[sponsored] Project Reef by Elder1945 200g

Elder1945 · Mar 29, 2018

Jerett83 said:
If you decide to part this setup out let me know. Id be interested in the glass. After reading this thread I started looking into Miracle tanks, I didn't realize there was a tank builder so close to home. I want to upgrade to a 180-220 gallon but we are having a baby in August and my wife says I need to wait until she goes back to work from mat' leave.

This tank is going to stay in my home I plan on doing a few builds a year for just fun.. I still have no clue what I am going to do with them yet.

mmw64 · Mar 29, 2018

Elder1945 said:
Feb 5, 2018

Hello all, I am back with a new build and I am extremely excited about it!

I originally was going to do a Red Sea 525xl and then a 425xl but after thinking about it these tanks just don't have the room that I need. They are beautiful tanks but just not what I truly want.

I have now finally finalized most of the equipment and it is on its way!

This tank will be 85" long 30" wide and 18" tall. After discussing glass or acrylic for over two weeks I have decided to make the tank from 3/4" acrylic. I all most and still am looking at the Elos 200 or 200xl as there tanks are just beautiful........ you never know but the build must start!

This tank overall volume will be over 200 gallons when all said and done. If my bio load is overloading the Vertex 180i I am able to switch it to the 200i with no issue. I do not foresee this but we will find out together.

As for the lights and controller..... I am on the fence for the lights I am looking at AI hydra 52s or Radion g4 pro's... But the ATI hybrids look nice.. We will have to see.

For the controller I am looking at the Vertex Cerebra that has a relaunch this May or the GHL profilux 4!

The Original Cerebra is a great controller and a breath of fresh air to me.

When you take a product apart and there are stainless steel screws and aluminum extrusion where cheap plastic and cheap plastic clips would have been used from other company's you know the quality is just unmatched not only in this hobby but in many products sold.

As all I do is design and build things for a living this is just not seen that much... Especially at the price point they are asking.

This is why I agreed to do this build with Vertex. They may not be 100% perfect but there build quality is just on point. Plus there stuff just works well and looks cool .

With the profilux 4 launch from GHL The controller market just got interesting as there is healthy competition and choices out there.. I have almost ordered the profilux 4 a few times now . I have high hopes for the controller market in the next year. I think you will see more and more ingenuity going into them and pricing going down. The Profilux 4 also has a build quality that is praised on many forums and users. I am still on the fence about this.... I might need to order both..

I will also be documenting everything in videos and pic's on Reef 2 Reef. I hope to shine a light on how I build and designs things. This will also let you help me design a amazing Reef tank!

I am finalizing rough sketches now and hope to have something posted soon. I am going to try to push the limits of what is possible with a aquarium.

I invite you to follow along!
I appreciate comments and criticism as there are things to learn in the hobby every day. If you have a question or a suggestion please be sure to post them!

following!

Elder1945 · Mar 30, 2018

Quick zoa update

.

NCreefguy · Mar 30, 2018

You have one of the cleanest looking, clutter free setups that I've seen. I like it!

Elder1945 · Mar 30, 2018

NCreefguy said:
You have one of the cleanest looking, clutter free setups that I've seen. I like it!

Thank you. It is starting to get fun as i can finaly stock it.

Elder1945 · Apr 5, 2018

Update time

.

I am in the middle of cleaning up the wireing on my system.. Fist step was to replace the PC on the left side with a lattepanda (https://tinyurl.com/y9rd4yve). This worked well.

20180331_205935 by Elder1945, on Flickr

Next step was to finally start programming and setting up my GHL P4 properly.

20180331_205947 by Elder1945, on Flickr

20180331_210312 by Elder1945, on Flickr

20180331_210703 by Elder1945, on Flickr

20180331_210814 by Elder1945, on Flickr

Livestock update... I had a surprise delivery from my friends at The Coral Reef Shop (https://tinyurl.com/yalzmnw5)

20180405_171725 by Elder1945, on Flickr

20180405_171839 by Elder1945, on Flickr

20180405_172020 by Elder1945, on Flickr

It is starting to look like a reef tank... A few more weeks.... Well a month or two I can start adding SPS!

20180405_205027 by Elder1945, on Flickr

20180405_205042 by Elder1945, on Flickr

Did i mention ill be adding fish at some point LOL

chefjpaul · Apr 5, 2018

[emoji7][emoji7][emoji7][emoji7][emoji7][emoji7][emoji7]

Elder1945 · Apr 6, 2018

Did you know I have a reefer 450... I will add more info soon

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/reefer-450-by-elder1945.377890/

tripdad · Apr 6, 2018

Very nice 450, liking the overall vibe. I'm loving all the gorg's your using.

Elder1945 · Apr 6, 2018

tripdad said:
Very nice 450, liking the overall vibe. I'm loving all the gorg's your using.

I fell in love with gorgonians as they give so much height in tanks. To me they are a great way to add a bit of movement in the water column.

Jon_1985 · Apr 6, 2018

It’s sad that underneath your tank is nicer then the inside of my house. Love this thread, I binge read the whole thing as your location caught my attention as I’m from Alliston, ON just south of you. Makes me want to get a move on my build as I’m just slowly getting the parts together.

Thanks for sharing!

Elder1945 · Apr 6, 2018

Jon_1985 said:
It’s sad that underneath your tank is nicer then the inside of my house. Love this thread, I binge read the whole thing as your location caught my attention as I’m from Alliston, ON just south of you. Makes me want to get a move on my build as I’m just slowly getting the parts together.

Thanks for sharing!

I used to live in Beeton

... Builds can be slow but I find those the most rewarding.

Jon_1985 · Apr 6, 2018

Elder1945 said:
I used to live in Beeton ... Builds can be slow but I find those the most rewarding.

No way! Are you originally from Beeton? We most likely know a lot of the same people. Small world.

Elder1945 · Apr 12, 2018

Jon_1985 said:
No way! Are you originally from Beeton? We most likely know a lot of the same people. Small world.

Nope

I have lived in Texas, Massachusetts, Virginia and now Barrie

.

Elder1945 · Apr 18, 2018

All nice and clean

.

20180418_210440 by Elder1945, on Flickr
Clean up crew added!

20180418_210445 by Elder1945, on Flickr

20180418_210424 by Elder1945, on Flickr

20180418_210429 by Elder1945, on Flickr
I am almost at the point of setting up the GHL doser. I wanted to wait till the tank settled down for a bit with livestock in it. The tank is starting to look like something.

So much more to do on this system but it is stable for now... All i have to do is stop playing with the Orphek V4s as the Zoanthids now are closed

User1 · Apr 18, 2018

Nice setup and dedication. Virtual "High Five" to you. Question if you will. That large light green coral on right side - looks like next to the GSP, what is that if you don't mind me asking.

Elder1945 · Apr 19, 2018

saf1 said:
Nice setup and dedication. Virtual "High Five" to you. Question if you will. That large light green coral on right side - looks like next to the GSP, what is that if you don't mind me asking.

In my Reefer 450 it is a neon Green Leather.. I will be taking half of it out at some point and adding it to my main display.

Elder1945 · Apr 25, 2018

3rd dip just to make sure nothing is on them and man.... Even after 3 dips the absolute freak show that comes off Zoanthids is crazy.. I find my self looking in the dip bucking saying out loud what the heck is that ewwwwww LOL.

20180425_203936 by Elder1945, on Flickr