Red Sea 450 Upgrade

[Mhart032]

So a little history, I started in saltwater reef roughly 15 years ago when things were simple. I took a 10 year brake for work and decided that i wanted to test the water again. really i saw a pic of a frag that was so pretty it gave me the itch again. so i started with a 20gal waterbox cube to test the waters and see if i water to really really do this again, fast forward 9 months and i got a great deal on a redsea reefer 450 and started my upgrade. its been in the works for a few months, the plumbing took the longest time due to my being indecisive on what i really wanted vs what i needed. anyway here are some pics of the build so far.

Please note: i started this thread on my home forum, but find i frequent reef2reef now days as well.

I started with this. Mind you got a great deal on it.

Plumbing the tank

Decided to modify the redsea sump for a big fuge, so glass had to be removed.


full shot before lights up with new aquascaping



DIY light bar installed with 3 XR15 g4 pros.

 

[SPR1968]

That’s all very well designed and set out and the rock work looks very nice!

I need to get a pink sump light as well, much better that boring white! Lol

 

[Hemmdog]

So a little history, I started in saltwater reef roughly 15 years ago when things were simple. I took a 10 year brake for work and decided that i wanted to test the water again. really i saw a pic of a frag that was so pretty it gave me the itch again. so i started with a 20gal waterbox cube to test the waters and see if i water to really really do this again, fast forward 9 months and i got a great deal on a redsea reefer 450 and started my upgrade. its been in the works for a few months, the plumbing took the longest time due to my being indecisive on what i really wanted vs what i needed. anyway here are some pics of the build so far.

Please note: i started this thread on my home forum, but find i frequent reef2reef now days as well.

I started with this. Mind you got a great deal on it.

Plumbing the tank

Decided to modify the redsea sump for a big fuge, so glass had to be removed.


full shot before lights up with new aquascaping



DIY light bar installed with 3 XR15 g4 pros.

Looks great! I love the lights !

 

[Mhart032]

Thanks i appreciate that, thats the Kessil H380 in grow mode. there has been some recent discoveries that only red and purple/violet tones are creating issues with the plants. I stared the fuge before i ever started the cycle, ran the tank for just under 2 months before lighting it. the fuge took off in about a week the sea lettuce exploded with growth and the cheato didn't really start taking off till week. 4 but both are out of control, ive had to cut the lighting back in the fuge to everyother day and just to keep phosphates at .02

 

[Mhart032]

here is a quick of the fuge currently, i cut it back every week. But i feed three times a day as well.

 

[omar jawad]

This is a great looking setup. I like how you removed the black background. It looks sharp and very clean. I am currently in the process of moving my Redsea Reefer 450 and upgrading the system. Can you tell me what you used to adapt the Redsea pipes to your new plumbing system? I haven't broke down my tank yet and would like to purchase all the adapters before doing so. Where did you get them?

 

[Mhart032]

I appreciate the kind words, I'm happy with it so far, a couple 5h8bgs I would have done different. But for the most part I'm happy.
This is the part you need. I bought 3 of these and the replacement locking twist style adapters from redsea, in my opinion use the blue monster tape vs the standard pipe thread tape. It's thick and you don't have to use a ton of wraps. I did 3 wraps and hand tightened everything and it was set.

https://www.pvcfittingsonline.com/3-4-x-1-sch-80-cpvc-reducing-male-adapter-mipt-x-soc-9836-102.html

 

[Mhart032]

This is the other part I replaced.

https://www.marineandreef.com/Red_Sea_Reefer_Sump_Pump_Return_Connector_42222_p/rrs42222.htm

Buy extras of both lol, you can't get them quickly if you have an issue. I made sure I ordered 3 extras just to have in my plumbing.

 

[omar jawad]

Another question that can help me with the upcoming move. How did you clean the tank? It looks brand new.

 

[Mhart032]

I used vineager and water.

 

[FactoryKTMmotocross46]

Looks great, what livestock are you planning on getting?

 

[Mhart032]

Its been a while since the last update, currently i have 4 tangs small size , 2 clowns a big rainbow BTA , a coral beauty 2 flame cardinals 2 reef chromis, a coral banded shrimp and royal grama. Some SPS and Zoas a big hammer colony. I need to take a FTS but im have a GHA outbreak and its ugly lol

 

[FactoryKTMmotocross46]

Yeah, definitely!

 

[Renton777]

That is a slick looking tank and that light rack/hanger is very cool. Algae is natural, post an update picture

 

[Mhart032]

Ok, I took some phone pics tonight. They are not very good. But eh they will do for now.

 

[Mhart032]

 

[gunguy05]

Hey. That's looking great! I just got my 450 2nd hand about a month ago, so I was looking for others and their setups. Great work. I will be following along.

 

[Biglex]

Looks awesome! I just recently finished my Red Sea 450 build also. Awesome on the sump I was thinking on possibly splitting my sump also

 

[Mhart032]

Some quick pics, have'nt changed anything really, just added a Geo Calcium reactor, Kamoer pump and Carbondoser regulator and more coral a couple months ago.

 

[Mhart032]

a few new pictures or everything.