BackbayReef’s 450gal

[backbayreef]

Does that make ghl linux?

No personal experience with GHL so I can’t comment. The Hydros “feels” like a Raspberry Pi though. Of course, I can be all wrong here! lol

Regardless of underlying operating system, I think that the front-end is all web-based so very universal across Apple & Android devices.

 

[danreef55]

Hey bakbay,
I am considering a large Hydros collective for my pending build. My perception is that Hydros is a more 'industrial' product rather than Apex. Where did Hydros fall short for you?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[backbayreef]

Hey bakbay,
I am considering a large Hydros collective for my pending build. My perception is that Hydros is a more 'industrial' product rather than Apex. Where did Hydros fall short for you?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Don’t get me wrong - the Hydros are IP65 (splash resistant) so yes, more “industrial” than Apex. I do like the quality of the build. However, the Hydros’ user interface leaves more to be desired. Some anedoctal feedback: I can move/remove the tiles in the Apex for a personalized view — I can’t on Hydros. I like Apex’s programming — very “intuitive”. Seems like there are way more install base for Apex so the support community is very helpful. Finally, Apex’s integration into other Ecotech product lines are cool.

Water testing: I currently have the Trident - super cool since I’m too lazy to test. I might be interested in the Hydros Maven when it comes out in November though.

Perhaps I’m more familiar with Apex? Time will tell. What I can tell you — Hydros can definitely do the job though!

 

[backbayreef]

Power (or lack thereof) - we were in the fish room last night and coincidentally (and luckily), both the 93g and 175g lost power. After a few minutes of process of elimination - it appeared that the old Bubble Magus c9 tripped the GFCI breakers!

Well, good news is that those MP40s kept running on UPS - hooray! However, looks like I only have 2 circuits in the room: 1 x 20A and 1 x 15A so need to calculate how to run the 450g & 93g system with just 2 circuits in the coming weeks.

Anyone has a recommendation for a good 20A power strip, please let me know! I need to maximize power consumption.

 

[backbayreef]

So -- quick calculation: I should be able to easily split this into 2 circuits, assuming 70% load (minus the heaters since they are AC). I'm not an electrician so if people can help review & opine, that would be appreciated. I'll split equipment evenly on each circuit for both power consumption & redundancy, except the skimmer, which has only one pump. However, it's not as critical.

20A = 2400 watts max
15A = 1800 watts max

	qty	watts	total watts	70%	AMP
Lights	2​	310​	620​	434​	3.62​
Return Pumps	2​	130​	260​	182​	1.52​
MP60s	2​	60​	120​	84​	0.70​
Gyres	2​	52​	104​	72.8​	0.61​
Skimmer	1​	60​	60​	42​	0.35​
Heaters	2​	300​	600​	600​	5.00​
UVs	2​	57​	114​	79.8​	0.67​
Misc			100​	70​	0.58​
Total			1978​	1384.6​	11.54​

 

[backbayreef]

I do have a 3/4hp chiller but it rarely gets hot where I’m at so not planning to install it. If I add that in, it’s going to be a fortune just to run the tank! During the hottest part of the year, the current tanks got up to 83F so ain’t bad. It will be interesting to see the load with the new tank but I hope to never need the chiller.

 

[backbayreef]

My messy fish room — not looking forward to play more Tetris by moving the 360g out and sliding the 450g in.

Instead of putting the 450g against the wall, I’m planning to leave some room in the back wall for plumbing work. Once done, push the whole setup (which will be on furniture movers) 6-8” against the wall.

What do you guys think?

 

[danreef55]

Where are you putting the 360?

 

[backbayreef]

Where are you putting the 360?

It would be awesome to attach the 360g to the 450g but I still prefer to be married! My wife’s friends are liars (sorry, lawyers) so I’m dead already! lol

Therefore, it’s up for sale if people are interested: 360g AA 3/4” all around, newly polished professionally, AA PVC/acrylic sump, and metal stand. This was gonna be my dream tank yet here we are…

 

[backbayreef]

Random shots of the Lagoon tank this morning before work. This tank will be plumbed to the 450g next month.

 

[backbayreef]

..and your eyes are not deceiving you, yes — that’s a gem tang cruising next to the Haddoni! :)

 

[Connor At CoralVue]

Don’t get me wrong - the Hydros are IP65 (splash resistant) so yes, more “industrial” than Apex. I do like the quality of the build. However, the Hydros’ user interface leaves more to be desired. Some anedoctal feedback: I can move/remove the tiles in the Apex for a personalized view

Perhaps I’m more familiar with Apex? Time will tell. What I can tell you — Hydros can definitely do the job though!

We appreciate the feedback. Any and all feedback goes to heart, and we work to provide continuous improvement.

Just a note, you are able to Create Pages, Move/Remove Tiles, and make items totally invisible. Its not a heavily used feature for users just getting started, as we have found. However, once established with a large system it is nice to break those down by groups(pages). On my system I have a Page for Dosers, Lights, Pumps, Graphs, RODI area, etc. Just like smartphone apps, just hold down the text/tile/graph to uncheck it or move it. :)

If you ever want some assistance, always feel free to reach out to us at support.coralvue.com.

 

[backbayreef]

@Connor At CoralVue thank you very much, super helpful! I've had the Apex for so many years now hence the bias. I'm a complete noob when it comes to Hydros so will read up more and give this a try. My lagoon/frag tank is already Apex-controlled + Trident. When it's plumbed to the 450g, I'm debating to either go complete Apex or Hydros -- don't like to have 2 controllers for "one" tank.

Dosing: from your screenshot, curious on where the Ca/NO3/PO4 samplings came from? Is this a sneak peek of the new Maven? :) I'm looking for one system to sample water or buy a Trident NP to supplement the Trident.

Thanks again for your feedback!

 

[Connor At CoralVue]

@Connor At CoralVue thank you very much, super helpful! I've had the Apex for so many years now hence the bias. I'm a complete noob when it comes to Hydros so will read up more and give this a try. My lagoon/frag tank is already Apex-controlled + Trident. When it's plumbed to the 450g, I'm debating to either go complete Apex or Hydros -- don't like to have 2 controllers for "one" tank.

Dosing: from your screenshot, curious on where the Ca/NO3/PO4 samplings came from? Is this a sneak peek of the new Maven? :) I'm looking for one system to sample water or buy a Trident NP to supplement the Trident.

Thanks again for your feedback!

Those would be my manually tested Static Inputs that I can input for note-keeping. I keep anything that is unrealeased hidden. ;)

 

[backbayreef]

Looking at my power consumption - with the lights out at night, I'm still clocking in at ~500w all the time. I suspect that I'll need a chiller more than a heater? Will definitely keep an eye on power & heating/cooling in the coming months but I suspect that my electricity bill will skyrocket! lol

 

[backbayreef]

UV Question: I have 2 x Classic 57W Aqua Ultraviolet UV lights. As per the vendor's website, this should be good for aquariums up to 355g. With a combined ~600g water volume, do you think that having two UVs will be better or one is "good enough"? Is there such a thing as "too much" uv? My gut says to daisy chain 2x57W UVs together.

What do you think?

 

[backbayreef]

RODI - haven’t changed my filters & resin in a long time, perhaps close to 2yrs? I will be filling up the tank next week and want to make sure TDS is zero or close to it. I was shocked to find out that it was 400+ !$$@ — essentially I’ve been using TAP WATER this whole time! Dooh

Anyway, just swapped out the filters on the BRS 4 stage RODI 75gpd and we’re clocking in at zero TDS now.

So — check your water regularly!

 

[backbayreef]

Speaking of water testing - the specific gravity is way too high at 1.033! I’m slowing diluting to bring it down to 1.025 — doing 5g/day for 4-5 days should do the trick.

 

[backbayreef]

The 450g monster is home! Starting to fill the tank while plumbing this bad boy up! At 75gpd, it’s going to take 3-4d to fill up. Unfortunately, the sump won’t fit underneath so it will have to be next to it. Not desirable but not bad showing off the sump & equipment. My wife is not happy but hope she will learn how to cope — like putting up with me all these years! :)

 

[backbayreef]

Pics of the tank — lots of work ahead!