Adam's 450 GALLON REEF TANK BUILD!
- Thread starter Adamc1303
- Start date
So I was about to order the tank and I got caught up with a few things and delayed calling the tank manufacturer. Since then we had a baby boy! It's a great thing i didn't call yet because my hands are full! I did buy a salinity meter and brand new apex controller with a bunch of add-ons. I think I will start on this mid summer.
SPotter
Active member
Congrats on the new addition!!!! i remember how tired we were the first weeks with our kids.....couldnt imagine doing anything but diapers and sleep.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2
I am now getting back into things. So far I have acquired an Apex controller and a Teco chiller. The tank should arrive in the next 3 weeks. The dimensions changed a little though. The tank is 84" x 28" x 25" peninsula style with an external over flow. I am not going to be setting it up as a peninsula. I will have it setup the regular rectangular way but my stand will have a built in book case on the one side that has the overflow box.
Now for the lights. I know everyone is going with LED's but I haven't honestly seen any tanks that have been running them for so long. I know people have good results but when I look at the tanks they don't look as bright and if they do they look too white or just very spotty. I feel that the MH which I have always used are just the closest thing to actual sunlight. I do like that the LED's are energy efficient, I like that they are slim, sleek and run cool. I like that they are very controllable and have so many different options but i'm still not sure. That being said the only MH that I know of that have close functionality to LED's with respect to control-ability are the Sfiligoi units with the ACLS ballasts but those are very expensive and I am not sure they are worth the $$$. The XR6 fixtures are also very bulky and look like they belong on a rimless tank. If I was doing a rimless tank again I would get those hands down. The next issue at hand is that the tank is 84" long. The largest MH fixtures are 72" and come with 3 MH bulbs. I am not sure if 3 bulbs would cover an 84" long tank which means that I either go with MH pendents and retro fit t5's or VHO's or I go with a Hamilton MH / T5 fixture that comes in 36" and has 2 x 250W mogul bulbs. I can do 2 of those and get 4 MH bulbs over the tank or go with one 72" fixture that 3 bulbs. What do you guys think?
Now for the lights. I know everyone is going with LED's but I haven't honestly seen any tanks that have been running them for so long. I know people have good results but when I look at the tanks they don't look as bright and if they do they look too white or just very spotty. I feel that the MH which I have always used are just the closest thing to actual sunlight. I do like that the LED's are energy efficient, I like that they are slim, sleek and run cool. I like that they are very controllable and have so many different options but i'm still not sure. That being said the only MH that I know of that have close functionality to LED's with respect to control-ability are the Sfiligoi units with the ACLS ballasts but those are very expensive and I am not sure they are worth the $$$. The XR6 fixtures are also very bulky and look like they belong on a rimless tank. If I was doing a rimless tank again I would get those hands down. The next issue at hand is that the tank is 84" long. The largest MH fixtures are 72" and come with 3 MH bulbs. I am not sure if 3 bulbs would cover an 84" long tank which means that I either go with MH pendents and retro fit t5's or VHO's or I go with a Hamilton MH / T5 fixture that comes in 36" and has 2 x 250W mogul bulbs. I can do 2 of those and get 4 MH bulbs over the tank or go with one 72" fixture that 3 bulbs. What do you guys think?
SPotter
Active member
Cant wait to see this tank Adam!!! I just might have to offer some help when it arrives....lol. If you are going with a canopy I would go with 3 mh and retro fit with t5's. I think the lumenbright reflectors cover a 30x30 area so 3 would be enough and I would put them on a channel track so you slide them left to right. This way as your tank matures and you need to move the lights it will be easy to adjust them. You are right that leds have some advantages but I still see better colors when my t5's are on with my leds.
S14Swap240sx
New member
wow! gorgeous tank.. wish i could run into something like that used
SPotter
Active member
the left and the right are functioning drains and the center is the emergency drain in the event of a clog in one of the lines. All lines 1.5". I use the line on the left to control the noise but have been meaning to swap the left with the right so I can use the gate valve for noise control since its easier to dial in a gate valve than a ball valve.
Yeah made it fine I hope you did as well. Tank is delayed though but that is a very small minor issue compared to what is going on. I have been buying equipment so far I have the
Tank
Infiniti Giesman 72" MH T5 fixture
Apex Controller with all the extras
Octopus Calcium Reactor (the biggest one)
Aquarium Plants electronic controller
MP 60
Teco Chiller
I really need a sumo though. I can't find anyone locally who that will build it for me.
Once I have the sump i will be able to start my plumbing. I may get it this week or early next week.
Tank
Infiniti Giesman 72" MH T5 fixture
Apex Controller with all the extras
Octopus Calcium Reactor (the biggest one)
Aquarium Plants electronic controller
MP 60
Teco Chiller
I really need a sumo though. I can't find anyone locally who that will build it for me.
Once I have the sump i will be able to start my plumbing. I may get it this week or early next week.
SPotter
Active member
Glad you made it thru ok. We did as well. We were without power until this past friday but we had a generator to help us thru it. Sounds like you have been very busy collecting new toys!!! As for the sump...have you tried reaching out to customking on manhattan reefs? I understand he does great work. I have been looking for a new sump as well..something bigger than what I have and I found out that Nextreef will make a custom sump. Their prices are pretty reasonable compared to some of the other quotes I got.
http://www.nextreef.com/custom.html
http://www.nextreef.com/custom.html
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Following along Adam. Take your time and do it right the first time
I love that tank you guys have and have always loved Steves since he got it going. Unique bracing and very clean build.
I love that tank you guys have and have always loved Steves since he got it going. Unique bracing and very clean build.I want the sumo to be 48" long and custom king said he can't build sums that large. I actually got a quote from Next Reef, I am trying to see if I can get it done for less then what they quoted. I know a place that can build out of glass in Brooklyn, but i like acrylic more so I don't have to worry when banging things around in there during maintenance.
Following along Adam. Take your time and do it right the first time
Right on man!
Happy Thanks Giving everyone! I want to get a really custom acrylic sump/ refugium. I think I am going to use a reeflo baracude gold pump (unless anyone knows of a more energy efficient pump) I have 10 - 14 feet of head pressure and i want to split the return to 4 moceans wave makers. SO the pumps outlet appears to be 1 1/2 female threaded. I think i want to go from the basement to the 1st floor using flexible clear plastic tubing for the return lines. I will go all the way up and then get a barb to pvc adapter and split 4 ways to the moceans wavemakers using regular ovc going along the euro bracing of the tank. Here's my question I am seeing 1" tubing and 1 1/4" tubing. Am going with a 1" outside diameter or a 1 1/4 outside with a 1" inside. Since the pump says 1 1/2" outlet I can't find anything reducing from 1 1/2" to 1" just 1 1/2" to 1 1/4" which is what's confusing me. I know allot of people use the reeflo pumps so I am sure someone can help me here.
Much Appreciated,
Adam
Much Appreciated,
Adam
