Broadfield's Red Sea Reefer 450 Build

[Broadfield]

Originally Posted by oldbones

Can you please share your color channel percentages for 15k? I'm running 3 primes over my 34" 56g custom.

Here is my Dropfox file if you simply want to upload it to your lights and check it out... actually this is 14k. If you drop the whites about 8 % or so, you would be at 15k.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/or5nr4p6l5...2014k.aip?dl=0



Broadfield AI Prime Settings by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

Broadfield AI Prime Peak % by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

[oldbones]

Thank you for that.

Interestingly enough, those numbers are very close to what I've arrived at after months of tweaking. The tank seems to be responding well so far for me.

Regarding PAR values though, I'm surprised at the numbers you were seeing with your meter. I borrowed a meter from my LFS and my numbers were considerably lower than yours, even with the entire fixture running 100%. I know you have 5 fixtures to my three, but I think mine might be a tad closer together, and as tight a pattern as they throw, I would expect our PAR values to actually be quite similar. Who knows, however, how accurate my borrowed meter was.

At any rate, great looking tank. I'll be watching!

[DrCooper]

This build is the nicest setup under the hood I have ever seen! Any advice for someone who just ordered the same tank?

[Broadfield]

Originally Posted by DrCooper

This build is the nicest setup under the hood I have ever seen! Any advice for someone who just ordered the same tank?

Ditch the ATO setup, modify the filter sock holders for standard 4" socks and modify the return outlet to Y off the flow.

[DrCooper]

Tank arrived and boy is this thing solid! Can't wait. Thanks for the advice. Researching skimmer and lights now. Ecotech vs. Aquaillumintion for the LED

[DrCooper]

How do you like the Vectra M1? Also, do you think the 2 MP 10s are ideal for this tank? Researching for my own build.

[Broadfield]

Originally Posted by DrCooper

How do you like the Vectra M1? Also, do you think the 2 MP 10s are ideal for this tank? Researching for my own build.

I have no complaints about the M1. It's dead silent and works... I guess that's really all I ask out of it lol.

As for the MP10's, the glass is too thick for them to couple on this tank. So you would have to do MP40's. If you have an Apex system, then the WAV is a no brainer.

[SNAKEMANVET]

That's one clean setup,very well thought out.

[duberz]

What fittings did you use to tee off your return?

[Broadfield]

Originally Posted by duberz

What fittings did you use to tee off your return?

I glued on a 3/4" Loc-Line Y adapter. From there it's whatever 1/2" Loc-Line stuff you want to use.

IMG_4301 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

[andrek787]

Broadfield. I wanted to get your opinion on this spectrum. Is this close to what you achieved with primes?

These are hybrid Hydra52s with 3 EU blue pucks and 1 US royal blue puck. The lights were EU spec but the blues were more of a turquoise then I expected so I decided to try doing a hybrid configuration. Bought a used US spec 52 to get royal blue pucks. This seems to have evened out the color away from green.

First picture is 80% blues, 50% white, 20% red\green. Second is everything even at 20%.

[Broadfield]

Originally Posted by andrek787

Broadfield. I wanted to get your opinion on this spectrum. Is this close to what you achieved with primes?

These are hybrid Hydra52s with 3 EU blue pucks and 1 US royal blue puck. The lights were EU spec but the blues were more of a turquoise then I expected so I decided to try doing a hybrid configuration. Bought a used US spec 52 to get royal blue pucks. This seems to have evened out the color away from green.

First picture is 80% blues, 50% white, 20% red\green. Second is everything even at 20%.

It's always tough to tell from pictures since we may not have the white balance correct etc. This is what mine looks like to the naked eye:

IMG_5682 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

And this video...

[DrCooper]

Love this build! Debating mp40's vs. wav as I may go with apex controller. Still researching skimmer as well.

[Broadfield]

Originally Posted by DrCooper

Love this build! Debating mp40's vs. wav as I may go with apex controller. Still researching skimmer as well.

Keep in mind that the WAV is $200 cheaper than the MP40's... so that money could go towards the Apex

[DrCooper]

Originally Posted by Broadfield

Keep in mind that the WAV is $200 cheaper than the MP40's... so that money could go towards the Apex

Great point. Does the M1 work with the apex?
I am likey doing 2 AI hydra52 HDs as I plan on just soft and lps corals

You mind if I PM you and pick your brain even more?

[Broadfield]

Originally Posted by DrCooper

Great point. Does the M1 work with the apex?
I am likey doing 2 AI hydra52 HDs as I plan on just soft and lps corals

You mind if I PM you and pick your brain even more?

The M1 does not work with the Apex aside from power... however, I don't mind because I only use it in on or off mode. I don't use feed mode or any of the other features. Feel free to PM me. Heck, I have had a lot of members calling me lol.

[bryan06107]

I am also using an m1 with my 525 reefer and Apex. Great pump super quiet and just use it as off/on also. Spend the $ on the apex! I debated for month over spending the money. I would not have a tank w/o it now.

[DrCooper]

Originally Posted by bryan06107

I am also using an m1 with my 525 reefer and Apex. Great pump super quiet and just use it as off/on also. Spend the $ on the apex! I debated for month over spending the money. I would not have a tank w/o it now.

Are you using a WAV or Vortechs?

[danny1496]

Originally Posted by bryan06107

I am also using an m1 with my 525 reefer and Apex. Great pump super quiet and just use it as off/on also. Spend the $ on the apex! I debated for month over spending the money. I would not have a tank w/o it now.

How are you liking the m1 or should I buy the l1

[Ginu]

Originally Posted by Broadfield

Thank you! I actually forgot to post pics of it all cleaned up behind the control panel. Also changed some of the items out on the control panel... I got rid of the Vortechs and picked up the WAV. Where the Vortech controllers were I mounted my Puratek level controller:

IMG_5424 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_5282 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

Very nice and clean setup. I have a RSM S500 at the office and love the craftsmanship of the tank/stand etc.. I wish I would have purchased the reefer instead(for customization), however it wasn't released yet.

I would like to point towards the power bar at the bottom of that cabinet, i would suggest to move that above and not directly on the cabinet incase you have any water spillages.
I had a flood at work and all my electronics survived with no issues however, everyone's computers are fried as they just stand on the floor.

[Broadfield]

Originally Posted by Ginu

Very nice and clean setup. I have a RSM S500 at the office and love the craftsmanship of the tank/stand etc.. I wish I would have purchased the reefer instead(for customization), however it wasn't released yet.

I would like to point towards the power bar at the bottom of that cabinet, i would suggest to move that above and not directly on the cabinet incase you have any water spillages.
I had a flood at work and all my electronics survived with no issues however, everyone's computers are fried as they just stand on the floor.

Thanks man! Yeah, the area where my electronics are housed is sealed from the sump etc. There would be no way for water to get to that area.

[Broadfield]

It's finally about 8 months old...

[Broadfield]

For the last month or so, I have noticed that my weekly water changes are no longer keeping my calcium and alkalinity stable... rightfully so. I knew that the day would come that I would need to hook up my 2-part doser. I had my BRS dosing pumps and Vertex reservoirs from my old nano, but knew that I wanted to go with the Neptune DOS and DDR for this tank. So I finally added my DOS and DDR a couple of weeks back. For the life of me I can't figure out why I didn't buy these earlier. I never would of imagined that it could be that much better than the standard BRS pumps ran through an Apex. These things are so baller!

I was happy that they both fit nice and snug behind my command center:

IMG_5030 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_5021 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4995 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4994 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

Also, a quick morning teaser of the new fixture... more on that to come!

IMG_6216 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

[Broadfield]

Also tried out a macro lens for the first time in my life... don't judge lol. These are taken under the new fixture... Giesemann Aurora.

IMG_4976 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4970 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4979 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4899 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4746 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4969 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

[Broadfield]

IMG_4763 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4844 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4770 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4813 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4744 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4866 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr