JR Aquatics 180 Gallon Nano Reef

[JRaquatics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13576663#post13576663 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lowredranger
I am also trying to figure out where to go skimmer wise, i have seen some used orca 250's for sale but i am not sure if that would be total overkill for a 180g mixed reef. Do you know what the AO smith wattage runs for the reeflo 250 as i am sure the used ones are running the old pumps.

I also picked up 3 used MP40w's but after seeing your tank i may have 1 to many.

I was considering only running a kalk reactor to keep it more simple any thought?

Once again great looking tank hopefully i can get there one day but i need to get water in the tank first.

The AO smith motor on a reeflo 250 will run between 140-150 watts. Unless you are getting a super deal on one I suggest getting a new one because they come with better motors (baldors) on the pumps and drains on the skimmer. For a 180 a Reeflo 250 would be overkill IMO otherwise I would be running one on my system.

You are fine with 3 Vortechs. I just purchased my 3rd one last weekend for my tank. Thanks Mike (reefspecialty.com), it was nice seeing you again.

A kalk reactor will not stand up to a full blow SPS tank alone. I would suggest looking into a calcium reactor or some sort of continuous two part dosing system. A kalk reactor defiantly doesn't keep things simple. thanks for the comments.

 

[Jeff_1986]

very nice set-up

 

[Lowredranger]

Thanks for the info i will probably just look into a new reeflo 200 then. The tank is definitely going to be a mixed reef i love the colors of the sps but the flow of the lps.

I will do some more research on the reactor side.

Thanks again and keep up the good work.

 

[PreacherMan607]

BEAUTIFUL TANK! Is that a spotted cheek surgeon? Or something else? I ask because I would love to have one. Can you tell me where you got yours?

Thanks!

 

[JRaquatics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13582416#post13582416 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PreacherMan607
BEAUTIFUL TANK! Is that a spotted cheek surgeon? Or something else? I ask because I would love to have one. Can you tell me where you got yours?

Thanks!

Yes, that is my Spotted Cheek Tang. Mike @ ReefSpecialty found one for me. It took him a while, but was able to get one.

 

[thor32766]

hey jr that spot check is bad!!!!!

 

[PreacherMan607]

Thanks for the help JR!

 

[13threefmaniac]

JR,
I have a question regarding the Reeflo 200. I plan on getting one for my tank and have it gravity fed from my overflow. What is the appropriate drain size? I am guessing 1.5" in diameter is a little too small to feed this monster, right?

 

[JRaquatics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13588262#post13588262 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 13threefmaniac
JR,
I have a question regarding the Reeflo 200. I plan on getting one for my tank and have it gravity fed from my overflow. What is the appropriate drain size? I am guessing 1.5" in diameter is a little too small to feed this monster, right?

Not at all. You will actually have to y off the overflow drain and reduce the feed branch to 1" and have the remaining enter your sump. Make sure you place a valve on the feed also to regulate the amount of flow.

 

[13threefmaniac]

Thanks JR. Time to start looking into quality plumbing parts now.

 

[Reeftanks6]

Havent looked at the tank in a while JR. Man this is tank is really coming along. Looking greaat. Everything you have looks very good. Your corals and fish look like there growing really quick. Once again everything is beautiful. Your spotted cheek tang is amazing. Question for you. What do you feed your fish?

 

[JRaquatics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13622365#post13622365 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reeftanks6
Havent looked at the tank in a while JR. Man this is tank is really coming along. Looking greaat. Everything you have looks very good. Your corals and fish look like there growing really quick. Once again everything is beautiful. Your spotted cheek tang is amazing. Question for you. What do you feed your fish?

Thanks for the complements. I feed a variety of different flakes and pellets. Last I counted, I was using 10-12 different types. I feed whatever I have on hand and find a variety of different foods to be beneficial for the fish.

A list of a few:
Ocean Nutrition Formula One Flake & Pellets
Ocean Nutrition Formula Two Flake & Pellets sm and lg
Ocean Nutrition Prime Reef Flakes
ORAGlo
TetraMarine Flakes
O.S.I. Spirulina Flake Food

I also occasionally feed frozen myssis, bine shrimp and a variety of mixed cubes.

 

[Reeftanks6]

Ok thank you.

 

[agsansoo]

Great thread. Are you still using ReefLux 12K bulbs ? If so what wattage ?

 

[JRaquatics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13740066#post13740066 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by agsansoo
Great thread. Are you still using ReefLux 12K bulbs ? If so what wattage ?

Thanks. Still using 250w Reeflux 12ks. I have had such great success with these lamps that I don't intend to use anything else. I will continue to use these lamps till something else significantly better comes along or the bulbs themselves change.

 

[agsansoo]

I'm upgrading my lights this weekend. Switched my MH bulb from a Phoenix 14K to the ReefLux 12K last week. The Phoenix 14K was running for 11 months, zero to little growth in my corals. After the switch, a few of my corals started to sprout new branches. I am sold. Had Mike at Reef Specialty hook me up with a second bulb and ballast this week.

 

[JRaquatics]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13741966#post13741966 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by agsansoo
I'm upgrading my lights this weekend. Switched my MH bulb from a Phoenix 14K to the ReefLux 12K last week. The Phoenix 14K was running for 11 months, zero to little growth in my corals. After the switch, a few of my corals started to sprout new branches. I am sold. Had Mike at Reef Specialty hook me up with a second bulb and ballast this week.

It only gets better from here. I have never been this successful with SPS prior to using my current lighting setup. Wait till you start getting colors out of your corals that you have never seen before.

 

[DevilBoy]

hey JR are your reflectors Lumen bright III minis?

What are the dimensions of the reflectors?

 

[JRaquatics]

The are the Lumen Bright minis and are 16x16x7 inches.
These are them here:
http://www.reefspecialty.com/Lighting-Reflectors-|-Pendants/c14_28/p57/CoralVue-Lumen-Bright-Reflectors/product_info.html

 

[DevilBoy]

Thanks for the link. whats the difference between the ones you have and the new LB wide minis ?