[sponsored] Project Reef by Elder1945 200g

[Elder1945]

Feb 5, 2018

April t, 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!

 

[Brew12]

I have to follow along with this one!

 

[aaron23]

how do i get my tank build sponsored.......

 

[Rory's Reef]

Following

 

[Drakonis]

That was a nice stand you made the cerebra, not suited for my layout as two young kids would terrorize that sitting in the open lol but cant wait to see what you come up with on the build

 

[Elder1945]

I have to follow along with this one!

Following

The build starts this weekend as my first item is here! I am building a mixing station.. One thing I learned is having saltwater on hand 24/7 is a good thing.

I am stopping in at Home depot to pick up this.
https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p....5-shelf-36-inch-w-x-18-inch-d.1000674333.html
I am moving my QT setup and mixing station near my sink in my laundry room. Pic's to come this weekend...

I still have to work out the plumbing on it but have a Jebao DC-3000 and a DC-7000 that also just came in to work with. I chose Jebao as this will be a disposable pump that said I have had good luck with Jebao in the past. For the cost of the pumps it is hard for me to make any argument agents them as long as you know what you are buying.

I will see if I will need to pick up another container to keep 55 gallons of R/O on hand... I have never needed R/O water on mass even with my old reef tank so we will see..

 

[Elder1945]

how do i get my tank build sponsored.......

A lot of hard work

That was a nice stand you made the cerebra, not suited for my layout as two young kids would terrorize that sitting in the open lol but cant wait to see what you come up with on the build

Yes it can be impractical to have that Cerebra stand when you have kids. I can see this turning out bad...

 

[revhtree]

Ooooh I can't wait for this!!

 

[Preme]

This gonna be so sweet!!!

 

[Iceman001]

Following

 

[Elder1945]

https://flic.kr/p/24BYr5b

After owning and maintaining a 16 foot long reef tank there are a few things that I have learned.


1. I need a spot to store saltwater that is permanent.

2. This tank must have a overflow..... After discussing with my wife multiple times when building my 16 foot reef that it would be impossible for me to flood or leave on the R/O overnight.... This subsequently happened and overflowed my Brute trashcan multiple times .

3. I have no need to store mass amounts of R/O. I plan on having a 20+ gallon ATO and on top of that will be using the new Ice-Cap R/O system.

(http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/fi...ems/icecap-rodi-smart-water-filtration-system)

This thing is cool .

4. I need somewhere open and not in a "closet" and that is well lit.

5. I don't want a fish store in my house. I am known to go overboard in things I set up and build........

I have decided I want something simple clean and open. Nothing more.. I have a few good friends who own brick and mortar stores around me. If i have the need for a frag tank or whatever I will just steal some real estate at their store .


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[AquariumSpecialty]

Hmmm, maybe I should follow along as a build sponsor.

 

[Elder1945]

Hmmm, maybe I should follow along as a build sponsor.

LOL. yes that might help.

 

[AquariumSpecialty]

I'm not a smart man but I do know what love is. I had two ice creams today. I really did...

 

[joseserrano]

following

 

[Elder1945]

following

Thanks! Most of the stuff I ordered is on its way and I should have it this week!

 

[Elder1945]

Something just showed up at my shop..... I wonder whats inside....
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[Elder1945]

Basic RGB by Elder1945, on Flickr

So I spent my day having a unboxing experience I say experience as I can't remember opening anything with such anticipation or high expectations. I was not let down... To say Vertex makes nice aquarium products is a understatement.

The impeccable boxing... Yes boxing of there products I have not seen in this industry let alone other industry. This is something I would expect from Aston Martin or Ferrari.

The build quality caught most of my employees eyes and ended up sparking conversations on how this or that was done. I am honestly and genuinely impressed with how these products are constructed. I have owned most brands that are sold from Jebao to Royal Exclusive and I must admit I have never see anything like this before.

I felt bad opening the boxes.. This quickly was replaced with excitement!
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[Elder1945]

Now for the big box .... The I-Supra...... This thing (I call it a thing not a sump as it is hard to put into words how impressed I am at the craftsmanship and design of this thing) is amazing!

Pictures do not do the I-Supra C+ justice as it is just beautiful..
DSC_0108 by Elder1945, on Flickr
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Still so much to open and figure out.. This is going to be fun!

 

[Clayton Jessup]

Wow following this build it looks like it's really going to be a good one , love it when people do all vertex