Were the Reefing "Pros" Right?? How Did the BRS/WWC Hybrid 750XXL Work Out?

It's hard to believe it's been three years already! Today, join Ryan and Randy as they have a candid conversation with Victor and Josh from World Wide Corals about the ups and downs of the BRS/WWC hybrid XXL750 SPS reef tank. Is there anything we would have done differently if we were setting this tank up today? Find out here!
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[@honey-barrel6905]

I’ve been watching BRSTV for some time and I want to say thank you for showing everything you did. I have been in the salt water hobby off and on since 1984. The hobby as a whole was so much different back then. I would go to my LFS, see a beautiful coral and add it to my tank. Some of them lived forever, some didn’t. By watching your channel and following you, I have been able to keep everything living a lot easier than I have in the past. Everything from the importance of waterflow, to your BRS Investigates has been a big help. I am now doing when I have always wanted to do and moving from a smaller tank to a 120 gallon. Thank you Dane

[@bbingtube]

I remember Oly from PetnTown in Lake Forest. I remember TruVu opened in like 81 across from Pet Town on El Toro Rd . I worked at Tideline Aquatics in 1988 and Albert Theil was the gospel of reef keeping and Berliner style dominated reef keeping (skim only no amonia towers or bio media). The first shakeup was Julian Sprung a few years later. Then everything changed. Hasn't stopped tbh. I've been there for every iteration. At every iteration we end up carrying novel discoveries too far 🤣; We reassess, incorporate and then integrate new tech and process. The truth is I see something from every era in reef keeping that has sustained. It's pretty cool our whole legacy is in there. ✌️

[@Awkbots]

Thank you guys so much for these videos! I have wanted a reef tank for the better part of 15 years but have never had the stable home where I’m. It always moving around for work… so now we have bought a house I happened to walk into world wide corals just a few weeks ago, holy crap, in our back yard we have such amazing resource! As a soon to be first timer I am watching and researching as much as I possibly can to learn how to best do this first tank and feel so much more confident that this is achievable! Please keep up the content I love these type of information packed videos!

[@shawnmiller3338]

One aspect of fish poop/waste being great coral food that wasn't discussed during their talk on the subject is the fact that fish waste contains large amounts of the probiotic bacteria from their digestive tract that work in symbiose with the fish to extract nutrients from food in the first place (thus turning it into poo). Therefore when corals eat the waste they are also intaking the very bacteria that helps break down that matter into usable nutrients!

[@Flatlower]

interesting take

[@dusk1947]

I think this is an outstanding conversation, full of insight. The lessons learned are very informative. And that tank sure does look beautiful. However, there is a stark difference between how a commercial scale runs, vice a hobby scale. And you did highlight that in several areas, such as when you noted WWC's system can swap out 150 gallons a day from just shipping. Insight like that is paramount. And it's likely that missing those distinctions, were what your methodology was missing at the onset. It's really good to see a follow up video exploring these points. To use a comparison: How I run my raised vegetable garden in my back yard, with some drip tape and abundant hand-labor. Is entirely different from how I would advise a commercial producer to grow the same crop. Growing tomatoes in my garden is not growing hydroponic tomatoes in a greenhouse at scale. Nor is growing sweet corn in my garden the same as growing a thousand acres of corn with combines, and overhead irrigation. Even though, the biological requirements are the same for a given species. At a beginner level, it's just growing "x" species. And new hobbyist's, in any hobby, don't immediately note those differences. Nuance only become evident as we learn. But, this IS a conversation about scale. And there are distinct differences between what an aquaculture system running thousands of gallons can do, and what a hobby system of only a few dozen or a few hundred gallons can do. Your conversation noting those distinctions here, is fascinating.

[@PazLeBon]

you are using your horticultural mind in the coral world! Nice one, I like you ;)

[@fuffoon]

My big takeaway from this good discussion is that stability is the first priority. My best tank ran PH 7.9 to 8.1, alk 14 to 17, but instead of chasing 8.3 and 7 alk, I watched the corals thrive. The more dosing and specialy equipment that I removed from the system the better things went. Nitrates were 25-40. I tried biopellets, NoPox, and Marine Pure blocks with zero results. Algae reactors were not yet common or available. If the rock got hairy the water changes got bigger. I was so tech and chemistry oriented that I tried everything until I figured out I was restarting the aquarium every month or two.

[@brifirenz3]

Great video! I love the format mixing a fixed subjects with time for having open conversation about each. Feel genuine and engaging.

[@ManiacalMangoes]

I was getting all worried about the diatoms in my new 25 gallon, I had waited 3 months to turn the lights on, but once I did they went crazy. After a couple weeks of blowing it off with a baster every so often and changing filter floss every few days, my rocks are totally clear again! My patience was rewarded and I was glad I didn’t take any drastic measures

[@genecawlfield4196]

aa0000

[@ManiacalMangoes]

Interesting dynamics in this video. You sort of have WWC who have been living this stuff forever and have their tried and true way of doing things (yet also are open to new ideas) and then BRS who is constantly questioning the status quo and prior assumptions. When both the WWC guys had their arms crossed for a while I was wondering if they were just cold or uncomfortable having their prior techniques inadvertently questioned by newer knowledge and experiments. All in all incredibly informative and great conversation!

[@joevasquez1776]

Wow why this conversation not got more likes?

[@DGGuaglianone]

I run a power cord from two separate breakers and have two return pumps, on each separate breaker in case it flips or a gfci flips

[@neilbright5346]

Initially when you said apex essentially saves one tank per month was thinking that's surely an exaggeration. But with 50 tanks, a one month period is essentially the equivalent of someone's single tank over the course of 4 years (roughly) as that would be 48 months, vice 50 tank's individual single month period. (clearly doesn't take into account a huge amount of other factors, but in large handfuls) very loosely suggests you're likely to have an event that could kill a tank In a 4 year period, even with regular maintenance, an above average period of observance (i.e. office tanks where they are being seen for more time than a home tank), and access to high end equipment, replacements on hand and numerous people who can affect a fix. I was away for work for close to 8months straight last year and wife managed basic water changes and testing salinity and alkalinity. Month before I got back, one and only powerhead stopped in my nano, which ended up bleaching one coral but is gradually making a recovery. And the 'return pump' for all in one on same tank broke we think about 5 days before I got back, causing temperature to drop about 5 degrees Celsius. I replaced when got home and increased temp slowly over couple weeks but everything survived. However, was lucky/ inputted new equipment before I left to combat this, that this didn't happen sooner otherwise might have been a lot worse. Think controller would give me some piece of mind and look forward to having one in future.

[@gregjones2858]

Can you give us the list of clearing Crewe fish, please like examples what you can put together in sizes of tanks 55g, 100g, 150g and 200g tanks that be helpful information to have. Keep up the great work you doing.

[@ldballoon4]

Vic and Josh are awesome guests, such knowledge.

[@merkin22]

Where are the engineers? We need a powerhead system that moves along 'rails' (vertical and horizontal).... Such a great video. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@emeraldcoastreefer4674]

WWC PLEASE DO A 3 am coral video I would love to see one of YOUR systems it would just be amazing to see holy cow..

[@joaquinvelazquez8979]

I kept getting algae in my sand and couldn’t figure out why. I had algae on the back glass. So on my water change day I got as much as the algae off my back glass and got some snails cause you can never have enough. Waited 2 days and tested my water and found my nitrates were at 0 so currently waiting to see how that changes things.

[@vascojardim6703]

On controllers: not necessary… as long as you can spend a lot of hours per day looking at and taking care of your tank. If you have a busy schedule and tough work/life balance, you definitly NEED a controller/monitor. To me automation is the reason why success rates sky rocketed over the past 5 years and anyone that says otherwise is just because they can afford to spend a significant amount of time every day looking at their tank.

[@simonlewis7262]

Hi, just wondering if there is anywhere to find current "tank profiles" for BRS or WWC systems. Without watching the entire series of setup videos it would be great to have a snapshot profile of the tank as it currently stands. e.g. 750 Hyrbrid: - How many and what size Vortechs - what return pump, at what setting - skimmer details - sump contents - feeding schedule - lights / settings - etc etc these may exist already on a forum, let me know

[@BRStv]

Hopefully this answers some of your questions 😁 Equipment: ◾ Tank - Red Sea Reefer XXL750 ◾ Powerheads - 2x Ecotech Marine MP60QDs, 4x Ecotech Marine MP40QDs, 1x Ecotech Marine Battery Backup ◾ Lighting - 4x Ecotech Marine XR30 G5 Fixtures ◾ UV - Aqua Ultraviolet 57 Watt Classic ◾ Return Pump - Abyzz A100 ◾ ATO - Tunze Osmolator 3155 ◾ Controller - Neptune Systems Apex w/ 2x EB832s, FMM Module (Leak detection/High & Low Sump Level), PM1 Module (Ambient Temperature & Calcium Reactor pH) & DOS for AWC ◾ Heaters/Cooling - 2x 600W BRS Heating Elements w/ Controller, Wall-mounted Oscillating Fan ◾ Filtration - Theiling Compact Rollermat, Reef Octopus Regal 200EXT Recirculating (VarioS-4 Feed pump) ◾ Dosing - Reef Octopus calcium reactor Husbandry/Maintenance: ◾ Feeding Schedule - 2-3x Daily Frozen Mixture, 2x Nori Sheet Daily, KZ Aminos Everyday ◾ Food - Frozen/dry mix comprised of Hikari spirulina brine shrimp, PE Mysis mysis shrimp, Hikari Mega Marine Angel, BRS Golden Pearls, BRS Paracoccus Powder, & Reef Chili ◾ Dosing Regimen - Calcium Reactor for Calcium & Alkalinity, Magnesium mostly supplemented by water changes although some hand dosing is necessary from time to time ◾ Aminos - Brightwell Aquatics CoralAmino ◾ Water Changes - 30% weekly via Neptune DOS set up for AWC. This percentage changes depending on nutrient levels on a week by week basis ◾ Testing Schedule - Mon: Alkalinity, Salinity, Temp Tues: Alkalinity, Calcium Weds: Alkalinity, Magnesium Thurs: Alkalinity, Calcium Fri: Alkalinity, Phosphate, Nitrate ◾ Pump Cleaning - Powerheads are cleaned weekly, skimmer and return pumps are cleaned monthly

[@pubwvj]

You were discussing fish waste as coral food. The rule of thumb in agriculture is that about 75% of the nutrients come out the back end (manure & urine) based on dry matter intake to growth. In adult animals that number is higher.

[@Ellery-USA]

Great summaries!

[@davecarey4710]

I purchased 3 live rocks from petco and I’m off to the races. Tank is crystal clear and have a happy green anemone after 7 days! Have a maroon clown trying to host it now but it keeps dipping inside it’s rock. The maroon clown is not giving up even for mices shrimp. To be clear the rocks purchased were in their tanks for years and one “live rock” that was dry. Check my profile for video.

[@cegentry]

Tank looks so good guys

[@Slide-Loc]

Photo-thinthathith 🤣 glad I'm not the only one.

[@robertarnold8565]

Im in hvac get a transfer put in

[@mohamadosman9236]

Cycled my current tank (2 years in now) with dry rock and bare bottom. I'd intentionally dose carbon to egnite a bacterial blooms. In my case, other than the ugly brown phase, never had any cyano bacteria or GHA. Anecdotal, but thought I'd share.

[@juliustyrrell5117]

Do you ever have any algae issues in your frag racks and what are your phosphate reading in your frag tank I’m just gonna clean out my frag tank and plum into my main system to be more stable

[@kevanbygate9485]

Really enjoyed this

[@apollyonxxx]

Was only able to listen to this for the first half, it sounded like Danny Trejo was yelling at me about my bio load. Awesome.

[@shnapper209]

i see your tang population has changed since setting up the tank, how did you go about introducing the extra yellow tang? I have been going through similar dramas following this method to see your tank finally come out the other side is an inspiration to keep slogging through with mine. thankyou

[@BRStv]

We had a crash where the GFCI tripped and we lost quite a few fish. The Yellow Tang actually survived that, but all of the other tangs added afterwards were added all at the same time to help disperse any aggression.

[@Reefahholic]

Guys, I recently switched over to Brightwell Amino’s for my new tank. What is a good dosing regimen with this product for 100/G system? The instructions on the back of the bottle talk about target feeding and it gives a max daily dose I believe, but I do not see a general daily or weekly dose given. I have zero experience with this product and would like to know the lower daily limit to dose without it causing a Cyano issues. If anybody knows please fill me in.

[@BRStv]

For broadcast feeding, Brightwell suggests starting with 1 ml per 50 gallons of aquarium volume, so in your case, 2 ml per day. From there, your dose can be gradually increased to meet the nutritional need of the aquarium.

[@jakobvigstrom50]

@@BRStv during the discussion Ryan states that since they’ve been dosing brightwell aminos per Josh’s instructions - they then talk about turning off the protein skimmer too - he’s seem excellent results. Can those amino “best practices” he shared here?

[@leo11877]

Gen 2 Radions has burnt a lot of my corals and anemone too. Switching to T5 back then made a quick change in their appearance and health.

[@BRStv]

It's crazy how too much light can impact corals and anemones so quickly.

[@jeffatkins8103]

They gots a volume knob on dem Radions don’t day?

[@leo11877]

@@jeffatkins8103 didn't help. :(

[@jeffatkins8103]

@@leo11877 probably waited too late to do anything. The damage was done long before you turn down the brightness.

[@leo11877]

@@jeffatkins8103 Yeah. The nem came right back when I switch to T5's.

[@lunes-1]

Keep it up the good work🐬👍👏

[@ChrisLam-RedfishFever]

Currents build up and slow down constantly. At high tide and low tide currents will fully stop before changing direction.

[@djmikefury1]

At the 58 minute mark. you were talking about liking Brightwell's Coral Amino as an amino supplement. How does Aquavitro's Fuel stack in comparison? I dose AV's Fuel twice a week along with feeding the coral Polylabs' reef roids twice a week. Just trying to get more information if there's a better option that I''m not aware of. If it matters any, this is for a LPS dominant tank.

[@PazLeBon]

The truth is nobody knows, not which product/chemical will work on your individual tank. Everything is relative, it either improves your individual tank or it doesn't, you have to be the judge of that

[@BRStv]

Comparing amino acid products is tough because most brands list the ingredients as proprietary. We've had the best success with Brightwell Coral Amino, but if the Fuel is working for your tank and corals, don't fix what isn't broken 😉

[@james331ish]

Stability is key . High,low phosphate nitrate dint matter ,stability is key.

[@Reefahholic]

Nice Video Ryan and Randy. Vic and Josh, what brand of filter wool do you guys prefer.? Just curious since you go through a ton.

[@tuberklops]

So what’s the difference between not using the floss and just not replacing the floss as often?

[@BRStv]

Running filter floss, but not changing it out as often will still remove some organics from the tank, but you're also allowing things like uneaten food to break down without the chance for other filtration to remove it. If you're not going to change out the mechanical filtration on a regular basis, you're likely better off not running mechanical filtration at all.

[@shuxinyu3445]

About filter socks, I have an 80-gallon tank It contained a small amount of LPS and six fish ，I think it's Light Bioload。but my Skimmer is Regal 200INT 。I now think it's too big，I'm trying to run it in gear 1。Should I take off my filter socks? If I remove the filter sock, what should I replace it with? Looking forward to your reply。

[@BRStv]

Removing mechanical filtration can definitely help in cases where a skimmer may be oversized. If you go this direction, the best move is to simply not run any mechanical filtration.

[@shuxinyu3445]

@@BRStv thx!!

[@fuegosaquatics7262]

For water changes should we wait too reach certain amount of nitrate and phosphate too start changing??

[@BRStv]

We've found that regular water changes are the highest percentage path to success. Nitrates and phosphates are certainly two indicators to pay attention to, but there are many many other contaminants and water parameters that we don't or can't test for on a regular basis that water changes help regulate.

[@fuegosaquatics7262]

@@BRStv thanks

[@samheninger505]

Those are sweeping stinging tentacles corals put out at night with the lights off not feeders. Waiting on some t5 bulbs from BRS right now ,ya I'm old school. I understand you guys sell products and tech is cool but a reef tank doesn't have to be nearly as complicated as you make it out to be.

[@bbingtube]

Kalk dose! Forget 2 pt. and Ca rx's. Sooooo much better, cheaper and more simple.

[@tricktaylor1983]

So i do a 25% H2o change weekly and rarely test my nutrients as those API test kits are ridiculous to me. Trying to judge the shade of yellow or blue and acting like thats accurate seems dumb to me. When i do test it seems to be stable. are you guys saying doing more than a 10% change weekly can be bad or that soing 10% as a base is just a healthy number and doing more is t necessarily better or worse? My biggest issues are algae related and in my opinion are more a result of running my cheap black boxe leds at 100% for the first 2 years of my time in the hobby and overfeeding reef roids. Ive recently installed a light in my sump and am growing hair algae in my refugium which has seemed to help control the growth of it in my display tank. This is year 4 of my tank. in year 3 the tank crashed when i got sick and couldnt keep up my changes and was using bottled water to top off my system. I lost every cotal in the tank over a year. Most fish survibed and about 6 months ago i started to buy coral again. Im looking to buy new lights and possibly a controller. i dont think i can afford Ecotech or Kessil on my 4' 55 gallon tank so im looking at the AI 16...and maybe the cheapest Apex starter kit. Auto testing would be awesome...

[@BRStv]

WWC generally does a 10% weekly change, but more isn't necessarily bad, especially if you're dealing with algae issues. A water change is a good excuse to manually remove and suck out a lot of that algae.

[@Qwiv]

Moving a thermostat is Cheap Cheap Cheap. Just call an HVAC guy.

[@johns9311]

Amazing video! Can I give it 10 thumbs up?!

[@mikkostenberg1740]

If there is one thing that i have difficulties in understanding in reefing is the total denial of the fact that almost all corals and other animals are exposed to two tidal cycles a day. Anyone who has been to actual tropical oceans know how drastic the difference can be between high and low tide and especially between both ends when the water is really moving fast. The difference is not in flow alone but also temperature can vary several degrees, especially at shallower flats and surf areas. Maybe the best colors and grow rates can be achieved by having non varying optimized lighting schedule and flow but somehow it just does not make sense.

[@vascojardim6703]

Leds can absolutely replicate T5 light coverage these days… you just have to spend 4x as much.

[@BRStv]

No doubt that LED's have a higher up front cost, but the added benefits of not having to change out bulbs every 18 months or so definitely add up over time.

[@vascojardim6703]

@@BRStv I have had LEDs and T5s over the years. On your 750XXL an 8 or 10 bulb ATI unit would cost around 1000, so roughly the price of one Radion XR30. At 200 every 8 months to replace the bulbs it will take 4 years per additional XR30 module or around 12 years total. No one keeps their LEDs that long 😉. I believe no one ever gets to breakeven on LEDs over T5s if they are going for total blanket coverage. Not saying one is better than the other, just a more expensive way to get to the same place.

[@Kriscabrera]

Please tell us how you got so much coralline in your rock!! Looks amazing!

[@poor_mansreef8908]

Its just grows buddy. Seed the tank with it and watch it grow.

[@BRStv]

Ryan swears it's the kalkwasser 🙂

[@Kriscabrera]

@@poor_mansreef8908 ​ is it safe to add to a cycling tank? Dr. Tims cycle?

[@Kriscabrera]

@@BRStv is it safe to add while am cycling???

[@poor_mansreef8908]

@@Kriscabrera yes but it requires a calcium/carbonate source like corals. I would highly suggest trying to grow coralline before corals. BRS has bottled coralline algae.

[@oz969]

Saying 'High phosphate inhibits calcification' is very misleading. Elevated phosphate causes calcium phosphate to be incorporated into coral skeleton aswell as calcium carbonate. Higher phosphate actually increases coral growth rate up to around 0.5ppm. The studies back this up.

[@creeper2479]

We all reef tank a different way

[@klipprand]

"These animals are extremely survivable, we're just good at killing them" - love that quote

[@Arizona9001]

Spot on lol

[@OCReventsAndbuilds]

🔥

[@tomg5405]

When you ask them questions you should not make the answer instead of them and cut them all time. I'm sure we missed many nice informations

[@AJ-bi6ns]

Is that a Panda Daytona? 😍

[@BRStv]

🤷‍♂️ I can't say that I'm a watch person to be able to tell, sorry!

[@klipprand]

Bleaching is clearly related to excessive temperature

[@PatrickJewellTheGreat]

Not necessarily. Bleaching can be from a an elemental chemical issue like copper and tin. Or low nutrients NO3 and PO4. Or low or high salinity even. Definitely should check those including temperature.

[@SCHUYLERDR]

New York steelo's mom died and has to care for his brother. His younger brother is handicapped that's why he stopped making videos. He just started back into the hobby.

[@vernonflowers]

This video seemed like it was less about sharing knowledge and more about a bunch of guys shooting the you know what.

[@chandlersim4802]

I saw Dora

[@rolisreefranch]

Flat, white, no shimmer, SKY light.

[@joevasquez1776]

This sounds like planted tanks

[@jaredlong3658]

Is it just me or do the guys from WWC seem uncomfortable at times and look like they cringe at some of the things the BRS guys say?

[@josephposada1830]

Circle the wagons fellas you're successfully killing the hobby for the average person

[@michaelnixon8257]

AHHH….AHHH…AHHH….

[@chrisstuff4669]

**TITLE FIX - it would be "WE'RE", not were. Sorry...grammar nazi.

[@BRStv]

Haha! We love when errors are pointed out. It helps make us better and keeps us sharp! Thanks! However, on this one, I don't think they were trying ask if they ARE the reefing pros, but rather WERE THEY RIGHT about the WWC/BRS Hybrid Method. 😊

[@WhozaCardoza]

treat the tank not the tester