Reefer Deluxe 450: Build Out with no $ cap :)

[Jeeve5]

For the more experience hobbiest out there I'm curious to know how you'd build out this tank for a mixed reef if money were no object.

I am getting back into the hobby, having run a few nano and cubes almost 10 years ago. Now I'm at a good point in my life where I have the money to do things right. I've been spending the past month trying to learn all the new equipment, techniques, etc. I am pretty much settled on the tank, now just trying to formulate a plan to build it out the sump, etc. and like most everyone else hoping to limit my maintenance and mistakes.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[RobZilla04]

If money were no object I'd go top of the line with lighting (LED T5 combo). Everything else I'd stick to basic.

 

[Jeeve5]

If money were no object I'd go top of the line with lighting (LED T5 combo). Everything else I'd stick to basic.

Thanks but of all the things I've been concerned with, lighting has not been one of them. I thought a good LED system is fairly complete. What will T5 add?

Also I'm honestly exponentially more concerned about water chemistry...

 

[RobZilla04]

Thanks but of all the things I've been concerned with, lighting has not been one of them. I thought a good LED system is fairly complete. What will T5 add?

Also I'm honestly exponentially more concerned about water chemistry...

If I'm not mistaken T5 was used for years before LEDs became popular. As many transitioned to LED there was much debate about which style was better. As LED technology improved and cost reduced, they have been a go to for many of us. An advantage is not having to change bulbs every 6 months to a year.

As for reef chemistry it's simple. Once you grasp how it works of course. Alk, Cal, & Mag are the most important to coral health/growth. As your coral livestock increase and grow a doser helps replenish those nutrients which are absorbed from the water without having to do water changes as often.

I went with a higher end doser (GHL 2) over a cheaper brand for the peace of mind that it wont (shouldn't) fail. Worst case would be if it fails while pumping thus dumping an entire canister of Alk into my tank and nuking it.

 

[ssgss gogeta]

I think you've already bought you tank and it is a great tank btw. I would have had a custom tank made.

If you have money and can renovate I would have plumbing done so you can have your water change tank outside and automated to change water at the flick of a switch or turn of a
Valve. If you need a chiller have the plumbing done so that can be outside too. I would install humidity fans and sensors to change the rooms humidity when gets too high. Again if humidity can become a problem for you.

That said actually equipment for the tank. I would go with
- ati hybrid lighting
- Apex controller
- one of the deltec twin chamber skimmers
- vortec wave makers/ gyre
- bashsea pellet reactor

I mean there is tons of preferable usually German made quality products. But if it were me I would spend the money I had on automation and ease of things.


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[Jeeve5]

Thanks.

Haven't purchased tank yet... what about a custom would you do differently?

 

[thegrun]

I agree that if you have not already purchased your tank I would also go with custom components rather than purchasing an all in one system. Individual components will allow you a lot more flexibility as your tank matures and you adjust your equipment to your actual needs, not a prepackaged system that may be difficult to modify to your needs.

 

[top shelf]

If it were me and money no object I would get the following.
Tank: Custom w/bean animal overflow
Sump: Custom
Lights: Giessman Aurora hybrid
Top of the line Apex
Ato: Tunze (can't remember the number for the bigger one)
Skimmer: Reef octopus
Return pump: Reef octopus
Doser: GHL
Plumbing: colored pvc
Testing: Hannah checkers
RODI: 6 stage w/booster pump
Powerhead: vortech
Any other bells and whistles I could think of that would be nice to have. As for the led/t5 hybrid goes most led's cover the spectrum very well but the t5 can still compliment and add to it. It can also help to limit or get rid of that disco ball effect. Many have also noted much better color and growth with the hybrid fixtures.

 

[roostertech]

Pump: Red Dragon 80w
http://royalexclusiv.com/Flow-Pumps...dy-80-Watt-2-113-gph-10V-connection::844.html
Skimmer: http://royalexclusiv.com/Skimmer/Sk...ble-King-Double-Cone-180-RD3-Speedy::412.html
Light: Giessman Aurora
Apex 2016 + ATK (top off) + AFS (feeder) + FMK (flow monitor) + DOS (doser)
Flow: MP40s or Gyre

 

[Jeeve5]

Thanks for everyone's input. Don't think I want to go down road of custom tank. Still thinking the 450, but I am more and more convinced that the biggest obstacle for me will be water changes. So my plan will start with running a drain to my kitchen sink (which I should be able to cleanly do through one wall and kitchen cabinets that back up to the tank location. I also have a kitchen pantry directly behind the tank wall, and I am thinking of installing two elevated storage tanks... 1 for RODI and 1 for new saltwater. This should make the changes rather easy and mess free, plus it frees up the Red Sea ATO tank which I plan to convert to a refugium.