Custom Reefer 450 Build

[AquaART]

Hello Everyone! Happy to be part of REEF2REEF

I started a build thread a while bag in the wrong section. I haven't touched it since but I've decided to catch up here with a new one.

LSS: I bought a Reefer 450 on craigslist—Tank Only—back in February and am building much of the other necessities myself to save costs and because I cant find what I want. Since no one really reads into this stuff I'll simply proceed with the pictures.

I didn't like the "antique" glaze I initially had, so I scrapped it and decided to start over and use a toner mixture.

 

[jsker]

Sweet build

 

[AquaART]

Sweet build

Thanks!

 

[AquaART]

So it's been a while, I've gotten a few things done. Got the stand restained, lacquered, and moved into the house. I also drilled for and ran 1/2" LLDPE tubing to my mixing station to refill my ATO container, and so I don't have to lug hoses or buckets when adding saltwater after a water change.

I have started on the tedious task of somehow plumbing the new sump in, a Simplicity 225. I am so close! It's been nearly half a year since I officially started this project and I can't wait to finally get it up and running.

 

[jsker]

Better late then never. Great job on the stand

 

[SmokeyGnar]

Stand looks great! Can't wait to see it running

 

[AquaART]

Better late then never. Great job on the stand

Stand looks great! Can't wait to see it running

Thank so much guys, I'm actually surprised at how I got the stand done. Needless to say I have a much deeper appreciation for woodworking and the craftsmen behind it! Hopefully, under the best case scenario, we can get water in this thing within the next two weeks.

 

[jsker]

ahhh the excitement of getting it wet is not setting in

 

[AquaART]

Alright Folks—8 Months in the making, and we finally have water!

_______________________________________________________________
I've tried to keep the wiring as clean as possible, but with all the power supply's everything requires, this was a challenge. I decided to try and harness some of the heat generated by said PS by attaching them to the underside of the stand with a thermal tape. I hope this will transfer some of the heat into the sand and subsequently the tank to help reduce the need for the heaters.

Yes, I notice my color scheme is orange yet the BioPellet reactor is Red— and yes, it drives me crazy.

_______________________________________________________________
Saltwater Mixing Station & Water Transfer System Installed. This is probably my favorite part of the tank. The joy of just turning a valve, flipping a switch, and watching water flow in with no need for buckets—priceless.

_______________________________________________________________
He's eye ballin' the shrimps.

_______________________________________________________________
The 45 Pounds of Totoka & 10 Pounds of Pukani I am working with. I decided not to use the branch rock.

_______________________________________________________________
The defining moment!

_______________________________________________________________
Filled and aquascaped! I did something unique with this tank in that nothing is permanently set to any particular position and the entire aquascape is completely modular. All of the rocks are glued onto a small square of acrylic and positioned to where they are now. If I ever want to add, remove or takeaway, I can just pop a particular pillar out.

_______________________________________________________________
I expect a-lot more of these late nights as I get everything dialed in. I've been researching a-lot about reef tank temperature and have settled at 79ºF. So far, everything is working excellent and I am pleased to report that nearly everything is dead silent. The only thing I can hear is the skimmer.

_______________________________________________________________

That's a wrap folks! I appreciate you all for tagging along and would sincerely appreciate some feedback! Really anxious to get my first aquarium that's larger than a 20gal off to the races.

Agenda:
• Resist the temptation to buy a fish
• Install ATO Tank
• Build an Aluminum floating shelf for the Hydra LEDs
• Build/ Install Doors for the Mixing Station
• Keep updating you guys!

 

[AquaART]

August 14, 2017 UPDATE:

So I have been adding some bactera-in-a-bottle product for the past few days, along with the initial hit of One&Only. Today ammonia is down to nearly 0, nitrite is at 0, and nitrate is up to around 5ppm. I've also rinsed off and added a large BioBlock two days ago. I'm debating wheather to add a small fish or simply feed the tank for a week or two. Any any suggestions?

 

[psiclone]

Add some food or ammonia to get a small bump and if it clears it in less then 24 hours you're good to go.

 

[AquaART]

Add some food or ammonia to get a small bump and if it clears it in less then 24 hours you're good to go.

Do you think the food will break down quickly enough to both generate ammonia and have the bacteria decrease it in just 24 hours?

 

[AquaART]

Updates!

I got a trigger systems ATO container—quality was questionable, so I decided to scrap the idea and build my own that matches my Simplicity sump.

And Bingo— Not perfect, but it didn't cost an arm and a leg

_______________________________________________

Another problem for me, storage! I decided to utilize the 4" space between the cabinet doors and the sump. I took some of my scrap maple plywood and rustled up some shelves.

LED's, for good measure.

Surprised at how much stuff I got to fit on these shelves, seems like they are working perfectly.

The tank is fully cycled now, Phosphates are already at 0.04 and the Nirates climbed to 20.A few days ago I got a Green Chromis, and today I got the BioPellets in.

I am waiting for my aluminum frame for the lights to finally see this thing all lit up.

 

[AquaART]

Alright everyone, a long overdue update!

I've finally saved up enough to get more lights. Initially I wanted to do three Hydra 26HD's but settled on getting 5 and mounting them perpendicular to the tanks length and lights width—for better spread.

Here I opened and tested all the lights prior to welding the frame and staining the birch shell.

Here is what the tank looked like for 6 months: a plain LED tube with nothing in the tank other than a few fish & rock.

And here is after I finally got the entire floating shelf welded, epoxied, stained, sealed, bolted, leveled and bolded to the studs.

I also got a few corals after two weeks of the installation, a few random Acropora, a Monti cap, and some various mushrooms and such. I had a little accident that shot up the calcium to 550ppm and bleached some of my Acros and I thought nearly killed a prized blue tip mini colony, but after a water change and leaving the tank alone for a week. He is beginning to recover and is now extending his polyps.

My Current Specs
Alkalinity: 9
Magnesium: 1200 ppm
Calcium: 500 ppm
Nitrate: 3 ppm
Phosphate: 0.4 ppm
Ph: 8.05

And here are a few more random shots for the books, let me know what you guys think!

Cant wait for the Coralline to kick in!

 

[coseal]

great build! do you have build pic's of the light holder?

I got a trigger systems ATO container—quality was questionable

can you elaborate on this? just curious? i have no "horses in the race" so to speak.. and i have never really seen their stuff outside of trade shows. was it a fit and finish issue or damaged in shipping or something?

 

[xaflatoonx]

You have put the Water changing station on the outside and for me - that is the ONLY option as well.
can you please provide some more guidance on this.

How do you keep it? do you have it under shade/ enclosed set up?
how about the plumbing through the wall - how many pipes did you have to put through the wall?

i am aware of the salt mixing station process and setup -
i just need a better understanding of flow of water to and from the station/tank that you implemented.

thanks again.

 

[AquaART]

great build! do you have build pic's of the light holder?
can you elaborate on this? just curious? i have no "horses in the race" so to speak.. and i have never really seen their stuff outside of trade shows. was it a fit and finish issue or damaged in shipping or something?

I didn't take much pictures, but I did take a few videos and should get a build video tossed together soon.

As far as the triggers system ATO, I was shocked at how poorly the sides were routed and polished, it looked like a half-fast job. In addition, there were many bubbles in the seams and it just looked like it was really rushed when putting it together.

 

[AquaART]

You have put the Water changing station on the outside and for me - that is the ONLY option as well.
can you please provide some more guidance on this.

How do you keep it? do you have it under shade/ enclosed set up?
how about the plumbing through the wall - how many pipes did you have to put through the wall?

i am aware of the salt mixing station process and setup -
i just need a better understanding of flow of water to and from the station/tank that you implemented.

thanks again.

I'm no expert, but I am more than happy to help, so ask away!

The mixing station is in a location that gets alot of sun, so I built a little raised enclosure for it from some simple 2x3's and plywood—all painted in oil based epoxy, I have slacked off and all winder it had no doors, but so far it has held up really well. I believe the mixing station was the best investment of the entire system.

In terms of the plumbing, I am using 1/2" LLDPE tubing and a AquaTec DP550 High pressure pump to transfer the saltwater since its a pretty far run. I'm lucky that our house is not on a solid foundation, but slightly raised (built in the mid 40's, like a tank I might add) so there is a small crawl space underneath the house, this made it super easy as I just passed the tubing from a side vent under the house and straight to the tanks' location.

To get the tubing in the house: I made a hole in the wall to fit a standard junction box (so I can put an outlet plate if I ever move the tank), then I used a long drill bit to drill from inside the wall straight down until I hit the crawlspace. This is how I basically ran the pipe from outside to the aquarium.

If you need more clarification, just let me know and I'll try to get some pictures of what isnt clear.

 

[ReefQueen]

Great looking tank, I can't wait to see it full of corals. I am totally stealing your shelf idea as well!

 

[AquaART]

Great looking tank, I can't wait to see it full of corals. I am totally stealing your shelf idea as well!

Thanks so much for the kind comments. Please do steal the idea, I am glad to be an inspiration!