain their color! And its 3 more weeks before my 6 week fallow period ends.

 

Thanks for viewing!

[Evolutionz 168]

Day 53

Showcasing old and trusty Deltec SC1350 skimmer, previously i bought the BM Z7 but wasn't really skimming much.. not sure if it was due to being too over sized or the design is not ideal. Swapped to this deltec and although its a llittle noisy,  check out the skimmate while i have 0 fishes! I believe this is the reason why i'm getting 1ppm nitrate now combined with NoPox dosing.

Sharing this acrylic container i got from Daiso, fits my phone and i can snap pic and enjoy top down view without turning off my pumps.

Some shots taken with the phone laying flat on the container.

Classic miyagi tort

 

Very interesting tiny frag.. greenish base with deep purple polyps.. 

rainbow acro, really hope the color can hold!

Thanks for viewing!

 

 

 

[Jason Ng 7]

Show us some FTS pls
Btw, how’s the UAS after 3 weeks? Does it doing the job?


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[Evolutionz 168]

12 minutes ago, Jason Ng said:

Show us some FTS pls
Btw, how’s the UAS after 3 weeks? Does it doing the job?


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Thanks for the reminder, guess i missed out posting the FTS!

There's some growth in the UAS but not much, probably because there's not much nutrients in the first place. Will take a pic later!

 

[Ashtrax 52]

Hi what your review on your ATS? 

[Evolutionz 168]

Hi what your review on your ATS? 

I think still too early to tell. I've just swapped from 24 hours lighting period to 12 hours on reserve light cycle. Here's a pic of how it looks like now.



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[Ashtrax 52]

16 hours ago, Evolutionz said:

I think still too early to tell. I've just swapped from 24 hours lighting period to 12 hours on reserve light cycle. Here's a pic of how it looks like now.



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May I know the price of it?

[superdoggiemojo 3]

beautiful scape

[Kumar 1981 10]

Very nice tank build u have bro..and welcome back..


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