View Full Version : Rob's Rea Sea Reefer 450
It's official, I'm taking the plunge and starting a new tank. I've only been in the hobby for 9 months, but I'm ready to upgrade my RSM 130 to the Red Sea Reefer 350. Unfortunately, the actual tank will not be shipping until February, but it doesn't stop me from starting with the other equipment:biggrin:.
I've started by picking up a Vertex Omega 180 at JL (for a crazy deal btw) this morning and was hoping to pick up some lights but could not make a decision.
My lighting budget is $1000 and they need to be controllable with the Apex
The lights currently on my radar are the 2 x Kessil 360W-E, Zetlight Qmaven ZT6600. The Vortech Radeon XR30W and the AI Hydra 52's are nice but will blow my budget.
The Evergrow lights seem to be in a good price range, but not controllable via Apex.
Any other LED lights I should be looking at?
thanks in advance for any input.
Pulled the trigger on a pair of Hydra 26's, also ordered pukani from Fiji Reef Rock.
I'm now pondering a different tank, the Cad Lights Artisan 100 gallon. Anyone have one of these? Thoughts?
Equipment List So Far:
2 x AI Hydra 26
Vertex 180i Skimmer
Vortec MP10 using in current set up
Apex Neptune (standard) using in current set up
Tunze ATO
Equipment to Go:
Tank & Sump - Red Sea Reefer 350 or 450 OR Cadlights Artisan 100
Powerheads - 2 x MP40 or Maxspect Gyre
Heater - ??
Ok. Now I'm thinking of going for the Red Sea Reefer 450 or the CadLight Artisan 100 gal.
The "logic" I'm applying here is, the extra 12" of width on the Red Sea tank will give me more fish options. However total system volume between the two are comparable. Am I right?
The longer I think about it the bigger the tank gets....
gregzz4
01-17-2015, 07:05 AM
A 120g is a nice size. I like the 4' version, but some larger fish are better suited to a 6' tank, so your choices are still out there.
Have you considered building your own system instead of buying what you are looking at ?
I ask as I feel some of those all-in-ones are super expensive.
I did consider and priced out custom options. By the time I finish the stand, sump and plumbing it came very close to the cost of these systems.
This being my second tank, I'm also not too keen on undertaking the plumbing myself... If something went wrong and I ended up flooding the house, the wife would behead me. She's been very understanding with my addiction to this hobby, I don't want to push her over the edge. Happy wife = happy life, and I get to keep my head too!
gregzz4
01-17-2015, 08:16 AM
I hear ya
Coral Hoarder
01-17-2015, 02:49 PM
Why not go t5 for lighting you could do it for under 1000 and far better for color and growth then LEDs
ronau
01-17-2015, 03:15 PM
I did consider and priced out custom options. By the time I finish the stand, sump and plumbing it came very close to the cost of these systems.
This being my second tank, I'm also not too keen on undertaking the plumbing myself... If something went wrong and I ended up flooding the house, the wife would behead me. She's been very understanding with my addiction to this hobby, I don't want to push her over the edge. Happy wife = happy life, and I get to keep my head too!
I'm with you on this one for sure. The Reefer system will be cheaper and unless you are have some wood working skills to build/skirt a stand, it'll look much better too.
I believe the Reefer 350 with a white stand will be ~$1800, my 70 gallon tank, stand sump and plumbing was around the same cost and I got the tank and sump at 20% off. Once I consider a little more cost for ATO and plumbing, I definitely wish the reefer was available when I was shopping.
I can't wait to see the initial promotion they have on the systems. My basement flooded last year so I need to move all my tanks and a nice Reefer system upstairs may be in the cards so I can have an easier move.
Why not go t5 for lighting you could do it for under 1000 and far better for color and growth then LEDs
Just wanted to give LEDs a try. Like the idea of not dealing with bulb changes.
Trigger Man
01-18-2015, 07:09 PM
I went with the reef breeders LED's and was a diehard t5 guy for ever. I am loving the ability to customize the power of the lights throughout the day. The shimmer is also a nice added bonus. As for growth, I've seen may LED tanks with great growth. I picked up my first t5's when Tek was releasing them, and I remember everyone saying they would never be able to grow many corals, and that was disproven. So time will also tell for LED's.
rishu_pepper
01-21-2015, 06:46 AM
Where does one order the Reefer 450 or Cadlights 100/140g artisan for GVRD people? Seems like a nice upgrade from what I currently have.
NIVLEM09
01-21-2015, 08:48 AM
Where does one order the Reefer 450 or Cadlights 100/140g artisan for GVRD people? Seems like a nice upgrade from what I currently have.
+1
There's a store in downtown Vancouver that is taking pre-orders for the Red Sea Reefer (I don't think I can post their name on the forum). Cadlights do not have distribution in Vancouver, but will ship direct to Canada.
rishu_pepper
01-21-2015, 03:38 PM
There's a store in downtown Vancouver that is taking pre-orders for the Red Sea Reefer (I don't think I can post their name on the forum). Cadlights do not have distribution in Vancouver, but will ship direct to Canada.
Thank you, I was able to find the store online for the Red Sea.
Sucks that Cadlights don't have dealers here, though I did read in another thread that someone was able to pick one up in Manitoba, probably directly from their US website though. I dig the 140g just thinking that 6' is a really good size and it seems pretty plug and play.
ronau
01-21-2015, 04:45 PM
I believe the Red Sea distributer also distributes CAD Lights so ask the dealer if he can also get CAD Lights.
lastlight
01-21-2015, 04:53 PM
The longer I think about it the bigger the tank gets....
this will continue even after you decide and purchase your next system lol.
Ordered the Red Sea Reefer 450 today. Delivery is expected in April. Time to start curing the dry rock and planning the rest of my equipment.
Any thoughts on a return pump. DC or AC? Those Jaebro's seem to get good reviews and for $80, is it possible to go wrong? Even if I get a back up.
Trigger Man
02-07-2015, 02:04 PM
I'm running the Jebao DC-12000 on my 190g and it works great. I never run it on full power as I don't need that much flow from my return (could have done the DC-9000 as I really don't go past the 4 out of 6 speeds). I have it set up with 2 returns and 3 feeds into the sump, 1 of which goes into the fugue area. It's been 4 months so far, and I like it. I used a mag 18 on my last 130g and looked at the external reef flos for this build. I like the DC power adjustments and checked a few tanks before I bought mine. Nice and quite as well, which was a concern for me.
While I am patiently awaiting, I have aquired a couple more pieces. Picked up a BRS Carbon/GFO reactor, grounding probe and sand.
Considering the Jabao DCT 12000 as a return pump with a split off to feed the reactor. The pump is oversized, I'm hoping it will keep it quieter and last longer as it won't be running at full power. Does anyone have any experience doing this? Input is much appreciated.
Also thinking about the Jabao Dosing unit.
The good thing about waiting this long for the tank is the rock has been cooking for 3 months now and should result in a short cycle!
Aquattro
04-25-2015, 06:46 PM
20 posts into a journal and no pics??? :)
WarDog
04-25-2015, 08:16 PM
20 posts into a journal and no pics??? :)
You took the words right out of my mouth... but Brad, are you the one to really be complaining about no pics in a thread? :lol:
Looking forward to your progress!
Recieved delivery of the loooong awaited Red Sea Reefer 450 on Wednesday.
It is very well finished. Jeff was right, comparable to the Elos at a fraction of the price.
Mods - Please rename the thread to "Rob's Red Sea Reefer 450" Also, is there any way to increase my upload file quota?
Very excited to get this build off the ground. Here are the first pics.
daplatapus
05-24-2015, 10:05 PM
Nice boxes! :D
Easiest way of posting pics right into your post is opening a free photobucket account and copying the IMG file into your post. The full pic will then be seen on your posts :)
Thanks for the tip
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag112/rmc003/Reefer%20450/image.jpg2_zpsap99nzg6.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/rmc003/media/Reefer%20450/image.jpg2_zpsap99nzg6.jpg.html)
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag112/rmc003/Reefer%20450/image.jpg1_zpsq7t83lel.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/rmc003/media/Reefer%20450/image.jpg1_zpsq7t83lel.jpg.html)
illsw
05-25-2015, 04:23 AM
HI Rob, good to hear you received your reefer 450 already. I pre-ordered the white one the same day as you too, I was just wondering where did you order your 450?(Downtown LFS or Burnaby Brighton?) And what color did you order?
Hope I can get mine soon. Thanks, enjoy your new tank.
Setting things up!
Here come the pics
Stand built, tank in place and lights in place (at little belt of scotch helps)
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag112/rmc003/Reefer%20450/C166993B-9510-46F5-84D1-4E36D981A154_zpsdxyixo6q.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/rmc003/media/Reefer%20450/C166993B-9510-46F5-84D1-4E36D981A154_zpsdxyixo6q.jpg.html)
Sump and Skimmer
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag112/rmc003/Reefer%20450/D3C12A88-AD9A-49D3-8621-200A45C2332F_zpsegetbsvf.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/rmc003/media/Reefer%20450/D3C12A88-AD9A-49D3-8621-200A45C2332F_zpsegetbsvf.jpg.html)
Mounting the transformers and power bars
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag112/rmc003/Reefer%20450/5F492F35-1B42-4A4B-BF90-61133A5DD2F4_zpsqbit0jy4.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/rmc003/media/Reefer%20450/5F492F35-1B42-4A4B-BF90-61133A5DD2F4_zpsqbit0jy4.jpg.html)
False Panel in front of the transformer and power bars, for mounting controllers, expansion modules and Apex display. Held in place with simple magnetic catches
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag112/rmc003/Reefer%20450/86896C48-4760-4EF1-9B87-4951B896FE28_zpskpkknraj.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/rmc003/media/Reefer%20450/86896C48-4760-4EF1-9B87-4951B896FE28_zpskpkknraj.jpg.html)
Need to clean up the cables but need to start getting the tank wet
Filling up (leak test)
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag112/rmc003/Reefer%20450/D0B8AFB3-C9CE-41C3-AE12-98B3DAE3C650_zpsm9a7iukn.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/rmc003/media/Reefer%20450/D0B8AFB3-C9CE-41C3-AE12-98B3DAE3C650_zpsm9a7iukn.jpg.html)
No leaks... time to fill it up!
Aquascaping, first attempt... not sure about it, any suggestions?
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag112/rmc003/Reefer%20450/98FD0CF2-13AA-443A-8121-B4BBCDFFCCEE_zps1bo3xiih.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/rmc003/media/Reefer%20450/98FD0CF2-13AA-443A-8121-B4BBCDFFCCEE_zps1bo3xiih.jpg.html)
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag112/rmc003/Reefer%20450/01770D55-2E35-4314-9653-B802A0E19E99_zpsuktlwsdk.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/rmc003/media/Reefer%20450/01770D55-2E35-4314-9653-B802A0E19E99_zpsuktlwsdk.jpg.html)
cblair
06-19-2015, 05:03 AM
Awesome tank, i so want one!
maron6977
06-20-2015, 03:10 AM
Looks good . Sooo clean still !!!!
You did a leak test inside your house? That's not the typically recommended action. :D
You did a leak test inside your house? That's not the typically recommended action. :D
Unfortunately my garage is not level. Living on the edge:wink:
Been taking it slow for the last couple of months, letting the tank establish. Time to get things moving. Stopped by the LFS this weekend and picked up the last bit of equipment
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag112/rmc003/C8F733FB-D00C-4FE2-A586-E9612D849AA6_zps8gb0t9yg.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/rmc003/media/C8F733FB-D00C-4FE2-A586-E9612D849AA6_zps8gb0t9yg.jpg.html)
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag112/rmc003/EDF4EDDD-4224-4A1C-9949-7CCAA347794B_zps1b2frnqe.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/rmc003/media/EDF4EDDD-4224-4A1C-9949-7CCAA347794B_zps1b2frnqe.jpg.html)
Next step start transferring the corals!
Tank is up and running, fish and frags are being added slowly. Just added the first SPS. Picked up frags of a bonsai and monti from Canuckgod420.
Currently 3 glass cardinals from JL are in quarantine for the next few weeks.
Had a minor algae outbreak after "testing" my auto-feeder which resulting in a large dump of pellets. The algae is receding and looks in control.
Starting to set up the 2 part dosing system, hopefully gonna get it up and running this weekend.
More details to come.
Duckhams
10-01-2015, 06:13 PM
Thats one tidy control panel! Great job! Lets see some of the fraggies! Time for a FTS!
Well after many times of watching our Hippo Tang wander in one of the MP40's during feed mode (pumps off), today I forgot to check before cancelling the feed mode, by the time I figured out where my 3 year old daughter's favorite fish was, the pumps were on in full force.
Poor Dori had a gash on her side and was gone :sad:
Not blaming anyone, but I'm a little surprised that Apex doesn't have a option to set the pumps to low during feed mode, instead of booby trap mode.
Just thought I would let keepers know, as I never heard of this happening before it happened to me. Mind the "Feed Mode" AKA "Murderer Mode"
Now I have the night to figure out how to explain this to my daughter before she asks where Dori is tomorrow morning.
I'm sure I'll hear from the tang police. Let me explain. It's a 5 foot tank, and the hippo tang was 1-1/2". I'm planning on upgrading to a suitable tank in the in the next 18 months.
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