Louie's Red Sea Reefer Peninsula 500

[LV3]

Very nice! Keep it up. Is that 10g just resting on the glass shelves?

Yes, coincidentally, the 10g fits perfectly on the rails that the ATO reservoir was resting on. It’s filled with the same water volume so the weight is nearly the same.

 

[Tommy McDonald]

I must of missed it in the thread but what kind of live stock you have in your tank? I'm torn between the 500 or 650 have room for both now the light bracket was that custom made or came from the factory? Any pics how it mounts to your tank?

 

[LV3]

I must of missed it in the thread but what kind of live stock you have in your tank? I'm torn between the 500 or 650 have room for both now the light bracket was that custom made or came from the factory? Any pics how it mounts to your tank?

Livestock: 3 clowns, 1 powder blue tang, 1 desjardini tang, 2 yellow watchman gobies, 1 sunburst anthia, 1 longhorn cow fish, 1 royal gramma, 1 1 black cap basslet, 2 Blue/Green Chromis, 1 purple fire fish, 1 lawnmower blenny, 1 blue legged pistol shrimp, cuc, rainbow
anemones.

Light rack: This I made from 80/20 black anonodized aluminum extrusion. The down piece is mounted to a board that fits snugly between the wall and the cabinet so it can me removed if needed and didn’t require me to drill any holes in the cabinet.

The peninsula 500 can be a bit tight in the sump area. I don’t think I could ever run a CA reactor because he sump is too small. I have my skimmer and marine pure blocks in he skimmer chamber and that’s all it can fit. The return chamber has my return pump and a pump for my GFO/Carbon reactor. Again not much room left there. If you plan on running more equipment, I’d look into the 650, but then you have to accommodate another foot of lighting, flow, and turn over requirements.

Hope that helps.

 

[Tommy McDonald]

Yup that helps doing a new construction so I'm getting extra 2x10's put in to support the weight still thinking of going the 650 but toss up

 

[bmbrad]

Livestock: 3 clowns, 1 powder blue tang, 1 desjardini tang, 2 yellow watchman gobies, 1 sunburst anthia, 1 longhorn cow fish, 1 royal gramma, 1 1 black cap basslet, 2 Blue/Green Chromis, 1 purple fire fish, 1 lawnmower blenny, 1 blue legged pistol shrimp, cuc, rainbow
anemones.

Light rack: This I made from 80/20 black anonodized aluminum extrusion. The down piece is mounted to a board that fits snugly between the wall and the cabinet so it can me removed if needed and didn’t require me to drill any holes in the cabinet.

The peninsula 500 can be a bit tight in the sump area. I don’t think I could ever run a CA reactor because he sump is too small. I have my skimmer and marine pure blocks in he skimmer chamber and that’s all it can fit. The return chamber has my return pump and a pump for my GFO/Carbon reactor. Again not much room left there. If you plan on running more equipment, I’d look into the 650, but then you have to accommodate another foot of lighting, flow, and turn over requirements.

Hope that helps.

What did you use to attach the Kessil AP700 to the 80/20 ? Is it a part that 80/20 sells?

 

[LV3]

What did you use to attach the Kessil AP700 to the 80/20 ? Is it a part that 80/20 sells?

I went to the hardware store and bought longer screws and matching washers for the AP700. Then slipped the screw head and washer in the 80/20 channel. Now I have the AP700 mounted in the aquatic life T5 hybrid which has generic rails that will fit the AP700 perfectly.

 

[Stixlife]

Just bought the same tank and only one ap700 looks like I’ll need another. Good looking build.

 

[LV3]

Just bought the same tank and only one ap700 looks like I’ll need another. Good looking build.

Thanks. I’m no longer running both AP700s and switched to the aquatic life T5 hybrid with one AP 700. Honestly, with the aquascape i have, one AP700 works well for me mounted 15” above the water line. Just depends what you’re trying to do. Congratulations on the new setup.

 

[Stixlife]

Thanks for reply any pictures of that light set up? I am wanting to do SPS and LPS. I would love to save a little money but it is what it is if I need two then two it is. The Red Sea is such a classy set up.

 

[LV3]

 

[LV3]

I am wanting to do SPS and LPS. I would love to save a little money but it is what it is if I need two then two it is.

If you were putting the higher light demand SPS in the middle at the top I think you’d have no problem with this setup. On the edges, lower in the tank, I’d think you’d have an issue with meeting th light demands. I think for a mixed reef it’s a great setup.

 

[Stixlife]

Thanks a lot for the help that tank is super sweet that makes me stoked to get mine up and running.

 

[p1u5h13r4m24]

I’m looking to upgrade from my reefer nano to the peninsula. I’m really torn between the 500 or the reefer 450. I like the dimensions of the 450, but I want a peninsula. Do you ever feel the p500 is too short? I’d love to house a blonde naso for a bit. Thanks!

 

[LV3]

Do you ever feel the p500 is too short?

Really depends on your room where it’s going. In my living room, 1ft longer would have looked too big. Your lighting options change a bit at 60” also.

 

[p1u5h13r4m24]

Thanks for your input! Do you think a naso will do ok in there for a little while? I know eventually it will need to be moved. I’m just afraid the tank may be too short for even a smaller one.

 

[LV3]

I think it would be fine. One foot larger isn’t going to make a world of difference for that fish IMO.

 

[BCollins]

Hey man, I'm an experienced reefer looking to build this exact setup. However I need help hiding wires and power strips. I'd love to replicate your sump exactly only reversed. Any chance you can coach me through creating clean wiring like you've shown in pictures? Willing to talk on phone or text.

Let me know if you'd be down and ill reach out

Thanks!

 

[BCollins]

I basically have all equipment needed just want to mount controls and wires like you have!

 

[OriginalUserName]

Can you share more info on your light rack? (material size/type from 80/20) I am in the early stages of planning a reefer 650 peninsula and I don't want hanging lights. I'm tentatively planning on something I can mount to a telescoping TV wall mount. Great looking tank.

 

[LV3]

Can you share more info on your light rack? (material size/type from 80/20) I am in the early stages of planning a reefer 650 peninsula and I don't want hanging lights. I'm tentatively planning on something I can mount to a telescoping TV wall mount. Great looking tank.

Sure, this post shows the plans and some of the part numbers I believe. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/louies-red-sea-reefer-peninsula-500.313036/#post-3863978. It is the 15 series in the anodized black finish. The rack is mounted onto a 3 1/2 ft piece of shelving and wedged between the wall and and the aquarium cabinet. This allows me to remove the entire rack if needed and I didn't have to drill the cabinet. The deflection is minimized using the corner bracket between the horizontal and vertical runs of the profile. Cables from the lights run through the channels of the profile and give it a nice sleek look.