d2mini's "Essential Focus" Mixed Reef Build

[d2mini]

I know I've been a bit quiet lately but I've been preoccupied!

Decided to take advantage of my short city commute and swap out vehicles.
Placed an order and waited 6-7 agonizing weeks for this to show up...

That pic was taken right after I picked it up.

Then about 5 minutes after I got home I was installing the new wheels/tires.

This rocks...

I went with the two-tone interior... thought it looked rad with the red.

The base radio is junk, and the upgrades aren't that much better, so 3 days after I took delivery we tore EVERYTHING out and installed new gear.
Pionner NEX 8200 with capacitive touch screen, nav, apple car play, etc.
Hertz HSK 165 components up front, JL Audio 6.5's in the overhead soundbar, sub in the rear, and a marine grade amp.
Sounds amazing.

And today I installed a heavy duty tire carrier so the 100lb tire/wheel combo doesn't wear out the tailgate hinges and welds.

It's slow, not a lot of frills, it handles like a donkey, and I'm getting 14 mpg.
But it's a blast! LOL!
I no longer have to worry about speed bumps, potholes, dog sized cats or cat sized dogs. My wife can't curb the wheels. Can take it on the beach, throw in my mountain bike gear, the kid's junk, the dogs... all joking aside it makes a lot more sense for me. It actually does ride pretty nice and it's surprisingly quiet. And the resale value is insane on these things.
The problem is the aftermarket is HUUUUGE! My wallet is choking already. lol

If anyone is interested in a sweet Audi A4 hit me up! haha

 

[drummerboyevil]

I know I've been a bit quiet lately but I've been preoccupied!

Decided to take advantage of my short city commute and swap out vehicles.
Placed an order and waited 6-7 agonizing weeks for this to show up...

That pic was taken right after I picked it up.

Then about 5 minutes after I got home I was installing the new wheels/tires.

This rocks...

I went with the two-tone interior... thought it looked rad with the red.

The base radio is junk, and the upgrades aren't that much better, so 3 days after I took delivery we tore EVERYTHING out and installed new gear.
Pionner NEX 8200 with capacitive touch screen, nav, apple car play, etc.
Hertz HSK 165 components up front, JL Audio 6.5's in the overhead soundbar, sub in the rear, and a marine grade amp.
Sounds amazing.

And today I installed a heavy duty tire carrier so the 100lb tire/wheel combo doesn't wear out the tailgate hinges and welds.

It's slow, not a lot of frills, it handles like a donkey, and I'm getting 14 mpg.
But it's a blast! LOL!
I no longer have to worry about speed bumps, potholes, dog sized cats or cat sized dogs. My wife can't curb the wheels. Can take it on the beach, throw in my mountain bike gear, the kid's junk, the dogs... all joking aside it makes a lot more sense for me. It actually does ride pretty nice and it's surprisingly quiet. And the resale value is insane on these things.
The problem is the aftermarket is HUUUUGE! My wallet is choking already. lol

If anyone is interested in a sweet Audi A4 hit me up! haha

If you're interested in any armor check out my brother's business: https://www.jcroffroad.com/

 

[d2mini]

If you're interested in any armor check out my brother's business: https://www.jcroffroad.com/

No way! That's funny... I was checking out their bumpers. Haha

 

[drummerboyevil]

No way! That's funny... I was checking out their bumpers. Haha

haha nice. My brother co-owns the business. He and his business partner started it like... 15+ years ago?

 

[ClownsRCoo]

Where'd you get the stereo work done? I need to find a good place


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[d2mini]

Where'd you get the stereo work done? I need to find a good place


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Houston Car Stereo on Hillcroft at WestPark Tollway.
The owner's name is Dia. Nice guys, they know their stuff. Good prices on the equipment too.
If you make the trip, tell him I sent ya.
I chose them based off their Yelp reviews.

 

[old_moe]

Dennis,

You have been running the G4's for about 6-months... any readout? Are you still impressed with the results?

I am definitely not the early adaptor type.... but the new line seems tempting. Wondering if they are worth setting aside my T5's.

Thanks!

 

[d2mini]

Dennis,

You have been running the G4's for about 6-months... any readout? Are you still impressed with the results?

I am definitely not the early adaptor type.... but the new line seems tempting. Wondering if they are worth setting aside my T5's.

Thanks!

I've been running the G4 Pro's since mid September.
I had the G3 Pro's from June-Sept.

There are three things I look for in my coral.

1. Growth
2. Color
3. Polyp Extension/overall healthy look.

I'm also aware that lighting is not the only factor in any of these.
So I try not to wholly blame or praise lighting for any of the three.
We also have to be aware that my tank is just now 5-5.5 months old, still just a baby in my opinion.

So that said...

1. Growth has been "ok". Some coral have done well, some have barely changed in this time.

2. Color has been VERY good. Actually, I've been a little surprised at how well coral that came into the system looking great and held their color, and others that came in needing some TLC and have greatly improved. There are one or two that are a bit meh, but that's expected.

3. PE... this may be the biggest surprise. I've found that most of my SPS have exhibited really nice PE, and I'm not talking about just the top surfaces facing the light but UNDERNEATH as well. This was always a sore point for me when it came to LED but I think between having better spread from the G4's and using an extra unit than what would typically be recommended, I've got enough light wrap to prevent bald, colorless coral in what would have been shadow areas. Now this may change over time as the corals grow and shadow themselves more. We will have to wait and see.

This photo below is an old example from my previous tank where I had LEDs originally and then switched to MH/T5.
Look at the underside of the coral and note the difference in PE and color.
I have a mini colony of this exact coral in my current tank and it looks just like the MH/T5 side, if not better.
I'll try to get a photo some time.

 

[old_moe]

Thank you for the very detailed response!

I am overdue for a new set of T5's and sadly my coral is scoring low on all 3 of your points above. Thinking I may keep the T5's for a bit longer and see what feeding and new bulbs achieve.

Will continue to follow your build... truly an inspiration to me!!!

Thank you again.

 

[d2mini]

OK, new pics!

First, Mr. Naoko's Wrasse was released into gen pop today!
Here he is posing for his first pic in his new digs.

I think he's stoked for all the extra space and company.
And here's some other random shots, starting with two of my Wyoming White clowns.

 

[SPS_77493]

Jeep is rad.

Becareful don't make it attention grabber you know you live in h town.

 

[Radioheadx14]

Congrats on the Jeep. It can get just as addicting upgrsding that thing as buying stuff for a reef tank.

My advice is that if you ever go soft-top, or naked, get a tuffy lock-box. the console lock/latch is made of plastic... which makes since haha

 

[mlb75]

First I've got to say that it's tanks like yours that keep me in this hobby, its great to see a passion for doing things right and getting the results from that dedication.

My question would be IRT the LED lighting do you think the third fixture is necessary on your tank or just a nice to have? I've got a 300DD and am going through a complete revamp and have been on the fence back and forth about swapping my existing ATI powermodule (60" 8 bulb T5 only) for a set of Radions. My question is do you think three would do it or should I be looking at 4? If I do the Radion's it will be gen4 pro's, I'd considered gen3 pros but the gen 4 stuff seems like a big enough improvement in intensity and spread to justify the 4's. I don't have a ton of rock in the tank as I like to have room all around the perimeter so I don't need a ton of light at the edges but do want to go back to a sps dominate tank with say 65% SPS the rest LPS etc.

TIA

 

[d2mini]

First I've got to say that it's tanks like yours that keep me in this hobby, its great to see a passion for doing things right and getting the results from that dedication.

My question would be IRT the LED lighting do you think the third fixture is necessary on your tank or just a nice to have? I've got a 300DD and am going through a complete revamp and have been on the fence back and forth about swapping my existing ATI powermodule (60" 8 bulb T5 only) for a set of Radions. My question is do you think three would do it or should I be looking at 4? If I do the Radion's it will be gen4 pro's, I'd considered gen3 pros but the gen 4 stuff seems like a big enough improvement in intensity and spread to justify the 4's. I don't have a ton of rock in the tank as I like to have room all around the perimeter so I don't need a ton of light at the edges but do want to go back to a sps dominate tank with say 65% SPS the rest LPS etc.

TIA

Thanks, Mike.

With my tank, I definitely wouldn't want less than 3.
If the tank wasn't so big front to back, like maybe 24" or less, I could hang the lights the other direction and then get away with just two.

You can always try two and then see how it goes with your setup.
Ecotech would be more than happy to sell you a third sometime down the road.

 

[mlb75]

Thanks I'm pretty sure 2 wouldn't work I'm on the fence whether I need 3 or 4 to cover the 72"x36" footprint. I'd like to think I could get away with three since they say they're good for a 3'x3' footprint but because of the footprint of my tank I'd position them the same way you have. That being the case not sure if I wouldn't need two over the center opening of the tank with one over each end of would one over each opening be enough, they say it will but I'm on the fence but at the same time don't want to spend money I don't need to...

 

[biecacka]

Mike you will want four to start. Then likely 6 when things grow. My opinion.

Corey

 

[saf1]

Mike you will want four to start. Then likely 6 when things grow. My opinion.

Corey

Lot of up front cash with depreciation to take into account if you bought too many and re-sell. Go back a few pages and look at the light spread, then how high they are mounted, and finally how 'mini has them set up with intensity. That might help you determine how many to start with. Just a guess if you do go with off the shelf products.

Personally if you are going off the shelf with any of the pre-package solutions / vendors then I'd start with one. I mean you are 100% sure of buying one, then start with one, dial it in with regards to intensity, mounting height, and all that other stuff like controllers, ramp up, down, duration, and what not. Get it the way you want, then if 100% sure, buy the proper amount.

You might save a couple bucks (in this case 750 at a minimum). Besides, they will always gladly sell you more if the need arise

Edit: Nice photos D'

 

[d2mini]

Thanks I'm pretty sure 2 wouldn't work I'm on the fence whether I need 3 or 4 to cover the 72"x36" footprint. I'd like to think I could get away with three since they say they're good for a 3'x3' footprint but because of the footprint of my tank I'd position them the same way you have. That being the case not sure if I wouldn't need two over the center opening of the tank with one over each end of would one over each opening be enough, they say it will but I'm on the fence but at the same time don't want to spend money I don't need to...

Sorry, i missed the 300DD in your post.
Like Biecacka says, you'll want 4 at a minimum. For sps heavy. Hung front to back like mine.
My tank is only 47x31 for comparison.

 

[Heuristic]

Wow, I've spent the last few hours going through this thread from page 1 until now. It inspired me to register for this site. Incredible build.

I laughed out loud when you paused and came back with a dumb bell :lolspin::lolspin::lolspin:


I know that I can't hold you being a #TeamNikon against you, but what lens are you shooting with?

 

[d2mini]

Wow, I've spent the last few hours going through this thread from page 1 until now. It inspired me to register for this site. Incredible build.

I laughed out loud when you paused and came back with a dumb bell :lolspin::lolspin::lolspin:


I know that I can't hold you being a #TeamNikon against you, but what lens are you shooting with?

haha, thanks!

That reminds me that I have an update on the cheato.
It's seems as though it had reached it's peak around the time of that video or a little after.
It has since been breaking down and sending my skimmer in to a bit of a frenzy.
The tank looks good, nitrates are still low at around 2 ppm.
But my latest (2nd) ICP test showed that p04 has sky rocketed, which makes sense.

Not sure what to make of it, so just observing for now.
Best case, the cheato rebounds at some point and starts growing again.
Worst case, I take out the remaining and start with a fresh ball.
It's been several weeks already.

If I do decide to remove the remaining cheato I'll go ahead and add the divider to the sump to separate cheato from other macros and begin trimming as it grows too big.