Red Sea My RedSea Reefer 170 build

[TORREYA]

Hello everyone!
Starting a new tank here in Southern NH. Needed to downsize due to space. Going from a Planet Aquariums 90 rimless to a Reefer 170. Wow so much smaller. . . But I am starting new with mostly new parts, and live stock. Some coral from last system is in a small QT currently (see below). Everything will be going through a full QT before going into this DT. I will be buying QT fish from Vendor(s) on this site. Or I hope to at least. It will be a mixed reef. Got a Radion XR30 on this system that I am using from last setup. New Skimmer, Pump, Heater. I have a MP40 which is overkill for this system but a new MP10 is to expensive for me when I have this MP40. So Im hoping the 40 will be ok turned way down?

I am looking for some ideas on scaping the tank. I was planning to use the BRS real reef rock? I figure the nano size would be fine? I want to insure I have flow between the rock work and the overflow. That was a huge dead spot in my last setup. I was kinda thinking a frown type shape but building the rock work up high on one side and lower on the other. What are people thoughts on this? This is my first scap. My LFS did it in my last (and first tank).

Another thing I was looking for ideas on is fish. I figure I will only be able to have a small number if them. So I kinda want the few to be really nice. Im thinking of course clowns. Either the Mocha, Black, or Orange Storms. We really like them and havent decided which just yet. We are also thinking a pair of Manderin's later down the road once I get the tank seeded with Pods and life and a feeling that the system is ready for them. Other than that its all up in the air. I am thinking of a Yellow Tang for the start of the tank for alge control knowing I will need to remove it in a few months. I was thinking Biota for this. Do you need to QT fish from Biota? I have been told no. Thoughts? What are some other ideas of nice, not sure I wanna saw rare. But cool fish to stock my new Reefer 170?

I will post photos as I go. Ideas are welcome. And If I am doing something stupid please let me know. I cant take it. Not a snowflake as some would say.

Thanks everyone!
Arthur

 

[Humblefish]

Here are my thoughts:

• The MP40 will be fine provided you keep it turned way down.
• I personally would go with Real Reef Rock. The rocks come nice & colored up, and are biologically active to help with your cycle.
• You could stock some small flasher/fairy wrasses, maybe a basslet, a goby/pistol shrimp pair and a blenny. IDK if you like smaller fish though??

 

[TORREYA]

Humble as always thanks for the input / response. I love wrasses, but I am trying to go no lid on this setup. Trying. IDK how long that will last. I assume small fish is all I can do in this little thing. Just looking for ideas of some great colorful not in every reef fish. If Im only going to have a handful of fish I want them to be really nice fish. Know what I mean? If you can share real names of some fish you think are really sweet please share.

Ok I am going with the real Reef Rock then.

What are everyones thoughts on the Nature's Ocean Nutri-SeaWater? I do not have a RODI. I always get my water from a LFS. But with now trying to make this system as clean as possible I was thinking of switching that up.

Would love to hear others thoughts and ideas as well!

Thanks everyone!

 

[Humblefish]

Almost every small fish I can think of is a jumper lol

I think your safest bet is going to be chromis, clownfish, cardinals, you could even put a Pygmy (Cherub) Angelfish in there if you don't mind a little coral nipping. I've also never seen a pipefish or seahorse jump out, that would require a more dedicated tank for those species.

 

[Jessican]

A couple of my favorites that I’ve had in my smaller tanks are a yellow candy hogfish, a Valentini puffer, a possum wrasse, and of course I’m partial to spotcinctus clownfish.

Edit: oh and a tiger watchman goby, if you don’t mind sandstorms

 

[TORREYA]

Almost every small fish I can think of is a jumper lol

I think your safest bet is going to be chromis, clownfish, cardinals, you could even put a Pygmy (Cherub) Angelfish in there if you don't mind a little coral nipping. I've also never seen a pipefish or seahorse jump out, that would require a more dedicated tank for those species.

Yeah I am afraid no lid wont last long. Because I I dont want Cardinals, or Chromis for sure. This is going to be tough!

 

[TORREYA]

A couple of my favorites that I’ve had in my smaller tanks are a yellow candy hogfish, a Valentini puffer, a possum wrasse, and of course I’m partial to spotcinctus clownfish.

Edit: oh and a tiger watchman goby, if you don’t mind sandstorms

Thanks for your ideas! Sandstorms were a large issue in the last setup! Trying to stay away from that for sure. Man I am sounding picky!!

 

[Jessican]

Thanks for your ideas! Sandstorms were a large issue in the last setup! Trying to stay away from that for sure. Man I am sounding picky!!

You’re allowed to be picky it’s not a huge tank, you have to be choosy about what goes into it!

 

[TORREYA]

Sands here! As well as a filter cup. Gonna run filter floss instead of sox.

 

[TORREYA]

After a little stress. Rock, sand, and water is in. Only a couple points touching the back wall. And the Gyre positioned to blow the stuff from behind the scape out towards the MP40. Hoping the MP40 will kick up the junk enough to remove it so it will not sit and rot. This was an issue my last setup.

How do you like the setup? Tank will be mostly softies and LPS.

Thanks!

 

[Humblefish]

@TORREYA That looks really good! I like the rock structure.

 

[TORREYA]

2 Orange Storm Clowns arrived 9/11. Both arrived in great shape. H202 bath and into DT. (I am trusting the Sea and Reef guarantee so fingers crossed). Both are doing great. Eating right away. Nice to have something in the DT after weeks of it being empty. 28th of this month Coral / invert QT will hit day 76 of being fishless. So I will slowly add some coral to the DT to add some color and more life. Cant wait.

 

[TORREYA]

Today is day 80 that my coral QT has been up and running fishless. I have waited what feels like forever to start adding corals slowly to the new DT. Yet right now I find myself scared to do anything. Thinking what if I missed something. What if I still have Ich / velvet / or whatever in the QT and I bring it over to the new DT. Will more time really be that bad to wait. I have waited so long already.. I thought I would be happy at day 80.. And yet Im scared! WT!

 

[Humblefish]

Move 'em over!

 

[TORREYA]

OK, I admit, I suck at keeping things up to date. So a lot has happened with my new system in the last couple months. System is actually running great. I hope saying that doesn't screw me over! Attached are some photos. Live stock currently consists of 2 Orange Storm Clowns, an Indigo Dottyback, a Tux Urchin, and a few different snails and hermits that made in through QT with the corals. (lost more than made it through the 85 days). Got a couple fish coming from @Dierks next week to add before the holiday! Pumped about that. Hope you folks enjoy it as much as I do. Let me know what you think! Photos are not great on my phone. So bear with me. Thanks!

 

[TORREYA]

Some more

 

[TORREYA]

And these are currently in QT with other snails, hermits, peppermint shrimp, Halloween urchin, and a coral banded shrimp. I have no room for the 2 large dunkins. Going to have to rehome them. I grew them from one head frags in a year and a half. Sad to have to let them go. But that means I can get some nicer new stuff.

 

[Humblefish]

Looking good!!!

 

[Dierks]

I wish I had as much success as you have with your Corals, they come to me and start screaming because they know what is next. Almost instant death.... I have never been a green thumb so when I see corals in other peoples tanks it makes me jealous! Great work, tanks looks fantastic.

 

[TORREYA]

Hope you like these shots! Better shots than before I hope. As well as 2 new additions. Thanks again @Dierks!!