A Reef Tank in the Desert - +/- 1,400 gallon system

Hey Dan this is a Great Thread. just got done reading the whole thread, you have got me wanting to get my build done. i have a 400 gl DT with a 150 gl sump upgrading to a 600 gl DT and adding a 200 gl refug. will tag along for this EPIC ride.

Thanks vel123. If I can help you with anything, please let me know.

Where did you purchase the tank from?
 
I got the Tank local, john started a small company building custom tanks. He does glass and acrylic. the tank is acrylic, plus no shipping :)
 
Macna

Macna

So this was the first MACNA that I attended and I have to say that it lived up to its hype!

It was a very impressive trade show!

The speakers were fantastic. I really enjoyed listening to Sanjay Joshi speak on LED lighting. Scott Fellman, who owns Unique Corals was hilarious to listen to with practical advise. Julian Sprung spoke on algae and plants. Marc Levenson spoke on sumps. And many other great, great speakers...

Meeting and speaking with the vendors who's product I use was immeasurable. The guys from EcoTech were incredibly helpful and excited to share their new software, EcoSmart Live, and the new Radions that will be coming out. I feel comfortable contacting them at any time for support.

Digital Aquatics, the ReefKeeper developers were noticeably absent. So much so that I became incredibly impressed with the Apex Unit from Neptune Systems. Their staff was great at explaining how the Apex works and how easy it is to control your system from an iPhone, iPad or Android. In addition to having probes for PH, ORP and Temp, they have an actual salinity probe that works and have just come up with floor flood sensors. I was so impressed with their system and the applications for controlling everything while traveling; that I took out my iPad and ordered one on the spot. Anyone looking for a slightly used RKE with all the modules and probes???

Justin from Avast Marine was running around. It was great to meet with him and to discuss all his products that I have purchased. He was also helpful in assisting me in ordering a new skimmate locker.

And then there were the people I met. It was great getting together with David00061, Aquaph8 and many others.

I didn't shoot a ton of pictures but here are a few:

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David00061 and I running around:

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Cuong and I:

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One of the new up and coming products:

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I am looking forward to next years event!
 
I wish work would of let me be there, but more importantantly I'm glad your on with apex. You won't be sorry. After watching you entire build I know you put a lot a stock in support and Neptune is the best. 8pm on Sunday email responses in less than 30 minutes are unheard of in any business
 
Dan,

You'll be happy with the Apex, once you get the hang of the programming, which is helped greatly by the super supportive people on the Neptune Forum here on RC, you'll be amazed what you can get it to do for you. Mine has made a huge difference in my topoff between controlling when and how often, to also monitoring Kalk levels that are going in.

Dave B
 
Work didn't permit me to this year, but I am already counting down the days to Miami next year. I am interested in the reef keeper. Sending PM.
 
Just found this a couple of days ago and I'm very interested to watch it grow. Planning a larger tank next year and at this time I'm curious as to it you had to do it again how deep would you make it?

I'm also thinking of going with the radion LEDs so I'll be watching an following.

Joe
 
I know your sump is custom but with the miracle mud he recommends flow through the sump to be around 2000 - 3000 GPH. If you do the miracle mud and sand you might want to do the sand on the bottom and the mud on top.

Hey Wayne!

I spoke with the folks at Caribsea, the manufactures of Miracle Mud, at MACNA.

If I want to turn the center chamber of my sump into a refugium, they recommended a 1"-2" layer of their fine live sand layed over the Miracle Mud. The sand would not effect the beneficial factors of the Miracle Mud. They also showed me a few ways to install the sand without distributing it all over my sump and tank.
 
Hey Wayne!

I spoke with the folks at Caribsea, the manufactures of Miracle Mud, at MACNA.

If I want to turn the center chamber of my sump into a refugium, they recommended a 1"-2" layer of their fine live sand layed over the Miracle Mud. The sand would not effect the beneficial factors of the Miracle Mud. They also showed me a few ways to install the sand without distributing it all over my sump and tank.

Really? That's cool. So will you still have to change half of the miracle mud out or not?
 
One of the new up and coming products:

P1000963.jpg
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I am looking forward to next years event![/QUOTE]

Is that a new phyto plankton culture(I hope I said that right)?
 
Hi Dan,
Who was the manufacturer of the phyto-reactor? Looks like Deltec but I don't think that it is.

I believe the company was Pecan Grove Solutions out of Texas. I need to go through all the paperwork I brought back.

It was a real cool unit! I think it retailed for around $600. I will try to post a copy of their brochure.
 
I agree that Apex does an excellent job with their controller. Review the manual and follow the RC site for examples. It does not hurt if you have an IT pro to help connect to your home system. Once connected it is fairly straightforward as long as you study the manual.
 
So this was the first MACNA that I attended and I have to say that it lived up to its hype!

It was a very impressive trade show!

The speakers were fantastic. I really enjoyed listening to Sanjay Joshi speak on LED lighting. Scott Fellman, who owns Unique Corals was hilarious to listen to with practical advise. Julian Sprung spoke on algae and plants. Marc Levenson spoke on sumps. And many other great, great speakers...

Meeting and speaking with the vendors who's product I use was immeasurable. The guys from EcoTech were incredibly helpful and excited to share their new software, EcoSmart Live, and the new Radions that will be coming out. I feel comfortable contacting them at any time for support.

Digital Aquatics, the ReefKeeper developers were noticeably absent. So much so that I became incredibly impressed with the Apex Unit from Neptune Systems. Their staff was great at explaining how the Apex works and how easy it is to control your system from an iPhone, iPad or Android. In addition to having probes for PH, ORP and Temp, they have an actual salinity probe that works and have just come up with floor flood sensors. I was so impressed with their system and the applications for controlling everything while traveling; that I took out my iPad and ordered one on the spot. Anyone looking for a slightly used RKE with all the modules and probes???

Justin from Avast Marine was running around. It was great to meet with him and to discuss all his products that I have purchased. He was also helpful in assisting me in ordering a new skimmate locker.

And then there were the people I met. It was great getting together with David00061, Aquaph8 and many others.

I didn't shoot a ton of pictures but here are a few:


David00061 and I running around:

P1000965.jpg
[/IMG]


I am looking forward to next years event!

A couple of nerds
 
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