ReefConcept's Red Sea Reefer 450 Project
- Build Thread
- Thread starter ReefConcept
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Sabellafella
7500 Club Member
Excellence Award
Reef Tank 365
Reef Of The Month
Reef Squad Emeritus
Reef Master
My Tank Thread
My Aquarium Showcase
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2015
- Messages
- 7,593
- Reaction score
- 12,048
Man that sump is sweeet, the problem i had with my reefer sump was the probe rack placement, everywere it was in the sump got bubbles and next to my return would be off from the ato so i hadda place it in my display
OP
OP
ReefConcept
Community Member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2015
- Messages
- 82
- Reaction score
- 56
Yes it is--very quality sump. Could be a bit larger, but I could see why they designed it the way they did.
Thanks. Yeah, I have it placed right near the return and expecting only the cond probe to be off by a bit--they are sporadic in readings even when calibrated correctly and without microbubbles anyway (salinity will be based off a Milwaukee refractometer). The temp and pH probes shouldn't be a problem.
Last edited:
OP
OP
ReefConcept
Community Member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2015
- Messages
- 82
- Reaction score
- 56
Update:
CaribSea Dry Aragonite Fiji Pink Sand is VERY dusty and packed with a lot of particulates. Cleaning it thoroughly is highly recommended and take your time doing so--will be worth it. We spent the last 2 hours vigorously cleansing the sand until it was clear enough to enter the display tank. It's a beautiful, colorful, natural looking substrate w/ small pink speckles to add just that bit of nuance--very happy with it. We now have sand.
CaribSea Dry Aragonite Fiji Pink Sand is VERY dusty and packed with a lot of particulates. Cleaning it thoroughly is highly recommended and take your time doing so--will be worth it. We spent the last 2 hours vigorously cleansing the sand until it was clear enough to enter the display tank. It's a beautiful, colorful, natural looking substrate w/ small pink speckles to add just that bit of nuance--very happy with it. We now have sand.
melypr1985
totally addicted
Awesome progress! I love the clean look of it all.
OP
OP
ReefConcept
Community Member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2015
- Messages
- 82
- Reaction score
- 56
Thanks Meredith, it's slowly coming along.
Update
The Refractometer, CO2 Cylinder w/ Reef Fanatic Deluxe Regulator, and Thermometer arrived this morning:
Milwaukee MA887 Refractometer
This Refractometer will be our primary salinity evaluator--the Apex cond probe still serves to check trends from time to time.
5lb Beverage Elements Cylinder w/ Reef Fanatic Deluxe CO2 Regulator
An optional secondary Needle Valve was connected to the source line to allow better precision when drip-feeding--this way the effluent doesn't bottleneck due to an unreliable shutoff valve that will force pressure over time resulting in leaks.
CaribSea A.R.M. Coarse Calcium Media is housed in the CalRx. It is a slow burning granule that dissolves at a consistent rate.
The regulator has a solenoid that will enable us to control it w/ the Apex Controller. CO2 is corrosive and there were complaints by a few owners that the needle or solenoid valve would lock up, causing the CO2 to flow without any incremental control.
Solution is to lubricate those inner parts w/ vegetable oil which will act as a protective film. We have done this to all of our builds with great success.
Secondary pH Probe Mounted to the CalRX
For those who have never done this, it can be quite daunting to know how much the probe should enter especially when it feels more tight each dig--this would be a good visual reference.
Thomas Traceable Thermometer
A reliable thermometer when calibration accuracy is essential. Using a lab-grade thermometer either NIST certified or equivalent will produce a better read when calibrating the temp probe from the Apex Controller.
Water was prepared using Instant Ocean Sea Salt Mix--usually use Red Sea Coral Pro Salt Mix. It's good to experiment with new products.
Real Reef Rocks should be unboxed and in the tank by tonight after inspection. More images of cable management, ATO placement, and custom project work to come.
revhtree
Owner Administrator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Reef Squad
Partner Member 2024
Excellence Award
RGB
Photo of the Month
Article Contributor
R2R TV Featured
Hospitality Award
Article Administrator
Black Friday Sponsor
Industry Professional
My Tank Thread
My Aquarium Showcase
- Joined
- May 8, 2006
- Messages
- 49,239
- Reaction score
- 98,071
- Seller Rating
- 4 ★
- Rating Count
Sweet build already!
StrawberryShortcake
Community Member
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2015
- Messages
- 28
- Reaction score
- 17
"Atm, the Calcium Reactor is just there temporarily--the ATS will be positioned there for final sump setup." - ReefConcept
I believe it will be in the location where the Cal RX is currently located temporarily in the picture.
OP
OP
ReefConcept
Community Member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2015
- Messages
- 82
- Reaction score
- 56
The Real Reef Live Rocks are AWESOME. Looks very realistic, great geometry, and vibrant. More rocks are being submerged, then aquascaped to a strong structural integrity--no glue is being applied so all joints must be solid and bottom deep.
Currently, Instant Ocean Bio-Spira is dosing to kickstart the nitrogen cycle and expedite the process. This product works wonders and has been reliable for almost all of our setups--the trick is to use it within initial startup and not during a cycle.
A Flame Hawk Fish and Purple Firefish Goby will be introductory inhabitants. Project ReefConcept Reefer 450 is now up and running.
Enjoy
The EcoTech Radions are amazing lights. Intensity atm is set to 65-70%. The color cast is rich in quality n color balance. Caustics/Shimmer are a bit synthetic, solely based off how many L.E.D. colors render as a color cluster.
If you want the most natural ocean effect, choose a pure white preset where a single-color cluster is used so the reticulated patterns render a single dark shadow color to simulate actual underwater sea caustics.
Aside from that, using up the whole color spectrum will really help colors "pop". Suspecting once additional corals n fishes are included...the colors should jump at you with a more pleasing effect on the caustics also.
So if left stock and bare, expect a disco ball type of shimmer when using an all-colors cluster. Still a quality product that truly defines good lighting over its competitors.
Real Reef Shelf Rocks Close-Up
These shelves are full of character. Plenty of encrusted shells, mottled colors, and coralline that give it personality. Satisfied.
Currently, Instant Ocean Bio-Spira is dosing to kickstart the nitrogen cycle and expedite the process. This product works wonders and has been reliable for almost all of our setups--the trick is to use it within initial startup and not during a cycle.
A Flame Hawk Fish and Purple Firefish Goby will be introductory inhabitants. Project ReefConcept Reefer 450 is now up and running.
Enjoy
The EcoTech Radions are amazing lights. Intensity atm is set to 65-70%. The color cast is rich in quality n color balance. Caustics/Shimmer are a bit synthetic, solely based off how many L.E.D. colors render as a color cluster.
If you want the most natural ocean effect, choose a pure white preset where a single-color cluster is used so the reticulated patterns render a single dark shadow color to simulate actual underwater sea caustics.
Aside from that, using up the whole color spectrum will really help colors "pop". Suspecting once additional corals n fishes are included...the colors should jump at you with a more pleasing effect on the caustics also.
So if left stock and bare, expect a disco ball type of shimmer when using an all-colors cluster. Still a quality product that truly defines good lighting over its competitors.
Real Reef Shelf Rocks Close-Up
These shelves are full of character. Plenty of encrusted shells, mottled colors, and coralline that give it personality. Satisfied.
StrawberryShortcake
Community Member
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2015
- Messages
- 28
- Reaction score
- 17
What camera are you using for your pictures? because they look great!
DunkCityReefer
Active Member
Awesome build, extremely clean work so far.
OP
OP
ReefConcept
Community Member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2015
- Messages
- 82
- Reaction score
- 56
Thank you. Yes, that shouldn't be a problem once the tank is full of corals.
Thanks! Appreciate the kind words!
Right now, it's just my phone camera. I am a professional photographer as well...so expect some high quality images once fish and corals arrive.
Thanks for the nice gestures and time to review.
Marta
Active Member
This tank is going to be amazing (already is!)!! Is there something specific I need to do to follow this thread? This build has a lot of the elements we would like to incorporate in our 180 build. Thanks!
OP
OP
ReefConcept
Community Member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2015
- Messages
- 82
- Reaction score
- 56
Progress Report:
Water parameters indicate that no signs of ammonia or nitrites exist and nitrates reading at 3ppm. The Hawkfish and Firefish are healthy while being fed Mysis.
Everything is fully operating w/ zero issues; no leaks from plumbing, controllers all functional, probes reading accurately. The protein skimmer was raised an inch to meet optimum 8in height with a custom built acrylic raiser with anti-vibration padding.
Work has made it almost impossible to attain any leisure for some picture taking and updates--blame the holidays lol.
Other than that, the build is moving smoothly and as planned. Usually there is always some troubleshooting so maybe we are speaking too soon.
Water parameters indicate that no signs of ammonia or nitrites exist and nitrates reading at 3ppm. The Hawkfish and Firefish are healthy while being fed Mysis.
Everything is fully operating w/ zero issues; no leaks from plumbing, controllers all functional, probes reading accurately. The protein skimmer was raised an inch to meet optimum 8in height with a custom built acrylic raiser with anti-vibration padding.
Work has made it almost impossible to attain any leisure for some picture taking and updates--blame the holidays lol.
Other than that, the build is moving smoothly and as planned. Usually there is always some troubleshooting so maybe we are speaking too soon.
OP
OP
ReefConcept
Community Member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2015
- Messages
- 82
- Reaction score
- 56
I'm not sure what you mean, but I'm assuming subscribing to the thread? Thanks for following.
They are wonderful rocks in comparison to some synthetic ones I've seen that just looks like they are painted with no care haha--was worried that they looked that way.
Luke! My good friend, thanks for dropping by!
Yep, it will be mixed reef SPS dominant, few LPS, and some fishes w/ some WOW factor.
Stay around.
