Overkill or Just Right?

[cstephens94]

Looking to upgrade from a 20gal AIO Cube to a CADE S3 1200 mixed reef. I want to ultimately automate everything. I want to save where possible but I dont want to lose capability. Can you critique my setup idea? I probably have some things to adjust so any advice is welcomed.

FULL EQUIPMENT LIST

CADE Reef S3 1200 Complete System (Display Tank + Aluminum Cabinet + Tinted Glass Sump + Preinstalled Quick-Fit Plumbing + Gravity ATO Reservoir + Polycarbonate Jump Guard)

AquaIllumination Hydra 32HD x3

AquaIllumination RMS Mounting Rail

Neptune Systems COR-20 Return Pump

AquaIllumination Orbit 4 Cross-Flow Pump x2

AquaIllumination Nero 5 Flow Pump x2

ClariSea SK-5000 Gen 3 Filter Roller

Reef Octopus Classic 150-INT Protein Skimmer

Tunze LED Eco Chic Refugium Light 8831

Bulk Reef Supply Dual GFO & Carbon Reactor (Activated Carbon Media
GFO / Phosphate Adsorption Media)

Aqua Ultraviolet Classic 25W UV Sterilizer

Tunze Osmolator 3155 Auto Top-Off System

Finnex Titanium Heater 300W x2

Neptune Systems A3 Apex Pro Base Unit
Neptune Systems EB832 Energy Bar 832 x2
Neptune Systems Apex Display Module (ADM)
Neptune Systems Temperature Probe
Neptune Systems pH Probe
Neptune Systems ORP Probe
Neptune Systems PM2 Salinity Module
Neptune Systems Salinity Probe
Neptune Systems DOS Dosing Pump x2
Neptune Systems Trident
Neptune Systems Trident NP
Neptune Systems Leak Detection Kit
Neptune Systems Optical Leak Sensors
Neptune Systems Liquid Level Sensors
Neptune Systems Flow Monitoring Kit

 

[Sam7]

I say save the money and invest for retirement

 

[cstephens94]

I say save the money and invest for retirement

Seriously, how do people afford this stuff? What's really killing me here? The neptune i get it, the other equipment i could go cheaper but am i losing out be going cheaper on powerheads and pumps and lights? If the ultimate goal is running everything on the Apex, would i lose capabilities by getting Chinese off brand equipment?

 

[KrisReef]

Are you planning to run ozone?

What is ORP?

I bought the Neptune a3 pro system and I was trying to calibrate the ORP probe. Can someone help better explain ORP it sounds extremely complicated. What do the levels mean? Does anyone have any experience calibrating this probe I am extremely confused the instructions on the app are very...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[cstephens94]

Not specifically. There's a bundle and it includes the ORP so its sort of just an additional probe and reading.

 

[rowenaad]

I have a 20 gallon but im lazy so i automated everything i possibly can which is absolutely overkilled but with a way cheaper solution as using smart power boards and smart home solution with some cost effective chinese branded appliance wherever possible instead of an all rounder reef controller which would lock me in for a single brand. They may not be as elegant and long lasting as these expensive ones, but saves me a fortune. To give you some examples, AWC is accomplished with a pump and ATO on smart power boards programmed to take water out of the tank for 2 mins then enabling SW ATO costing ~$60 total. tapo leak sensor $17 each. Some Chinese temperature and ph monitor costs $40 and $6 to replace the ph probe. My most recent investment in an automated tester for alk/ca/mg/no3/no4 costs less than $1400 and each test costs only 5 cents in reagents.

 

[cstephens94]

I have a 20 gallon but im lazy so i automated everything i possibly can which is absolutely overkilled but with a way cheaper solution as using smart power boards and smart home solution with some cost effective chinese branded appliance wherever possible instead of an all rounder reef controller which would lock me in for a single brand. They may not be as elegant and long lasting as these expensive ones, but saves me a fortune. To give you some examples, AWC is accomplished with a pump and ATO on smart power boards programmed to take water out of the tank for 2 mins then enabling SW ATO costing ~$60 total. tapo leak sensor $17 each. Some Chinese temperature and ph monitor costs $40 and $6 to replace the ph probe. My most recent investment in an automated tester for alk/ca/mg/no3/no4 costs less than $1400 and each test costs only 5 cents in reagents.

Can you link the automated tester? Does anything do automatic testing and dosing? I'd like to get to a point when its running Triton Method for the most part. Maybe im not icp testing every week but I'd like to do real time testing and dosing.

 

[Sam7]

Seriously, how do people afford this stuff? What's really killing me here? The neptune i get it, the other equipment i could go cheaper but am i losing out be going cheaper on powerheads and pumps and lights? If the ultimate goal is running everything on the Apex, would i lose capabilities by getting Chinese off brand equipment?

I think you should get everything you want. I dont know much about all that equipment. I just have a simple setup. I was mostly just teasing you about all the prices of all that stuff.

 

[cstephens94]

I think you should get everything you want. I dont know much about all that equipment. I just have a simple setup. I was mostly just teasing you about all the prices of all that stuff.

No I didn't take any offense to it. I'm with you. The price of this stuff is crazy. I'm super simple for my 20gal but if im investing big money in a tank and livestock, I'm scared to cut corners.

 

[cstephens94]

Are you planning to run ozone?

What is ORP?

I bought the Neptune a3 pro system and I was trying to calibrate the ORP probe. Can someone help better explain ORP it sounds extremely complicated. What do the levels mean? Does anyone have any experience calibrating this probe I am extremely confused the instructions on the app are very...

www.reef2reef.com

Not specifically. There's a bundle and it includes the ORP so its sort of just an additional probe and reading.

 

[Sam7]

No I didn't take any offense to it. I'm with you. The price of this stuff is crazy. I'm super simple for my 20gal but if im investing big money in a tank and livestock, I'm scared to cut corners.

Thats a really nice setup dont blame you

 

[slingfox]

I think you should get everything you want. I dont know much about all that equipment. I just have a simple setup. I was mostly just teasing you about all the prices of all that stuff.

Agreed with @Sam7 that you should get whatever you feel like. I personally don’t believe that Neptune setup is worth the cost. For a controller system I went with a more simplistic Hydros setup. I think you can run a rock solid reef tank without monitoring all the stuff you plan to monitor. Most of the probes like Ph and Orp will only be “reliable”’ if you are willing to recalibrate them on schedule. I personally monitor ORP but that is because I run ozone—I don’t think ORP is worth monitoring otherwise.

One piece of equipment which seems out of place is the AI Hydras. Why get such a mediocre light in what is otherwise a relatively high end setup? If you are trying to stay within a budget I would upgrade the lights and downgrade or not get some of the other equipment (much of which is unnecessary).

Lastly, why the Clarisea Rollermat? The RedSea Reefmat 1500 is much better reviewed.

 

[cstephens94]

Agreed with @Sam7 that you should get whatever you feel like. I personally don’t believe that Neptune setup is worth the cost. For a controller system I went with a more simplistic Hydros setup. I think you can run a rock solid reef tank without monitoring all the stuff you plan to monitor. Most of the probes like Ph and Orp will only be “reliable”’ if you are willing to recalibrate them on schedule. I personally monitor ORP but that is because I run ozone—I don’t think ORP is worth monitoring otherwise.

One piece of equipment which seems out of place is the AI Hydras. Why get such a mediocre light in what is otherwise a relatively high end setup? If you are trying to stay within a budget I would upgrade the lights and downgrade or not get some of the other equipment (much of which is unnecessary).

Lastly, why the Clarisea Rollermat? The RedSea Reefmat 1500 is much better reviewed.

For that size system the UV listed may be undersized.

This is the feedback I've been hoping for tbh. I'm new to the hobby honestly and I probably hear too much back and forth about who's good and who's bad. I always thought the AIs were pretty good equipment. I have a 16HD for my 20gal and I felt like it was easy to set up and use with good results.

If you tweaked things, how would you set it up? (Not a gotcha, genuine question)

 

[rowenaad]

Can you link the automated tester? Does anything do automatic testing and dosing? I'd like to get to a point when its running Triton Method for the most part. Maybe im not icp testing every week but I'd like to do real time testing and dosing.

They have a pro version that does auto dosing/adjustment for alk/ca/mg based on the average of 2 test or 2 day of test results (I remember they mention how its calculated in one of their videos but cant remember exactly which lolll) but not yet for nitrate or phosphate. They have an all in one unit for alk/ca/mg/no3/po4/k/ph/orp testing, alk/ca/mg dosing and calcium reactor control but I went with 2 individual units one for alk/ca/mg testing and dosing and one for no3/po4 testing. I did a review on the no3/po4 tester

They are on Taobao.

 

[slingfox]

This is the feedback I've been hoping for tbh. I'm new to the hobby honestly and I probably hear too much back and forth about who's good and who's bad. I always thought the AIs were pretty good equipment. I have a 16HD for my 20gal and I felt like it was easy to set up and use with good results.

If you tweaked things, how would you set it up? (Not a gotcha, genuine question)

If I were you, I would seriously consider not going full blown Neptune without a lot of research. There are tons of people using Neptune so it can work great but if you go that route you should 100% be sure that is the system is worth it to you. I also looked extensively into controller systems when I set up my tank and went with Hydros.

I would look into getting better lights. If you want bang for your buck then ReefBreeders. If you want best lights available (arguably) then I believe that is the ATI Straton line (the Straton X will come out in 2-3 months).

For rollermat RedSea ReefMat 1200.

If you opt out of Neptune you can get a similar quality or better pump for less. Varios line is worth looking into (better than Sicce and RedSea—I have all three brands and compared them head-2-head).

You have to ask yourself if you really want to run carbon and GFO reactor. Amongst the hardcore sPS folks GFO has fallen out of favor. For carbon, that is less popular nowadays and those that do run it just put it into a bag in a low flow area in the tank (ie, that is the current setup recommended by the Reefmoonshiners community).

Powerheads seem fine. Some people prefer the Echotech MP line for aesthetics (myself included).

If you want a UV with same wattage but much better form factor look into the TMC Vecton 850. I also purchased the AU UV originally and returned it since it was going to make my sump insanely tight.

 

[Skippy The Meh]

I think you should get everything you want. I dont know much about all that equipment. I just have a simple setup. I was mostly just teasing you about all the prices of all that stuff.

No I didn't take any offense to it. I'm with you. The price of this stuff is crazy. I'm super simple for my 20gal but if im investing big money in a tank and livestock, I'm scared to cut corners.

You can always get it in stages too. Get one part up and running, fix all the kinks l. Buy the next part etc etc. I dont have all that but ive got some similar quality comparable components on my recent build for the reason of protecting whats in the tank. Id reason not have to replace all the fish and corals if a cheap piece of equipment fails. I dont have good luck with any aquaillumination products just fyi. I used them for my previous 50G set up and each component failed eventually within 2 years. I moved to red sea and reef breeders

 

[Boo Baker]

Automation for me was more trouble than it was worth. I was always setting up or changing things, fighting with cords, fighting with connections. Automation is an even trade on time in my opinion, and much more costly. Had 3k invested in Hydro's and sold it all for 1k last month. I have more free time after it was all removed! I am also a lazy reefer; I just do a 2gal water change daily and am happy with my decision

 

[Skippy The Meh]

Automation for me was more trouble than it was worth. I was always setting up or changing things, fighting with cords, fighting with connections. Automation is an even trade on time in my opinion, and much more costly. Had 3k invested in Hydro's and sold it all for 1k last month. I have more free time after it was all removed! I am also a lazy reefer; I just do a 2gal water change daily and am happy with my decision

Do you do automatic water changes? If so what do you use?

 

[Wonkabar]

My initial idea for my build was very similar to yours. Feel free to check out my build thread to see what I ended up going with. I really love the case aquariums however when you get to the 6 foot and longer rimless they really bow. A LOT. Everyone that has one says the bowing is fine and I’m sure it is. Cade builds great aquariums. But I couldn’t get over bending glass holding back 200+ gallons of saltwater in my living room.

 

[Boo Baker]

Do you do automatic water changes? If so what do you use?

Manual water changes. I have a gate valve I place a bucket under, turn valve and fill a two-gal pail, and add two new gallons to my sump of new water